99th Garrison at the Madejski Stadium Reading

So this one was going to be an early start as it was going to take 3.5 hrs to get there!!  Fortunately the timings were put back an hour so we only needed to be there for 12.00

I loaded up the shuttle and at 0800 set the auto-pilot for Long Easton to collect Lord Vader.  He was taking a break from overseeing the construction of the new Death Star and visiting family.  The auto-pilot was reset for The Madejski Stadium where we Lord Vader had felt a disturbance in the Force.  We we due to meet a squad of troopers from another battalion - interestingly known locally as The Joker Squad...how Lord Vader would take to this was unknown!

We arrived at Reading about 12.15 following a pit-stop.  The other guys were there waiting.  Our contact with the information was late so we had to hang around incognito and tried to blend in with the numerous activities going on.

Following our briefing....in the changing room for the gym in the hotel....we set to work.  The locals were somewhat bemused to see Vader and a squad of tk's plus Boba Fett and a Clone trooper (he seemed a bit out of place - 20 years to be honest) in the gym.  Many people were pleased to see our presence including some oddly dressed individuals.

We found or way to the stadium where the force was strongest and we placed ourselves inside the building to check everyone as they came in but there was no cause for alarm.  

Lord Vader determined that the disturbance he felt in the force must have been due to all the people looking forward to raising so much money for worthy causes.  We slipped out unnoticed and returned to the Hotel to de-brief and we shared a drink in the hotel bar....yes even the Empire is civilised!

Huge thanks to The Joker Squad (Paul, Kev, Greg, Stu plus Stu's children as Jawa and minder) for helping out and to Dan for his first 99th troop.  Thanks also to Jim and Darran for making the long journey beyond the Watford Gap.

Unfortunately there is no post troop photo for this event.  Must do better next time!!

Collecting for MS Society Wirral at Morrisons New Brighton

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Another desperate call from a provisions warehouse resulted in a squad being despatched to New Brighton on the Wirral.  The day started as per the standard operating procedure and we arrived under the radar as members of the local indigenous population.  This meant we had to find a secure place to armour-up.  This presented a suitable point to brand two new sets of armour!

Following the brief ceremony we ventured out into the provisions warehouse and Lord Vader had arranged for our real mission to be disguised as a security detail for the people collecting funds for the new Death Star.  Most of the local inhabitants thought it was for a charity called Morte Sol or MS for short.  Morte (Death) Sol (Star) which is a good cover!!

The local people gave generously and we were able to keep an eye out for the Rebel operatives that were supposed to be working in his area.  There were a few unusual beings in this particular location and one was caught on camera.  Jar Jar Binks....eat your heart out!

At one point we were asked to draw the raffle for the day.  The winners were convinced they were winning wonderful prizes such as bottles of local alcohol, food hampers, confectionery, etc but when they arrive at the local Imperial outpost to 'collect' their winnings they will find out that they have been chosen to work on the construction or our illustrious new space station!!

The sun shone for part of the day and one of the squad thought it would be good to get a bit of a tan the others were improving their skills by practising their synchronised firing procedures!  Still got a bit of work to do guys!!

No rebels were caught on this mission but a substantial amount of funds were raised and the total will be released soon.  The squad decanted to a local cantina and enjoyed a hot beverage before setting off back to base.  No locals were harmed in this operation!

Transmission ends............

Huge thanks to the squaddies!  Gary, Alan, Simon, Jim and Jacqui.  Thanks to the staff at Morrisons for letting us loose in their store and thanks to Karen Parsons and the rest of the crew of volunteers from the MS Society - Wirral Branch - and in an urgent update it has been announced that we raised £1232.26 on the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charity Collection for Caudwell Children at ASDA Leek 27 April 2013

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The 99th Garrison received a request for assistance due to reports of rebel activity at a provisions supplier in one of the outlying areas of our area - Leek.

A squad of mixed troopers was despatched - the others were washing their hair apparently - to the location and duly arrived in two ground transports.  (Note to maintenance to sort out navigation system of the second transport).  The squad was deployed to patrol the provisions warehouse known as ASDA.

It was necessary to allay the fears of certain dwellers in the area so, in a show of strength, the squad patrolled the perimeter.  Once this was done the squad was put to work checking out the internal areas for rebels.  

Some dwellers were pleased to see the empire taking their concerns seriously.  Information was obtained from citizens on possible rebel sympathisers.

                                            
                                            

We found it necessary to spot check a few ground vehicles for contraband and one of the droid transports came under particular scrutiny.  

                                            

Only 3 rebels managed to get through our cordon; the rest were apprehended and dealt with under Imperial regulations.

                                            

 

Members of the provisions warehouse were keen to show their appreciation to us and gave us food and refreshments as well as asking for photos and autographs!  It is good to be in the Empire's finest!!

                                            

Thanks to everyone who came along to troop or donate.  Thanks to Erica from Caudwell Children, Thanks to the Staff of ASDA in Leek, especially Sue for the food!  And thanks to the people of Leek who donated so generously!

End Transmission.......................

Cheers to Chris, Wayne, Alan, Craig and Jim for donning the armour once again. 

Special Appearance for Lucas Bearder

Incoming transmission..........

The 99th Garrison dropped a squad of Troopers into Linthwaite to seek out one of our supporters who the Emperor had decided was worthy of a reward.  Lucas was the target we had to acquire.  He had been very supportive of his little brother Joel who had been unwell and recently undergone major surgery.

The squad arrived at 1300hrs as agreed.  We had information that there may be a problem and prepared to rush the property to rescue the boy.  This turned out to be false information.  Lucas opened the door and was suitable startled to see so many of the Empires finest there to greet him.   The squad gathered around to present Emperor Palpatine's rewards to Lucas and there was also one for Joel for being a brave boy.

Following the presentation we had to move to the public areas following reports of a rebel incursion and after stopping a number of ground vehicles and checking out the locals we found the area to be clear.  A number of local people came out to greet us and throw flowers and money at us for helping to keep the streets clear of rebels.

One local was found to be taking unauthorised electronic images of the troopers and he was subdued immediately.  It was thought he may be passing info onto rebel sources but he was from a local media outlet who had heard of Lucas good deeds.  We let him go......eventually.  A message has been sent to his superior to ensure the appropriate Imperial ID is worn next time

There was a serious problem when the children started to do the moves from a well known earth song by the Village People.  This guy only got to the "Y" before the troopers stopped him.

Small animals were coveted by one of the troopers but he quickly returned it to its' cave when he heard its' mother calling!

The day ended with the local people regaling us with tea, coffee, butties and cakes in honour of our brave exploits! We would like to thank the people of Banks Close, Linthwaite for their hospitality - and in particular Morag, Jackie, Clare, Lucas, Joel, and their parents.  

Transmission Ends..........

Thanks to the guys and gal! Vicki, Dave, Gary, Nick, Dave (newbie), Ken, Jim, Craig and Wayne. 

99th Garrison at South Shields Museum

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The Garrison was called to help out at the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery on Ocean Road for the Sci-Fi Fair.  The troops were assembled at the appropriate time, 11.45.

The Garrison Commander decided that he would pay a surprise visit to the North East outpost to check up on discipline...if there was any to be seen!!  He and the MPO (Hunterfett) set off from their base in High Peak at around 0800hrs and threaded their Imperial Shuttle through the snowy roads and headed towards the North.  The weather was extremely sunny and the sun visors were called into use for the first time!!.  No advance warning of the visit had been given and, via a couple of stops to deal with jedi incidents, they arrived at approx 11.30.  A quick call was made to the XO and our arrival was announced....rude words were to heard emanate from the XO!! Naughty XO.

We met the new recruits to the Garrison - Emma, Vicky, Darren and ensured that they were appropriately advised on Garrison etiquette. Then we engaged the enemy....well the public of South Shields at least.

A couple of interlopers were found in the guise of Mr Rendar masquerading as Indiana Jones and Hyde as a colonial marine.  We felt is best to keep an eye on these two!  

The public were suitably entertained at various points during the day.  The owner of a local cafe bar was keen to show his support for the Empire and his bribe of local produce was eagerly accepted.

A couple of local freelance reporters tried to interview one of the troops to find out if he was happy with current working conditions in the Stormtrooper Battalion but they were quickly dealt with.

Following an incursion by a couple of local jedi, the troop's minds were briefly overcome and, as their blasters were lowered, the CO was a little concerned until they managed to wrestle themselves free.  Note to self - we need to do more anti-jedi-mind-trick training and increase the medication of the tks!

The visit to the North East Outpost ended with an off duty gathering of the troops at the cafe bar.  The CO and HF then went to view the seaside nearby and arrived back at baser at about 20.00hrs

Thanks to everyone who turned out on this rather nice sunny NE day.  Jim, Craig, Nigel, Robbie, Robert (Burba) Andy (todhunter), Andy (Dingerbell) Darren, James, Emma, Vicky, Ian.....and thanks to Lynn, Marie, Derek and George for coming along to say Hi!!  And thanks to Keith and Elaine for inviting us to SciFair.......check out their up coming events for rebel incursions.
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99th Garrison promoting the Spaceport Sci-Fi event

This is the log of the Commanding Officer of the 99th Garrison.
Imperial datum - 2013-02-23.

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A detachment of the Garrison was despatched to Seacombe on the Wirral to help out our allies at the local Spaceport to quell a bit of an issue that had arisen with a group of local dissidents. Most of the group arrived under cover at the agreed rendezvous time 10.00 hrs and quickly suited up ready for action.  The morning was colder than anticipated and a number of the squads environmental suits were found to be faulty.  (note to the quartermaster about this issue) The arrival of Lord Vader focussed their minds on other things.  His attendance was a surprise but his presence was most reassuring 

Imperial propaganda had suggested we have the services of a recorder to document our mission which was all very well but it was difficult to make progress due to him constantly wanting to take publicity images of our progress.  After working our way through the local towns people we managed to get to the local transport hub where Lord Vader was most displeased with the conditions that met him. We managed to commandeer a vessel for transportation across the wet plains of Mersey.  It was obviously some form of public transport vessel.

The commander of the vessel was a little reluctant to offer his assistance however he was soon persuaded to help the Imperial cause.  We had also enlisted the assistance of one of our Imperial spies on the day in case we needed local intelligence, however he seemed to have got the point of the exercise a little mixed up and arrived in his X-wing pilot suit

The journey across the wet plains was mostly uneventful however one or two of the troopers had difficulty with the motion of the vessel and we found them in a small room with no lids on!!  They will be on report for this action!!

Once we had disembarked the vessel we found that news of our arrival had preceded us and the rebels had melted into the distance.  The vessel we had arrived on had already departed so we were forced to remain in this L'ver'pule until a new vessel could be obtained.  We did not venture far from the landing stage because Lord Vader could not detect any local disturbance  in the force.  We were informed by the local population (thank Emperor for the universal translator!) that this place we were in was a shrine to some ancient people called the Be'attles.  Lord Vader being intrigued by other cultures wished to learn more in case he encountered their kind again.

Once a new vessel had been commandeered we were swiftly back at the Spaceport.  Lord Vader's shuttle was not ready when we entered the Spaceport so he had to have a quiet word with the leader of the refuelling team: he very quickly arranged the appropriate fuel to be made available

All things considered it was an uneventful day and no blasters needed to be discharged; there were no casualties recorded and there are no further reports to be completed.  Obviously I will need to deal with the motion sickness issue with tk1701 and trooper1972!!

Commanding Officer Carstvo

End Transmission

Thanks to everyone who made the journey to Seacombe: Jim, Craig, Paul (sharky), Paul (pedge), Darran, Colin, Ken, Alan and our crew Eric, Gary and Rhys.