Author: Charles Star

Monthly Awards: February 2024

Posted on | by Charles Star | 2 Comments on Monthly Awards: February 2024

Happy Ides of March, everybody!

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Steve Ryan
Chief Communications and Operations Officer
USS Montana

For “Reapacification”

Duty calls!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Lt. Cmdr. Cynfor Rees & Lt. Cmdr. Jörgen Leed & Lt. Tor Ezzo & Lt. Owen Woodhouse
CO / XO / CDO / CFCO / COO
USS Firebird

For “This isn’t a Simulator!”

Great action and plot development!

Funniest Post

Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Lt. Inara Senn & Ens. James Phoenix
ACOO / CSO / TO
USS Washington

For “Following the Evidence”

Great writing!

Genesis

Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Capt. Akeno Misaki & Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lt. Rania Bhatti & Lt. JG Patra Rommel
XO / CO / CSTO / CMO / Y / CFCO / CC / CES
USS Wayfarer

For “Revisiting the Past”

A great way to build into the mission.

MVP

Commander Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

The Chuck Norris’s XO continues to set the pace for the ship, even stepping up as the current CO is due to stand down. She expertly leads the ship both in and out of character and is slated to become the full-time CO next month.

Most Posts

Commander Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 49 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla’ren
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Sunfire

The Gunfire’s CEO made outstanding contributions during the month during the CD mini-mission that not only developed her own character but set up great opportunities for others to use as well.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Commander Kataxes
Chief Medical Officer
USS Firebird

The Firebird’s new CMO jumped into simming with a radically different and unique character, and is not only pulling it off, but crushing it.

Recruitment

None this month.

The great posting continues!

An IDF Welcome for the USS Firebird

Posted on | by Charles Star | 1 Comment on An IDF Welcome for the USS Firebird

It’s been more than a year since we last launched a new sim or welcomed an existing one into the fleet. However, that changes now: I am very proud to announce that the USS Firebird joined us earlier this month with their first official post as a member of IDF coming on February 1, 2024. The Firebird is set in the year 2396, but does not include the Picard television series timeline as the sim began before that tv show. Captain Malcom Llwyedd is the Commanding Officer.

USS FirebirdNCC-88298
Format: ProseEra: Post-Dominion War
Type: TraditionalClass: Diligent
CO: Captain Malcom LlwyeddJoin!

Welcome aboard, Captain Llwyedd and crew!

Monthly Awards: January 2024

Posted on | by Charles Star | 1 Comment on Monthly Awards: January 2024

Happy Valentine’s Day, everybody!

Best Post (Single Author)

Ensign James Phoenix
Tactical Officer
USS Washington

For “All These Years”

A wonderfully written post!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lt. Vrax tr’Keirianh
CO / XO / CSTO / CMO / Y / CFCO / CSO
USS Wayfarer

For “Robbed Blind”

Great interaction among multiple players!

Funniest Post

Lt. Sarah Wilson & SCPO Ronson Mitchell & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis & Remal Kajun
MO / Y / SO / CA
USS Sunfire

For “Kit go down the hole”

To quote Montgomery Scott: “Up your shaft.”

Genesis

Captain Michael Intermeezo
Commanding Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Heading Out”

A lot of possibilities to explore!

MVP

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris

Racking up an amazing 26.5 posts this month, Mr Lance has pushed the mission forward and had an impressive impression on the crew. His promotion to Lt Cmdr and second officer is a reflection of his hard work.

Most Posts

Commander Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 45 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Ileah
Yoeman
USS Wayfarer

Lieutenant Ileah has been doing really well these past few weeks. Actively contributing to the posts and really pushing forward with his character developments. He has come a long way since joining the Wayfarer! Also he had a lot of RL problems and its nice to see him overcoming them and finally getting back into his writing.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

What a great start to the year!

Monthly Awards: December 2023

Posted on | by Charles Star | Leave a Comment on Monthly Awards: December 2023

Happy New Year, everybody!

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Betaras K’ner
Chief Medical Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Something is amiss”

This excellent post is certainly not amiss!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Remal Kajun & Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren & Ens. Aubrie Fox & Lt. Thomas Haldeman & Lt. Alison Haldeman
CSS / CA / CO / CEO / TO / CDO / ACOO
USS Sunfire

For “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

What an inspiring post from one of the ship’s best missions!

Funniest Post

Lieutenant Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Tall Fat Man in a Red Suit”

Fat guy in a little coat… not quite!

Genesis

Captain Michael Intermeezo
Commanding Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Grazerite Extinguished”

A great mission start!

MVP

Lieutenant Inara Senn
Chief Science Officer
USS Washington

Senn continually raises the bar to create amazing posts with her fellow crewmembers. A top-notch role player through and through!

Most Posts

Commander Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 37 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant JG Betaras K’ner
Chief Medical Officer
USS Chuck Norris

The Chuck Norris’s CMO picked up the pace with both quality and quantity and has quickly developed into one of the ship’s most valuable crewmembers.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

It’s time for 2024, IDF!

Monthly Awards: November 2023

Posted on | by Charles Star | Leave a Comment on Monthly Awards: November 2023

Merry Christmas Eve, everybody! It’s also high time I got last month’s awards announced. Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Post (Single Author)

Lt. Cmdr. Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “The end of Q?”

Not what I was expecting!

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson & Lt. Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lt. Vrax tr’Keirianh
CO / XO / CSTO / CMO / CFCO / CSO
USS Wayfarer

For “Traitors be amongst us”

Great tension!

Funniest Post

Ensign Kate Kono & Commander Jonathan Grayson
Intelligence Officer / Executive Officer
USS Washington

For “A new friend”

A new friendship leads to a great post!

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Diplomacy and Debts”

That’s how you start a mission!

MVP

Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Sunfire

What a fantastic month for the Sunfire’s Counselor as she contributed several meaningful plot advancements, got other players involved, and did on absolute outstanding job developing her own character and others within the confines of the mission. Well done!

Most Posts

Lt. Cmdr. Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 25 posts.

Most Improved

Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s Chief Engineer was very involved in the ship-side of the last mission and wrote several outstanding posts resolving the conflict at the end of the mission while simultaneously developing multiple characters for the future. Great job!

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

Thanks for a great 2023, IDF!

Monthly Awards: October 2023

Posted on | by Charles Star | Leave a Comment on Monthly Awards: October 2023

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Q’s Last Temptation”

An interesting conversation with an old friend.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lt. Vrax tr’Keirianh & Ens. Robert Lee Jr.
CO / XO / CSTO / CMO / Y / CFCO / CSO / TO
USS Wayfarer

For “Jailbreak!”

Great dialog and great action make for a great post, all the while continuing to develop the characters.

Funniest Post

 Commander Michael Murphy & Lieutenant Katja Becker
Executive Officer / Chief Medical Officer
USS Montana

For “Meet and Greet”

Not laugh out loud, but a humorous introduction that creates endless possibilities.

Genesis

Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Commanding Officer
USS Sunfire

For “Halloween”

Short and sweet, but everything you want in a Genesis Post–the crew can literally take it anywhere, but with just enough backstory for consistency.

MVP

Lt. Cmdr. Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

Described by her Captain as “a simming machine,” and who are we to argue? With her second consecutive month with at least 30 posts, she continues to display superior leadership in the XO role and engages other crewmembers with joint posts.

Most Posts

Lt. Cmdr. Mira Rodale
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 34 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Sunfire

Vali upped her game, finishing second on the sim in total posts with some outstanding collaboration along the way.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Inara Senn
Chief Science Officer
USS Washington

Senn showed a distinct creative flair, adding a new element to the Washington in her first month.

Recruitment

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

Grayson brought in one new recruit, who seamlessly fit in with the crew.

You didn’t realize it was me this time, did you?

USS Chuck Norris Change of Command

Posted on | by Charles Star | 2 Comments on USS Chuck Norris Change of Command

As of today, Captain Michael Intermeezo has relieved Captain Aurther Winters as Commanding Officer of the USS Chuck Norris. Captain Winters concludes 36 months in command. However, his history with the Chuck Norris goes back much further. As a Lieutenant, he officially joined the sim on June 26, 2012 as Chief Engineer, and then sent his first post on June 28th. He picked up his first award, an MVP, in November of that year. He later became Executive Officer in 2014, and then Commanding Officer in 2020. Along the way, he snagged 12.5 total awards, including 4 MVPs and 3.5 Genesis awards, good for 8th place all-time. He also chaired the 2021 SciWorld Online Convention, for which he was awarded an Ongoing World Community Honor. If there’s one thing that stands out, it’s been Aurther’s loyalty to both the fleet and his sim! Aurther, best of luck with everything and we hope you don’t wander too far!

Captain Intermeezo, welcome to the command team! We know that you have what it takes to lead this wonderful and historical sim to even greater heights.

22nd Anniversary Webcast: Saturday at 5pm Eastern

Posted on | by Charles Star | 2 Comments on 22nd Anniversary Webcast: Saturday at 5pm Eastern

It’s almost time for our third annual anniversary webcast. Admiral Ken Gillis returns as host, and yes, it will again include real prizes!

Join us on July 8th at 5:00 PM ET (-4) / 10:00 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 (in case you missed it!), drawing names from among our monthly award winners over the last year for some real-world prizes, and there might also be a surprise or two.

See you there!

At the movies… with Independence Fleet!

Posted on | by Charles Star | 7 Comments on At the movies… with Independence Fleet!

And yet another year of IDF is in the books with our 22nd Anniversary today. To remind you of how old we really are, here’s a quote from last year’s anniversary post:

“On our 22nd Anniversary, we will be further removed from the premiere of the 2009 Star Trek film (May 8, 2009) than IDF’s launch was from the premiere of The Next Generation (September 28, 1987): 14 years, 1 month, 26 days vs. 13 years, 9 months, 6 days.”

Well, here we are! For this year’s celebration, each of our 12 sims created a movie poster to capture their unique essence and feel. We are also very fortunate to have Amanda Rose from RPG Writing, NX-1701-G from Zodiac Fleet, and Beth from Sim Central to judge the entries in three categories: overall image quality, how much does it look like an actual movie poster, and general creativity/originality. Before we get to the posters themselves, we first have an announcement from a special guest:

Now, the 12 movie posters:

And your winners are…
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1st Place:

USS Wayfarer
CO: Captain Akeno Misaki
Poster by: Akeno Misaki		2nd Place:

USS Sunfire
CO: Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Poster by: Bonnie Durnell		3rd Place:

USS Eclipse
CO: Captain Aven LaCroix
Poster by: Aven LaCroix
“I’m impressed by the technical skill and originality that went into this poster.”

“If you’re familiar with Anime movie posters, this is spot on.”

“Having anime Trek characters in the mirror universe with the crack showing the Federation and Terran emblems on different sides was brilliant.”		“Of all the posters shared this was the one that actually made me want to join the game in question.”

“Image expertly merged the dinosaur imagery with clear Trek imagery without making them appear distinct.”

“This poster screamed movie poster. I would expect to see this on the wall in some theater. A starship with dinosaurs and big lettering. Well done!”		“I’m not typically a fan of the starship and character posters, but this one spoke to me.”

“I kept wanting to rate this poster higher in my rankings. There’s a lot to like with the faded facial imagery and ship…

…[including] ‘Coming Never,’ which was mildly amusing.”

Congratulations to all three winners, and a special thanks to our judges! However, to quote Kirk from Star Trek III, we’re not finished yet! Here are superlative awards for our other nine games:

Best poster for Seinfeld/Trek crossover

USS Albion
CO: Captain Dick Sprague
Poster by: Akeno Misaki		Some bold judges not to pick this one!

USS Chuck Norris
CO: Captain Aurther Winters
Poster by: Bonnie Durnell		Best poster for past meeting the future

USS Churchill
CO: Captain James Stewart
Poster by: Akeno Misaki
Best poster if you actually watch Picard

USS Eminence
CO: Captain Alex Shepard
Poster by: Akeno Misaki		Best poster for a random trailing light

USS Ganymede
CO: Captain Dyllon McMahon
Poster by: Akeno Misaki		Best poster for a low Earth orbit view

USS Liberty
CO: Captain Kaylia Strenvale
Poster by: Akeno Misaki
Best poster for the IMAX experience

USS Montana
CO: Captain Jackson Adams
Poster by: Bonnie Durnell		Best poster for “Aft torpedoes, fire!!!”

USS Washington
CO: Captain Shran dh’Klar
Poster by: Akeno Misaki		Best poster that could double for Dune

Starbase 80
CO: Captain Kathleen O’Shea
Poster by: Bonnie Durnell

While we’re on the topic of movies, we are now further removed from our July 4, 2001 founding than it was from the premiere of the first Star Trek film Star Trek: The Motion Picture (December 6, 1979): 22 years vs. 21 years, 6 months, 28 days. Feel old yet?

Continuing last year’s tradition, we again have a second video message:

Happy IDF anniversary, everyone!