The 2023 Tournament of Simulations (aka ToS) were finally announced yesterday, and continuing our tradition of excellence, IDF took home three more awards! Congratulations to the Captains and crews of the USS Firebird, USS Sunfire, and USS Wayfarer. In fact, the USS Firebird was the #1 sim overall for the entire tournament Well done!
It was another performance for the ages from all of you! Look for the 2024 tournament to be announced soon.
If you visited this website on April 1st earlier this year, that’s how you were greeted! Continuing our April Fools’ Day tradition, we decided to go back to our roots and pretend we were rebranding as old Utopia Fleet, where the historical USS Sunfire, which later launched Independence Fleet, was created. In case you missed it, you can see the archived page at the Internet Archive.
Another special thanks to Ken Gillis for creating the new Utopia Fleet branding. It looks amazing! Maybe we’re on to something…
Commander Jörgen Leed
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Firebird
A great post, well written with a very heavy introspective look at the situation of diplomacy.
Lt. Ayana Hillis & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson & Lt. Inara Senn & Lt. JG James Phoenix
ACSTO / XO / CC / CSO / TO
USS Washington
For “Superior Weapons and Tactics”
There is no better place than being trapped in a jail cell to flesh out characters and add some dread and suspense.
Capt. Michael Murphy & Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan & Lt. Aubrie Fox & Lt. Kestra Ral & Ens. Leela
CO / XO / CRO / CSO / RO
USS Montana
This gag and trope has been used many times before, and probably many times after, but a piece of equipment that we know, but no idea what it does is going to get a laugh out of me every time.
Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Cmdr. Dean House
CO / CFCO / 2O
USS Sunfire
For “Fungus Amungus”
A very promising start to a new mission with some unexpected turns right out of the gate. Mystery and intrigue are surely close behind.
Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire
A dependable and a brilliant writer who always knows how to add dimensions and depth to the story.
Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington
For writing 12 posts.
Ensign Abigail Gordon
Nurse
USS Firebird
Ensign Gordon helped bring the Firebird’s last mission to a close. She’s also been finding her way around the ship, writing well, and has plans to add new NPCs to the complement.
None this month.
None this month.
Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet
Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t’Aegis
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird
A well written post that really brings forth how memories can help us look inward.
Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis & Lt. Inara Senn & Lt. JG Kate Kono & Lt. JG James Phoenix
ACOO / XO / ACMO / CSO / IO / TO
USS Washington
For “Wonderland”
Bringing in a sleeper ship. Well we all know where this is heading…
Lieutenant Betaras K’ner
Chief Medical Officer
USS Chuck Norris
For “Shots fired”
Blending action with a good sense of pace and humour.
Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Commander Elias Ford
Commanding Officer / Chief Medical Officer
USS Firebird
A great start to what will definitely have a healthy dose of some entertainment, while also looking and dealing with much darker and deeper issues.
Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Sunfire
The Sunfire’s Chief Counselor stepped up beautifully to help run the mission she crafted. She is an invaluable asset to this crew and the fleet.
Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Betaras K’ner
Executive Officer / Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington / USS Chuck Norris
For writing 7 posts.
Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington
With an all-around great month, she set herself apart with her leadership on the medical side of the cadet mission.
None this month.
None this month.
Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet
Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris
For “Taken”
A great post, lots of mystery, with possible hidden agendas and trying to get rid of the one person seeking to get to the bottom of things.
Capt. Michael Murphy & Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan & Lt. Kestra Ral & Lt. Stuart Mann
CO / XO / CSO / NO
USS Montana
Great writing all together, and good to see species that were mentioned before making a comeback, all with betrayal and commerce in the background.
Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Dean House
Computer Systems Specialist / Second Officer
USS Sunfire
For “The Jig is Up”
A continuation from last month–the good times and writing keep rolling.
Capt. Mira Rodale & Lt. Cmdr. Awal Kronnelti & Lt. Betaras K’ner
CO / CSTO / CMO
USS Chuck Norris
For “Days to come”
Trying to turn the Chuck Norris in for extensive upgrades? More comfort? Holorooms… this will surely lead to trouble.
Lieutenant Imik S’Niohun
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Washington
As the mission solidified, the Washington’s Chief Tactical Officer took the lead in the subplot, helping to guide events on the main storyline.
Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris
For writing 7 posts.
Lieutenant Inara Senn
Chief Science Officer
USS Washington
The Washington’s Chief Science Officer had a nice month trying to railroad the cadets in addition to being her usual misanthropic and funny self.
Ensign Varin Maxim
Science Officer
USS Sunfire
The Sunfire’s new Science Officer leapt aboard with a bang and three posts in his first month.
None this month.
Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet
Petty Officer 1st Class Baris Demir
Quartermaster
USS Firebird
A great post about the struggles that one can have with their own identity and where they belong in Starfleet.
Capt. Michael Murphy & Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan & Lt. Kestra Ral
CO / XO / CSO
USS Montana
For “Checking In”
When the Montana shows up and asks too many questions, the mystery begins, and so does the intrigue.
Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Second Officer / Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire
For “Come On Join the Joyride”
A great back and forth, funny, but also heart-felt, and there is a great nostalgia when you add in WW2 planes.
Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Cmdr. Cynfor Rees & Cmdr. Siora Carberos & Lt. Cmdr. Rhiana t’Aegis & Lt. Cmdr. Jörgen Leed & Lt. Owen Woodhouse & Lt. Gale Deekros & Lt. Hank Solomon & Lt. Jackson Smith & Lt. JG Zub Enel & Ens. Emilynn Dove & Crewman Thyra Kevensdotter & Cadet Senior Grade Abigail Gordon
CO / XO / CEO / 2O / CDO / COO / SO / CSO / CIO / SIO / OO / RO / N
USS Firebird
The entire crew coming together to get the start of a mission off with a bang! Depth, intrigue, and off to the Gamma Quadrant, I can’t wait to see where it heads to!
Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington
It was almost a foregone conclusion that he would win something this month with his hands in nearly every Washington post. Great work, excellent overall plot, and strong character development for himself and everyone else because of him.
Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington
For writing 9 posts.
Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird
Participated in four joint posts. She is continually seeking to become a better writer, takes advice well, and makes excellent changes. Still passionate about simming, she has seen an incredible improvement in the last few months.
None this month.
Commander Mashiro Munetani “Shiro”
Executive Officer
USS Wayfarer
Hot on the recruitment trail for both the Wayfarer and the fleet, actively seeking new players.
Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet
It’s high time we recognize some of the truly amazing simming and online role playing that makes this fleet a special place–a place where people join and stick around.
Congratulations to all of our latest award winners below!
Awarded to Lieutenant Owen Woodhouse of the USS Firebird for outstanding role playing. A charter member of the Firebird, he has done it all from writing for a variety of characters to introducing meaningful plot twists to setting up other players to take the lead. A master recruiter, he has brought in four players new to simming and has one Recruitment award win.
Awarded to Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t’Aegis of the USS Firebird for outstanding role playing. A member of the Firebird since shortly after its founding, the detail and nuance of her writing is second to none. She has contributed to multiple post awards and has also been a key leader in managing the ship’s website and teaching and training newer players.
Awarded to Commander Dean House of the USS Sunfire for outstanding role playing. One the remaining transfers from the Sunfire-Liberty sim swap, he continues to be an integral part of the crew. An excellent all around writer, he totals 9.61 awards, good for 15th place all-time, which includes 0.92 Best Posts, 3.18 Funniest Posts, 1 MVP, and 1.5 Recruitment awards.
Awarded to Commander Samantha Howard of the USS Washington for outstanding role playing. A superior simmer in all respects, she has won 5.23 Best Posts, 3.7 Funniest Posts, two Most Posts, and two MVPs, which are part of a grand total of 14.93 total awards, good for sixth place all-time. She simultaneously leads while filling in the gaps.
Awarded to Commander Kevin Lance of the USS Chuck Norris for outstanding role playing leadership. Recently stepping up to the Executive Officer role, he has not missed a beat. Mentoring others while leading high quality collaboration, he currently ranks 9th all-time with 13.4 total awards–an impressive stat line that includes 2.2 Best Posts, two Funniest Posts, seven Most Posts, and two MVPs.
Awarded to Commander Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” of the USS Wayfarer for outstanding role playing leadership. As the Wayfarer’s longtime Executive Officer, he expertly guides both experienced and novice players in working together to creatively advance the plot. He has totaled 2.96 monthly awards across his career that has seen the Wayfarer more than make its mark.
Awarded to Commander Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen of the USS Sunfire for outstanding role playing leadership. As the Sunfire’s longtime Executive Officer, he always knows just what is needed–an update to the website, help to a newer player, or a witty plot twist. He currently ranks 13th all-time with 11.54 total awards, which includes five Most Posts and three MVPs.
Awarded to Captain Michael Murphy of the USS Montana for outstanding role playing leadership. Since promoted to Commanding Officer, he was the prototypical Executive Officer during his long tenure in the position. Winning a variety of awards–0.25 Best Posts, 0.5 Funniest Posts, two MVPs, and two Recruitment awards–he did all the big and little things that mattered.
Awarded to Captain Akeno Misaki for commanding the USS Wayfarer from 2020 through today for a remarkable 52 total months in command thus far. Known for beginning and facilitating wildly imaginative missions, she has taken home 2.24 Genesis awards and 2.81 Best Posts within her 5.17 total awards. She sets the standard for the modern Commanding Officer.
With a distinctly medical theme this month:
Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington
Short, but with massively vivid description.
Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Cadet Senior Grade Abigail Gordon & CPO Zenne Beddite
CO / Nurse / Head Nurse
USS Firebird
Great dialog and flow from Sickbay.
Lieutenant JG Benjamin “Ben” Dalton & Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer / Intelligence Officer
USS Washington
Out of control very fast.
Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Commanding Officer
USS Sunfire
For “Ramant”
Not a prototypical Genesis post, but I am more than intrigued.
Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson
Chief Medical Officer
USS Wayfarer
Besides frequently patching up the crew, he had some excellent writing.
Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington
For writing 4 posts.
2nd Lieutenant Connor McQueen
Marine Executive Officer
USS Sunfire
Increased his posting with some great description.
None this month.
None this month.
Welcome to 2025!
Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet
Character Name: Jonathan Grayson / Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen
Rank: Commander / Commander
Sim: USS Washington / USS Sunfire
Position: Executive Officer / Executive Officer
Plus…
Lt. Thomas Haldeman, USS Sunfire, Chief Diplomatic Officer (NPC)
Lt. Jessica Holland, USS Sunfire, Security Officer (NPC)
Crewman John Boy Perriwinlke, USS Sunfire, Media Relations Officer (NPC)
Lt. Wyatt Steele, USS Washington, Chief Strategic Ops Officer (NPC)
Lt.jg. Ben Dalton, USS Washington, Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist
(NPC)
Lt. Seth Travis, USS Washington, Chief Diplomatic Officer (NPC)
Wow, how do you keep up, and how many times have you posted for one character while intending on posting for another?
lol. It can be a challenge at times, but they are all diverse characters so that helps. I have started to post one character for another, but I’ve caught myself before actually sending it. At least I hope I have!
Favorite Star Trek episode?
The Doomsday Machine (TOS)
Why?
Great character study with William Windom playing the guilt ridden Commodore Decker who wants to avenge his crew by destroying his Moby Dick.
Favorite Star Trek series?
The Original Series
Why?
It was new and exciting, a trailblazer for all the other Trek series and movies that followed.
Favorite Star Trek film?
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Why?
Great storyline, plus the incomparable Ricardo Montalban returning as Khan.
Favorite Star Trek Captain?
James T. Kirk, all the way.
What year did you start simming?
Since dirt came into being. lol.
What sim was it?
Continuing Voyages
What keeps you simming today?
The interaction with the other players and writing, seeing, and reading the amazing stories that are created.
Favorite non-simming hobby?
Building models, reading, writing Trek.
Favorite non-Trek series?
Babylon Five
Favorite non-Trek film?
Planet of the Apes
Favorite book (fiction or non)?
To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite video game?
Don’t have one, sorry.
Favorite musician or band?
The Beatles
Favorite superhero?
Green Lantern
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Whoa, good question. I guess the power to bend or manipulate time.
Favorite sport?
Baseball
Favorite team?
New York Yankees
Favorite food?
Ham
Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi
Lennon or McCartney?
McCartney
Favorite Bond actor?
Sean Connery, followed by Daniel Craig.
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Trek, no question about it.
Rank the Trek TV shows from best to worst.
TOS
DSN
TNG
SNW
VOY
ENT
DSC
I don’t rank the animated shows.
Rank the Trek movies from best to worst.
Wrath of Khan, Voyage Home, Search for Spock, Undiscovered Country, Star Trek the movie and Final Frontier. Then, the TNG movies. I don’t count the Abrams movies.
TWOK
TVH
TSFS
TUC
TMP
TFF
Then the TNG movies. I don’t count the Abrams movies.
Rear Admiral James “Rook” Mirtoh
Director of Media
Independence Fleet
As most of you already know, but now to formally enter it into the record:
We would like to thank Captain Adams for his 33 outstanding months in command of the Montana. As Captain John Wells, he also commanded the USS Eminence for 8 months. We wish him Godspeed in all his future endeavors! Captain Michael Murphy is no stranger to the Montana, having previously served as the longtime Executive Officer there. We have no doubt that Captain Murphy will continue to build and develop the sim based on the strong foundation that Captain Adams has laid.