THE EMPEROR'S HAMMER IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER AVENGER NEWSLETTER NO. 1 The Emperor's Hammer during close formation reloading training (photo: TIE Fighter - LucasArts, 1994) WING IDENTIFICATION The Emperor's Hammer Strike Wing of the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger was recently commissioned by the Emperor Palpatine. The Emperor's plans require seasoned TIE pilots and support personnel to combat the recent resurgence of the rebellion following the Rebel Alliance's unsuccessful attempt to obtain the TIE Defender technology during the Nami uprising. The Emperor's Hammer is comprised of an elite strike squadron to be stationed on the Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger. The wing consists of six squadrons with varying mission parameters and capabilities which are detailed below. The Emperor's Hammer is currently forming and conducting training exercises in preparation for impending action against newly formed Rebel units. The Avenger is currently assigned to Lord Vader's personal Strike Force consisting of the Super Class Destroyer Executor, the Imperial Class Star Destroyers Devastator and Avenger and two ships with classified designations. GENERAL DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS The missions that Emperor's Hammer run will typically include VIP escort, Facility/capital ship interception, strike and defense missions. Although the Emperor's Hammer is still being formed, it is anticipated that its members will be seeing active duty following upcoming release of a mission editor. If any squadron members have knowledge of such a file, you are asked to notify the recently assigned Wing Commander General Ronin (W Call@AOL.com) for upgrade to mission control. It should be noted that since the Wing Commander has flown all missions in the original TIE Fighter and Defender of the Empire expansion disk, the time and story line pickup following their completion. However, as missions dictate, some will be flown utilizing the standard fighter complement in the original TIE fighter. In keeping with the strict dictates of Emperor Palpatine and the Inner Circle
of the Secret Order, certain minimum skill levels will be required to maintain the Wing Structure. However, once the Squadron Commander positions are filled, the composition of their unit is at their discretion. Palpatine wishes to retain an uncharacteristic individuality and flexibility in the Emperor's Hammer to meet the upcoming rebel encounters. Consequently, Squadron Commanders will have to meet the following minimum skill levels: Training Patches in ALL fighter craft Gold Combat Medallions in ALL fighter craft Rank of Colonel Medals for completed Battle Nos. 1 through 7 Member of Inner Circle of Emperor's Secret Order 500,000 points 250 kills Please submit *.trf files by AOL E-Mail to the Wing Commander (W Call @ AOL.com) for verification. Please note that since this unit is comprised of volunteer forces, the Squadron Commander positions will be filled upon first request. In a case of two applicants of equal ability requesting the same position, the Wing Commander will arbitrate the decision following petition by both candidates. As stated above, Squadron Commanders will form their own units. However, since this is an elite unit, the following are recommended guidelines: Flight Leader Training Patches in ALL fighter craft Gold Combat Medallions in all fighter craft but the TIE Defender and Missile Boat (Bronze or Silver) Rank of Commander Medals for completed Battle Nos. 1 through 7 Member of 3rd Circle of Emperor's Secret Order 250,000 points 150 kills Flight Member Training Patches in all fighter craft but Missile Boat Silver or Gold Combat Medallions in all fighter craft but the TIE Defender and Missile Boat Rank of Lieutenant Medals for completed Battle Nos. 1 through 7 Member of 1st Circle of Emperor's Secret Order 100,000 points 50 kills
Unloading Emperor's Hammer during training exercises in Outer Rim (photo: TIE Fighter - LucasArts, 1994) WING STRUCTURE The following presents the standard command structure for the Emperor's Hammer of the Imperial Class Star Destroyer Avenger: EMPEROR'S HAMMER (72 TIE Fighter complement) COMMANDER: General William "Ronin" Call ALPHA SQUADRON - Command Squadron (3 flights = 12 TIEs) COMMANDER: General William "Ronin" Call (TIE Defender) SHIP TYPES: TIE Defender, TIE Missile Boat, TIE Advanced PURPOSE: Command/Strike BETA SQUADRON - Elite Strike Squadron (3 flights = 12 TIEs) SHIP TYPES: (2) TIE Defender and TIE Missile Boat PURPOSE: Deep Strike, Interdiction and Special Operations GAMMA SQUADRON - Close Support Squadron (3 flights = 12 TIEs) SHIP TYPES: (3) TIE Missile Boat PURPOSE: Close Support, Long Range/Capital Ship Interdiction DELTA SQUADRON - Recon Squadron (3 flights = 12 TIEs) SHIP TYPES: (3) TIE Defender PURPOSE: Deep Recon/Strike EPSILON SQUADRON - Strike Squadron (3 flights = 12 TIEs) SHIP TYPES: TIE Defender, TIE Advanced, TIE Bomber PURPOSE: Strike, Defense and Interdiction LAMBDA SQUADRON - Strike Squadron (3 flights = 12 TIEs) SHIP TYPES: TIE Defender, TIE Advanced, TIE Bomber PURPOSE: Strike, Defense and Interdiction
Imperial Star Destroyer launching a TIE fighter (photo: RYPERSON, 10/94) IMPERIAL STAR DESTROYER AVENGER The Avenger is a member of the Imperial Class Star Destroyers. The Imperial Class has been developed as a replacement for the obsolete Victory Class which was produced during the Clone Wars. Unlike the Victory Class, which was designed for planetary defense, assault and ground troop support, the Imperial class is designed for primarily ship to ship combat. The Imperial Class Star Destroyer possesses enough firepower to reduce entire fleets and planets to their knees. Although the Empire wields a great weapon with the Imperials, their presence alone is generally sufficient to accomplish the assigned task. The costs to build and maintain these behemoths rival the GNP of most star systems. The Avenger has had a long and valorous history. It has been involved in more than 450 missions since its commissioning. The Avenger is currently assigned to Lord Vader's personal Strike Force consisting of the Executor, Devastator and two classified vessels. It is commonly rumored that these two vessels are Imperial Class Star Destroyers in appearance, but they are not so by design. Following destruction of the Rebel TIE Defender manufacturing facility and the retreat of Admiral Zaarin, newly promoted Grand Admiral Thrawn has ordered that the Avenger undero retrofit and retraining. The Emperor, Lord Vader and Grand Admiral Thrawn have ordered the commissioning of the Emperor's Hammer as an elite rapid strike and interdiction force to counter expected assaults by former Admiral Zaarin and his remaining forces. As an interesting side note, the Avenger has apparently had eight captains over the last two years.
The following presents the statistics for the Avenger, as published in the Stele Chronicles released with TIE Fighter (1994): AVENGER STAR DESTROYER Name/Model #: Imperial-1 Class Designer/Manufacturer: KDY Combat Designation: Capital Starship Length: 1,600 meters Crew: 37,085 (4,520 officers and 32,565 enlisted) Power System: SFS I-a2b solar ionization reactor Weapons: 60 Taim & Bak XX-9 heavy turbolasers 60 Borstel NK-7 Ion Cannons 10 Phylon Q7 tractor beam projectors Starfighter Squadrons: Emperor's Hammer (one wing) Planetary Assault Troops: Full standard stormtrooper division 12 landing barges 20 AT-AT walkers 30 AT-ST walkers Other Craft: 8 Lambda Class Imperial Shuttles 15 Stormtrooper Transports 5 Assault Gunboats AT-AT Walkers during Battle of Hoth (photo: SnowLance, 3/94) WING COMMANDER'S NOTES I hope that you have enjoyed this newsletter and will join the Emperor's Hammer in cleansing the Galaxy of the upstart Rebel Alliance and its allies. Since I'm relatively new at AOL forums, please forward any suggestions to W Call @ AOL.com. In addition, I'll hopefully be issuing future newsletters in Microsoft Word format. Shoot straight and be true to the Empire...Long live Emperor Palpatine...
Wing Commander General William "Ronin" Call Emperor's Hammer Imperial Star Destroyer Avenger