Lancer Class Frigate Excelsior (the SSD Avenger is
5-6 kilometers in the background!)...
(Photo: SNorbut659, 3/95)
Lancer Class Frigate Excelsior (the SSD Avenger is
5-6 kilometers in the background!)...
(Photo: SNorbut659, 3/95)
The formation of the Hammer's Fist Stormtrooper Legion has been proposed by the Wing Commander to the Emperor. This elite unit within the Emperor's Hammer would serve to enlist Stormtroopers into various Platoons initially and possibly develop into company and battalion size units at a later date. It should be noted that the proposed Hammer's Fist would be a "Sub-Group" of the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. Each Stormtrooper Platoon (40 Troopers, 4 Sergeants and 1 Lieutenant) will be stationed on a Lancer Class Frigate (a small screening and assault vessel) and will serve on various mission objectives. The Hammer's Fist will serve as a forum for Emperor's Hammer Applicants who do not own TIE Fighter but would like to be involved with the Hammer (i.e. Roleplaying/"SIMing", Newsletters, Message Board, Online Conferences, E-Mail, etc.). It is anticipated that the Hammer's Fist will one day consititute an independent organization within the Emperor's Hammer ultimately answering only to the Wing Commander.
The Wing Commander wishes to point out that current Emperor's Hammer Members may not also be a Member of the Hammer's Fist since they represent two separate branches of the military.
Since Members of the Hammer's Fist will be "role playing" their soldier's actions, there will be no quantitative mission performance standards to achieve. Consequently rankings and positions will be subjectively determined by the Platoon Commanders, based on a Member's online activities and performance. In addition, the Wing Commander is personally overseeing the appointment of all Platoon Leaders until further notice.
Finally, it should also be noted that the Hammer's Fist is an "Elite" Stormtrooper unit which is attached to the Fleet in addition to the standard Stormtrooper Corps stationed on the SSD Avenger or any one of the other capital ships in the Fleet.
The following statistics for the Lancer Class Frigate were obtained from the Imperial Sourcebook (West End Games, by Greg Gorden, West End Games, 1989). Lancer Frigates:
The Lancer-class Frigate was introduced into the Imperial arsenal after the Battle of Yavin to combat the perceived threat of Rebel starfighters. It is now the starfighter screening vessel of choice. Lancers carry twenty quad-firing laser cannons. Each cannon has a targeting mechanism designed to produce multi-fire cover with superb fire control. Each cannon is mounted in its own tower, giving it an increased field of fire. Though the ship has had success, it has also demonstrated some flaws. While they perform at high levels when engaging starfighters, Lancers perform poorly in fleet engagements. As it has no turbolasers, it is an easy target for other capital ships. To function as screening vessels, Lancers must be placed on the outer perimeter of the fleet.
Craft: Kuat Drive Yard's Lancer
Type: Anti-starfighter screening Frigate
Length: 250 meters
Crew: 850
Troops: 40
Weapons: 20 Quad Laser Cannons
Cargo Capacity: 300 metric tons
The First Platoon would be stationed on the recently requisitioned Lancer Class Frigate (LCF) Excelsior, and will consist of Zero-G Stormtroopers (second only to the Imperial Royal Guards in ferocity, training and "shock value"!)...The proposed Hammer's Fist Positions and Ranks are presented below, until such time as they there is enough interest to list them separately in the Flight Roster...Lieutenant Blaster (Blaster265) has been appointed by the Wing Commander to the Position of First Platoon Commander...
Zero-G Troopers of the First Platoon
being loaded onto the LCF Excelsior...
(Photo: E-Mailed by SNorbut659)
It is anticipated that the Hammer's Fist Platoons will each be organized as follows, pending application and appointment of some more interested Troopers...
First Platoon (Zero-G Stormtroopers)/LCF Excelsior (PLAT-1/LCF Exc)
1 Lieutenant/Platoon Commander (PC) - Lieutenant Blaster (Blaster265)
4 Sergeants/Squad Leaders (SQLDR)
40 Zero-G Troopers (TPR)...(4 "squads" of 10 Troopers/each)
One Assault Shuttle
Second Platoon (Cold Assault Stormtroopers)/TBA
Third Platoon (Scout Troopers)/TBA
Hammer's Fist Positions
The Positions within each Platoon would be as follows:
PC - Platoon Commander
SQLDR - Squad Leader
TRP - Trooper
Hammer's Fist Ranks
The Hammer's Fist Rankings would generally follow the those of the Imperial Army:
General (GN)
Colonel (COL)
Major (MAJ)
Captain (CP)
Lieutenant (LT)
Master Sergeant (MS)
Sergeant (SG)
Corporal (CP)
Private (PVT)
ID Lines
The Hammer's Fist Stormtroopers will have their own ID Line designations:
i.e. Squad Leader, Master Sergeant Wayne, First Platoon, LCF Excelsior
would be:
Zero-G Stormtroopers
The following general information on Zero-G Stormtroopers was taken from the Star Wars Sourcebook, West End Games, Bill Slavicsek and Curtis Smith, 1987, pp. 104-105):
While all stormtrooper armor provides limited protection against hard vacuum, one elite division has been trained to operate exclusively in outer space. Imperial spacetroopers are deadly commandos of the highest order, second only to the Imperial Royal Guard in training, dedication, loyalty, and destructive capability. When it is necessary to capture a freighter, space station, or other spacefaring vehicle, spacetroopers are deployed to handle the job.
A spacetrooper platoon uses a retrofitted and heavily armored shuttle, complete with tractor beam generators, full sensor suites, power harpoon guns, concussion mission launchers, and automatic blaster cannons. A five-man command crew operates the shuttle, and all communications devices are connected to the Platoon Commander's station, where the commander monitors the entire teams activities. He issues orders from on board the shuttle, directing his troopers from within the flying fortress. The shuttle is a formidable attack vehicle in its own right, but the 40 spacetroopers it carries are walking arsenals.
Each trooper wears full body armor that actually performs as a personal spacecraft and attack vehicle. The trooper has his own oxygen and environmental controls, built-in sensor computers, magnetic couplers for docking and moving across craft hulls, repulsorlift propulsion units, and a wide assortment of armor-deployed weapons such as concussion-, gas-, and stun-grenade launchers, miniature proton torpedo hurlers, blaster cannons, and laser cutters. While spacetroopers are limited by how much power their body armor can store, they are trained to employ their armament effectively and complete a mission within a specified time period. If unable to accomplish their mission, spacetroopers have standing orders to return to their shuttle. While recharging their armor, the shuttle trains it weapons on their quarry. Spacetrooper commanders have the latitude to decide whether to redeploy their platoons or destroy the craft with a full barrage of weapons fire.
In full gear, a spacetrooper stands over two meters tall and is twice as wide as an unarmored man. As a result, others often refer to them as "walking tanks". They are fearsome to behold in their full body armor, but because of the bulky outfits, spacetroopers attain their highest effectiveness only in no-gravity environments such as deep space and non-atmosphere worlds. An energy-powered exoskeleton gives these soldiers the strength necessary to perform within gravity, but they do their best work outside of a planet's confining pull.
In a standard operation, a spacetrooper shuttle will hold a given target in a tractor beam or with magnetic harpoons, or sometimes cripple the target with a few well placed blaster shots. Then, using their powered suits, spacetroopers traverse the vacuum between the shuttle and their mission objective. Using their magnetic couplers, they then dock with the vehicle. Each trooper has a particular job to accomplish; some snap power cables or disable escape pod ports while others slice through the hull with heavy laser cutters. The rest of the unit then enters the ship, firing gas grenades and stun bombs until all opposition is suppressed. They may even use heavier weapons if their targets aren't cooperative, or to destroy all but the primary goal. Pirate ships and smuggling vessels readily surrender when faced with a spacetrooper boarding platoon.
The Wing Commander herein presents the first Battle Plotline and first 3 missions for General Pisani (FLT MBR/GN Pisani/Gamma-1/SSD Avr)...The Battle for Zaarin's Missile Boats and its first 3 missions are attached to this newsletter...
Mission 1 ; completed - In your Missile Boat, you will attack one of Zaarin's ship construction areas. Your primary goals will be to destroy the plant, which makes the Tie Advanced, destroy the research platform, destroy the containers (if the player inspects the containers they will find Zaarin's missile boat parts) they are to be destroyed, and destroy the stationary frigates. Secondary goals are to inspect the containers.
Mission 2 ; completed- In your missile boat, you will hold position and wait for the ISD Avenger. The Harpax II ust survive. There are reports of Zaarin's forces in this sector, so beware. The primary goals is for the ISD Avenger to arrive, and for the Harpax II to survive.
Mission 3 ; completed - In this mission the Interdictor Harpax II will set up its gravity well so it will pull a convoy bound for Zaarin's missile boat plant out of hyperspace. There will be an escort Shuttle that will track the freighters to the missile boat plant. The Harpax II must survive, the freighters must survive, and the Escort Shuttle must survive.
Mission 4 ; not yet finished- In your missile boat, you will lead an attack on Zaarin's missile boat. It must be captured. Remember, Zaarin will stop at nothing to keep his Plant. We must capture this plant or else Zaarin will gain the upper hand.
The Wing Commander herein presents the second Battle Plotline submitted and approved by General Jac, the Interception Battle...
BY-
FLT MBR/GN JAC/BETA-1/SSD AVR
Background
After the death of Dacian, you are left alone with your flight. Alpha squadron has already left for hyperspace. They are going back to the ISD Avenger, from which they will leave with the Emperor's Hammer to our new SUPER STAR DESTROYER. Your flight is to wait for the Wing Commander Grand Admiral Ronin to send the coordinates for the SSD.
Mission 1
Your flight has finally recieved the SSD's coordinates. A problem has occurred with your hyperdrive, so the flight has stopped.
Primary Goals
50% of Beta 1 must have survived
Mission 2
You have come out of hyperspace nowhere near the SSD Avenger. Your sensors detect an Interdictor, a Star Destroyer, and 3 Dreadnaughts in the area. They must know that you have the information on their attack. You must destroy the Interdictor and get out of there FAST!!!! And read my lips NO DOGFIGHTING!!!!
Primary Goals
INT Pelican must be destroyed
Mission 3
After giving the information to Grand Admiral Ronin, You have been sent out to intercept the incoming ships. You will be accompanied by Alpha and Gamma squadrons. You must destroy all Rebel ships before they go into Hyperspace.
Primary Goals
100% of all Rebel craft must be destroyed
Bonus Goals
100% of all Emperor's Hammer members must have survived
Mission 4
The Avenger is under attack. They must have had two forces. This one is A LOT larger than the first. The Avenger MUST survive. Long Live The Emperor!!!!!
Primary Goals
The SSD Avenger must have survived
Bonus Goals
100% of all Rebel craft must be destroyed
100% of all Emperor's Hammer members must have survived
The Wing Commander has decided that, to be eligible for Battle Medal awards, interested pilots are asked to complete, at a minimum, ALL of the Primary Goals in each Mission (just like the game, completion of the Primary Goals is required to advance missions) at whichever difficulty they prefer. Obviously higher difficulties translate into higher scores for posting on the Battle Board. The mission performance files (i.e. film clips/*.clp files) must be submitted to your individual Squadron Commanders for review and recommendation regarding Medal awards and possible promotions following completion of ALL missions in any given Battle.
One point must be stressed regarding submission of mission performances clips and pilot files...Please direct these submissions to your individual Squadron Commanders rather than myself...The Wing Commander can not spare his time and efforts from the Newsletters, new plots and missions for these reviews...Subsequently, your Squadron Commanders will be making periodic recommendations for Medal Awards "on behalf" of the Member seeking a Medal (i.e. a nomination...). Thankyou for your understanding...
The following recipients of new Medals are herein posted by the Officer of the Wing Commander:
General Jedi (CMDR/GN Jedi/Psi-1/SSD Avr) Medal of Loyalty: For completion of all Missions in Battle 9 - Tracking the Defectors General Abaddon (FLT MBR/GN Abaddon/Phi-3/VSD Mon) Medal of Security: For completion of all missions in Battle 5 - Pirates Uprising Medal of Loyalty: For completion of all Missions in Battle 9 - Tracking the Defectors General Lucas (CMDR/GN Lucas/Delta-1/SSD Avr) Medal of Security: For completion of all missions in Battle 5 - Pirates Uprising General Talon (CMDR/Gen Talon/Alpha-1/SSD Avr) Medal of Loyalty: For completion of all Missions in Battle 9 - Tracking the Defectors General Jac (FLT MBR/GN JAC/BETA-1/SSD AVR) Commendation for Service: For submission of the Interdiction Battle Plotline General Shekinah (CMDR/GN Shekinah/Phi-1/VSD Mon) Red Hammer: For creation of all Missions in the Renegade Battle General Jac (FLT MBR/GN Jac/Beta-11/SSD Avr) Medal of Tactics w/ Green Hammer: For creation of Missions 1 and 2 for Dacian Downfall Battle General Taco (FLT MBR/GN Taco/Iota-3/TFC Rox) Medal of Security: For completion of all missions in Battle 5 - Pirates Uprising