Another August Launch: USS Liberty

That’s right, the August expansion continues with the USS Liberty‘s first post on the 15th. August is a fitting month for the latest incarnation of this historic game as the original USS Liberty launched in August 2001.

This Liberty is led by one of the most successful–if not the most successful–IDF sim Commanding Officers of all time: Captain Rhenora Kaylen. Check out this Sovereign class vessel as she defends the Federation from all threats.

USS LibertyNCC-4003-A
Format: ProseEra: Post-Dominion War
Type: TraditionalClass: Sovereign
CO: Captain Rhenora KaylenJoin!

See you onboard!

Our Fleet is Growing: Welcome the USS Wayfarer

Our fleet continues to grow as we launched our 6th active sim earlier this month: the USS Wayfarer. Her first post came on August 4th! If the name sounds familiar, you have a good eye. The Wayfarer tradition goes way back in IDF history.

For this version, Captain Michael Meezo leads this Intrepid-class vessel in the exploration of the unknown after the Dominion War.

USS WayfarerNCC-72113
Format: Prose & ScriptEra: Post-Dominion War
Type: OpenClass: Intrepid
CO: Captain Michael MeezoJoin!

See you onboard!

USS Sunfire, Welcome Back!

What a moth July has been: We celebrated our 19th anniversary, inducted the seven newest members of our Hall of Fame, and honored the careers of two of our biggest legends. However, there’s one more thing…

The most famous and iconic ship in IDF history is back: The USS Sunfire.

USS SunfireNCC-3935-B
Format: Prose & ScriptEra: Post-Dominion War
Type: OpenClass: Akira
CO: Captain Thomas DevoeJoin!

The original USS Sunfire (NCC-3935) was launched in old Utopia Fleet on February 16, 2000 under the command of Commodore Jay “Robbie” Robertson. However, Robertson retired a few months later and James D. West took over. West then commanded two more versions of the Sunfire (NCC-3935-A and NCC-3001) in Utopia Fleet and as an independent sim before Independence Fleet came to be on July 4, 2001. Indeed, the crew of Sunfire was split into three to serve as the backbone for IDF’s original sims: the USS Sunfire (NCC-3001-A), USS Avalon (NCC-3002), and USS Washington (NCC-11988).

In the many years since, we’ve seen three more versions of the Sunfire (NCC-3001-B/C/D). She was awarded the 2010 Simming Prize and took home awards in both the 2011 and 2012 Tournament of Simulations. The Sunny is also where Sunfire script and the concept of open role playing developed. Dozens of future Captains began their careers there. In short, if someone were to make a list of the top five or ten sims in the history of role playing, the Sunfire would have to be on it.

That’s right, she’s back. Captain Thomas Devoe leads his crew in this continuing adventure. Join the sim where legends are born.

Take a Visit to Starbase Mikia

Independence Fleet hereby announces the launch of Starbase Mikia, currently our only starbase sim. This is an open role playing game, set after Star Trek: Nemesis, led Captain Jensen Russell. In case you were wondering, Mikia is unofficially the Klingon name for Michael.

Located in the Beta Quadrant, where the action never seems to end, starships and traders from all over the galaxy make stops at Mikia for all sorts of reasons. Captain Russell and his team are loaded with mission ideas for Star Trek storytelling.

If you would like to be a part of the adventure, join Starbase Mikia today!

USS Eminence Launches

Star Trek: Picard has arrived in role play: The USS Eminence commanded by Captain Caymen Greener. The ship is a Saber-class scout/patrol vessel assigned to the former border areas with the Romulan Empire a few months prior to the events of Star Trek: Picard in 2399.

While the sim is set near the old Romulan border, it will not exclusively run Romulan-based missions. Captain Greener has a lot of great ideas for this game, and it will only get better and better as both the crew and the series continue to build the lore.

If you would like to join simming’s cutting edge while still honoring Star Trek’s past, join the Eminence today!

Fair Skies and Happy Warp Drives to the USS Sanctuary

At 11:59 PM tonight, the USS Sanctuary will officially transfer from Independence Fleet to UCIP. The Sanctuary has been a mainstay in IDF since she launched back in October 2012. According to available records as of March 1st, the Sanctuary had seen 1,718 total posts and 17 monthly posting titles. Wow!

Perhaps even more impressive is that Commanding Officer Steven Mayta Death is not only the longest currently-tenured CO in IDF, but he is also first all-time in IDF history with 89 completed command-months, all with the Sanctuary. His alter ego, Steven Mayta Cha’Dich adds five more (one with the Sanctuary and five with Starbase Prime). What a record!

But Steven’s and the Sanctuary’s run doesn’t end here. Steven actually began his career back in UCIP, and he’s simply going home. Here’s to all the adventures he and his crew are going to continue to have for years to come!

USS SanctuaryNCC-2880
Format: Prose & ScriptEra: TNG/DSN/VOY
Type: OpenClass: Intrepid
CO: Colonel Steven MayTa DeathJoin!

USS Sanctuary “Lost In Space”

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are lost in the Star Trek multiverse and find themselves beamed in to your stories. You can’t see or hear them but they can see and hear you. Just goes to show, you never know who’s watching. So here we go, beaming into the USS Sanctuary to witness its opening scene through the eyes of our favourite Trek heroes.

Fade in to the familiar golden shimmer of transporter beams as three figures appear in a dark room. They immediately draw phasers and glance around as if waiting for attack.

“Dammit Jim, where are we?” the doctor glanced around nervously.

“I have… no idea. What do you think of Spock?” the Captain turned to their Vulcan companion waiting for a response.

“I suspect…” Spock mused, “…that we have been drawn into an alternate dimension. We are here to witness monumental events and perhaps learn from them.”

“That’s nonsense. How could you know that you green blooded goblin.” Spat McCoy, his nerves getting the better of him. 

“It is quite simple.” Spock explained, “I have read the script.”

“Oh boy!” exclaimed Kirk as he lowered his phaser in shock.

“That Captain, is the wrong franchise, but otherwise entirely appropriate to our current circumstances.” Spock replied.

“So what now?” demanded McCoy.

Lieutenant Commander Robert Razer has been dead for many years. his body lost to the cold space…

 “Who said that?” McCoy jumped at the ethereal voice.

“I suggest you calm yourself Doctor.” Spock holstered his phaser, “that was just the narrator.”

A light flickered on from above and…

suddenly,

Robert gasping for air..naked… in a dark room with a single light shinning down on him …his head, arms and legs were strap down… he did not have a clue where he was nor who he was.. he felt random eyes staring down on him within the darkness… but he could not do anything to escape.. his body hurt… his mind was on fire, he was crying and he could not speak.. 

“Good heavens man we should help him.” McCoy made to reach for the trapped man but his hand simply passed through the solid matter like mist.

“I am afraid we can do nothing but observe.” Spock looked on impassively.

“He’s naked.” observed Kirk, “we can see his phaser.”

“Dammit Jim dont look at those.” the Doc turned his back.

“Mine’s bigger,” mused Kirk.

The scene flickered and changed. The same man but no longer strapped to the table.

Curled up in a corner Robert squeezed his legs against his body.

Kirk runs over and kneels next to the man, listening as he mumbles under his breath.

Robert- no it can be?…i can’t be alive?…. i cant? .. can’t… I am dead… I am dead…

Robert rocked back and forth repeating the words. My hurts… my head  hurts so bad. why am I alive?….

The room had no lights in it.. It was bare. Bare floors, bare ceilings. There was nothing in the room but Robert.

“Who is he?” Kirk demands as the man continues to speak to himself his voice becoming louder and more frantic.

“This must be hell …. Hell. Hell…..hell (and as loud as he could scream) Hell!……

“Someone should give him a sedative.” said McCoy.

“That would defeat the object of the torture.” replied Spock.

Robert never thought of the outside world .. what was going on or where he was.. just the pain, just the darkness. there is no we ..there is only darkness.. darkness is my friend.

“This narrator is bugging me out.” McCoy looked around trying to find the source of the strange voice.

“Pretty cool though, having darkness as a friend.” Kirk considered the idea, “Hey I’m Captain Kirk and this is my good friend Darkness.”

“He was not being literal.” Spock gave a long suffering sigh.

“I bet darkness rides a motorbike.” Kirk pressed on unperturbed.

Robert rocked back and forth…. Laughter began to arise from the darkness…

“Oh he’s losing it.” Kirk stood up and went to stand next to Spock. They both looked down at the stranger named Robert as he cried out.

“Strike me down demon scum.. stop your toying with me and end my suffering.. if this is indeed hell…kill me…”

“I think he’s talking to you.” McCoy gave Spock a grin just as golden light surrounded them once more. 

“That Doctor was uncalled for.” Spock’s voice lingered for a brief moment as the trio vanished into the ether.

“Oh boy!”

USS Washington Stays in IDF

After discussing the matter with his crew, Captain Shran dh’Klar has elected for the USS Washington (NCC-81533-E) to stay in Independence Fleet. The Washington had been released last month to explore opportunities outside of the fleet. However, we’re more than pleased to have Captain dh’Klar and his crew remain a part of the IDF family.

The Washington’s tradition dates back to IDF’s founding on July 4, 2001, when we launched with three active sims. The Washington’s crew has won numerous awards and set many records over the years. We look forward to watching their role play adventure continue here for many more to come.