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Welcome to my seventh public report as a Science Officer, way late on account of being a absentminded professor like Science Officer besides trying to be a mad scientist ;).

Science Office News:

1. I’ve completed texturing and testing the Trithan Interceptor OPT for XWA - expect a patch to be released ASAP. This is an enemy fighter of the Vepaal Empire, as it features in the battles by COL Sauron, and will create quite a challenge for the player... The Trithan Interceptor is only approved as “limited use” for this series of battles however and will not enter Emperor’s Hammer service any time soon (like never). Work on texturing the Hyperion has started, followed by the craft for Clan Alvaak and Avenger Squadron.
2. We have started a new project for X-Wing Alliance to create more variation in enemy and neutral craft. The idea is to create several ship patches that install 5 different enemy craft of a particular theme at once on the same 5 slots for each pack. Themes can be based on enemy or neutral Systems, Pirate Fleets, Craft Manufacturers etc. and will install craft of different classes. The first pack for example is based on the neutral system of Genko, near the EH territories, and features two fighters, a transport-class large bomber, a capital ship and a platform. Most of the modelling for this pack is done already and one craft is fully textured and game tested even so expect it on a SCO site near you very soon:)

Science Office Status:

CA:SCO: Admiral Darkhill is currently still working on a new patch installer for X-Wing Alliance (which should evolve into a format for all games) and a new asteroid patch for TIE Disk. Also he made a model for the “Genko” Shippack.

SCOA: After consideration Admiral Darkhill has, like I have, decided to go without an assistant for a bit longer. My apologies to the people that applied – thank you for showing interest, we’ll keep your application on file and dig them up once we do need more help.

Site: Site: The Science Office site can be found at http://sco.minos.net or via the redirect http://scienceoffice.isCool.net. No major updates this week on account of making craft.

Science Office Projects:

New Site: What still needs to be done is mostly php work: the File and Patch archives have been designed to become a compendium much like the Battle Centre: with mirrors for the files, data on each patch, ratings, reviews and bug reports.

XWA Patch installer: Providing a simpler way to install patches to varied slots in all windows operating systems via an actual program instead of the current batch files. Should make it easier to install patches besides each other and to see which replace what. In research stage mostly, which is what the SCOA is mostly needed for.

XvT/BoP/TIE95 Ship patches: This project’s goal is to add all the original and Order of Battle craft that are still “missing” from these games, like the SSD in TIE and XvT, the Medium Transport in all etc While pretty far already (about 77% done), working on XWA craft at the moment.

XWA Ship patches: Primarily the plan is to clear out the backlog of craft arranged by earlier SCO’s and such, like the Trithan Interceptor (Kermee), the Hyperion (Den), the Alvaakian Craft (me) and the new fighter for Avenger Squadron (AES). The Trithan Interceptor is now ready, working on the Hyperion – which should be done this week.

XWA Enemy Ship Packs: The plan is to create several multi-ship patches that install 5 different enemy craft of a particular theme at once on the same 5 slots for each pack. The first pack is that based on the “Genko System” (2 fighters, a transport a capital ship and a platform.). Modelling is 80% done, texturing 25%. Further texturing is on hold for the Ship patches projects to clear but can be finished shortly after that.

Finishing up:

I think that's it - If I've forgotten anything or if you have comments, suggestions or corrections, let me know via email. Don't forget that all the projects are described in more detail on the SCO site.

(use only mindb_ender@hotmail.com for official SCO mails.) or ICQ (9706474). Preferably do not mail large files to me, but DCC them via IRC – I’m practically always online at #emperor’s_hammer and #tiecorps using the nick MindB_ndr (or variations.)
 
All my SCO reports are available online as well: you can reach them on the SCO site: http://www.minos.net/~sco/reports/index.html. The moment the TC database is back online they will be posted there as well.

Until next time, good luck and have fun!