Archive for April, 2010

The Raven is the primary ground assault transport craft for all ground troops used by the Army. It can carry 18 fully geared up troops from their vessels in orbit straight down to a plant below.

The Raven features two main VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) engines on its wings and two smaller engines under its wings, making it able to land in the tightest spots and get out again as quickly as possible.

The Raven is designed to not only be able to ferry troops planet-side, it also has the ability to lock onto enemy ships and using a laser cutter located on its bottom hull, it is able to cut a hole and using an airtight extending docking airlock, deliver strike teams into enemy vessels.

The Raven’s armament is poor considering the environments it operates in, however its speed and agility are designed to compensate – meaning it should be able to steer clear of enemy fire, get its payload delivered and evacuate quickly and smoothly. There are of course some troops who flatly disagree with this.

Go to UC-78 Raven Page

In 2296 the Dakota Republic launched an incursion into Union territory, Maya was one of the planets in their path and all civilians were evacuated. Mary and Sam stowed aboard the C.S.V. Nile Road (TC-26) bound for Earth. However the Nile Road was attacked as it reached Van Gaal VI by Dakota forces. Caine arrived with a rescue detachment from the 4^th Fleet.

Alas Caine was too late, the Dakota destroyed many Union ships and a retreat was ordered by Captain Krauer aboard the surviving carrier U.S.S. Patton (SCA-703). The Nile Road was destroyed, Mary and Samuel did not survive.

Go to Mary Caine Character Page

This week has been the exact opposite of last week, it has been PRODUCTIVE!! Part 9 is nearing 50% completion which is epic, my best guesstimates would put a full completion date on it by very late this month or early next month which is a shame because I thought this time around I would get this part out very quickly – alas with all last week’s hardware issues I was lucky to still have my work at all, so a later release date isn’t the end of the world.

I’ve actually set my external hard drive onto a daily backup cycle now so that I’m as up to date as possible if anything else crashes.

I was excited to see 99 Subscribers on my youtube channel, I know this is a tiny number to most folks but to me it’s pretty cool – so thanks to everyone who’s a subscriber – you rock

Speaking of youtube, I found two hilarious vids this week, TOP 50 WORST VIDEO GAME VOICE OVERS which really made my cry laughter, and the video review of BIG RIGS (the review starts 48 seconds in) – the worst game ever made for the PC – truly amazing stuff right here.

Another video series I’m following on youtube is BCS Buster’s channel as he’s currently doing the ‘Let’s Play: Wing Commander IV’ which always has a special place with me.

In gaming, I am truly ashamed to say I have abandoned Starlancer – as I can’t use a USB joystick it has officially gone into the ‘too hard basket’ – mostly due to the inability to track enemy fighters properly with the keyboard which of course led to me screaming at the computer, abusing my AI wingmen, being generally angry at Starlancer and among other things almost Frisbee-ing the CD-ROMS off the front deck. I feel ashamed as I love this game deep-down and have finished it in the past, perhaps it’s my old age and short temper?

Well back to work on Part 9! Stay tuned for more!

Lew

The Shinta Systems F-212 Firehawk is the mainstay fighter of the Terran Imperial Union. Fast in speed and agility with a trade-off on its armour, the Firehawk is more than a match for any known current Dakota fighters.

Each Terran Naval Carrier houses at least one to two squadrons of Firehawks and they have proven themselves time and again in skirmishes and in all out combat with the Dakota and Pirates.

Go to F-212 Firehawk Page

Well great news, we are all back up and running at 33% completion of Part 9 – with a new harddrive (1.5TB this time) and a trusty backup (1TB) drive that saved my ass – I’m left an exhausted yet very happy chap. So Part 9 now continues at full speed!

Stay tuned.

Lew

Nichols Squadron found itself serving in Operation Red Dirt in 2299 as the first wave of the invasion of Toyr’diablo, alongside his long-time pilot and friend Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Koenig, who he had served with since Operation Hammer Fall – the invasion of Hoyle in 2297.

Nichols is a top-rate pilot but can be easily spooked, some of his passengers get a little uneasy with such a jumpy co-pilot being so close to the controls.

Go to Aiden Nichols Character Page

Well good news is that it looks like I will be getting a replacement drive today, as soon as I have it I will be mounting all the files from the backup onto it and it looks like Part 9 can proceed probably late today, kicking off from 33% completion. Unfortunately I have not been able to do character of the week yesterday as I usually do due to this, but will get that on as soon as I’m up and running again.

Thanks for everyone’s patience

Lew