Dark Phoenix Quadrant Commanders Report Stardate 1998.10.03

The Official Publication of the Dark Phoenix Quadrant
http://www.geocities.ws/serpentslayer/quadrantnews.html

Please copy and distribute to your crew!

Stardate 9810.03

NUQNEQ

Greetings to all Klingons of the Dark Phoenix Quadrant. I am Commander valQIS sutai-DevnoH/Septariq, of the IKV Dragon Sword. I have been given command of our Quadrant due to the illness of my brother, Kruge. Captain KoHla is the interim Commander of the Dark Moon Fleet in his absence, while I am now CO of the Quadrant. There are a lot of things happening and a lot of fun to be had by all. I will tell you a little bit about myself, and then get on to the good stuff.

I have been in fandom ever since I saw the first Star Treks on TV, many long years ago. I used to like the Vulcans, until Worf stole my heart. There is something about a tall handsome ridged warrior that sends my blood boiling. While attending Austin Peay, I met Walter Hansen who ran the Dragon Sword. He talked me into joining the Klingon Assault Group, I went to my first Dragon Con, and the rest is history! I have been in KAG for 4 ½ years now. I started out as Science Officer aboard the Dragon Sword, worked my way to XO, then CO when Walter left the ship. I have also taken over leadership of the Klingon Armourer’s Guild, when the prior leader was unable to devote enough time to it, was the Quartermaster for the DPQ for about a year, and now I have taken command of the DPQ while my twin sister, KoHla has the DMF. And yes, I am the evil twin. Nya ha ha!

This may or may not be like any newsletter that you have ever received. I am open to suggestions right up until time to print them out. After that, you are stuck with the results! I welcome any and all questions and comments, both constructive and destructive. Just remember that I like sharp pointy things, and need practice in their utilization! This newsletter will go out when I have the time to put one together, hopefully, once a month. But it may be longer between issues until I get organized. Anyone know a good cheap kuve that has the ability to organize an inveterate pack-rat?

QAPLA’

The Qapla’ Column is for recognition to those warriors who have helped their ship and/or their community in various ways. It will also be used to publicize promotions in our Quadrant. So if you know someone who needs to be recognized, or who has had a recent promotion, send me their name, Klingon name, and reason for recognition, and I will post it here so that all may know the glory that we bring to the Empire!

The following warriors were instrumental in helping with the Security Operations at Dragon Con this year. Special thanks also go to Bill Ramsey, who created order out of disorder, unity out of division, and who helped make this one of the most pleasant Dragon Cons that I have attended. Qapla’a’! (I apologize if I have messed up your name. Give me a call, and I’ll get it straight in my records!)

Bill Ramsey – Major QorToq vestai-DevnoH, Quadrant Fencer/Intel
Brook Ramsey – Marine 1st Lt vestai-DevnoH, IKAV Dragon’s Heart
J.D. Barrett – Cpl Ja’Dee DevwI’nesh, IKAV Dragon’s Heart
Juliet Barret – Sub-Lt Julie DevwI’nesh, IKAV Dragon’s Heart
Scott Healy – Sub-Lt Scott DevwI’nesh, IKAV Dragon’s Heart
Eddie Bagwell – Lt vestai-DevnoH, IKV Grand Inquistor
Scott Tipton (Taz) – Lt Taz tai-, IKV Grand Inquisitor
Clay –, IKAV Dragon’s Heart (new crew)
JoJo – Major K’Jo-K’Jo vestai-Talon, IKV Fek’lahr’s Fury
Rodney Rani, the Philipino in grey, IKV Shadowstorm
Wallace “Junior” Carter, the giant in brown, IKV Shadowstorm
Steve Young – Lt. joH QibpIn’a’ vestai-DevnoH, IKAV Fencer

The following warriors were instrumental in helping with the KAG table at Dragon Con this year. Special thanks also go to Shaughn O’Connor who set up the schedule and helped make things happen. Qapla’a’!

Susan Keenan – Captain KoHla sutai-DevnoH, Interim Commander Dark Moon Fleet
Patricia Ritz – CDR valQIS sutai-DevnoH, Commander Dark Phoenix Quadrant
Mary Curran
Robert Patton
Don Meyer – K’Blade, IKV Rogue Phoenix
Shaughn O’Connor – CDR Kasak sutai-Septariq, IKV Rogue Phoenix
Tony Roberts – QatanI, IKV Fek’lahr’s Fury

PROMOTIONS

This is the part that I really like. I think that it is wonderful that there are so many people out there who devote so much time and effort in being Klingon, helping out our communities, and doing public service work. I think that one of the things that drew me into the Klingon World was their well developed sense of Honor. Honor is a word that is not heard enough these days. There was a time when a man’s word was his bond. No more need be said. I think that the Klingon Ideal of Honor is one that humans are missing from their lives, and if we can bring it to them, one human at a time, then this will be a much better world. Kai Kassai Klingon!

Shaughn O’Connor
Lt.Cdr. Kasak vestai-Septariq TO Commander Kasak sutai-Septariq
Steve Young
Lt. joH QibpIn’a’ vestai-DevnoH TO Major joH QibpIn’a’ vestai-DevnoH
Scott Tipton
LT. JG Taz TO Lt. Taz tai-
Darryl Watson
Captain Kruge zantai-DevnoH TO Admiral Kruge zantai-DevnoH

SHIP CHANGES

There are several changes in our Quadrant. The IKV Dark Star has petitioned for a name and logo change. They are now the IKAV Fencer, a Marine ship. Tim McKenney has left the IKV Nemesis for a new life and a new wife. His XO, Kevin Parker, has taken command of the Nemesis. Gail Fuller has officially stepped down as CO of the Fury, and the XO, K’jo-K’jo has officially taken command. Neil Fuller has taken command of the IKV Dark Star, whose name is no longer being used due to the name change of the Fencer.

OTHER NEWS

There had been sporadic advertising about a banner contest, that would occur at this year’s Dragon Con. But since the word was not given out to everyone, the contest was cancelled. However, three ships did bring their banners, the IKAV Fencer, the IKV Fek’lhr’s Fury, and the IKV Dragon Sword. Since there was a lot of interest in this kind of contest, it will be held again next year at the Dragon Con. All ships, Houses, and anyone who wishes to may submit an entry. There are few rules. The banner can be no wider than 3’, and it must have its own display stand. Just remember that this is a family convention, and there are small children running around, and you will have no problems!

We also had the wildly popular “Torture the Tribble” attraction. Thanks to Captain KoHla, who revitalized it, EVERYONE got to throw the switch!

I did have an opportunity to speak with Admiral Kroesh about a few things. One of them was the question of Battle Notches and Kill Stripes. It is not true that if you are on television, or are publicized that this is a Kill Stripe. Yes, publicity is good, but that is a Battle Notch Event. Kill Stripes are a result of a challenge won. You need to make a challenge to a group, have that group accept the challenge, and then YOU MUST WIN! The only exception to this is in a Blood Drive. If you challenge another group in a blood drive, and you donate more blood, then you have won a Battle Notch as well as a Kill Stripe.

Admiral Kroesh also made clear the fact that if you are a Quadrant CO, Fleet CO, or hold another title, you are still eligible to CO your own ship. This was misunderstood in the past. I believed, as did many others, that once you got on the Quadrant level and above, that you would have to give up command of your ship. That is no longer the case.

Also, the Mindscanner is out now! Subscriptions are $6.00 for 4 issues. Send your money to Joel Nye, 628 Buckeye Street, Hamilton, OH 45011. He has received many people’s checks, so if you have already sent one in, you may want to check to see if he has received it.

So, are you tired of my monologue yet? I welcome all articles and submissions of artwork. The more that you contribute, the better the Phoenix Rising will be.

MARINES

This section will be for our sturdy and valiant Marine/Security forces. For those who may not be aware, the Department of Security has been merged with the Marines. More details will follow. Look for the Dark Moon Fleet newsletter, which should have a copy of ro’baS attached. ro’baS is the official Marine newsletter.

For more immediate information, contact our Quadrant Fencer, Major Qor’tok vestai-DevnoH (Bill Ramsey). He can be reached at (615) 226-9418, or emailed at: [email protected].

WEAPONS

This section is for those warriors, who like me, enjoy the challenge of creating and designing new weapons. I have been rather busy lately, so I haven’t had a chance to design any new weapons. Here I include a picture and description of one weapon that I have designed. If you design weapons, and would like for others to see your design, send it in to me, and I will include it in this article. There is an organization, called as the Klingon Imperial Weapons Guild. It is an organization that promotes the creation of weapons in steel. There is no political affiliations with any group, they are fellow warriors who desire to practice and perfect their weapon-making techniques. Their web site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/5094/
This throwing axe is an historical weapon whose origins are lost in the threads of time. Early versions have been found dating into the homeworld’s prehistoric period. It was probably first used as a means for gathering firewood, and modified and enhanced to utilize the excellent balance that needs to be achieved to make a deadly throwing weapon. Early cave drawings show our ancestors using a weapon very similar to this to bring down large and dangerous prey for food. Anthropologists theorize that this axe may also have been used in early rituals, but this has not been verified. – valQIS, 1997

TLHINSA’

This is the tlhInSa’ Section, devoted to those warriors who enjoy a good game, filled with strategy and bloodshed. When there are more players, I will include listings of players and how to get in touch with them. We play in many different ways, including email and the Tcl program that allows for “live” play on the internet. I will also include strategy, as soon as I can figure some out! If you are an avid player, and would like to help others learn and/or master this game, send me your articles and I will include them here. In the course of play, I have found that playing on line, it is very useful to have a chat program running. I use ICQ, but some others may work as well. That way you can switch screens between the game and the chat so that you can communicate with your opponent.

BATTLE NOTCHES

Need to know where to get those Battle Notches? Wonder no more! I have them here, in all colors. I only charge $0.50 each for them. Let me know how many and what colors, and I will get them out to you as soon as I can. I am not running a business, I just like to help out our fellow warriors. Remember, that as of October 1, Battle Notch Requests and Kill Stripe Requests go to the Fleet Commander.

KLINGON LANGUAGE CLAN

Are you a bit rusty, and would like someone with whom to practice your Klingon? Check out the KLC. They are not the KLI, an honorable association. They are just fellow Klingons who enjoy speaking the Warrior’s Tongue. Just go to http://usskatana.ml.org/~klc/ for more information.