posted August 15, 2000 01:51 PM              

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Daishi

posted August 15, 2000 05:56 PM               

I know that in my Star Wars Sourcebook it says that cloaking devices are banned by Imperials until the Battle of Endor. I have read no sourcebook or novel that states the prior law was done away with until Thrawn breaks the rule in "Heir to the Empire". The first Imperial ships to use a cloaking device are in Thrawn's fleet.

The only rumors of a cloaking device ever being used before "Heir to the Empire" by Imperials was clandestinely on the Emperor's shuttle, and I believe the latter device was stored in Mount Tantiss. Still, this is a "rumor".

We are currently in an period in which no Imperial ships may use cloaking devices nor are they even able to acquire them. I am assuming that one of the major benefits of the Vast Empire meeting with Admiral Pellaeon is in the hopes that later, after "Heir to the Empire", he or Thrawn will be gracious enough to allow the cloaking technology to be shared with the VE.

Also, if you read "Spectre of the Past" (which occurs a long time after the Thrawn Trilogy), Imperial cloaking devices are far from being refined enough to be useful. Unlike Klingon Birds of Prey, Imperial ships cannot see a darn thing when cloaked. The Deathscythe, if it somehow even had a cloaking device at this point in time, would be wandering around blindly when cloaked . . . completely unable to see or use its sensors.

posted August 16, 2000 12:28 PM               

1) I already have an active Army Squad given to me by HG Crysus. They will be assigned to the m/SSD Mustang shortly after my decision.
2) Schnapps and Threeof4 have valid concerns. I can see how the other squad(rons) would feel a little left out. Speaking from personal experience I have seen Elite Squadrons work very well and I have also seen some turn into a disaster. So let me explain a little bit further what I mean:

I want an elite squad(ron) in the Army/Navy that is active (or at the very least a very active Squadron Commander). The squad(ron) commander will set up a website and begin constant communication with his/her squad(ron) to promote activity. My idea is to "assist" the elite squadron commanders in developing a squad(ron) into something to be looked up to. I want the other squad(rons) in the Vast Empire to look at my elite squadrons and say, "We can do that." It will spark more activity as other various squad(rons) try to make their squad(rons) better than my elite squad(rons). I have no desire for anyone to pull good squad(ron) commanders from their squads and place them in my elite squad(rons). Actually, I want those squads to work twice as hard to make their squad better than the one that was actually picked. Perhaps if one squad(ron) outdoes the current elite squad(ron) then that Division Leader will give them the elite status (since elite squads are still managed by the Division Leaders)

My elite squad(rons) will get special assignments for the campaigns. If they are as active as they should be they will also get a good amount of promotions/awards handed out by me. They will be expected to have up a website, communicate constantly, and participate in VE events as much as possible. The reason why I plan to hold their rosters is so I can include them in setting up certain VE campaigns, missions, etc etc.

Now that I have my XvsT game working again I plan to develop some single player missions specifically designed with them in it. I can't design SP JK missions for the Army Squad but I plan to talk to the Squad Leader and set up a multiplayer mission that I hope will be fun for them.

So this is what I have in mind basically. If all goes well the things that I am hoping to help set up with the elite squad(rons) there will be no need for elite squad(rons) since everyone will be active and doing things like I just talked about.

Since HG Crysus already assigned a squad to me I will be e-mailing Atrus to assign to me a Squadron for this very same purpose. However, please keep up this line of communication. I like the idea of developing the VE after fully discussing it. If you have private concerns please feel free to e-mail me about it.