Theta Report # 22 (2014-12-01)

This report was submitted by CMDR/COL Jarek La'an/Theta/Wing II/ISDII Warrior


Theta Squadron WSR #22
010930ZDEC14

Interesting times in the last 10 days, with a number of positives and negatives discussed openly and freely on the TC mailing lists. Suffice to say there has been a significant loss of experience and drive in the resignation of several key officers. It’s always sad to see when we lose people, whatever their stripe, rank, or background – moreso as the last few months have been so very positive for the group as a whole. As usual I was unable to resist sticking my oar in, which is something of a bad habit and the product of seeing too many of these situations flare up over the previous decade. It’s always interesting to compare the group mentality with others out there in the gaming world and note the immaturity inherent in most due to young or over-indulged membership who are liberated by their anonymity. We certainly don’t share that for the most part, but the last week has proven how easy it can be for issues burning away under the surface to suddenly take hold, bursting into the public eye with a flurry of accusations and the selfsame immaturity and contentious comments. What can we learn? If indeed old dogs can learn old tricks (and here I assume the average member age is in the mid-30s and thus I’m not included in the old bracket!) then we need to remember to use our chain of command, to address issues in a private forum where they can be discussed rationally, rather than in a public forum where the fire is stoked by other contributors or comments; the Theta CMDR’s of the world who read, think, disregard, and wade in. I bear no grudges and would happily see any other officer in the ranks of my own squadron, but we all can learn something by resisting that temptation to get involved. COM and TCCOM reports have since been issued that I believe capture the sentiment perfectly, to remind all who need to be reminded – my metaphorical door is always open, regardless of ship or squadron, if you need an ear, drop me a line.



On to the positives! Commendations of Loyalty were approved and issued, congratulations to all who received one particularly GN Yoda. It’s worth noting that they were recommended around 3 months ago and thus there’s a slight disconnect between timings – but the recommend was earned by all, and they were made on an entirely honest basis; loyalty doesn’t have to translate to flying, or activity of astronomic quantity, it can reflect that pilot who quietly occupies a FM slot and persists despite difficulties, or the pilot who strives to contribute any way they can. Well done to all.



On a roll… the new Star Wars Episode VII teaser burst onto the internet in the last few says, giving away little but I suspect making all of us that little bit optimistic, despite past evidence! Personally I enjoyed the teaser format, even if it did appear to be used to signpost the new actors, however there was sufficient Falcon, TIE, and Stormtrooper content to give me that positive vibe and clearly show that the TC persists, while I even enjoyed the lightclaymore and it’s odd crossguard. J J Abrams has a chequered history with rebooting franchises, so the fact that this is a continuation not a timeline reboot should ensure the good stuff remains and the classic is duly venerated but not slavishly adhered to. I’m optimistic, but then again don’t tell me the odds.

TIE Golf persists! It would appear that Frodo and Plif are determined to grind each other down in a war of attrition, suffice to say it’s going to take the TAC to craft a decider. It’s safe to assume Plif will be a full COL by the time the dust clears on the 20th tiebreak round next year…



The Pazaak competition mooted earlier has now been confirmed and will kick off today, you’re encouraged to locate matchups via IRC but I’m entirely unfamiliar with the game mechanic, so I’ll simply direct you to the COO’s explanatory mails on the TC list. Far more reliable than my own attempts to explain the ins and outs of it.


Last but not least, MSE time is upon us. I’ll be submitting it later today so any opportunity to contribute to it is now passed! I’d encourage you all to make a resurgent effort inDecember, but as the holidays approach I know that’s going to be a big ask. Instead I’d like to see the next 10 days used as efficiently as possible to lay down some activity, before we all disperse until the New Year. Despite my newfound addiction to Silent Hunter 3 I’ll be stalking the waves… stars, meant stars… as before on Star Conflict, so feel free to join me there to group up and hunt as a wolfpack… team, meant team… anyway…

Current Squadron Status

1-1 - COL La'an - IRC/Steam/Mail activity, CMDR Duties, WSR/MSE, Warrior trivia, MB runon/posts, 4x LoC (SC), awarded CoL
1-2 - MAJ Nebular – No Contact
1-3 – COL Den Darkhill – Mail activity, Warrior Trivia
2-1 - COL Mark Schueler – IRC/Mail activity, LO, Warrior Trivia, MBs,
2-2 – MAJ Marcus Caine – Steam/Mail activity, MB posts, Warrior Trivia,
2-3 - COL Horus Blackheart - Limited availability/LoA
2-4 - COL Torres – SWTOR
3-1 - GN Gilad Pelleaon - IRC/Steam/Mail activity, Warrior Trivia, TIE
3-2 - CM Keth Aalith - No contact
3-3 - COL Handril Madon - Limited availability/LoA
3-4 - GN Pickled Yoda - Mail activity, MB posts, awarded IS-BR, awarded CoL

Current Fleet Competitions

All current comps are listed @http://tc.emperorshammer.org/competitions.php?id=current

Theta Competitions

2 squadron competitions are now pending approval, both standing SP/MP comps that will be awarded on a weekly basis, starting from today. An IS-BW will be won by the pilot earning the highest SP mission count over the period, with a corresponding IS-BW for the pilot achieving the highest LoC count in the same period. Previously I’ve not taken part, but I’m planning on leading by example and will be doing my utmost to claim these medals. At the close of every calendar month the highest scoring Thetan on the SP and MP killboards will earn an IS-SW for his/her efforts in either field. Simple competition, simple rules – fly more than your comrades, take home the prize.

Operational Picture

...The way I heard it the COM went mental, my mate on the Hammer said there were bodies all over the place. Brutal, he said, apparently some honorary dinner in the officer’s mess went properly awry. Next thing you know there’s new CMDRs everywhere and it looks like the seniors are going to keep an eye on all of us. Sure I’m not particularly educated, a terrible pilot, and lack the leadership, but if they can get away with putting that paper bag full of goat manure in a COLs uniform and calling it the Wing Commander you never know, I might be in line for a promotion. Isn’t that right guys? Guys??? Wait, can I smell goat manure?...

(Auxiliary Tug Pilot, Main Hangar, ISD Warrior)

…The WC was apoplectic, I’ve never seen him that mad, not even when the Chef made that tagine with his last pet. Apparently he found all manner of random things hidden in compartments and behind loose panels in his offices, no idea who did it or why, but he’s ranting about personal space, lack of poor admin, improper documentation and something about attending the Emperor’s birthday party. We might have actually pushed him too far this time, do you think he’s even noticed the COM doesn’t send him real orders anymore, just ever increasing paperwork to keep him busy and out of the way?...

(Deck Chief, Command hangar, ISD Warrior)

CMDR's Corner

2014 is nearly gone, so lets end what has been a good year overall on a high!

Yours aye,

CMDR/COL Jarek La'an/Theta/Wing II/ISDII Warrior
Commanding Officer, TCCOMs Own Escort Squadron
GOE/GSx4/SSx4/BSx8/PCx8/ISMx11/IS-4GW-7SW-10BW-1PR-11GR-15SR-27BR/MoI/LoC-RSx2-IS-CSx3-
Rx1/MoC-1doc-1poc-3goc-4soc-19boc/CoLx7/CoB/LoAx5/OV-11E [DCRN] [Ace 1st] {IWATS-AIM-
BFM-CBX-FLA-HIST-ICQ-MCBS-MP/1-SM/3-SWGB-TLN-TM/2-TT-WM-WPN-XAM-XTT

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