“For its noteworthy contributions to the greater simming community. Unprecedented for an individual sim, the USS Chuck Norris hosted the 2012 Simulation Cup to keep the recently returned Tournament of Simulation from again becoming a relic of history, and to date it is still the only game to sponsor a tournament. Furthermore, when host club Independence Fleet’s website went offline in 2019, the Chuck Norris crew continued to sim over email until a new fleet website came online in early 2020. Without their action, their mother fleet like so many from the earlier eras would almost certainly belong to the ages today. In addition, they won the Creativity award in the 2014 Tournament of Simulations.“
For those well versed in Independence Fleet history, you might know that January 2nd is an important day for the USS Chuck Norris. For those who don’t, we have a special guest who can fill you in:
Who’d have ever thought one could feel lonely on a Starship?
Best Post (Joint Post)
Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Sarah Wilson & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. JG Blake Leone & Lt. JG Aurora Vali & Lt. Alison Haldeman & CPO Remal Kajun CO / MO / XO / 2O / C / CC / ACOO / CA USS Sunfire
Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Avery Coyle & Lt. Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lt. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Mark Johnson & Lt. JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok CO / XO / Y / CFCO / COO / CSTO / CMO / FCO USS Wayfarer
Not the prototypical Genesis post, but it does a great job setting things up.
MVP
Commander Jonathan Grayson Executive Officer USS Washington
The Washington’s XO put forth another strong month both in and out of character, which is typical for him. However, this time he purposefully added surprises that continually popped up during the mission, adding another layer to the sim.
Most Posts
Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Sunfire
The Ensign finished second on the sim with posting, but also advanced the plot quite nicely a couple times while also further developing the character.
Rookie of the Month
None this month.
Recruitment
Lieutenant Avery Coyle Chief Flight Control Officer USS Wayfarer
For recruiting this newest member of the sim, Lieutenant Sidney Harper.
Thanks for another great year in IDF. Expect to see 2022’s final monthly awards post in early January.
The overly flirty doctor works in a Funniest Post or a Best Post.
Best Post (Joint Post)
Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lt. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Mark Johnson & Lt. JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok CO / XO / Y / COO / CSTO / CMO / FCO USS Wayfarer
I haven’t read a good time travel post in a while. Nicely executed!
MVP
Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Sunfire
What doesn’t Lt. Durnell do? Always a top poster, driving the plot, and encouraging others. It’s just one of a many recognitions to a month-in and month-out superior performer.
Most Posts
Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Sunfire
A nice detailed post about a visit to sickbay, along with a little love in the air.
Best Post (Joint Post)
Captain Shran dh’Klar & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Ensign T’Plana-hath & Ensign James Phoenix & Lieutenant Seth Travis & Lieutenant JG Tarja zh’Rhun CO / CC / IO / TO / CDO / MO USS Washington
Captain Akeno Misaki & Commander Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lieutenant Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lieutenant Raelyn Mckenzie & Lieutenant Mark Johnson & Lieutenant JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok CO / XO / COO / CSTO / CMO / FCO USS Wayfarer
House successfully pushed the mission forward when momentum was lacking by getting others involved into the story, focusing on plot development. He also recruited the Sunfire’s newest member.
Most Posts
Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Sunfire
This is a great holodeck scene featuring Lord of the Rings characters. A nice juxtaposition between real time events happening on the bridge while seconds are passing on the holodeck. Fun!
Funniest Post
Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell CTO / CSS USS Sunfire
Nice multi-scene genesis post about time travel. Excellent use of Daniels!
MVP
Lieutenant JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok Flight Control Officer USS Wayfarer
The Wayfarer’s FCO had a fantastic month, leading and organizing posts while also injecting some great Klingon humor into the story.
Most Posts
Lt. Cmdr. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Assistant Chief Medical Officer USS Washington
For writing 15 posts.
Most Improved
Lieutenant JG Aurora Vali Chief Counselor USS Sunfire
The Sunfire’s Chief Counselor had many contributions this month, but the most noticeable was moving the plot forward in creative ways that inspired other players to take some chances.
Rookie of the Month
Lieutenant Nicole Logan Chief Security/Tactical Officer USS Washington
Lt. Logan wasted no time in getting to know her fellow crewmembers, jumping immediately into the action.
Recruitment
None this month
2022 is nearly 3/4 done. Keep the great posts coming.
What a great post that sets up things well for both the plot and character development.
MVP
Lieutenant Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Assistant Chief Medical Officer USS Washington
A heavy volume of deep and detailed posts throughout the month. She collaborated with others to paint vivid portraits to advance the plot and generate enthusiasm with the rest of the crew.
Most Posts
Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Sunfire
Congratulations to those who won some real prizes at our annual gift drawing earlier this month. Here’s the first group to place their names on the big wheel for next year…
Best Post (Single Author)
Commander Samantha Howard Chief Medical Officer USS Washington
Writing for doctors can be difficult, without constantly employing a deus ex machina to solve a problem. Spending time writing about the thinking process and coming up with a creative solution is sometimes the best kind of medical post. Love this one!
Best Post (Joint Post)
Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Ashlesha 4827/A & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis CO / 2O / COO / SO USS Sunfire
This is a very interesting subject, not seen often in Trek posts, which kept me engaged. Well written, seamless even though multiple folks contributed, and just the right mix of personal interactions with technical jargon. Well done!
Funniest Post
Lieutenant Nerex Flight Control Chief USS Eminence
Unexpected, yes, and a perfect way to get the crew going.
MVP
Lieutenant JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok Flight Control Officer USS Wayfarer
Lt. jg. Luna has really developed her character in a short amount of time. She expertly writes the clash of the Human/Klingon slides while easily incorporating it into the mission with the rest of the crew. A great teammate!
Most Posts
Lieutenant Anna Thesia Chief Medical Officer USS Sunfire
For writing 10 posts.
Most Improved
Lieutenant Ashlesha 4827/A Chief Operations Officer USS Sunfire
Still relatively new to the Sunfire, Lt. Ashlesha continues to involve herself in all matters of the mission and consistently offers great ideas and well written posts. She is also super easy to work with, which is always a plus.
Rookie of the Month
None this month
Recruitment
None this month
It’s hard to believe this crazy group we call IDF has now been around for 21 whole years. Here’s to 21 more!
One of my greatest privileges as Independence Fleet’s Commander-in-Chief is to announce the newest members of the Hall of Fame each July. These are the best of the best from throughout our history–those with exemplary service or extraordinary contributions to the fleet, according to the Hall of Fame Charter (pdf). For those who attended our 21st Anniversary Webcast on Saturday, you already know who is being inducted this year. For everyone else, it is now my great pleasure to formally introduce our Hall of Fame Class of 2022:
Inducted by Election:
Commander McGregor Blaine
of the USS Excalibur
A longtime member of the Excalibur, McGregor Blaine still managed to stand out despite being a part of arguably the greatest crew of all time. Finding his niche, he excelled in multiple areas, including writing, leadership, and recruiting. Blaine’s great breadth of contributions led to him earning five total awards, with all five being of different categories: Rookie of the Month, Recruitment, MVP, and two Post awards.
Commander Dusty Redroi
of the USS Excalibur
A member of the Excalibur, Dusty Redroi still managed to stand out despite being a part of arguably the greatest crew of all time. Making his mark with a rare combination of excellently crafted posts involving other characters and high quantity, he was instrumental to the sim’s long-term success. He won four awards over the course of his career, including Funniest Post and two Most Posts.
Captain Zingela
of the USS Washington
The personification of the team player, Zingela did all the little things to foster a cohesive and productive crew. He worked well with players of all types and styles that led to some truly great role playing. He worked his way up the chain, eventually commanding the Washington out of necessity rather than ambition. Zingela tallied five total awards, including three different Post awards and two MVPs.
Inducted by the Veterans Committee:
Admiral Savai N’gellin
of the USS Patriot
A longtime member of the Patriot, Savai N’gellin’s career spanned from IDF’s early period through the middle years. As a crewmember, he earned seven total awards, which still ranks within the top 20 all-time. N’gellin eventually joined the Admiralty and severed for several years, most notably as Director of Fleet Intelligence & Security, during some of the fleet’s most productive periods.
Captain K’lar Rasmehlier
of the USS Conqueror
A true shooting star, the late K’lar Rasmehlier commanded the Conqueror for only nine months. However, it was a nine months for the ages as he led his sim to win the fleet posting title in all nine months with consistently high numbers not seen before or since. In addition to the quantity, he led his crew on imaginative missions that allowed each player collaboratively fulfil their potential.
Congratulations to all five of our 2022 inductees! Well done, and thank you for providing a timeless example for us still role playing to follow. You will hereby forever be remembered for your extraordinary service to Independence Fleet. There are now 38 total members of this most exclusive club.
Harking back to our early history, four of the five inductees represent sims that aren’t currently in our line-up. The two from the Excalibur bring that early-era sim’s record total up to seven inductees. Incredibly, all seven simmed together on the same crew!
First, thank you to our very own Ken Gillis for hosting the anniversary webcast yesterday. An outstanding show, just like last year! He introduced our Hall of Fame class of 2022 and played two special videos. Unfortunately, those who missed it will have to wait until our official anniversary blog post tomorrow. However, we can now share who the winners of our annual prize drawing were. Here’s how it worked:
Everyone who won a monthly award over the last year had their name added to the big wheel. 1 award = 1 entry. All award fractions were rounded up. Then time to spin the wheel!
In order, they will have their choice from among the following three prizes:
From left to right: Runabout from Deep Space Nine, Horga’hn (3D print by Admiral Gillis), Phaser from The Next Generation
Congratulations to all three! Should anyone not be able to provide a US mailing address, they will be given a gift certificate for their country of residence and we’ll draw a replacement winner.
After the rave reviews following last year’s 20th Anniversary Webcast, we decided to do it again this year. Admiral Ken Gillis will return as host, and yes, it will again include prizes!
Join us on July 2nd at 12:00 PM ET (-4) / 5:00 PM BST (+1) in the fleet watch party channel of our Discord server. We’ll be announcing the newest members of the Hall of Fame, drawing names from among our monthly award winners over the last year for some real-world prizes, and we may also have a surprise or two.
