It’s finally here: The 20th anniversary of the founding of this great club. Who knew back on July 4, 2001 that this group, launched with humble beginnings on Angelfire and YahooGroups, would not only still be around today, but standing among the titans of simming?
Independence Fleet has seen good times, bad times, and everything in between. Throughout it all, we’ve endured to create some of the best Star Trek role playing the Internet has ever witnessed. With that in mind, we have an important message from a very special guest:
In honor of this historic and momentous occasion, we hereby publish the Independence Fleet 20th Anniversary Almanac. It’s 20 pages of history, games, perspectives from the fleet, and more:
Whether you’ve been a member for one day or all 20 years, this legacy belongs to you! On behalf of the entire IDF Admiralty, we hope you thoroughly enjoy today’s message, almanac, and everything this fleet offers.
Commander Jackson Andrews Executive Officer USS Albion
A prototypical XO, Andrews led his ship in posting and showed great leadership by nimbly playing off of the leads from other characters while simultaneously creating openings for others.
Most Posts
Lt. Chester “Duo” Maxwell Chief Security Officer USS Sunfire
For writing 13 posts.
Most Improved
Lt. Chester “Duo” Maxwell Chief Security Officer USS Sunfire
Returning to simming after a lengthy break, Maxwell rejoined the Sunfire and was a powerhouse all month. Initiating posts, working well with the existing crew, and being a general pleasure to role play with.
Rookie of the Month
Lieutenant JG Avarak Chief Science Officer USS Sunfire
Despite joining after the joint mission began, Avarak jumped straight into the fray, initiating several posts and participating in the ship-wide joints posts. A great first month!
Recruitment
No award this month. Get recruiting!
Another great month for our ships and the entire fleet. In other news, our 20th anniversary is just three days away! Also don’t forget to attend our special webcast on July 3rd. See you there!
I hope everyone enjoyed SciWorld yesterday. It was an instant classic! Thank you to all who played a part in putting it on, including Aurther Winters, who was just awarded the Ongoing Worlds Community Honor for his efforts as Chair. Congratulations!
And now, on with the May monthly awards:
Best Post (Single Author)
Lt. Cmdr. Grexx Chief Engineering Officer USS Albion
A classic ensemble post that reads like a great sitcom episode! Hilarious!
Genesis
None this month.
MVP
Lt. Cmdr. Grexx Chief Engineering Officer USS Albion
The Chief Engineer joined the Albion after many years away from simming. He immediately integrated himself into the story, drove the plot forward, and worked well with the crew. It’s as if he never left!
Most Posts
Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Liberty
Ensign Phoenix dove into the current mission and showed an eager willingness to advance the story, both for his own character and the greater storyline.
Rookie of the Month
None this month.
Recruitment
None this month.
Keep up the great work, everyone, but let’s make sure we have winners in all categories for June!
Thank you, Captain. So let’s get started with your favorite Captain. Whose chair are you sitting in today?
Obviously James T. Kirk’s. I think that Kirk is the very embodiment of human nature. He is compassionate towards others, something few humans have mastered. Second, he’s reckless, but again that’s a human thing.
Very interesting. Does that make The Original Series your favourite or is there another?
Yes, that it is my all-time favorite. However, I also love Star Trek Discovery as well.
Do you have a favourite episode?
As of right now it’s Miri, s1e8, believe.
How about the movies, which is the best one?
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
And the worst?
Generations… Kirk falling off a rock, come on!
How’s your Captain’s chair by the way? Comfortable?
It’s great. Very Comfy.
Good, good. How about the ship? Are we on the Montana or would you prefer another? You can have anything you like, we have a huge imaginary budget.
I enjoy it, lol. Honestly I like the style of the ships from the 60’s.
What about real life? What else do you enjoy doing?
Being lazy, writing, video games. Oh, and being lazy.
I take it you’re a Montana fan given the ship we’re on. What else are you into besides that and Star Trek?
I love Sci-Fi. I also love U.S. history, specifically WW II.
And at the Movies?
Back to the Future, Tron, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, anything with Tim Allen, James Bond movies, and the Mission Impossible series.
Time for the quick fire round now before go to warp. Are you ready?
Always.
Favorite book? The Giver
Favorite video game? Super Mario Bros. 3
Favorite musician or band? David Bowie
Favorite superhero? Doctor Strange
If you could have any super power, what would it be? Duh Magic.
Favorite sport? Basketball
Favorite team? Utah Jazz
Favorite food? Sushi
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Lennon or McCartney? Lennon
Star Trek or Star Wars? Trek, obviously.
Jordan or Lebron? Jordan
Excellent! Thank you for sitting in the Captain’s Chair. It’s been a pleasure to get to know a little more about you today. Emmalyn Marcus (aka John Wyatt of the USS Chuck Norris & Spivick of the USS Albion), everyone!
I love it! No one thinks about the mundane routine of a Starfleet officer and this one does that, with a lot of humor thrown in, along with a good plot hook. Well done!
Best Post (Joint Post)
Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & CPO Remal Kajun CO / C USS Liberty
Just what a genesis post should be: Short, with lots of open ended things happening. This is what gets the creative writing juices flowing.
MVP
Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen Executive Officer USS Liberty
The XO came up big again: developed our new mission, helped write the Genesis post, and continued to guide and steer the rest of the crew toward our desired outcomes. He is a continued credit to the ship & fleet.
Most Posts
Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Liberty
For writing 27 posts.
Most Improved
Lt. Dean House Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer USS Liberty
Lt. House moved the storyline along quite well and also started a joint post to bring the crew together for some well needed off duty action–nicely done!
Major Ross jumped straight into the fray, getting involved with the current mission and establishing connections with the existing characters. He has already made a great impact on the Liberty in less than a month.
Great opening, and lots of directions to take this!
MVP
Lt.jg. Awal Kronnelti Assistant Security/Tactical Officer USS Chuck Norris
Lt.jg. Kronnelti was consistently excellent all month, coordinating joint posts, keeping the story moving, and leading the way in wrapping up our last mission. He nailed it!
Most Posts
Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell Computer Systems Specialist USS Liberty
Coming off his rookie month, Lt.jg. Zyngh took his writing and role playing to the next level, showing improved coordination with others and introducing several curveballs in the plot.
Joining mid-month, Lt.jg. McCloud is already simming like a veteran… it’s as is he’s been role playing for years!
Recruitment
None this month!
In other news, Captain Emmalyn Marcus assumed command of the USS Montana from Captain RS Harrison on April 1st. A special thanks to Captain Harrison for helping us get this sim off the ground, and best of of luck to Captain Marcus as she guides the ship to new heights! Marcus was the Montana’s XO prior to becoming CO.
Great character development, brushing the exterior of being half Human and half Vulcan.
Best Post (Joint Post)
Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Dean House & Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Lt. Aurora Vali & Lt.jg. Sarah Wilson & CPO Remal Kajun & Crewman Ronson Mitchell XO / CO / ASTO / CSS / CC / MO / C / Y USS Liberty
After being MIA for a bit due to real life, he came back strong at the end of month leading several joint posts that helped the crew drive the plot forward in a big way.
Brand new to simming, Ensign Mack started with the rest of the Albion crew mid-month and still managed to produce a fleet-leading 28 posts! Even more than that, he integrated well into the game and learned how to include his character while also writing for others.
One year ago today, we launched IDF’s new website and URL. Or was it yesterday? I’m not really sure! Regardless, what a ride it’s been.
On behalf of the Admiralty, thank you to everyone who has been a part of the journey and for making our 10 Star Trek sims as great as they are today. If you’re not currently a member of any of them, feel free to give one a try by clicking their link in the “Join!” column of the table below.
Prose = typical language of a novel or short story Script = role playing syntax similar to a movie script (see this Ongoing Worlds article) Both = uses Prose & Script formats
Traditional = players only write for their own characters (this is how most role plays work) Open = all players write for all characters (see this Ongoing Worlds article)
Our newest sim, the USS Albion launched earlier this week on February 16th. If that date looks familiar, you have a good eye! The original USS Sunfire opened in Utopia Fleet on that date all the way back in the year 2000. The rest, as they say, is history! Speaking of history, this is Captain Dick Sprague’s 10th command in Independence Fleet, by far the most all-time.
While continuing the tradition and legacy of IDF’s USS Avalon series of sims, the Albion seeks to capture the original theme and feel of that original USS Sunfire. As such, this is an open role playing game that uses script format. All potential players are highly encouraged to read the Albion’s Sim page before joining to ensure they know exactly what they’re getting into. It may be different, but it’s a lot of fun.
