Holding The Line, Chapter 182

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part eleven of the Into The Inferno series, written by yours truly. (And if you're getting a little tired of stories written by me, this is the last one for a few months, I promise. *G*) At the end of the last chapter, all the loose ends were being tied up before the big battle. Now, the fireworks begin. Please send any all comments back to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch182.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 181

This week's chapter of HTL comes with a special message just for our Australian/New Zealandian readers. Here's Raptor with his chapter introduction and that message.

Hey all, Raptor here

HTL continues with part ten of the "Into The Inferno" series, written by yours truly. As you saw last time, the strike force from the Confed and Border Worlds carriers was racing for the jump point, but the incoming scouts beat them to it. All was not quite how it seemed, however. This story picks up from there. Please send any and all comments to yours truly.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch181.htm

On a much more serious note, Sunday April 25th is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand, when Kiwis and Aussies remember and pay tribute to all the brave soldiers who fought for the freedoms we take for granted. For all the Antipodean Wingnuts out there, be sure to attend one of the dawn services or parades if you can, and give generously to support our veterans. Buy a red Flanders poppy and wear it with pride.

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line, Chapter 180

Hey all, Raptor here

HTL continues with Part Nine of the "Into The Inferno" series, titled Flashpoint, and written by yours truly. As you saw in Part Eight, Battlegroup Valkyrie and its allies had just received word of a *third* enemy force headed towards the Combined Fleet, and the carriers had scrambled a hastily assembled strike group to throw at the much larger enemy force. This story picks up from there. Please send any and all comments to yours truly.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch180.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 179

Since we were late posting the previous one, you get to read two Holding The Line chapters this week.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part 8 of my "Into The Inferno" series, Extreme Measures. As you saw at the end of part 7, and of "False Hopes And Nightmares", the Combined Fleet's situation had gone from bad to worse, leaving them looking at battlegroups coming in from three different jump points. This story picks up from there, and is written by yours truly.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch179.htm

Holding The Line Chapter 178

Whew, apologies for the delay in posting the latest HTL chapter. It got lost in our news file, which is the biggest it has been for some time. Good times. But without further ado, allow me to introduce.. Raptor!

Hey All, Raptor Here

HTL continues with "False Hopes And Nightmares", written by Joe "Wraith" Guida. This chapter traces events from the Combined Fleet's arrival insystem to the present, as seen through the eyes of the Yorktown crew. Please send any and all comments to Joe at captpowell1@earthlink.net, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch178.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 177

If HTL was to be printed as a regular novel, how many pages would it be? Maybe one day someone will figure that out, but for now here's Raptor with the latest chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part seven of my Into The Inferno series, with the rather self descriptive title "Scramble!". As you saw last time, the characters' musings on their situation had been interrupted by a scramble alert. This chapter picks from there. Please send any and all comments back to yours truly.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch177.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 176

If you're all alone this Valentine's Day, and even if you aren't, don't worry. Raptor still loves you. To prove it, here he is with another HTL chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here

HTL continues with another chapter in my "Into The Inferno" series, which follows Battlegroup Valkyrie and its allies through the big Finale battles. This chapter changes direction quite radically from the last one, which focused on strategy and politics, the big picture. This one looks more at some of the pilots' feelings about the situation, and their reasons for doing what they do. Please send any and all comments back to yours truly.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch176.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 175

This week we wish HTL a happy birthday as the project celebrates its fifth birthday. Wow, time sure flies. Now here's Raptor with the latest chapter:

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with "Finest Hour", the fifth story in a series about the big Finale battle which is written by yours truly. As you saw in previous stories, what had been expected to be a mopping up operation had suddenly turned pear shaped. The Combined Fleet had been forced to scramble its fighters as news filtered through of a powerful new enemy force bearing down on it, and its commanders had been left searching for some way out of the situation. This story picks up from there. Your comments and feedback are much appreciated.

On another note, HTL celebrated its fifth birthday this week, having started publishing stories on 28th January 1999. In that time, HTL has gone from being an underdog storyline comprised of mostly unknown writers to being the Aces Club's main story effort. It is now close to 90 percent complete, and currently publishing its final battle arc.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch175.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 174

It has been a couple of weeks since the previous HTL chapter, but don't worry! The project is still going strong. Here's Raptor to tell you all about the latest installment:

Hey all, Raptor here.
HTL continues with the second chapter of EOTS II Part 1, covering the saga of Battlegroup Auriga in the lead up to the final battle. This story follows own from the last two published chapters (the first chapter of EOTS II Part 1, and Keeping Hope Alive) and is jointly written by the Auriga team. Please send any and all comments to them, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch174.htm

Holding The Line Chapter 173

The holidays are over now for the HTL team, and Raptor has sent in the latest chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here

HTL continues with a great little story called "Keeping Hope Alive", written by Jeremy "Echo" Johnson. This is another Battlegroup Auriga story, and is set between the two chapters of EOTS II Part 1, following some of the pilots who arrived with the Hades in our last story. Please send any and all comments to Jeremy at dopplerd240@charter.net, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch173.htm

On a personal note, as we put one year behind us and look forward to 2004, I would like to thank everyone who has helped keep HTL going through this, our fifth (!!!) year of publishing stories. Special mention goes to the writers for all their hard work and dedication, and for putting with a coordinator who can be pretty damn demanding at times. Thanks also to the many readers who have sent in comments on the storyline. Last but certainly not least, many thanks to the CIC for allowing us to bring our stories to an audience outside the Aces.

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 172

What's more exciting than the capture of Saddam? Why, the next HTL chapter, of course! Here's Raptor:

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with Part 1 of End Of The Spiral II, follows the crew of Battlegroup Auriga, formerly based around the late TCS Valley Forge. Part 1 of EOTS II is itself two chapters long, of which this is the first chapter. (Got all that?) It's also a fairly long arcing story, stretching from the final parts of the retreat in Loki to the present stage of the battle. This story is jointly written by all the Auriga team. Please send any and all comments to them via the addresses in the header, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch172.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 171

Apologies for the late update, it has been a busy day here. Still, Raptor will make things better with a Holding The Line chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with the second half of Scraps Of Honour 13, "Red Sky At Morning". As you saw last time, the Scrappers got the news that the reserve units would be fighting a full on fleet action in the coming battle, and were assigned training with the Reapers to sharpen their skills. This story picks up from there, and is written by Nick "Chaeronea" Deane. Please send any and all comments to him at babylons@tpg.com.au, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch171.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 170

It has been a couple of weeks since the last chapter, but fear not! Raptor is back with the latest instalment of Holding The Line.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part one of Scraps Of Honour 13, "Red Sky At Morning". As our regular readers know, the SOH series follows the Border Worlds reserves and pilots who were sent to Nifelheim to back up the Combined Fleet, and who now find themselves in a far bigger battle than anyone had bargained for. This story is written by Nick "Chaeronea" Deane. Please send any and all comments back to him at babylons@tpg.com.au, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/...

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line: Chapter 169

We begin the month with the latest HTL chapter from Raptor. I'll let him do the introduction.

Hey all, Raptor here.

To be honest, I had been hoping to do an HTL Halloween special this year just like we did in 2002, but the schedule for writing the big Finale precluded that. It's probably just as well though, given that the Finale will have enough bloodshed and killing to satisfy the most ghoulish. HTL continues with the fourth part of the "Inferno" series, which is written by yours truly. Your comments and feedback are most appreciated.

The story is at: .../~theraj/archives/ch169.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 168

It's that time of the week again for Raptor. Time for another HTL chapter that is. As usual, I'll let him tell you about it.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with the third part of my "Into The Inferno" series. As you've seen earlier in the series, what had been expected to be an easy final campaign for the human fleet had suddenly turned to custard. After all the doom and gloom of the two stories, this one is a little more light hearted. Your comments and feedback are most welcome.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch168.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 167

It's another crazy busy Sunday for us here at the CIC. With the staff trying to get real life stuff out of the way, we'll be doing some fun things like putting together our Dragon*Con 2003 gallery soon. Meanwhile Raptor saves the day with another HTL chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with the second part of my "Into The Inferno" finale series, picking up a few hours after part one ended. As you might recall, a flight of Confederation recon Excaliburs stumbled across a Nephilim force set to stab the Combined Fleet in the back, turning what had been expected to be a mopping up operation for the humans into a potential mopping up for the Nephilim. Your comments and feedback are most welcome.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch167.htm

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 166

It has been an unusually busy Sunday for the CIC staff so far today. Fortunately Raptor is never too busy to send us a HTL chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part one of "Into The Inferno", a series about the final battle in Nifelheim written by yours truly. This chapter "Something Wicked This way Comes", picks up where my Tiger Hunt series finished with the main fleet's arrival in the system and the plans for the climactic battle, and parallels our more recent chapters. Your comments are most welcome.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch166.htm

Also, for those of you who can't wait till the stories are published on the mailing list or the CIC, we're undertaking another big update of the HTL Archives. Watch this space.

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 165

You want to read the next HTL chapter? I'm telling you, you do! Here's Raptor:

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with part two of "Welcome To Hell", written by James Andrew "JAG" Greenhow. This chapter again follows the Confed pilots who have been waiting and preparing for the final climactic battle against the Nephilim, and picks up shortly after the last story. As you saw last time, both the frontline pilots and their commanders had more problems than just the Nephilim to worry about. Please send any and all comments to JAG at Rambo.123uk@btinternet.com, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch165.htm

In other news, the main HTL archives (kindly hosted by the good folk here at the CIC) have had a major update. The first half dozen Finale chapters are now online, including a couple that have yet to be published on the club mailing list. You can check the site out at:

http://htl.solsector.net/

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 164

We wouldn't dream of leaving for Dragon*Con before giving you your Holding The Line fix. We're getting ready to leave right now, so this is about it for today unless a breaking news story occurs. We plan to update continually from Atlanta throughout the week, so stay tuned. Here's Raptor to tell you about the latest chapter.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with the start of a new series called "Welcome To Hell". (Which incidentally, is what I tell new writers. *G*) This chapter follows the Confed reserve pilots and crews you met previously in "The Road To Hell" and "Toeing The Line" series, as they come face to face with the Nephilim. The first chapter, "Ship Of The Line" is set roughly parallel to our last story "Old Friends And New...", and is written by James Andrew "JAG" Greenhow. Please send any and all comments to him at Rambo.123uk@btinternet.com, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/...

Best, Raptor

Holding The Line Chapter 163

Since the CIC staff are all working really hard on birthday/party things, we figured that we'd give you the latest HTL chapter a little earlier than usual. So here's Raptor.

Hey all, Raptor here.

HTL continues with a great new story called "Old Friends And New", which follows the TCS Yorktown, flagship of the Third Fleet, and her battlegroup. You saw at the end of our last arc how the Border Worlders reacted the Combined Fleet's arrival in Nifelhiem and the possibility of an end to the long battle. This story written by Joe "Wraith" Guida looks at the Confed point of view. Please send any and all comments to Joe at captpowell1@earthlink.net, not to me.

The story is at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~theraj/archives/ch163.htm

As this will be the last HTL chapter published before the CIC's big birthday bash, I would like to take this chance to congratulate and thank the CIC staff for all they've achieved over the past five years. I've been part of the online Wing Commander scene since the days of the old Origin Wing Commander chatboard (RIP), and it's hard to think of any other site or group who've given so much to the Wing Commander community online. In addition to providing us with up to the minute WC news and all the WC info we could want, the CIC has always provided a great place for Wing Commander fans to get together and talk about their common passion, and been a boon to anyone involved in WC fan projects. Personally, I doubt HTL would have gotten as far as it has without being able to showcase our stories at Solsector or being able to bring our stories to an audience outside the Aces Club. Here's looking forward to the *next* five years of success for the CIC.