Holding The Line Chapter 171

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with the second half of Scraps Of Honour 13, "Red Sky At Morning". As you saw last time, the Scrappers got the news that the reserve units would be fighting a full on fleet action in the coming battle, and were assigned training with the Reapers to sharpen their skills. This story picks up from there, and is written by Nick "Chaeronea" Deane. Please send any and all comments to him at babylons@tpg.com.au, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch171.htm

Best, Raptor

EA Not Working on E&B Expansion Pack

All of our resources are being used to develop additional content for the existing game including sectors, missions, epic encounters, updating skills, holiday events and items.

GameSpy Does Penny Arcade

Tycho - Yeah, the 3D0 was great. Wing Commander 3 came out first for the 3D0. We hooked up a stereo, and we had it set up with surround sound. Gabe didn't grow up playing computer games, that was me. It was all consoles.

Freelancer Soundtrack Released

Happy Day After Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Penny Arcade Child's Play For The Holidays

I plan on donating some money via PayPal, but they are also accepting new items sent directly to them. If you can't think of anything to donate, there is always Prophecy Advance and give the kids a bit of Wing Commander cheer.

With that in mind we have put together a little something we like to call “Child’s Play.” Penny Arcade is working with the Seattle Children’s Hospital and Amazon.com to make this Christmas really special for a lot of very sick kids. With the help of the Children’s Hospital we have created an Amazon Wish List for the kids. It’s full of video games, movies and toys. Some of these kids are in pretty bad shape and just having a Game Boy would really raise their spirits.

Wing Commander Movie Showing Tonight

Double Lineup For New Poll

Standoff Shows Off Huge Cockpit

Last Days of Jean Talvert

1st Lieutenant Jean "Stiletto" Talvert
Stiletto is the very model of the post-war professional officer. She's young, intelligent, career-focused and ambitious. She's also a hell of a pilot.

Stiletto's father is a professional deep-space racing pilot, her mother is a commercial shuttle pilot, and both are combat veterans of the Kilrathi war. They taught their daughter to fly atmospheric craft by the time she was 10, and space ships by 15. A straight-A student, she was heavily recruited by numerous top colleges, but her goal was always firmly set on a Space Forces Academy appointment. Upon her Academy graduation she auditioned and was accepted for a one-year tour with the Space Forces exhibition flight team, the Empyrean Zephyrs, before transferring to the Midway for her first regular tour of duty.

In the engagement against the Demon's Eye pirates, Stiletto was assigned to a flight of five Piranhas making a fly-by recon of the pirate base. On the way back to the Midway, they were ambushed by nine Dralthi. Although two ships (including the flight's wing commander's) were destroyed in the first seconds of the ambush, Stiletto managed to rally the other two survivors and fight through to the Midway. Six of the Dralthi were destroyed in the chase (three by Stiletto herself) even before relief arrived from the Midway and the remaining three pirates were dispatched.

As a result of this action, and her generally high evaluations and flight scores, Stiletto was given interim command of the Midway's junior Diamondback Squadron.

She's Still-etto

2ND LIEUTENANT JEAN TALVERT (CALLSIGN: STILETTO)

Wingman. Early twenties. Athletic. Strikingly attractive. Also ambitious, driven, and just a bit subborn. Stiletto is a superb pilot and, though more by-the-book than Casey or Maestro, she's not above taking some serious chances.

Stiletto's feelings toward Casey are complex, to say the least. She thinks he is unnecessarily foolhardy; often a danger to himself and those around him. But she also knows he's the only pilot on the Midway who might give her a run for the title of "best." As a result, Stiletto is always competing with Casey; always on the lookout for a way to top him.

Additionally, though Stiletto would never admit it, she is more than a little attracted to Casey. When the two of them interact, sparks fly.

Console Battlestar Galactica Game Ships

Remembering Goddard

The Kilrathi attack the Goddard colony in the Deneb sector with a new type of weapon. The colony manages to transmit a distress call, but contact is lost before the extent of the Kilrathi fleet and the extent of the damage is made clear. The TCS Tiger's Claw is ordered to investigate and assist. Landing crews investigate the Goddard colony. They find that the devasatating attack by the Kilrathi has left no survivors, only wreckage and ruins. A quarter of a million colonists have been killed. The TCS Tiger's Claw is ordered to pursue the Kilrathi weapon in to Kilrathi space and to destroy the weapon.

Scrye WCCCG Scans

Strikingly Attractive Pair of Jeans

2ND LIEUTENANT JEAN TALVERT (CALLSIGN: NEMESIS)

Wingman. Early twenties. Athletic. Strikingly attractive. Also ambitious, driven, and just a bit stubborn. Nemesis is a superb pilot and, although more by-the-book than Dane or Maestro, she's not above taking some serious chances.

Nemesi's feelings toward Dane are complex, to say the least. She thinks Dane is unnecessarily foolhardy; often a danger to himself and those around him. But she also knows he's the only pilot on the Midway who might give her a run for the title of "best." As a result, Nemesis is always competing with Dane; always on the lookout for a way to one up him.

What's more, and Nemesis would never admit this, she is more than a little attracted to Dane. When the two of them interact, sparks fly.

Like her alot. Is Nemesis too much of a mouthful? Perhaps.

More Macross Screenshots

A Different Kind Of Mod

The Future.. 1995 Style

Ma Cross' Hot Apple Trailers

Two Shots of WC Movie

This Saga Has {Blood}Fangs

Map Progress

Staring So Long At These Pictures of Frosty

I'm back from visiting ace and company in Boston! And here's the photographic proof...

Last Chance to See

Cam Gets His Vampire Dirty

This is what I've done so far. I've been dirtying up the textures some, but I haven't fixed the spec maps so it doesn't shine right just yet. I've also done some minor texture changes like removing the forward vents and replacing them with a pair of eyes to match the shark mouth.

New Macross Project Screenshot

Holding The Line Chapter 170

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part one of Scraps Of Honour 13, "Red Sky At Morning". As our regular readers know, the SOH series follows the Border Worlds reserves and pilots who were sent to Nifelheim to back up the Combined Fleet, and who now find themselves in a far bigger battle than anyone had bargained for. This story is written by Nick "Chaeronea" Deane. Please send any and all comments back to him at babylons@tpg.com.au, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/...

Best, Raptor

Macross Total Conversion Begins Work

Prophecy Advance Price Cut at GameStop

Freelancer Price Drops

Fun in Boston

Well, LOAF has made it to Boston and has met up with ace, and they're having a great time. LOAF has already been attacked by vicious Boston birds who stole an entire sandwich from him. Meanwhile Frosty is trying to make his way there, but has somehow managed to miss several trains.

Update: Frosty reports that he is now on the train and heading to Boston. But there was no background noise at all on the phone, so he is probably lying.

More Obscure Action Figures For Your Amusement

Reduced Price UK DVD On Sale

Veterans Day

Put The Fear of God Into... Well, Juni, I Guess

The TCS Vesuvius, the Super Carrier from Wing Commander 4 and prophecy. This massive ship has 25 turrets, 2 torp launchers and a massive cargo bay. As a warning, this ship uses large moors and can not dock at planets, but it can at any space station. Be warned, it's huge. It can be purchased at Manhattan for 8 million and the custom battleship turrets can be bought there as well. Special Thanks to all the Tutorial writers!

Rock the Fan Site Vote (Nominations)

Maestro³

2nd Lt. Max "Maestro" Garrett

Max Garrett is the original golden boy. Son of the attorney general of Delta sector, he was the BMOC and star athlete at his exclusive prep school, but was stung in his senior year, when his father revealed that he didn't feel Max had the discipline to make it into politics or business. To prove his father wrong, Garrett applied and was accepted to the Academy. He not only survived his military education, but did so with the same feckless confidence with which he'd coasted through prep school. He racked up an all-time record number of disciplinary demerits, but managed to graduate on the strength of equally impressive flight scores. His father's influence had much less to do with Maestro's eventual graduation than most of his classmates believe (in fact, at least some demerits can be attributed to the senior Garrett's spreading the word that the Academy should take no guff from young Max). In his freshman year, an influential friend of Maestro's father, Senator Taggart, suggested Max look up a fellow plebe named Casey and keep an eye on him (a suggestion he has had some occasion to regret).

For his first assignment, Maestro pulled strings his father didn't know he could reach to land a soft assignment for both Casey and himself ferrying diplomats around Confed space. It did not take the two long to shake down their tour of duty for everything it was worth. When he was prematurely rotated to a new assignment onboard the Midway, Maestro was resigned to his fate, and secretly a bit eager. At least he and Casey were sticking together.

They're Not Talking About Hunter

Developers interested in fashioning more compelling characters should look first to the games that do it well: Warcraft 3 and NOLF, Starcraft, Flashback, Thief, Sacrifice, Wing Commander, Summoner, and so forth. Look not only at the protagonist – who is presumably the individual the player controls – but at secondary and even peripheral characters.

Wing Commander Academy Online

• Episode 01 - Red & Blue (66466 k)
• Episode 02 - The Last One Left (64092 k)
• Episode 03 - The Most Delicate Instrument (62812 k)
• Episode 04 - Word of Honor (68996 k)
• Episode 05 - Lords of the Sky (60432 k)
• Episode 06 - Chain of Command (64846 k)
• Episode 07 - Expendable (75868 k)
• Episode 08 - Walking Wounded.avi (66698 k)
• Episode 09 - Recreation.avi (70538 k)
• Episode 10 - On Both Your Houses (67298 k)
• Episode 11 - Invisible Enemy (58880 k)
• Episode 12 - The Price of Victory (63248 k)
• Episode 13 - Glory of Sivar (67618 k)

Maestro: Reloaded

2ND LIEUTENANT MAX TRACY (CALLSIGN: MAESTRO)

Wingman. Early twenties. Bright, winning, immediately likeable. Casey's closest friend since their first day at the Academy.

Though not quite as capable as Casey, Maestro is a precise, calculating pilot -- hence his callsign. But first and foremost, Maestro is Casey's friend. Secondly, he's still one of the best pilots Confed has on its roster. And thirdly, Maestro is something of a ladies man. Or at least he thinks he is. Quick to flash holos of various ex-girlfriends, this kid sometimes comes off as a younger version of Maniac; a braggart and womanizer in training.

It's not surprising that Maniac abhors Maestro. Perhaps he reminds him too much of the worst side of himself -- or maybe he just can't stand the competition.

I Married Maestro

2ND LIEUTENANT MAX TRACY (CALLSIGN: MAESTRO)

Wingman. Early twenties. Bright, winning, immediately likeable. Dane's closest friend since their first day at the Academy.

Though not quite as capable as Dane, Maestro is a precise, calculating pilot -- hence his callsign. But first and foremost, Maestro is Dane's friend. Secondly, he's still one of the best pilots Confed has on its roster. And thirdly, Maestro is a happily married man. It should be no surprise that Dane was the best man at his wedding. Maestro is quick to flash holos of loved ones; in his case his very pregnant wife. His only fear is that he won't be anywhere near Earth when she gives birth in a month or so. And, considering the current campaign, his fears are justified.

Maestro worries me. The way he is written in this rough is that he is very up. Initially, when this character was first thought up, he was supposed to be dark..Very dark. And, frankly, a little twitchy. This was suppsoed to be the thing that attracts the aliens to him in the room. He is, in effect grabbed, because he is different, not because he is there alone--or by mere chance. There needs to be something in his make up that will make the image of the DEATHROOM make a serious impression on him and make him worth capturing. I know that youa rere tryinh(sic) to make this character light and their (His and Danes) relationship warm so that it can all change later, but.....maybe we can work out a better blend of the two.

Horrible Jokes Stun Local Man, Film at 11

Hey, Kids!

Each highly detailed figure in Adult Superstars Series features an anatomically correct physique, display base, removable clothing and even more articulation than Series 1! Each action figure features an exclusive and unique removable costume. This line of action figures are not sculpted but created using a state-of-the-art laser scanner to capture even the most intimate details of each starlet.

Obi-Wan Slaps Blair, Mentions WC

Q: Padraic Durkin of Wisconsin Rapids - Did the late Sir Alec Guinness really slap you for calling him just "Alec"?

A: Mark Hamill - He playfully corrected me when I called him Sir Alec after knowing him about a week. He patted my face twice and then mock slapped me. Firmly. Just to get my attention. And he said, "I want to be known by my name, not my acolade." And that was him telling me to stop calling him "Sir." I really want to get that clear because like when you play the game telephone, all these years later, the story is that he slapped me when i didn't call him Sir Alec or calling him just Alec. It was the absolute reverse of how gracious and wonderful a man he was. I miss him every day. I wish he could come see my play. I used to see his plays on the West End. He was very loyal. People should know that that. People always ask if all of us are still friends. Well, no, life goes on. Time and circumstances change, but he always impressed upon me that it was important. He gave me an example of someone who had hurt his feelings by totally ignoring him in their success when he had really given them their first break. And I remembered that, so everytime I was in England, I would at least give him a phone call. In fact, the last time I had slipped over the pond to do promotion for "Wing Commander," he saw that I did not call him. He was not well and had been in the hospital for his eye. His last letter contained the lines, "Don't dare ever come to my country again without contacting me." It really touched me. That was the one time that I hadn't contact him. He was absolutely right and I regret having done so.

WC Saga Gets More Kilrathi

First Post-War Poll

The TCS Victory won the Wing Commander III poll with some 50% of the votes. The two giants, the Confederation and Kilrathi Dreadnoughts, Behemoth and Vorghath respectively, came in second and third with 17% each. So far each poll has been won by the carrier the player served on. It'll be interesting to see if the BWS Intrepid can continue the trend, or if the Vesuvius class will come out on top.

Introducing Jeremy Reimer's FS2 WC1 Mod

Standoff Picks Voice Actors and Roles

Fan {Variable} of the Year Nominations!

It's that time of year once again (November 4th) -- when you get to nominate your favorite fans for the honors of Wing Commander Web Site of the Year and the Fan Project of the Year! Do you stand up for StandOff? Are your sights centered on that WingCenter site? Let us know today! In two weeks we'll ask everyone to choose their favorites from those nominated - so the only way to be sure your favorite is listed is to e-mail us now!

The nominated site and/or project (you may choose one in each category) must have been active within the past three months (ie, you can't vote for the TCU or that 'Marine Corps' mod). Past winners may be viewed in our archives: 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Winner receives a coveted 'winner' graphic. Runners up will be shot at (with a slightly less impressive graphic).

Don't delay - send your nominations here today!

It's Academic!

• Episode 12 - The Price of Victory
• Episode 13 - Glory of Sivar

Isn't That The Guy From Star Wars?

On TV, he made appearances on shows like "V.I.P.," "Amazing Stories" and "SeaQuest DSV." He hosted CNBC's magazine-style show ".COM" and developed "Wing Commander" CD-ROM games. He also lent his voice to hundreds of TV cartoons, specializing in villains like The Joker on various "Batman" series and The Hobgoblin on "Spider-Man."

MIDI'l of the Road

I know there is already a ZIP of WC3 MIDIs in your files archive, but none of those files are named. After digging through the WC3 TREs, I found the MIDIs, so I've put together my own collection, similar to one put together by someone else for the Privateer MIDIs.

All the MIDIs were cleanly extracted by myself, using HCl's TRE Manager as well as Ripper 5, and converted using Winamp (give credit where it is due). As far as I know, they are General MIDI format, and I have also added RIFF tags. Perhaps others might find it useful, I think it would be a good idea to add this to your archives - I have spent much time checking where each tune plays in WC3.

Party Like It's 2681

Cobalt 60 - Prophecy Theme (AlaktrohmMix)

Cobalt 60 - Prophecy Theme (BtkMix)

Seems To Be the Case-y

WING COMMANDER V -- SYNOPSIS

Nearly a decade has passed since the Border Worlds conflict. CHRISTOPHER BLAIR is now the chief architect of Confed's newest and most advanced attack carrier, THE MIDWAY. This one ship can provide all the offensive capabilities of an entire task force; sparking Confed the cost of a fleet of support vessels. Blair is determined to see this ship, his final contribution for the cause of peace, succeed. Because when the Midway is finished, so is Blair's career -- he'll be headed into a long-overdue and much deserved retirement.

As the Midway completes her final space trials, a corps of mostly rookie pilots are assigned to train with her. Most have never seen action; and none are prepared for what's in store for them when a giant wormhole appears near the shattered remains of Kilrah.

A huge alien fleet of unknown origin uses his swirling gateway to invade Confed space. And, despite Blair's misgivings, the Midway's "nugget" pilots are ordered to confront this seemingly invincible armada -- and to stop it before it reaches Earth.

Our story centers on LIEUTENANT LANCE CASEY. The best of the new pilots, this brave young man will engage in a series of critical missions against a variety of opponents; enemy aces, capital ships, and ultimately, a Dreadnought-class vessel.

Casey must fly recon, escort Space Marines to designated drop points, and battle alien fighters. With each mission, he helps Confed move closer to its primary goal of stopping the invasion. But the cost will be high -- blasted ships, dead civilians, and lost wingmen.

Casey will also confront a variety of personal obstacles. Friends are killed -- a beautiful young pilot is constantly (and aggressively) competing with him -- and he will blame himself when Blair is captured and tortured by the enemy.

Our hero perseveres through every challenge -- right up to the moment when he leads his wingmen against their final and most important objective: the alien-built Command Center which generates and maintains the wormhole portal.

During the battle to destroy that Command Center, Blair will be lost. But, thankfully, as the wormhole collapses, the invasion armada poised on the other side of it, is denied access to Confed space. Our hero managed to buy Earth some desperately needed time... at a tremendous cost.

Holding The Line: Chapter 169

Hey all, Raptor here.

To be honest, I had been hoping to do an HTL Halloween special this year just like we did in 2002, but the schedule for writing the big Finale precluded that. It's probably just as well though, given that the Finale will have enough bloodshed and killing to satisfy the most ghoulish. HTL continues with the fourth part of the "Inferno" series, which is written by yours truly. Your comments and feedback are most appreciated.

The story is at: .../~theraj/archives/ch169.htm

Best, Raptor