For two years and one month I have been a member of the VEN.  In that time I have went from being more of a boy to more of a man.  You could say that I grew up in this organization...  I can proudly say that I have remained active for the full extent of these two years.

Such a fact is bitter sweet, though.  I have seen many fine members in my time here fade away in such a subtle manner that their passing is only noticed in retrospect.  Most of the leaders from my FM days are now gone.  The TO who placed me into Kaph Sk8guy, my XO and old wingman Demonic, and my SC Willtconq to name a few.  Sticking around here in such a solid manner is similar to living forever in the sense of that you watch people slip away while you still remain...

Out of respect for the VEN and its members I see it good, right, and proper to not simply fade into the shadows but to publicly announce my resignation and give an explanation of why...

For the majority of these two years it was a great time.  Though I may have gone against the grain of a handful of members, I have befriended a great deal more.  I have laughed and I have felt joy.  For the first time it was here where I really experienced working with others to achieve a greater goal, it was here where I learned what camaraderie was really about.  I have learned a great deal of things while I have been here; skills and concepts that I will carry on with me for the rest of my life.  The great improvement in writing skills and typing speed only scratches the surface...

So the question now is why am I turning in the rank plaque I worked so hard to earn?  Within the past six months I have seen dark and depressing things here in VE.  I have learned of conspiracies that have left bitter feelings.  I have seen men that I once had respect for become deceitful, something that would have never had happened if conditions had been different.  I have seen too many good ideas die, too long of ruts, and most of all too much contempt.  I once found the VE to be a place to escape from the real world, a place where I could actually ‘make something of myself.’  I once got onto ComNet with a feeling of joy and anticipation.  Now I only fell depressed and as though something is lacking...

My problem is that I have for too long used the VEN as a substitute for a purpose.  I have worked so hard to climb to where I am now only to question the point of it all.  The sad truth is that my clinging to this pseudo-cause is only dragging me down.  It is preventing me from moving on to bigger things in life.  I hate to say it but I’d be hurting my self if I stuck around...


To the Navy as a whole, I am sorry.  I have taken up the WXO position only to not be able to fulfill it.  I also apologize for being so critical at times.

To my dear Kaph Squadron, you guys are what kept me around the first time I thought about doing this.  You have all been great, thank you for putting up with me.  I am sorry for abandoning you.  I leave Kaph in the capable hands of Jaden if he so wishes.

Most of all I must say this to you, Shazam.  You of all people have put the most faith in me.  No one has been more patient or more understanding.  At times I have returned the favor by lacking in gratitude and by ‘biting the hand that feeds me.’  I just want you to know that you have been a light in my life, somebody to look up to.  I have learned a great deal from you, I thank you for that (*gags after thinking of how much this makes him sound like a suck up*).  I am very sorry for letting you down.


So I, Ensign Than Sion, resign from all positions of which I hold and from active duty in the Vast Empire Navy.  If so be it that I am worthy, I wish to be placed into the retirement section of the roster.


I will remain around long enough to wrap some things up.  After that I regret to say that I will be isolating myself from Vast Empire for at least the period of six months.  The draw of returning would be too great.  It would only be a distraction from pursuing greater goals and purposes.  You could say that I am going out to find myself.


Thank you all for this experience, for the most part it has been a great one.

Goodbye my comrades,

(Retired Ensign Than Sion)

Jeez Than.....this really comes as a blow. You'll be soreley missed by Kaph. I know I speak for all of us when I say that. You've pulled us through thick and thin(at least as long as I've been here). And I hope we'll make you proud.

/me salutes.

Farwell Sir

Sorry to hear about that Than.

Would have been nice to see you stay.

/me salutes "YOu will be missed."

Than has spoken to me often and knows how I feel about the situation, so let me just remind people that the number of replies here doesn't necessarily equivocate the impact he's had.  Than Sion has shown more heart than most of the folks I've had the honor of knowing around here, and if nothing else: he's smart.  Always a great help to us when we're in a rut; hopefully he can clear his head and we'll have shaped up so he can come back without having to deal with so much bs.  Everyone needs a break.

See ya m8. Get that sh*t sorted out and we'll see ya when u get back.