New Recruits, Communications and Fleet Orders

TSN Command reported that a number of new recruits would be shipped out to Promethean to boost our numbers in this system. Now that there is an established core of professional officer, they felt that we could handle the training of larger numbers of new recruits. Last duty shift, I assigned Commander Feltes and Commander Corwin to train the new cadets. With 12 new recruits arriving on a shuttle, there were two full crews to man the academy ships. Both Commanders went through all the basics about how we run things on station with all the new cadets. Although most cadets come with some training, it is our job to show them how a real TSN crew operates. Many have little awareness of the Combat Orders, or procedures aboard station, and this final stage of their training is to ensure that they learn these.

Whilst the Commanders trained the cadets, I took the full officers and conducted simulations to further refine the Fleet Orders and operations. The simulations went well. Lt. Jr. Alice, who I assigned to command the Osiris, quickly picked up the Fleet Orders, and was able to closely coordinate with the Falcon. Due to the Lt. Jr.s performance, I decided to promote her at the end of the evening to full Lt.

The final simulations of the evening saw four ships, the Falcon, Pegasus, Gallant and Osiris, fighting in the same sector. To make things more manageable, we paired off; the Falcon and the Osiris working together, and the Pegasus working with the Gallant. Although the Pegasus and the Gallent were unable to coordinate as closely due to the crews being training crews, they were able to successfully work together in an area of the sector to defend it from enemy fleets. The Falcon and the Osiris, with more experienced crews, worked in close coordination with one another to eliminate a number of fleets.

The simulations were yet another test of the Fleet Orders. Before the simulation, a way to communicate with all the bridges had to be established (until now, we have only had two ships working in a sector). This was discussed with the senior officers and the links between the ships were decided upon. All the captains had direct links to one another on a private comms channel. Each captain also had individual links to each bridge for a more open broadcast. The system worked well as ships could communicate actions clearly on the open broadcast. Captains also had the private channels to discuss finer tactics or issues without having to broadcast openly to the bridge.

With such an influx of new recruits, the Ensign examination documents are being finalised and made ready for the next duty shift. I have started to set up the examination suites aboard Promethean Command, and have been uploading the examination software for the practical simulations. The examinations themselves will include general questions about each role aboard a TSN vessel. There will also be more difficult questions specific to their own area of expertise. For certain roles, the cadet will also have to conduct a practical examination to test their skills.

There are a few cadets who are eligable to take the examination. The requirements are that the cadet must have served in all roles aboard a TSN vessel (whilst on duty), ahave a more indepth knowledge about their specialist area, know procedures on station during duty shifts, have a working knowledge of the Combat Order, and have served on at least 2 -3 duty shifts.  I think I may allow them to put themselves forward for the examination if they feel they are ready, however to pass the examination, the cadet will have to answer the questions, demonstating very secure knowledge. Only those that answer the questions in a satisfactoy way will be promoted to a full officer. It may result in a few failing to meet the mark, but it will also result in the Light Division having the best officers.

I have continued to work on the Sandbox mission script, but rather than focus on adding to the mission packs, I have started to tailor it to meet the needs of the RP Community. I have devised a way to significantly increase the number of GM keys that I can set, and have started working on creating more functions for a GM console. Once completed, I want to run missions using the GM console for the RP community, with missions starting at Promethean Command. With the addition of a number of new systems and a waypoint sector, I have managed to link Promethean system to Atlantis system. I want to add a number of other systems that are not under TSN control; "badlands" which have dangerous anomolies and phenomena (blackholes that bounce around for example); and areas which are "contested" where it is likely that the ship will meet enemies, or where nagotiation missions might take place. I think though, that I will develop the Sandbox script for more for GMs. I'll still write in the odd mission for crews to play without a GM, but I feel that it has much more scope and potential as a GM controlled script.

Updating the Wiki Pages

Recently, I started work to overhaul the TSN RP Wiki pages. The original pages had a lot of information on them and it was mentioned by a member or two in the community that they were a little overwhelming for new players. I have therefore started making them easier to navigate for new and current members.

I have created a new "homepage" that can be reached from the main Artemis wiki page. The information includes a little about the community, then several links to other pages; Getting Started, The TSN Universe, Officers of the TSN and The TSN Library. Each of these is going to be constructed to make it easier to find out about the RP and find all the relevant documents that any member might need.

The Getting Started pages have recently been completed and details all the most basic and most useful information for new people joining the community. There is a little about how to join up, how the session runs and some information about the rank system.

The TSN Universe pages are going to be updated eventually. They will have similar background information and layout to the current TSN Universe pages. All I will do with them is just give a quick revamp and update any information.

Officers of the TSN pages are going to be specifically designed for current members of all ranks. They will include detailed information about training and promotions, extra background information on the Division, and anything else a full officer might need to know. 

The TSN Library is going to be a single page with links to all the documents created by the RP Community. Included here will be handbooks, training documents, and any other reference material.

In the meantime, I will continue to work on the other training documents that I have been creating. My aim is to complete the Communications Basic Training document first giving the RP Community a complete set of training documents for Ensign level. I'll then move on to the Duty Officer document. Examination documents are currently being put together by other senior officers of the RP. They need to be reviewed, but examinations should soon be back up and running, along with a form of training programme (the basic training documents forming the base of such a programme).

Training and Testing

With the help of senior officers of the Light Division, I have started creating training documents and examination materials in order to create a more thorough training programme for TSN officers. The training documents provide information for officers to study in preparation for oral examinations. Once they have been created, promotion will be based upon the outcome of the examination, as well as observation of the officer during simulations, where appropriate. 

At the moment, documents are being created for Officer Cadets to study. These documents include all the basic information about each role aboard a TSN vessel. They will also include standard operation procedures and orders, such as in depth detail of combat orders currently in use. Once these have been completed, advanced documents on the different roles will be created, detailing things such as specific manoeuvres or tactics to utilise, as well as how to effectively operate within the specified role. Documents produced for ranks of Lieutenant-Commander and higher will shift focus from knowledge and operation of consoles to tactical considerations and the role of command. Until that point however, all documents will focus upon mastering the different roles.

The progression will be set so that officer must master a number of role, as well as become very competent at all the roles, before progressing on to command ranks. It is essential that all commanding officers are able to operate any console to a high level so that they can train their crew to a high standard. The training programme therefore aims to establish this base of expertise before officers can move to higher ranks. 

Currently, the Helm and Weapon officer documents for Officer Cadet level have been completed and are due to be released shortly. The Engineering, Science and Communications documents should follow shortly. Once they have been release, more rigorous testing of officers will begin and work will start on the next set of documents for Ensigns.

I have been continuing the development of the Sandbox mission script. So far, the script has a total of 4 different systems to explore and two waypoint sectors. In total, there are 14 different sectors to navigate through, some of which have additional hazards within them. There are also 3 working missions and a fourth side mission, requiring the crew can pick up data readings and return them to a research base. I have started a process of more thorough testing of the script itself. At the moment, I have tested that navigation through all nav points and gateways works correctly. Some of the missions have been tested, but not as thoroughly yet. Once I have completed the testing, I want to begin adding more entities such as allied vessels and creatures to the sector map and then start working on additional sectors and missions.

There are a few "upgrades" that I have made to the player ship as well. I have installed the Fuel Collection System in order to increase the operational range of the ship, making the ship able to operate more effectively away from main sectors with bases. In addition, I have added an extra sensor array that can be activated by the Science officer. It allows them to initiate a scan of the local vicinity and gather additional information about phenomena that may be encountered. To tie in with this, the Comms officer can access a number of reports, one being from the sensor arrays. If the sensors activated by the Science officer picks anything up, the Comms officer will be able to see it by requesting a sensor report. The Comms officer can also request reports from "Internal Ops" to get updates on things such as the storage of cargo, or the transfer of passengers, or from "Engineering" to get further details on what is happening on the engineering decks. All these systems are aimed at making the Sandbox more immersive for crews, and add a few extra things that they can access. 

Wargames, Crew assignments and a Galaxy to explore

The Wargames event was a great success and the crew of the TSN Falcon put on a great display for a live audience. We were able to show how a crew works together on a TSN ship and some of the tactics we use as we approach engagements. TSN Command were also impressed and plans to make additional videos and hold more live stream events in the future. Personally, I hope that in the next we'll be able to demonstrate how several ships operate together. I have already started training officers of the Light Division in basic fleet tactics and manoeouvres, and soon we will be able to move on to the more advanced fleet tactics.

Crew assignments are now my next priority. I now have a list of the crew assignments completed and I have discussed it with my senior officers. The assignments should provide a good balance of experience and expertise to both the TSN Falcon and the TSN Pegasus. I intend to keep the assignments the same for some time to allow the new crews to train together and get used to working together. Eventually, when we have several ships and crews operating, there will be procedures in place to allow officers to apply for new assignments or transfers to other vessels. For now these procedures are still being developed. There will likely be a minimum amount of time that an officer must serve aboard a vessel before they can transfer. This will ensure that crews are not impacted by continual changes to crews. My hope is that the transfers and the chance for officers to change and work with other officers will push the experise and skill of all TSN crews.

New systems have now been implemented across all ships in the Division. Officers are adapting quickly to the new systems and the transition has been relatively smooth. The Skaraans we have encountered recently have confirmed the intelligence reports that I received from TSN Command. Skaraans have improved may of their systems and now have ways to effectively combat our missiles and mines. It would seem that the Hegamoney can now effectively detect our mine fields too. I have observed several changing course to move around the minefields. Although it means that we can destroy fewer ships using minefields, it does mean that the enemy is delayed trying to get around them and gives us more time to get in position to defend allies and stations.

We have also encountered several "biomechs", an advanced space dwelling species of bio mechanical entities. I have heard several reports about the species being agressive, however I have currently only observed them attack in self defense. I have issued orders to the officers of the Light Division that the biomechs are not to be provoked or attacked unless they attack first and that all reasonable measures must be made not to engage the biomechs. In a way, they are like wild animals on Earth. This is their space, their home, and we are the guests.

OOC -  I have started writing a mission script that will allow players to explore USFP space. Using my gateways and nav points, I have created and linked around 14 sectors so far. In all there are four systems (Atlantis, Titan, Al'Mare and Osiris; each with several sectors), and two waypoint sectors. The script allows players to activate gateways and nav points so that they can move around the space. I have a couple of bugs to sort out (there seems to be a problem when moving around sectors in the Al'Mare system) and two or three more sectors in Osiris system to populate with bases, nebula and asteroids but in all, most of the base script is now finished.

Once I have worked the bugs out of the main part of the script, I am going to start adding missions in as well as some upgrades for the ship.  The way the script works should allow me to add missions and upgrade in to the script, without making any changes to the sectors I have already created. There is one mission already; just a simple one requiring supplies to be delivered to another sector. I have also put in my fuel collection code to allow refuelling away from bases.   

I was also considering making the start point random, so that when players start the mission, the start sector is randomly selected. I already have an idea of how to script this and it should be relatively straightforward. I think I'll have it so that the start sector is in one of the main systems, or in a sector with a command base within it, rather then entirely random. Crews could the go out from that main command base and explore the surrounding systems.

The whole script only works with one ship; the Artemis. I have no plans to make the script support multiple ships. I have made a multi-ship script called Guardians, but it took a lot of effort and I'm not sure if all the bugs have been sorted in it yet. I had to add a lot of extra script to support the additional ships and there may still be one or two errors in it, or things I have not considered.

I am going to continue working away at the Sandbox script. The script is available here for anyone who wants to try it. As I work on it, I continually update the file that people can download so that the most current version is always available. It would be worth downloading the script when it is going to be run to ensure the latest version is being used.

Back on Station

I have now arrived back at Promethean Command after my journey to TSN Command HQ and Earth.

I journeyed to TSN Command in order to give an update of the Light Division and receive new information about system upgrades to TSN vessels. There is to be an overhaul of the systems interface aboard all TSN vessels. HQ allowed me to see a version of the system interface in the final testing phases, so that I may become familiar with it and therefore able to brief the Light Division on its integration. After looking over it, I can see that there will be a need to organise a few training sessions for senior officer to get them up to speed.

One major change is the addition of finer control inputs to the vertical thrusters. The thrusters themselves need only minor modifications, but the new software will allow helms officers to fine tune our vertical position much more precisely. Combat tactics are going to evolve as a result, and helms officers are going to need the most training in order to adjust their tactical thinking beyond the limited plane we have been using until now. The sensor arrays are also being upgraded on all TSN vessels. Equipment will be delivered to Promethean Command soon, and is designed to pick out greater detail of vessels in a sector; displaying a symbol to indicate the ship configuration rather than the original arrow showing the current heading of the vessel. 

New intelligence also suggests that Hegemony forces are now able to mask their ship signature to a greater extent, and have made improvements to their external sensors allowing them detect hazards such as mines with greater accuracy. Skaraans seem to have been investing a lot in technology too. Many reports claim advanced systems becoming more common aboard many Skaraan vessels, including better cloaking devices and advanced targeting systems.

Now I am back on station, I also have a few other matters to attend to. TSN Command have asked the Division to take part in a live Wargames event, where we stage a simulation to show a TSN crew in action as part of a TSN military celebration. I have already hand picked some of the best officers in the Division to take part and engineers have been working to set up the simulation software to ensure that the event is broadcast for all to view. Hopefully everything will run smoothly. Final preparations are being made to ensure it does. I intend to brief my officers beforehand so they are fully aware of how the event will run. As long as we are prepared well enough, I am confident that we will be able to show the the high levels of professionalism and capability of officers of the TSN and in particular, officers of the 4th Light Division.

I also have to sort out crew assignments. With the promotion of my first officer to Commander and his newly assigned captaincy of the TSN Pegasus, a permanent crew needs to be assigned to him. Currently, the Division has a good number of full officers; enough to create two full, permanent crews aboard the Pegasus and the Falcon. I am considering reassigning several officers to new assignments on the two vessels. This will allow officers to work as part of a different crew, potentially under a new captain, and for me to build up solid crews on both vessels with a mix of ranks and abilities. I'll have to appoint a new first officer for the TSN Falcon too.

Now that there are two vessels running and the process of training new officers is becoming more refined and well established (senior officers are now regularly training new recruits and junior officers), I will be able to shift greater focus upon training commanding officers on how to operate as part of a coordinated Division, working closely alongside other TSN ships in combat. Already we have been trying out new tactical fleet manoeuvres, attacking enemy fleets in pairs using coordinated firing runs and manoeuvring. To see such coordination in action is an impressive sight indeed and demonstrates the true might of the TSN. Operating independently, TSN ships and their crews are a force to be reckoned with. Operating together, and in close proximity, TSN ships and crews are even more formidable!

TSN Live Stream Event

On 17th August 2013 at 21:30hrs UTC, senior officers of the TSN RP Community are going to come together to host a live stream event. The intention is to showcase what the TSN RP Community are about; creating and playing as part of a professional crew. 

On the night, we'll be looking at running a couple of missions with just one ship. We're going to be using the "Elite Co-op" mode so that the enemy ships can be made more challenging, boosting shields, and weapon strength. People watching will be able to see the general tactics used by crews of the RP Community, as well as hear orders and watch how the crew works together to carry them out.

We will be running version 1.702. Although version 2.0 will be out by then, we'd want to get used to the new features before showcasing what we can do. There has already been lots of discussion how our tactics will be able to evolve and become more interesting and complex with some of the new features. 

Everyone is welcome to view. The session will be streamed live (link address will be posted on the Artemis forums, as well as on Artemis Community websites) and a view of the helms console, along with other views including a sector map and mainscreen display will be on show. 

Should this event be a success, we'll be looking at hosting another, but with multiple ships. We have already started developing tactics for multiple ships so that they can coordinate together in combat and would love to show off what is possible in the game.

Come along and check it out!

New Recruits, Training and true Officers of the TSN (OOC)

The RP community is beginning to thrive and grow as I hoped it would. Applications to join continue to come in regularly, and attendance during RP sessions is growing. The rank system is also starting to come into play more as officers gain experience and improve their skills. There are now seven full officers participating in the RP, all of which are regular and dedicated players. To move up the ranks is not easily achieved, with the officers having to fulfil strict criteria. This ensures that those promoted are dedicated and experienced individuals with an excellent knowledge of their chosen areas of expertise. 

As more new recruits join, there is an increasing need to provide a clear induction for those recruits, bringing them up to speed on the basics of operating consoles, as well as acting as an officer of the TSN. As a result, development has begun on official training courses which can be run on a regular basis. The intention is to run a Basic Training course once a month for all new recruits. The course will be split into two modules; Basic Ops will cover how to operate each console on the most basic level; Basic Officer training will introduce the cadets to combat orders, how the session works and other aspects that apply directly to the RP element. All cadets would have to take the Basic Officer training, however those with previous experience of the game would have the option of skipping Basic Ops should their knowledge already be up to scratch. Overall, the course aims to give all new recruits the same basic level of knowledge and skill that will enable them to fully participate in the RP sessions.

After these courses have been developed, the next stage will be developing courses for specific areas of expertise, such as Helm, Weapons and Science. Courses such as advanced courses in Piloting or Engineering, Command courses for senior officer, instructor training for those wishing to lead courses and so on have also been considered and will potentially be created in the future. An outline of the content has already been drafted for future courses, however they are yet to be fully developed.

I started this RP Community because I wanted to play and train with the best. I wanted to command and be part of crews of experienced and professional officers. Officers who knew their role and could execute orders seamlessly. Officers who develop a knowledge of tactics and strategy, and who follow standards and procedures that allow TSN vessels to operate at peak effectiveness. Such officers now exist in this community, and I am proud to serve alongside them. They are true officers of the Terran Stellar Navy.