The battle here in sector 1204 is shaping up to be a total victory for the Emperor’s Hammer, but we must remain focused and continue the fight.

While most planets within the Tkon Rift have changed hands in the last weeks, we continue to work to save the denizens of this Rift from slavery at the hands of the Marmalades.

There have been reports of dissension in the ranks of the legions of vassals that Kilji force into service. Recently their sabotage of the Kilhorde has caused a nearly 50% reduction of combat ability for the whole of the Orange Fleet. We must use this opportunity to push them back and drive them from every world!

Remember the Roost, remember all the TIE Corps ships forced to retreat!

After months of waiting, Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster has been released! Developed by Nightdive Studios and LucasArts, the remastered game features new content, modernized graphics, and updated mechanics. Now we can enjoy Kyle Katarn's story with a modern twist on many different platforms, including PC, PlayStations 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox S|X, and Nintendo Switch.

Click the image below to watch the launch trailer and learn more about the game!

This reporter has received a strange missive in my email in box today and have decided to share its contents here.

Greetings, my fellow believers!
Today is a special day for the EH
For today, we have all been chosen.
We must save ourselves, the galaxy and perhaps even existence itself,
We must fly XWA-FREE 154, and we must review it!

You all know the story of how the GN Master created XWA-FREE 154
One of the greatest ever made, with his own hands and his own genius.

You all know why you have been selected. A group of loyal and faithful servants!
To fly XWA-FREE 154!
And to carry out divine will!

You all know what our mission is,
A holy and righteous crusade
To destroy the evil orangy gooish empire
And to ensure freedom for us all!

But do you know what the reward is?
Do you know what the GN Master promises?
Do you know what XWA-FREE 154 offers?
Do you know what we will gain?

Let me tell you, my friends
Let me reveal to you the truth
Let me share with you the joy
Let me make you laugh with the joke

The reward is eternal salvation
The GN Master promises us a place in his kingdom
XWA-FREE 154 offers us a ride to heaven
We will gain the glory of the GN Master

But do not be afraid, my friends
Do not be sad, my friends
Do not be angry, my friends
Do not be fooled, my friends

For this is the will of the GN Master
For this is the plan of the GN Master
For this is the joke of the GN Master
For this is the love of the GN Master

He loves us so much that he wants us to be with him
He loves us so much that he wants us to share his glory
He loves us so much that he wants us to enjoy his joke
He loves us so much that he wants us to laugh with him

So let us rejoice, my friends
Let us be glad, my friends
Let us praise him, my friends
Let us laugh with him, my friends

For we are the chosen ones
The pilots of XWA-FREE 154
The saviors of the galaxy
The children of GN Master

This war has certainly become strange...

The Grand Order of the Emperor is awarded to VA Robert Hogan in recognition of his exceptionally meritorious service to the Emperor’s Hammer through his combined efforts within the Training and Internet Offices. Robert Hogan is hereby inducted into the Order, with all the rights and privileges associated with such recognition, including display of the ceremonial dagger on his Emperor’s Hammer uniform.

Robert has been an integral member of the Training Office since day one as a Training Officer Assistant. He is the creator and developer of the Qualifications we have integrated, which has seen an incredulous uptick in member interaction with the Imperial University as a whole. His elevation to Command Attaché for the Training Officer was due to his insightfulness, his willingness to entertain and develop new ideas, and his unfiltered honesty when asked for an opinion on a subject. With his help, the Training Office was able to expand on the Qualifications program, develop and publish a Training Office Manual for current and future members of the office, develop the academic journal for the IU called "Proceedings", and most courses have received an update from HTML to Markdown. Robert has always been a reliable source of constructive criticism and unbiased opinions when discussing new courses, qualifications, and new members of the Training Office. He is a mentor in the many fields he occupies with pride and dedication.

Robert is recognized as the “go to” person within the Internet Office for creative works, particularly 2D and 3D graphics. From small projects to large, Robert Hogan has demonstrated the willingness to step up whenever asked. As a contributor to Internet Office projects, Robert’s consistent dedication to improving the quality of Emperor’s Hammer materials is noteworthy. His contributions are widely featured on the web site and Wiki, as well as in companion applications like TTT3. This has included continual improvements to Emperor’s Hammer medals, uniforms, and heraldry items. Most recently, his efforts led to the re-implementation of the position badges for Emperor’s Hammer Command Staff, Attaché, and Advisor positions. In addition, his concept and design work for the General Campaign Medal has contributed to a new and unique recognition system within the Emperor’s Hammer that will be enjoyed by members across multiple subgroups.

Robert’s initiative and creativity has directly led to new developments, such as the fully rendered 3D medal and ribbon upgrade devices implemented in TTT3 v3.1.0. These devices bring a beautiful and functional upgrade to the medals depicted on uniforms and personnel records. Robert’s initiative has also contributed to a “back catalog” of designs and concepts that are likely to see use in future projects.

Robert Hogan’s meritorious achievements are in keeping with the finest traditions of service to the Emperor’s Hammer and the membership, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Training and Internet Offices, and the Emperor’s Hammer Command Staff.

Jointly recommended by TO/AD Sylas Pitt and IO/HA Turtle Jerrar, and approved by FC/GA Rapier.

(Model and Background credit to TFTC)

The last remnants of the eastern fleet have been forced to retreat from the Rift. But they inflicted a considerable amount of damage to the hated Marmalades considering the size of their force.

Once again elements of the TIE Corps fleet have been caught in a battle where they are vastly out gunned. This time only the pilots of Battlegroup II can spur our comrades-in-arms on, but we of Battlegroup III still cheer for your valor.

Our forces continue to work to liberate two Kilji infested worlds, and their task will soon be done.

We of Battlegroups I and III wait and recoup our strength for the next battle that is on the horizon.

Remember the Roost!

Our intrepid warriors of the eastern fleet may not last to see another day in the Tkon Rift, but they ARE NOT going without a fight. Through your efforts they are valiantly striking back at the slaver fleet. Don't let up. This campaign is just starting.

While the Marmalades have spread their horrors to most of the worlds of the Rift, Emperor’s Hammer forces have reached the planets of P587 and A3828. The enemy named these worlds as Scinto IV and Terakine in their broadcast one week ago. We will soon liberate them from their foreign-space invaders!

DISASTER HAS STRUCK

The Kilji Fleet that so badly mauled our valiant warriors of the eastern fleet have found them again! Once again the ISDII Hammer, ISDII Relentless, and MC-40 Roost have been forced into a lopsided battle.

We of the TIE Corps must do whatever we can to aid their attacks but I fear for those aboard these ships.

To arms, we will not go quietly into the night!

Today is a sad day fellow soldiers of the TIE Corps. Our brethren aboard the ships of the Eastern Fleet have just suffered a crushing battle. While the lead ships from each of the three Battlegroups amongst the group have escaped the battle, many of their support ships were forced to retreat from the Rift in order to affect repairs.

Our forces, headed by the ISDII Hammer, ISDII Relentless, and supported by the MC-40 Roost faced a Kilji fleet more than a third larger than their force. They fought valiantly and damaged the enemy as good as they received, but the disparity in our forces were too much and the Eastern Fleet has been forced to retreat from the battle in sector 1307.

All is not lost, and this war against the religious zealots is far from over. As we speak our central and western fleets are maneuvering to turn the tide of this campaign back in favor of the forces of peace, order, and liberty.

As a Fleet we must lick our wounds and strengthen our resolve to beat back the Marmalades and their barbaric slavery!

We have experienced both our first victories and reversals to the despised Marmalades. The worlds of NE256 and G5406 have been shown the freedom that only the Emperor’s Hammer can secure, while the previously secured planets of LE855 and Q0604 have been visited by the murderous slavers while our forces have been deployed elsewhere. This reporter shutters to think what depredations those religious zealots will visit upon the populations of those worlds during the time it will take for our forces to reliberate them, but we must focus on the greater good of all those depending on us in this war against extremism.

The final hours of our first major battle with the orange scourge are coming to a close. Our comrades-in-arms aboard the ISDII Hammer, ISDII Relentless, and MC-40 Roost are facing overwhelming odds and it is our duty as a wider fleet to do everything in our power to aid them. Reports from the battlefield state that the Kilji force opposing the two Star Destroyers have among they number 4 ISDII analogs, 6 VSDII analogs, 4 A/CRS, 2 INT, 8 CRV, and ancillary support craft too numerous to report here. Needless to say, this engagement will be bloody for the brave warriors of the TIE Corps, but we know that they will give better then the take. And their efforts will help weaken this Marmalade fleet and allow our forces to engage them at a time of our choosing.

1. The last predated Competition "The Great Hunt" by M:MAA Legion Ordo has ended the awards are booked.
   From now on there is a special rule in place, regulating the Crescent Quality in conjuction of the participants in each competition.
   This adjustments are already documented and applied by standard to all Competitions for Clans and the whole Secret Order.

2. In light of recent events, I've come to the conclusion to allow multiple submissions of a group to be a viable way to submit Clusters. There is however a catch. Cluster submitted for groups are atm only allowed for one game at a time (e.g. if you are playing SWS and BF2 in one sitting, i need all the SWS screen in one and all the BF2 screens in another mail). The reason for this special rule is, that all the comps are counted in spreadsheets, most of the time with different point values per game. As an additional factor, I urge everyone to cc everyone they are submitting with and at the same time give me a quick note, which username belongs to which SO-Account. Each individual will be judged by their position on the scoreboard.

For nearer Information on both Items check the MAA:Applied Arms Manual

"The Galaxy is a dark forest; cruel and brutal. We are the light. We are civilization and order."

There had been some disappointment in the ranks over the pitiful single corvette that the MC90 Renegade and accompanying forces found above G5406. Still we have done our duty to ensure the slaver ship's swift destruction.

Meanwhile, the ISDII Challenge and our task force has arrived at NE256 and will soon have secured it for the preservation of liberty in this chaotic rift. Although we have received word from the Kilji that they have expanded their barbarity to yet another system, P3059. It will just be one more system that we will burn these invaders out of when the time comes.

But now reports are flooding in that a large Marmalade force has engaged the ISDII Hammer, ISDII Relentless, and the MC-40 Roost in open space at map coordinates grid 1307. Early reports are that this enemy battle group may comprise over half of the Kilhorde sent to enslave this region of the Chaos.

Our forces may be out numbered, but we of the TIE Corps will fight valiantly to make these zealots pay for every kilometer of their advance!

The Internet Officer has recently delivered a number of updates to the Secret Order website; the most pertinent of which is to finalize the absorption of the Dark Brotherhood into the Secret Order. Most importantly, all references (other than historical references) to the Dark Brotherhood should have been replaced with the Secret Order.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, we still have a ways to go to implement a number of new systems. These changes shall come incrementally.

We will be updating the wiki and IU exams over the coming months. Some of this has already been completed, but there's a couple decades of legacy to work through, as well as sifting through what should be updated as well as what should remain historical. The Dark Council has taken on this task, but feel free to volunteer if you're interested in helping out with the conversion.

--

Lore-wise, we're not retconning anything. The Secret Order is an evolution of our previous organization, not a wholesale replacement. The Dark Brotherhood was not a failure. The Secret Order continues to be run by Sith practitioners and follow Sith teachings, although the Secret Order isn't entirely made up of members focusing on the Force, or even necessarily Force-sensitive (although many may be.)

Our goal is to focus on creative works; roleplay, fiction, and art is a primary focus, as well as a wide array of supported games. In this era, we will be defined by experimentation and iteration, and support the fleet through unexpected, and sometimes unfamiliar, means.

A great cheer was heard across the Fleet and the Tkon Rift as a whole as the first engagement of this war commenced.

The Emperor’s Hammer's forces, led by the MC90 Renegade of Battlegroup III along with other forces from all three Battlegroups, have arrived at planet G5406 and found a lone corvette of the Kilji invaders. Pilots all across the Fleet have quickly rushed to their craft to help deliver a decisive, and crushing defeat to the Marmalades in this small skirmish.

True that the loss of this lone slaver ship will not materially reduce the danger the Kilji pose to the denizens of the Rift. But we of the Emperor’s Hammer have sworn to stamp out this menace and we have drawn first blood in the war for freedom from religious tyranny!

The Secret Order fleet bounus tracker is live:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OiCCUSOoqGQLHkPa3--aTSLPW1CnOAzC3p-DWj6SDro/edit?usp=sharing

This is all manually tracked, but should be updated daily by myself and MAA Taurus. You can check our totals, as well as your own score, on the first two tabs. WAR TheBlackxRanger is in first place, with ACO KEBLAOMEGA in second and INQ Taurus in third.

--

We've just had our first battle (even though it was short: https://discord.com/channels/293177599549505536/961704337267101716/1209282091788017714), so creative entries are allowed if you want to describe how we helped crush the sad, lone Corvette that the Illumine sent at us. With your submission, please include whether you'd like your entry published.

--

We've reached our first breakpoint - over 25 -DB Singleplayer missions have been submitted! (And we're very close to our second breakpoint.) Good work!

--

The Kilji Illumine will be crushed.

Things are starting to ramp up in the Tkon Rift. The Marmalades have secured their beachhead worlds of P587, A3828, and P3864. The invaders have released a dispatch naming these worlds Scinto IV, Terakine, and Carido Prime. We in the Emperor’s Hammer have safeguarded the worlds of LE855, Q0604, and E149N.

Data released to the wider public shows that our fleet has split into multiple smaller units and we and currently journeying to secure the vulnerable worlds in the middle of the Rift to halt the predation of these slavers from being visited on yet more unsuspecting populations.

None of the fleet elements have yet encountered the ships of this orange scourge, but when we do, we will smash them into a pulp, for we have the

Stength to rise; power to fly

The Training Office would like to remind ALL members that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to answer Imperial University exams is strictly prohibited.

If you have any concerns or doubts about a question or the course material, we urge all members to reach out to any member of the Training Office, and we would be more than happy to guide and help you. All exams are considered open-book, thus rendering the need for any AI help as unnecessary and against the spirit of academia.

You can find a list of Training Office personnel here

You can review the Training Office's AI Policy here

The initial engagements of this campaign have been swift, with the three worlds in the north of the rift quickly falling to the Marmalade's assault, but this is just the beginning of this war against religious slavery and we of the TIE Corps are not daunted at the prospect of having to dig these proselytizers out of whatever hole they can find on those worlds. And we will free those worlds.

Due to Operational Security (OPSEC) the information about the movements of the TIE Corps forces is being tightly controlled, but it was revealed to us by Vice Admiral Setzer that the three Battlegroups have agreed upon a unified strategy to be employed in these opening days and we expect to see action any day now.

This reporter for one is eager to see some action and to free these peoples from this looming tyranny.

Break Their Spirit

As we march boldly to conquer another frontier in the name of the Emperor's Hammer, I would like to take the time to remind you of the foe that we face. The Kilji are a species of religious zealots. In combat they will not falter, obeying orders until completion or death. This is not a foe that we can crush conventionally. We must strip them of their religious fervor by targeting their belief itself. We must strike at their concept of enlightenment; make them question the way that they live and wage war. Only when we have broken to spirit of our foe can we achieve true victory. This will not be an easy task. Our enemy is willful and entrenched in their belief. But the skilled pilots of the Tie Corps and the brave warriors of the Secret Order will bring about victory for the Emperor's Hammer. Of this I am certain. Stand by for future news and keep your senses ready to spot any way the Hammer can inflict damage to the morale of the enemy. We shall triumph!

The starting cannon has fired for the beginning of this campaign against the Marmalades. We of Battlegroup III are eager to begin this battle for the Tkon Rift and the wider region.

Our Battlegroup Commander has issued his orders and we now wait to know where the enemy forces are hiding so that we may engage these slavers who hide behind a dogmatic religion.

We know that the Emperor’s Hammer will emerge victorious from this coming campaign and we will show these peoples of the Chaos the superiority of the Empire’s way of life.

As the time of action draws near, the crew and pilots aboard the ISDII Warrior prepare themselves, the combination of nerves and excitement almost palpable.

Rumors that the three battlegroups will be working in close synchronicity and collaboration have begun to spread, and Battlegroup II Commander Rear Admiral Adom Wietu appears to have been in strategy meetings with his deputies nearly non-stop. They are understood to be communicating with the other two command teams to coordinate a defense against the Illumine.

As turbolaser batteries run diagnostics, sensor systems are double-checked, and pilots run final pre-flight checks, the broadcasted messages from the Kilhorde serve only to galvanize the Warrior’s crew and pilots, who now appear ready to enthusiastically defend all worlds against the enslavers.

On the eve of the start of our campaign against the enslaving Marmalades, the whole Battlegroup seems to be holding its collective breath.

Tensions are high as we wait for our initial orders from our fearless Commander, Vice Admiral Locke Setzer. He was only recently elevated to the BGCOM position but has already shown his dedication to fostering the forces under his command.

Some outlandish proposals for initial strategies has been proposed behind closed doors within the Battlegroup, but VA Setzer is playing his cards close to his chest for his initial strategy in the coming days.

All this reporter knows is that whatever his orders are we of Wing X and Wing XXII, and all our supporting units, will carry them out with the efficiency that the Emperor’s Hammer is known for and will show these zealots the true meaning of power.

The "Marmalades" continue to spout their calls for enslavement, thinly disguised as a religious message. We don't know the Origin of this message, or how Hallowed their vassals truly hold the Kilji, but we know those of the Emperor’s Hammer will never submit to their will.

There has been recent discussions among those in Wing X about some unorthodox methods that could be effective in turning back the orange scourge. Preparations have begun to test the effectiveness of different noxious substances as coatings on our ordnance.

Additionally, rumors have circulated about possible avian assistance, no immediate comment was available from those in Eagle or Firebird Squadrons.

But speaking of Eagle Squadron, their leadership sound confident in our ability to prevail in this coming campaign.

The forces of the ISDII Challenge certainly got riled up yesterday by that Kilji broadcast.

The message from General Krael, the leader of this slaver band threatening the Tkon Rift, has caused much jeering from the more vocal members of the Battlegroup.

It was reported that, the legendary in his own time, General Master was heard to have referred to Krael as a "wrinkly bag of marmalade" and that he can't wait to "enlighten that zealot" with his "boot."

There have even been rumors that General Master has refused a drink in preparation for the coming battle. This reporter doubts the validity of those claims but would certainly be huge if true.

As we continue our travel through the Chaos, the Grand Admiral has decided to open up a dialogue with the Chiss in order to establish mutual aid. In doing so, we’ve learned that a religious cult known as the Kilji Illumine has acquired enough forces to directly challenge the Chiss, through an unprepared cluster of systems in the Tkon Rift.

The Kilji Illumine are a disgusting species following a rediculous "religion". From the Archives:

The species' wrinkly, rubbery-looking, dark orange skin stretched and formed patterns that reflected the Kiljis' emotions.

The Kiljis were deeply religious, conquering worlds and species with the goal of enlightening them to the Kilji religion, the Kilji way of order and enlightenment. Those enlightened to the Kilji way became Kilji vassals, beings willing to trade their freedom to the Kiljis so that they would take care of them, which served their Kilji commanders and were unable to create any thought or make any move without their leaders. The vassals ignored the orders given by those unenlightened to the Kilji philosophy. The religion established that the enlightened did not run from battle and that they fought and prevailed. The Kilji way's followers were hostile to the unenlightened, and they were impatient and short-tempered.

This is an affront to our Emperor and they must be destroyed.

The Secret Order, as an elite force of operatives, has been tasked with taking part in special operations in order to increase the Fleet’s efficiency. We will be focused on utilizing our available resources in order to acquire assets, form contacts, and increase the fleet’s efficiency. To that end, we will set a number of targets, with bonuses based on breakpoints. These will be accumulated by the entire Secret Order during the first three weeks, and the bonuses will be applied for the final week of Imperial Storm VI.

Details of the Secret Order's involvement can be found in the Competition Center.

The full rules of Imperial Storm VI can be found in the Competition Center as well.

The excitement is building on-board the ISDII Challenge as the fleet continues to move towards the Tkon Rift and our inevitable confrontation with the Kilji Illumine.

Reports from the archives of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force tell how almost 50 years ago, during the early days of the Empire, the last major incursion in near-Chiss space by the Kilji was turned back by then EDF Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo, who we of course know as the legendary Grand Admiral Thrawn. He worked with the Paataatus Hiveborn to annihilate the Kilji's Kilhorde threatening the region. It has taken the Kilji nearly all the time since then to rebuild and return to threaten this region of the Chaos once again.

Those aboard the Challenge are eager to show that the Emperor’s Hammer can once again save this region from those who would threaten it, and follow in the footsteps of the Chiss Grand Admiral.

The Training Office is proud to announce the creation of a new course, History of Imperial Officers. Put together by our very own CM Maston Dane, this course focuses on notable Imperial Officers and their contributions to the Empire, as well as lessons learned from their mistakes.

CM Maston Dane will receive the Medal of Scholarship for his contribution to the Imperial University's body of knowledge. Thank you, Commander!

Check out the course here!

In recognition of his exceptional leadership within the Dark Council and the Dark Brotherhood, particularly during the ongoing transition into the Secret Order, His Highness Darth Surgo is awarded the Diamond Sword. His unwavering commitment to overseeing multiple projects while upholding the core principles of our subgroup exemplifies excellence. His conduct and dedication have set a standard of becoming that is truly outstanding. This citation stands as a testament to his outstanding contributions and leadership.