B5:LR and Firstones

[Alec M]

Hey everyone. I just had an idea of putting some kind of Firstones hint in the textures of the ships we're making for B5:LR. I don't really have any ideas except to maybe use Shadow Boxer's Firstones icon (great job on that!). Obviously it's not going to be a major thing, I'll have to sneak it in somewhere where it might not be noticed unless you're looking for it.
So if anyone has any cool little Firstones related graphics post 'em here and I'll take a look. I don't think anything with text would work too well so try and avoid that. Also, if you would please try and keep this confined to these forums I would appreciate it. The last thing I need are a bunch of emails from people I don't know sending me their graphic work. Thanks again!


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Alec McClymont, 3D Artist (http://slade__tek.tripod.com/)
3D Artist - GVFX

We live for the one. We die for the one.

[croxis]

YOUR ON THE B5:LR TEAM?! AS IN, THE TV MOVIE/PIOLET FOR NEW SERIES?!?!?!? I bow before you!

[Arik]

Outline of an aardvark would be nice...

[JackN]

Some kind of jab at Sierra would be nice...

heh heh

http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

[CurZ]

Obviously, if there are going to be Vorklifts in the movie, you really won't need much else, but I'd like the aardvark approach http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

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"Always be ready to fight for what you believe in. It doesn't matter if a million people agree with you or one person agrees with you. Fight for what you believe in."
-- John Sheridan

[Walker]

How about having Sierra logo's w/ a red X through 'em beneath a StarFury's (or any other fighter's) cockpit. Kinda like what fighter pilots guys do whenever they splash one... http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

-- Walker

[Shuup Nick]

How about putting some of the fan-desinged ships in there? Like the Bin'tak or G'lan et all? http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

Cherio.

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Catapvltam habeo. Nisi pecvniam omnem mihi dabis, ad capvt tvvm saxvm immane mittam.
Mater tva criceta fvit, et pater tvo redolvit bacarvm sambvcvs.

[DsDetective]

This is the coolest thing that's ever happened on these forums. Shadowboxers' kill counter would be good. You could even have the squadron leader with more flames/kills than the other pilots.

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possibly futile, but very human.

[socrates]

I don't think putting Sierra's logo up there might be a good idea. Could run into legal problems. http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif Maybe some kind of obscure reference to them would be possible.

I second the idea of the Aardvark. http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif If the White Star is involved, maybe could have the Aardvark pix on the wings of one of them, much like that episode "No Surrender, No Retreat" where Sheridan's White Star had a B5 logo on its wings.

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Commander socrates
flightleader, Erinyes
The Gray Hand of Fate
AnlaShok Blackops

"Do NOT interfere."

[Biggles]

I'd be happy with an Aardvark somewhere. We would know what it meant, and once people saw it and rumours got out everyone would, but without conclusive proof. The firstones logo, on the other hand, could be very quickly traced back here and they would soon start asking questions about which of their employees come here often.

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[samuelk]

You have to be careful with this kind of thing. JMS doesn't look kindly to things sneaking into his shows. Anyone remember the "Hypernauts" frame that got snuck into an episode?

If word got out, he might frown upon FO.com....

Hate to be a party-pooper, but it's a possibility...

Now if it got his approval...THAT would be unbelievably cool...

[This message has been edited by samuelk (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Data Crystal]

I like the aardvark -idea. That wouldn't even stand out too much because it sounds like a pilot nickname.

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Life is full of surprises. The ones reserved for me usually come wearing brass knuckles.

[John Walker]

Slade: Even if this doesn't pan out, thanks for bringing this before the group! You've certainly given all of us something very fun to think about.

If furies have the equivalent of "kill flags", I agree that an "X'd" sierra logo (as per Walker's idea) would IMHO be splendid for that application... http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/shad.gif

The Great Maker might even like the idea... I have a feeling that there is little love lost between him and Sierra. Although he might not appreciate one of his animators "getting their own ideas"... http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

Aardvarks, vorklifts, water coolers, alien heads, shadowboxer logos... all would work and any of them would be a wonderful inside nod to the the FO community.

[Falcon1]

I think a nice big water cooler would look good..... http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

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'The future is all around us' G'kar
'I have no surviving enemies! None what so ever!' Galen

Visit my B5 site at: http://babylon5.acmecity.com/alliance/110

[ZocaloHobo]

The Aardvark would be cool...... http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

[Greven]

Wing art..... There has to be a fury in there. Just have a aardvark on a StarFury's wing.

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ModFactory (http://www.modfactory.net)
<*>

[Melkor]

a GREEN aardvark

[WombatControl]

I love the idea of the Sierra kill markers on the hull of a ship. No one would probably know what it was except those of us 'in the know'. Perhaps a subtle jab at TNT would be apropos as well.

Of course, it would also be fun if one of the craft from SG1 would happen to make a brief cameo appearance - just as a nod for fans of both shows.

Good luck on B5:LR! Sounds like you have a job a lot of us would kill for!

BTW, are you using Maya or LW or a combination of the two for 'Rangers'... just curious about that...

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Wombat Control
http://www.flarn.com/wombatcontrol
Member B5MG

"Enfer, c'est les autres."
- Jean-Paul Sartre

[Language of Hope]

Originally posted by samuelk:
You have to be careful with this kind of thing. JMS doesn't look kindly to things sneaking into his shows. [...] If word got out, he might frown upon FO.com....

Now if it got his approval...THAT would be unbelievably cool...


I stand behind what samuelk says: Could it be possible to get in touch with JMS and asking him about any possibility that doesn't interfere with his intentions?!

He always considered contact with fans to be important - so it could be possible that he responded positive to such a question.

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We are one. No matter the blood, no matter the skin, no matter the world, no matter the star. .. We are one.
No matter the pain, no matter the darkness, no matter the loss, no matter the fear. .. We are one.
- Alliance Preamble to the Declaration of Principles, The Paragon of Animals
Webmaster www.Sprungtor.de (http://www.Sprungtor.de)

[Rick]

Originally posted by JackN:
Some kind of jab at Sierra would be nice...

heh heh

http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

I was thinking that an Omega or other EA ship called the "Yosemite" would be fitting, but that's looking at it as a nod to the original ITF team.

From a Firstones perspective, it would be nice to see a firstones chevron as wing art or some such thing, something that had no words in it, of course, but would be distictly recognizable.

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"...In the end it would hold because what is built endures. And what is loved endures.
And Babylon 5...Babylon 5 endures." -- Delenn in the Babylon 5 episode Rising Star

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Greven]

Rick is right.... and so is Samuelk.

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ModFactory (http://www.modfactory.net)
<*>

[Ricobirch]

Originally posted by WombatControl:
Perhaps a subtle jab at TNT would be apropos as well.


I think that would be very easy for you to get JMS's approval on.
As for the the sierra kill marks, brillant.
And i would love to see some ships from B5 wars in there.

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"Ambassador we all know that the first casulty of war is the truth."
-John Sheridan

[samuelk]

Though one safe thing to do would probably be wing art on a Fury...as I don't think it's JMS who comes up with those...

Maybe just a single aardvark with....


Oooo...I think I may have an idea....

[samuelk]

The biggest issue with placing something like this in the show is that it can't be so odd or out-of-place looking that it calls attention to itself.

Sooo....

Why not make a piece of Starfury Decal art that gives a little nod to FirstOnes.com:

http://members.theglobe.com/samuelk/FODECAL.JPG

http://members.theglobe.com/samuelk/FODECAL.JPG

This is a squadron decal from an F111 squadron. The FO of course is for FirstOnes (the 152 is arbitrary, but we could come up with a number that signifies something at firstones), and here's the neat part: The F111 jet is nicknamed the "Aardvark". http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

[C_Mon]

That is brilliant Samuelk!!!! http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif
Make the number Biggles' posts!! http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif
Or the year ITF was cancelled!!!

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Born from silence, silence full of it
A perfekt concert my best friend
So much to live for, so much to die for
If only my heart had a home
-Nightwish:Dead boy's Poem-

[Arik]

Great idea.
Let's make it FO - 42, so that it will not be just a tribute to Firstones, but a tribute from Firstones to Douglas Adams.

[samuelk]

I thought about using the date that the FirstOnes forums were opened, but that was Sept '99 (999), and squadron numbers don't go that high. http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

[Alec M]

Those are some great ideas guys. I especially like the Aardvark one. But it will have to be something that's hard to notice. I will see about talking to JMS about it. This was mainly just a thought that crossed my mind last night, I'll have to see how it works out.

Oh, and to answer your question WombatControl, we're using Maya. All the new stuff is in Maya, with the previously seen ships being brought over from LW (any improvements to the look of the old ships depends on whether or not we'll have any time to do that, but it's not looking too likely).

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Alec McClymont, 3D Artist (http://slade__tek.tripod.com/)
3D Artist - GVFX

We live for the one. We die for the one.

[JackN]

Whatever you guys suggest, please remember to observe what Slade asked in the beginning. To keep this discussion in this forum.

If you guys go off on a tangent and start contacting JMS, etc.

He'll likely not be able to do anything at all, and worse, if you betray his trust, he could be in danger of getting in trouble with his superiors...

I would suggest that you guys post a list of suggestions within this thread, and post it to his attention, and let him do whatever he can manage within his abilities...

http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

(I do love the SieXrra kill icon idea myself!)

I still think someone should do a drawing of the B5 station with someone riding it like a bull! http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif Maybe as wing art by the way!

____________________________________________

We live for the water...
We die by the cooler!
____________________________________________

[This message has been edited by JackN (edited 06-06-2001).]

[JackN]

No sooner do I reply, and there he is!

http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif

[Rick]

Originally posted by JackN:
SieXrra

Jack--

Remember the fan art with the Sierra logo hidden in the Shadow dognose texture? That was the epitomy of subtle http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

So many things to say...so many tooth-impressions on my tongue...

-R.

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"...In the end it would hold because what is built endures. And what is loved endures.
And Babylon 5...Babylon 5 endures." -- Delenn in the Babylon 5 episode Rising Star

[Walker]

Here's what I was thinking... somewhat...

http://www.geocities.com/cpwalk270/sf1-zoom.jpg

EDIT: Bleh, I need some real webspace. Just follow the link below and hopefully it'll load the next time the page is loaded.
http://www.geocities.com/cpwalk270/sf1-zoom.jpg

... and the full image is here -
http://www.geocities.com/cpwalk270/sf1.jpg

EDIT 2: I really hate Yahoo. If the images don't work, just goto the following URL..
http://www.geocities.com/cpwalk270/furries.html

I think it might look better between the two wings, but I couldn't find a side view of a StarFurry.. Then again, a StarFury might not even be in the movie, but I'm not lucky enough to be in a position to know that. http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

Please note, I am *not* an image guy, I'm a code pig, and all I did was stick some Sierra logos (ganked from their site) w/ X's on a picture from another site. I'm sure this is not legal by any means, but I left the copyright info on the picture, so hopefully "borrowing" that image isn't too bad...

Also, this jabs at Sierra more than references this site. I think it'd be really funny if you could get permission to rename an Omega or Warlock 'Aardvark', though... http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

-- Walker



[This message has been edited by Walker (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Alec M]

That's looking kinda cool.
I can't tell you whether or not there are Starfuries in the movie, but I can suggest this. Think about previous eps of B5 and where you see the furies in those. The ships are usually moving and have the usual amount of blur. So little markings probably aren't a good idea since one won't be able to see them. Even the wing art between the wings is often hard to make out. So keep this in mind when you're thinking of stuff.

I like a lot of these ideas though http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif

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Alec McClymont, 3D Artist (http://slade__tek.tripod.com/)
3D Artist - GVFX

We live for the one. We die for the one.

[Walker]

Some other quick ideas (may have been posted already, my apologies to those who said it first)...

An aardvark (or something similar) constellation in the background...

If you do the images on the terminals, maybe in *small* *small* text the words "Save B5:ITF!", "Aardvark", "Green!", or some other catch-phrase I've missed out on in my lurkings.. http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif

Or maybe on the terminal put one of the vorlon or shadow smiley faces in the corner...

The word "VORKLIFT" on the back of a maintenance bot...

A fighter with a solid green decal going at it with an enemy fighter with a solid purple decal...

... that's about all I can come up with right now...

-- Walker

[This message has been edited by Walker (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Death First One]

This is too funny. It has to be somekind of Sierra Jab....that would put a HUGE smile on my face http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

[Biggles]

Walker: That looks great, but there is one problem: That's at high resolution. Try rendering it at TV resolution then adding a significant amount of blur, the way a TV does. Unfortunately, you won't see anything at all without an extremely obvious looking close up.


I personally thing Aardvark wingart is the best idea. It isn't too difficult to get a shot of wingart in there, just get a shot of a Starfury flying past a top-down camera. Sam's idea is all good, except that it is far far too subtle, and most people would not pick it up at all. For one thing, not many people know that is the logo of F111 squadron. Secondly, even less know that the F111 jet's nickname is the "Aardvark". I doubt many would pick up the "FO" either.
Green aardvark wingart is the least subtle, so people who know about it would probably pick it up, but it isn't glaringly obvious as being First Ones. It could easily be passed off as being the wingart of someone who likes aardvarks.

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[Messiah]

Sam: If we want *anyone* to know what we're hinting at, keep it the FO-111.

Another thing to do is have this number appear somewhere:

19-01-22-05 02-E-09-20-06

or this:

060918192015140519

And Sierra kill-marks would be awesome!

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http://www.dd.chalmers.se/~gu00mama/

Vir - Are you saying you don't trust me anymore? I made your favourite, Spoo.

Londo - I'll order in.

[samuelk]

But subtle is good...subtle is what Babylon 5 is all about...

There are certain layers of Babylon 5 that many people don't know about until they dig... that's the beauty of the show.

Sam's idea is all good, except that it is far far too subtle, and most people would not pick it up at all.

That's also the idea. If you stick a reference to something outside the B5 tv/film universe INTO the B5 tv/film universe, it HAS to be subtle, else it will cause a comotion (like the Hypernauts frame that was snuck into one episode).

The squadron logo works because it fits and makes sense.

I would much rather be associated with a subtle reference that's buried under a couple of layers, than with a loud obvious sign that says, "Hey! Look at me!"

[This message has been edited by samuelk (edited 06-07-2001).]

[Entil'Zha]

Originally posted by Slade:
Hey everyone. I just had an idea of putting some kind of Firstones hint in the textures of the ships we're making for B5:LR. I don't really have any ideas except to maybe use Shadow Boxer's Firstones icon (great job on that!). Obviously it's not going to be a major thing, I'll have to sneak it in somewhere where it might not be noticed unless you're looking for it.
So if anyone has any cool little Firstones related graphics post 'em here and I'll take a look. I don't think anything with text would work too well so try and avoid that. Also, if you would please try and keep this confined to these forums I would appreciate it. The last thing I need are a bunch of emails from people I don't know sending me their graphic work. Thanks again!





Well heres my .02 Ducats. I like the Aardvark idea. its subtle and everyone here would know what it is.

PLUS it would prolly confuse anyone else who happend to notice it, and i'm all for that.




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..And so it Begins

[Melkor]

hehe.. "Vorklift" on the back of a maintbot would also be interesting.. hehehe.. Sorry, that one gave me a chuckle 'cause only WE would know what it meant... Then again, same as the green aardvark. Subtle..yet blatently obvious to those who know

[samuelk]

lol...how about this one?

http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif

http://members.theglobe.com/samuelk/AARDVARK.JPG

http://members.theglobe.com/samuelk/AARDVARK.JPG

[Severed Dream]

Rofl http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif Very Nice

[DsDetective]

I'm definitely with Biggles on this, a simple green aadvark would be really clear (particularly as Slade said that text wouldn't work too well) and people in the know would understand it. It's also completely Firstones and doesn't exist as a meaningful symbol anywhere else.

Something definitely makes me feel slightly uneasy about the whole Sierra kill counter thing - or was it just that suspicious looking sausage I had for lunch?

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possibly futile, but very human.

[Biggles]

Sam: Can we get that in green? http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

I think that an aardvark is just the right amount of subtleness. Another thing to remember is that with that F111 logo idea... the F111 is a US thing. Russians, for example, wouldn't have the faintest clue about it. An aardvark is universal.

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[Greven]

Purple!!!!!

[Mundane]

LOL...that one was great

[David of Mac]

Perhaps if somthing explodes, you can do one of those cool wipe shots where a piece of the ship hurtles toward the camera, like the first upper door to B5 at the end of Sleeping in Light. Except have this piece in the shape of the aardvark shape I've seen so often. Or perhaps the same for the nebula, or maybe a hidden pattern in the White Star's coat, like Sierra in shadow skin.

[Greven]

Can I see a image os the thing your taking about...

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ModFactory (http://www.modfactory.net)
<*>

[Biggles]

You mean the docking bay door flying into the camera? There is a site with screenshots from that scene... damn I've lost the link. Anyone else got it?

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[Shuup Nick]

It's a fantastic purple aardvark from Hell!! http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/eek.gif http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif
Love it! http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

Cherio.

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Catapvltam habeo. Nisi pecvniam omnem mihi dabis, ad capvt tvvm saxvm immane mittam.
Mater tva criceta fvit, et pater tvo redolvit bacarvm sambvcvs.

[David of Mac]

Biggy, you're thinking of Gray 17 (http://tnt.turner.com/babylon5/gray17_y.html) or Mr. Video (http://www.vidiot.com/B5/).

I'll try to upload the Serria image.

[David of Mac]

http://homepage.mac.com/david_of_mac/.Pictures/Babylon%205/sierrabad.jpg

Don't remember who made the image orriginaly. Look at the upper left of the main body of the ship for the special part.

[Biggles]

I remember someone posting that on the Sierra forums. It's still cool. http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[Rhett]

Um, I'm stupid and can't find whatever is supposed to be there. What is supposed to be there? Then I will see it.

[Messiah]

It says Sierra.

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http://www.dd.chalmers.se/~gu00mama/

Vir - Are you saying you don't trust me anymore? I made your favourite, Spoo.

Londo - I'll order in.

[Biggles]

Look in the top left quarter of the image. It says Sierra on one of the shadow crab legs.

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[Shuup Nick]

Is that actually an image directly from the show, or did Sierra do something to it afterwards?
What I mean is: if I were to watch that episode and pause it at that moment, would I see the word 'Sierra' on the TV?
Either way, it's cool! http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif

Cherio.

------------------
Catapvltam habeo. Nisi pecvniam omnem mihi dabis, ad capvt tvvm saxvm immane mittam.
Mater tva criceta fvit, et pater tvo redolvit bacarvm sambvcvs.

[croxis]

Well, for one thing, the show was long over when all of this started. The crab is probably from the whow, but the word SIERRA was added later

[Rhett]

Hehehehe. Now I see it, except for the S, but thats ok. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Biggles]

Someone made it back in the Sierra days and posted it to the forum there.

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Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

"Nonono...Is not Great Machine. Is...Not-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

[Ricobirch]

Ok here is an idea, If there is an EA ship destroyed in the movie why don't you just name it the Sierra. To anybody else that is just a radom ship name that was picked, but to fans of the game it's a great little jab.

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"Ambassador we all know that the first casulty of war is the truth."
-John Sheridan

[samuelk]

I think JMS is the one who comes up with all of the ship names.

Besides, the script is already written, and I think shooting has already wrapped.

[This message has been edited by samuelk (edited 06-11-2001).]

[Sanfam]

I think he means background ships. For example, in A Call to Arms, there are DOZENS of ships (actually, more like hundreds), and that is where you could sneak in little messages. Perhaps, the EAS Sanfam or EAS Biggles? Maybe the a fighter ID of S14-111? http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/vsml.gif
Fun stuff...really http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif

[Ricobirch]

or the EAS Ardvark

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"Ambassador we all know that the first casulty of war is the truth."
-John Sheridan

[shadow boxer]

bluddy 'ell... how did I miss this thread... sod it...

well heres hoping atleast one bit of my art makes it in.... why didnt anyone point him to my Paint Shop... sheesh... though that would have been his first port o call...

I guess the time has past..... dammit..

if not then please contact me Slade and I'll give you whatever art I have that would suit.....