"THE NEWSLETTER THAT WOULDN'T DIE!!!"

It's a Madhouse!!!
by Richard Millhouse Merk

The last few months have been wild rollercoaster ride for the World Famous Deep Range Fleet, haven't they? RPGs coming and going, computers crashing, vacations, server upgrades, people moving, more computers crashing... it's a madhouse! A MADHOUSE!!!! From this point though, things can only get better! Yes, the future looks bright for the ol' DRF.

Over the last few months, we've gotten new contributions to the Library and more rank graphics added to the Downloads page, but most importantly, we've gained a brand new ship, the USS Copernicus, captained by Joanna Redwine, played by veteran DRF member Bernd Grosskurth. Set in the year 2280, the Copernicus is a charter member of an exciting new joint venture between the Deep Range Fleet and Starfleet Strategic Strike Force—Meggido Fleet. Look for exciting new developments on this frontier in the coming months.

Starbase 901

Krystina Stressman's (aka Captain Kitara Mallory's) computer is on the fritz, so it's unknown when the next batch of posts will be coming out. Word is that it's a monster though, with the Love Virus still on the loose, Steve writing volumes on the Mulluran War, and the Banshee Squadron getting into all sorts of trouble. Rumor has it that Kalimar will make a reappearance as well!

USS Leviathan
by Ian Barker

The Leviathan is currently in multi-vector mode, each of the two sections in different sections of the Gamma quadrant. The Engineering section has just foiled an attempt by a group calling itself Omega from mounting a major attack on the Federation. However, their leader Klang got away and we have discovered that he has access to a weapon of mass destruction, one which he could use against any enemy. The attack was not without it's casualties. Commander Rashad has had an encounter with a mysterious scientist linked to Adam Drakara. She has now been infected with something that appears to be 'tearing' her DNA apart. The Commander's only hope is that Rahel Kahfre can find the cause and more importantly a cure. The Engineering section will be in a race to reach the Saucer section in time to save the Commander. The Saucer Section meanwhile, has just arrived at Bopak III, where they have discovered a Jem'Hadar base. The Jem'Hadar on the surface appear to be scanning the planet for something and the crew of the Leviathan have just discovered what lies beneath the surface of Bopak III. Plans are well in hand to prevent these Jem'Hadar from achieving their goal and hopefully by the time the Engineering section arrives, the planet will be secure.

Season eight of the Leviathan is drawing to a close and by the end we should have completed the storyline that was started so many months back onboard the Taurus.

Season nine will see us return to Earth and hopefully find some answers about Lieutenant Rahel Kahfre and Lieutenant Zack Dare. If we can synchronise the timelines, then we are also looking at paying a prolonged visit to SB 901 with a view to creating a 'family' reunion. The search for Klang and more Omega bases may divert the crew from this mission, but sooner or later we'll get to SB 901.

We've also just recruited a new player, Tim Brown who is joining the crew as Ensign Marc Razak. He was assigned to the Leviathan just before it left Mars to rescue the Taurus, but is only a lowly shuttle pilot. The reason for his assignment are explained in the latest batch of posts, but we have no idea what his superiors have to hide. Hopefully in the next season, we'll find out more during our time back in Sector 001.

USS Eagle

Posting has been slow, due to the fact that Josh Green (aka Captain Chloe Young) has been in the process of moving, but once things are settled, Mission 4 'The Entropy Wave' will begin, with several posts already written and waiting. The crew roster has been cleared of most of the characters whose players have departed, and there have been several promotions among the remaining crew.

USS Copernicus
by Bernd Grosskurth

DRF's latest addition has officially started simming. At the moment, most effort is still put into background work and into recruiting more players but several of the key positions are already staffed and the first post have been sent out. Currently there are six people participating in the game. The Copernicus will approximately leave Outpost 34 by the end of next week to venture into the unknown.

USS Copernicus is a Star Trek movie era game. However this is not the only thing that probably makes it a little different form DRF's other RPGs. I intend to mix freeform player generated plots with a more traditional way of game mastering. For example, at most of the star systems on the map of Copernicus' area of exploration, predefined plots and adventures wait for the ship's crew to arrive. Some of the places on the map will be more interesting or dangerous to visit than others.

So take a look at our affectionately created web site. Maybe you'll get into the mood for a game set in the time when everyone was wearing a red shirt!

CONTRIBUTIONS WANTED!

If you want to write something to be included in the next issue of the Inimitably Superfluous Deep Range Fleet Newsletter, please do so! I'm not picky—it can be about anything in the universe! Got any good advice? Bad advice? Rants or raves? Jokes? News updates? Great—we'll take it all! Just email it to me at richardmerk@msn.com

HAILING FREQUENCIES CLOSED