December 20, 2012

Christmas Break Commences

With Christmas now fast approaching, Shadow Fleet prepares to hunker down for 2012's Christmas break. This years 13 day break begins tomorrow, 21 December through 2 January. During this low key time, all missions will be put on hold, and there will be no need to file an LOA for any absences that will occur during this time. I'm sure that everyone is looking forward to the awards cermonies that will take place after we all return from a well deserved break.

With that said, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Stay safe during the break and enjoy your time with family and friends!


Post of the Month--December 2012

It's time for the final post of the month before we break for the Christmas period and we're delighted to say it's a good one.

This month's award goes to Lieutenant Kirok for his brilliantly constructed post that describes in great emotional detail the search for his pet cat following a red alert situation. Commanding Officer Lance Krol commented, "I've never had my heart broken so hard on this site before. The mother of all kudos to Kirok."

"Aye, Sir" Kirok replied.  He tapped away at his duty station.   The Red Alert Klaxon stopped sounding and the monitors returned to their normal state.  "Red Alert status has been disabled" he called out.

As he spoke, another chime sounded at his duty station.  It was a reminder that he was overdue in checking in on Bubba.  Kirok looked up from his station, determined that the ship was no longer in danger, and asked a Crewman to take over his station after gaining permission to leave the Bridge.

Kirok quickly crossed the Bridge and called the turbo lift.  It only took seconds to arrive, but it seemed like the longest seconds of his life.  Once it arrived, he stepped into the lift and took to directly to Deck 3.

When the turbo lift doors swished open, Kirok walked quickly and purposefully to the door of his crew quarters.  He stopped momentarily outside the door, just long enough to give the command to unlock the door.  The moment told his sensitive Vulcan ears that there was on sound coming from inside.  No "meow" or scratching at the door.

Kirok's heart rate increased as the door to his crew quarters swished open.  His eyes quickly scanned the room for his sick cat, but his feline friend was no where to be found.  Bubba's food dish had not been touched, the water lever in his bowl was unchanged, the blankets on the bed were free of wrinkles, and nothing seemed to be out of place, with the exception of his sick cat.

"Bubba" Kirok called out as his heart rate accelerated a bit more, a physical sign of anxiety and near panic.   =/\= Computer increase lights by 25% =/\= he called out, probably more loudly than necessary, as he ran to the bathroom.  The computer complied with the order, but the additional light failed to reveal the Betazoid cat.

Kirok looked behind every corner of the bathroom, inside the shower, and then checked the corners again.   "Bubba, where are you?" he called out again as a trickle of sweat formed on his forehead and then ran down his face.  He ran back into the main room and pulled back the curtain that covered his closet, an old hiding place of Bubba's.    

Kirok looked high and low inside the closet, quickly searching the area with his eyes.  He grimaced and audibly blew air out of his nose on frustration.  Thinking that the cat may have possibly crawled under some of the clothing, Kirok started pulling shirts and pants out of the closet and trowing them on the floor.   He didn't stop until the closet was empty.

Kirok swallowed hard when he finished the task of emptying the closet.  Disappointment was starting to set in, despite his advanced training it the ritual of Kolinahr.  ~Where are you, Bubba~ Kirok called out with his mind and his mental senses, but feeling nothing inside the room.

Kirok turned back to the main room of his quarters and saw the chaos it had become.  His respiration increased rapidly and he felt like his world was spinning out of control.  ~Think, Kirok, think~ he though to himself as he did not trust his voice to speak the words between his erratic breathing.

Then Kirok's eyes landed on his bed.  He rushed over to it and threw the unruffled blankets and pillow onto the floor.  Still no Bubba!!!

Kirok dropped to his knees and looked at the last possible place his cat could have been, under the bed.  The space under the bad was too dark even for his Vulcan eyes.  =/\= Computer...increase...light...by...50% =/\= he called out been raspy breaths.

As the light became brighter, Kirok could see Bubba crumpled up in a corner.  The cat's body looked un-natural, like it was squeezed together like an accordion.  "Bubba?!?" Kirok uttered quietly as he reached out a hand and placed it on the cold, lifeless body of his feline friend.

Kirok dipped his head and swallowed hard.  Deep, deep down in his very being, his heart broke into a million pieces as the realization set upon him that Bubba had passed away.  "I was too late" he admitted regretfully, his voice cracking in the process.

Kirok pulled Bubba's body from the corner and cradled it in his lap.  He leaned his head down toward the lifeless body of his pet, touching his head to Bubba's head.  "I should have been here for you" Kirok whispered "I'm so, so sorry."

December 14, 2012

Commissioned Offiecer Recruiting Period 02/12

We are pleased to announce the launch of this year's second and final Commissioned Officer Recruiting Period, or CORP for short.

The CORP is the opportunity for all eligible crewmen to apply for a place on a Commissioned Officer Training Course (COTC) at Shadow Fleet Academy.

During period 02/12, we are looking to recruit into the following fields:
  • Flight Control
  • Security/Tactical
  • Science/Medical
  • Operations
  • Counseling
If you are an enlisted player holding the rate of Petty Officer Third Class or above and wish to apply for the Officer Training Course in any of the above fields, send a request to your Commanding Officer via private message explaining the field in which you are applying and why you wish to become a commissioned officer in Shadow Fleet.

The deadline for all applications is December 31st, 2012.

Good luck!

Note: Not all applicants will be successful. If you are not accepted onto an Officer Training Course, there will be another opportunity through CORP 01/13 to be announced early next year. Successful graduates may be required to transfer ship to satisfy officer personnel requirements across the fleet. Maximum graduating rank in this CORP is Ensign.

December 11, 2012

Star Trek: Into Darkness

What are your thoughts on the first teaser trailer for the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness? Are you as excited as we are? Tell us on our Facebook page or discuss it on the official fleet forum discussion topic!


December 6, 2012

Christmas Break 2012

Well, it's that time of year already! The time when we hang up our stockings and tuck into our delicious Christmas dinner with all the family. It's also the time of year when Shadow Fleet stands down for its annual Christmas Break, a period when all official missions and announcements are temporarily suspended to allow us some well deserved time off.

This years Christmas Break will run from Friday 21 December through to Wednesday 2 January, after which time we'll be delving right back into the action with our bi-annual awards ceremonies.

With just 2 weeks left of our year, I encourage you all to post well and post often so we can end our year with a bang!

December 1, 2012

Miracle on Starbase 83 (Christmas Event)



Well, laddies and gents... this year's Christmas event has begun at last! Miracle on Starbase 83 is sure to be light hearted and full of fun! Head over to Shadow Fleet Now to join in on the festive fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Task Group Alpha is given time off for the hard work they have put in recently. Conveniently, the time off coincides with Christmas back on Earth. With all three ships docked safely at Starbase 83 - the home of Shadow Fleet & Task Group Alpha - the crew takes the time to get to know their other ship counterparts, share a story or two, and celebrate the winter holiday.

The relaxing time is quickly overshadowed by some peculiar goings on. It isn't long before Q (
played by Tobias Masters) appears, checking up on 'his humans', but he's confounded by what he sees. It's up to the fleet to either teach Q about Christmas, or send him on his merry.