In lieu of a couple meetings (plus the next two I'll be missing because of vacation), here's a report to keep you up to date on activities. Have a whole slew of AWOLs, retiires, etc. to pass along. The following troopers have been given a significant status change, either at their request of that of their squad leaders. Dark Dragoons Lubu - AWOL Fishman - Retired Wraith Yun - Reserves Hendl - AWOL Dread Knights Scout - Retired JKD32 - AWOL Brakiss - AWOL Drill Solidus - Retired Dragon - AWOL Gamefreak99 - AWOL - This effectively leaves Drill squad pretty empty.  Let's see about getting some recruits through the academy people.  If you see a wandering newbie in IRC, give them a hand.  Cos can't do everything for us. On yet another down note, Ramon Stonefish turned in his resignation.  He had his reasons and did not leave an option open for return.  So, wish him well on his future endeavors if you do get a chance to see him...or post on the thread if you genuinely know him well enough to have an opinion. As for the vacancy that leaves, we will deal with that about the middle of next month, along with some other administrative stuff. Alright, how about some good news?  Yeah, thought you could use that too. The following troopers have been promoted to the ranks shown below: Patrick - SGT Tycho Celchu - CPL Kuroishi - LCP A long awaited announcement is the following: GSG Otto Vox is awarded the Emperor's Shield - 2nd Class for his activity and all-around value as a trooper.  Congratulations. A couple things I'd like to point out.  I'd like a few things to happen in the following weeks. 1. I am working hard to complete the specialties tracking form.  Once that is done, I will post the link to the Specialties page and get this rolling.  (yes, finally.) What I need from you guys is the following information.  a. Squad leaders should have a comprehensive list of each troopers primary and secondary specialty choices.  From that list, they should have a total squad specialty outlay which should be sent to Talon and/or myself.  b. With that information, both trooper and SL should start tracking the progress of basic training.  Basically, note it on the form and enter the start date. 2. With that in play (do the best you can and we'll clear up what else needs done), we can - should Chapter 8 be on a remote enough timetable from now - start up some mini storylines.  This is just to keep people busy as some squads have varying levels of activity.  Hopefully they should culminate along the primary storyline (we'll see if that works out). 3.  Keep up the website/banner work.  I would like to see some good output from each squad along those lines. 4. CPL Tycho Celchu of the Dread Knights is organizing a Starcraft competition.  Get a hold of him if you are interested.  It sounds like a lot of fun to be had. 5.  Ideas:  we need ideas for stuff to do.  Rizzit came up with a good concept I need to run through my head a couple more times but I like it so far. Finally, one of the following applies to you: Keep up the good work! -or- Get off your duff and participate!
 
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XO/LTC Fury/VEA/TADATH/VE [PoC][SotE:HC][SotE:VEA][IOC]
Company Commander
Shopkeeper - Imperial Center

Congratulations, you've hit on a touchy subject. First of all, the Vast Empire is not all about gaming, and as such, while many of us are either good or very good at a game or two, this is not necissarily universal. I for example consider myself to be a quite able pilot in XvT and XWA, but I'm not all that great at JK, JK2, or pretty much any other FPS game. Second point, the member's of the DJO's Elite Griffen Sect are offically the Royal Guards of the Vast Empire, and they (we) get the nifty red armor. We are your Crimson Guard for all intents and purposes.
 
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NXO/FCM/SCAP/CAP Japheth Cappadocious/NHC-2/ISD Overlord/OFF/VEN/VE/(=SA=)(=SCPA=)(=FOCE=)[BRC][MC:1]
ECM/DJK Japheth Cappadocious/Krath Order/Elite Griffen Sect/VEDJ/VE
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I am the Heart of Darkness.
I know no fear,
But rather I instill it in my enemies.
I am the destoyer of worlds.

Fury, remind me what concept I came up with again please? I have come up with quite a few ya know! So, remind me again if you would!
 
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Sargeant Rizzit BlackHeart
Dark Jedi Knight
Raider's Squad Leader
Army of the Vast Empire
SL/TRP/GSGT Rizzit/3SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT//VE[OPE][OTH]
CM/DJK Rizzit/Lion 1-3//VE
"Should I let him die slowly, or put him out of his misery?"--Rizzit

Just a little info on the Starcraft comp: Entry Fee: 1,500 IC's deposited to my account (winner takes all entry fees + bragging rights, and will be transferred upon completion of the tournament) You will set your race to "Random"--no one is to have an advantage by using their best race. Overall skill will determine the victor. Once paired, you will have a short amount of time to conduct your best 3 of 5 series. Both parties shall report the winner to me. The "winner" of the loser's bracket will face the undefeated (series-wise) player for the money. Any and all problems are to be forwarded to me and all other individuals privy to information about this event (ie Fury and other high ranking army officials). I will make a decision one way or the other in a reasonable time frame (about a day, at most). If I am unable to continue in my stead as organizer, I will forward all information and brackets to a "volunteer", who will manage the tournament until I can get back in capacity, and will be paid accordingly. Registration Deadline is May 29th. Good luck and have fun, all.
 
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Sergeant Major Tycho Celchu

Current Players: Argon Viper (entrance fee paid) Myrrdin (entrance fee paid) Kuroishi (entrance fee balance is outstanding) PaTrIcK (entrance fee balance is outstanding) Tycho Celchu (entrance fee paid) Since there are 5 players, this tournament will not be in the fashion of others with normal brackets...everyone will play everyone else, and then the people with the two highest records will play each other. Both winner and loser must report the winner of the series to me. ===1st Round=== Mr. Viper vs. Mr. PaTrIcK Mr. Myrrdin vs. Myself Kuroishi gets a "by"...but not really, since he still has to face everyone. ===2nd Round=== Mr. Viper vs. Mr. Myrrdin Mr. PaTrIcK vs. Mr. Kuroishi I get the "by" ===3rd Round=== Mr. Viper vs. Mr. Kuroishi Mr. PaTrIcK vs. Myself Myrrdin gets the "by" ===4th Round=== Mr. Kuroishi vs. Myself Mr. Myrrdin vs. Mr. PaTrIcK Mr. Viper sits this series out. ===5th Round=== Mr. Viper vs. Myself Mr. Myrrdin vs. Mr. Kuroishi Mr. PaTrIcK gets to relax this time around. I believe everyone faces each other once here...please check it over and if I missed something, please inform me. Best 3 of 5 series. Winner takes all. 5 x 1,500 ICs = 7,500 ICs are on the line...but even more importantly are the bragging rights that go with it. Any and all problems with the tournament should be directed towards me, and I will take care of it in a reasonable time frame (most likely within 24 hours, no more than 72 hours). Best of luck to all participants. Please wire the entrance fee soon. If you do not play and do not e-mail me with a reason, you will forfeit not only your match, but also your money (which still goes to the winner). If you e-mail me explaining the situation, I will wire the 1,500 ICs back to you ASAP. Don't forget to have fun. The consolation game will probably be a game of "Defend the Temple", and will be just to relax. All matches are to take place on Battle.net. All series must be completed within 10 days of the start of the current round, unless a reason is directed to me. Round 1 begins on Monday, June 3rd, 2002. Edit: Thanks for reminding me for the need of a 5th Round, Mr. Viper.   ----------------------- Sergeant Major Tycho Celchu