Members of the Rebel Squadrons --

With mixed feelings, I sit down to write my official goodbye as Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander. About a week ago, I announced in the State of the Rebel Squadrons address that I'd submitted my resignation as FC to High Command along with a nominee for a successor, and that my resignation would become effective when a new FC had been elected. The election process wrapped up last night and a new FC has been elected -- but I plan to keep you all in suspense until I've finished this all up. I do have several people to thank, but I promise I'll make it mercifully short in relation to some previous FC goodbyes.

First, I'd like to thank the membership of High Command that originally elected me back in January. Choosing to place their trust in me to lead the Rebel Squadrons was definitely one of the highest honors I've had bestowed on me, and though I don't feel I was able to do as much with the position as I had originally intended to, I'm very thankful for the experience.

I owe a large debt of thanks to the Internet Office staff, both past and present, for the tools we use to keep the domain running and that make this job so much easier -- Shik, Josh, Licah and Blastfire, and especially Snappleguy. Without their expertise and willingness to put literally hours of work in, we wouldn't have some of the great things many members and COs use on a daily basis.

I'd like to take some time to thank former Fleet Commanders who've given me valuable counsel and invaluable support while undertaking the toughest job in the RS -- Dave, for his insight and experience as well as historical perspective. I truly hope some day that you have the opportunity to write the history of the RS. I want a chapter entitled "Am Sconn". Doesn't need to be long, and it can honestly just be illustrations of naked women. I'm cool with that. Raven, the first of many thanks, but specifically for help and insight with bylaws and interpretations and attention to detail that I don't have. Rahj, certainly, for encouraging me and continuing to send me e-mails to keep my chin up and persevere during some of the tougher times I was in office. Finally, a big thanks to my former wingman, Gavin Kravis, for being a constant source of support; having my back (and my wing) just like we used to playing XvT no matter what, and taking the time to shoot me an e-mail to cheer me up and allowing me to vent frustrations and rant when I needed to.

I'd like to give a shoutout and thanks here to the members of the Allegience Battle Group. I love you guys, literally, even when I pop into #allegience drunk at 4 AM and nobody's around to talk to and I say that I hate you all and then begin insulting anyone who's idling in the channel. I don't mean it. Usually. Specifically though, my fellows on the command staff, Raven and Cyrel, for their time and dedication, as well as the fun we have ironing out rules and shaping the direction of the most damn active unit in the RS today. I also want to take the time to give much needed thanks to people I don't often express my awe, admiration and gratitude towards and for -- the GMs and simmers of the ABG. Rhuryc, Skrev, Sarriah, Nico, Markus, Lori, The Gizman, Davin, Fiona, Dismal, Domeno, Koah, Gumbo, and yes, even you, Anubis.      All of you enrich my simming experience in your own way, and make the unit, personally, the best experience I've had in the RS. One of the best things about my stepping down as RSFC, in my opinion, is that I'll have more time to continue to devote to the ABG and hanging out with all of you.

To my various "friends" in the RS, both past and present. Y'all have shaped my experience here and been the greatest source of enjoyment. I really hope I don't forget anyone as I try to go through, and I'm still trying to make this brief. Kyle, my first friend and still my role model here, on occasion. It's been a while since we talked every day, but...thanks. Los, hey. You were an important part of both my RS life and a close friend I could rely on all the time. Thanks. Randy, we've had and continue to have our differences; but we had fun back in the day, eh? Licah; y3qh! ...Entropy, I don't know if you'd consider me a friend, but I've always appreciated your time in the RgF command staff, your straight shooting attitude and your technical prowess. Thanks. Lamin; you've always been around when both I and this club have needed you and your particular esoteric skillset. I miss the crazy pie in the sky conversations we used to have about all sorts of things, RS and RL related. Keep your chin up, man. Gavin; I already thanked you "professionally", but personally, you're a rock and I really appreciate it as well as all the good times we used to have kicking ass in the WoW...before it meant World of Warcraft. Kirghy and HeavyD, both guys who have been around for a long time, but I've really gotten to know in the past year or so -- thanks. Sair; I'll never forget the night we crashed on Trystan's dorm room floor or bumming around the Greenville Mall. Or your yo-yo or hat. Kerensky, you boobie ninja-ing son of a bitch. Finish your tour and come back home to the Cities so we can get a beer or several and ogle women. Reagan -- if you ever need a couch again, you know where to find one. Cody -- thanks for...well, always pushing the outrageous envelope further than I do. No matter how wasted I get, how belligerent I act, you've always gone one step further. You're a wonderful storyteller, whether your sharing your nightly antics or writing in Zealot. Thanks. Markus; broheim, broseph, brah...any other number of lame joking words for brother. You've become one of my closest friends here and I value your advice, stories and particular worldview. Finally, Mike. You've literally been there for me in some of the toughest times in my life; and I hope I've been able to at least halfway repay the favor sometimes. I'm always excited to get a voicemail from you, especially when it includes the warning to turn off speaker phone before you launch into a horribly offensive and ultimately hilarious rant about one subject or another. We both know the favored topic, but for good taste, I won't repeat it here. You are literally the smartest person I've ever met; incredibly creative and frankly one of those genuinely good people that are so rare to meet. I literally wouldn't give up our friendship for anything: not all the weed in Humboldt County, CA, all the beer in Milwaukee or all the poontang in Hustler. And you know how I like my slutty looking women, booze and getting stoned.

Finally, to the membership of the RS -- thanks for putting up with me over the last 9 months. Thanks for being the reason any of us try to advance this club anywhere, and the reason any of the leaders do what we do. This club is only as much fun as y'all make it, and I for one, look forward to having another decade here, flying missions, running sims, writing stories and hanging out with fellow Star Wars fans who kinda get me.

Alright, y'all, I'm done. With no further goodbyes or thank yous, it is my great pleasure to vacate the office of Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander and turn it over to the successor I nominated, a former RSFC himself, ADM Castor Efrata-Landis. Welcome (back) to the Hot Seat, Castor, and as tradition states, may God have mercy on your soul!

Respectfully, and finally, yours --

Rear Admiral Sienn "Morningstar" Sconn,
Allegiance Battle Group Executive Officer
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander (Emeritus)