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Mission Report: Crew Training (Riddle Room) 7/8/19

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Canberra- Australian Capital Territory 7/9/19

For one evening, the USS Animus suspended our usual Intelligence Gathering duties to conduct a training exercise for some of our newest crewmembers. Captain Ross Manuel (CO), Commander Jasmin Manuel (XO/CMO) and Lieutenant Commander Peter Hough (2IC/COO) took five of our newest members Midshipmen Banks, Dobbs, Weatherby-Fell, Zomer and newly minted Ensign Slaney to a survival exercise organised by the Riddle Room, a Puzzle- Escape Room establishment on the northern side of Canberra.

The Riddle Room is the highest rated puzzle establishment in Australia, and when we arrived, it was of no surprise why. After being signed in, we were facilitated by Nikki, our host into the briefing room who also oversaw the training exercise.

We participated in the Hotel exercise, where the crew were locked in an ‘abandoned and haunted hotel’ and had to work together to escape. Considering that this was the first time most of the crew had met each other face to face, after joining following GammaCon (See Mission Report), the crew meshed remarkably well, easily complimenting each other’s abilities and skills to overcome each of the ten challenges, ranging from repetitive patterns, team exercises, sequential acts and memory exercises.

For a group of people that had not been exposed to this kind of training mission, the crew handled the ever changing scenario with calm and confidence you’d expect to see from seasoned veterans. There was no argument, only collaboration, and despite the challenges, the crew acted in accordance to the values of Starfleet, (with only one dissenting opinion on the last objective).

After completing the final objective (admittedly with a few assists from our host) we overcame the challenges and rescued the trapped non-corporeal life form within sixty-five minutes (the average for this scenario) and exited the simulation centre.

Following the event, the crew retired to a local restaurant, the “Spit Shack” to partake in a delicious traditional Croatian meal and a chance to further strengthen the bonds forged within training.

a happy crew following a successful mission

Looking back on this event, I can only see the newest additions to the Animus will continue to excel, and not even the horizon will stop their development.

Onwards to further adventures.

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Mission Report: GammaCon 4-5/8/19

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Canberra- Australian Capital Territory 3-4/8/19

On a chilly August weekend, four of the five officers of the USS Animus: Captain Ross Manuel (CO), Commander Jasmin Manuel (XO/CMO) (and her growing symbiont), Lieutenant Commander Peter Hough (2IC/COO) and Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Sullivan-Banks (CE) attended, arguably the largest event within their area of responsibility; GammaCon at the Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPiC) which celebrated its seventh year of operation.

Located between Sydney and Melbourne resides Canberra, Australia’s ‘bush capital’, is a sprawling planned city first inaugurated in 1913 as a truce between the two largest cities in Australia who couldn’t agree to which city could be Australia’s Capital, despite Federating as a Commonwealth some thirteen years earlier. Canberra hosts all Federal agencies, as well as the Australian War Memorial, National Museum of Australia, National Film and Sound Archive, Museum of Australian Democracy (located within the old halls of government), the National Library, Questacon (the National Science and Technology Centre) and the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (which was responsible for receiving the Apollo 11 broadcasts).

GammaCon was located within the three building precinct of the Conference Centre, while the CO and XO had attended the event in the past, this would be the first time that we had a physical presence. Set up next to the 501st Legion’s Southern Cross Garrison (Black Tower Squad) and a selection of Daleks, we unveiled our updated backdrop wall (now with Perspex LCARS screens) and our prototype command chair.

Officers of the USS Animus and USS Tydirium

On Saturday, the Animus was joined by the CO and 2IC of our sister-ship the Sydney-based USS Tydirium, Vice Admiral Greg Mortenson and Captain Prue Hill, as well as the 2IC of the Shuttle Firehawk Lieutenant JG Matthew Billingsby. Suffice to say, we were thankful for the extra hands as we were off our feet the entire day with Trek fans of all ages stopping by to get their photo taken in the chair, including a number of people who had been following us on social media for several months.

With little opportunities to leave the booth due to the influx of inquiries, Captain Manuel sent out the crew in two person survey teams to check out the event and secure proper provisions. Considering the size of the venue, there was plenty of space for vendors, and unlike some of the larger events in Sydney or Melbourne, GammaCon was primarily occupied by smaller independent artists and creators instead of large corporations.

On Sunday, with the Tydirium crew recalled back to their own sector, it was a much more calm day, which considering the hectic nature of the day before, allowed for a much needed break in the routine, but also allowed for much more in-depth activities, with the XO and 2IC engaging in a D&D campaign for the latter half of the day while the CO and PO Banks manned the table. It should be noted that through the entire weekend, that Petty Officer Banks worked his tail off promoting both the Animus and Tydirium to visitors with such enthusiasm that he was often the first person to interact with anyone coming to the table before moving to assist with the command chair, or to even take photos. This act alone endeared this young junior officer to both the senior officers of both the Animus and Tydirum.

With our attendance at the event next year already secured, it only leaves the question of, what happens next?

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Mission Report: RTX Sydney 3-4/2/18

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Sydney, New South Wales 3-4/2/2018

Content Warning: This Mission Report was written before the news of the termination of the Mad King from Achievement Hunter following inappropriate activities. This report has been altered to reflect recent news.

Early in 2018, the members of the Shuttle Animus travelled up to Sydney to the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre to attend the third ever RoosterTeeth Expo: Sydney (RTX:Sydney), and on the way, we picked up the Shuttle Commander of the Shuttle Damascus who joined in on our shenanigans.

RTX is a series of annual gaming and Internet conventions created by Internet entertainment company RoosterTeeth which briefly held this event in Sydney along with their home convention in Austin Texas. Like the previous two attendances, we attended both days but decided to delve into the realm of mash-up group cosplay.

On Saturday, we doffed the arms and armour of WesterAHous, a Game of Thrones/Achievement Hunter Mashup based on the companies Minecraft Let’s Plays.

L to R PO1 Johnston and War Queen Mogar, Lieutenant Commander Manuel as the Mad King of Achievement City, PO1 Hough as Jack of the North, Lieutenant Barre as Gavvy of the Wildlands
Lt JG Manuel as Meg Turney cosplaying the Mad King (meta)

This event was special for the Shuttle Commander, as it was the first event since he and the CMO wed the previous November.
Owing to the fact that our mashup was self-made, it wasn’t particularly understood, but there were enough similarities to get some recognition from the fellow con goers.

On Sunday, was the day that we booked our autograph and photo sessions so we decided to reprise a much more recognizable group of costumes with reprising Achievement Hunters Fake AH Crew from the Grand Theft Auto series of games.

L to R: Lt Commander Manuel as the Mad One, LtJG Manuel as Jack, PO1 Hough as Ray, LtJG Barre as Gavin, PO1 Johnston as Michael

While we had planned on returning in 2019 with a new slate of RoosterTeeth related cosplays, we discovered that there would not be another RTX: Sydney as the convention was replaced with a one-off travelling Lets Play Live.

  • The Mad King of Achievement City
  • Meg Turney’s Mad Queen
  • War Queen Mogar
  • Jack of the Nights Watch

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Ship Announcement: A Commanding Wedding

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Today, the officers and crew of the Shuttle Animus celebrate the wedding of our CO, Lieutenant Commander Ross Manuel, and XO, Lieutenant Jasmin Jesenkovic.

The ceremony was live-streamed for over 300 people, and just over a hundred were in attendance. The crew of the Animus where in attendance as well as several officers of our mothership the USS Tyridium.

We wish the our command team all the best in the future.

Live long and prosper.

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The Ready Room: Happy First Contact Day 2017

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Lieutenant Jacinta Tryne (XO), Lieutenant Commander Dalton Jaeger (CO), Crewman Emmbri (Operations)

Happy First Contact Day.

On behalf of the Crew of the Shuttle Animus, we hope you have an amazing day and that you take time to reflect on the future made possible 46 years from now.

Hopefully, we can make a world better than the one we have, and we can have that future without having to go through a nuclear war.

Live Long and Prosper
Lieutenant Commander Ross Manuel
Shuttle Animus Commander

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Mission Report: Goulburn Comic-Con 18-19/3/17

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Goulburn – New South Wales 18-19/3/17

On an overcast March weekend, Lieutenant Commander Ross Manuel and Lieutenant Jasmin Jesenkovic attended the first-ever event of the newly christened Shuttle Animus, Goulburn Comic-Con for its second year of operation, and first at the Goulburn Veolia Arena.

Goulburn is a regional city in the Southern Tablelands of the Australian state of New South Wales, approximately 195 kilometres (121 mi) south-west of Sydney, and 90 kilometres (56 mi) north-east of Canberra. It was proclaimed as Australia’s first inland city through letters patent by Queen Victoria in 1863. Goulburn had a population of 23,835 in June 2018. Goulburn is the seat of Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

Goulburn Comic-Con was located within the primary Recreation Area of the Goulburn Showgrounds, with displays and stalls on the grounds outside. while the CO had attended the inaugural Goulburn Comic-Con this would be the first time that we would be attending as the Shuttle Animus. We set up near the 501st Legion’s Southern Cross Garrison (Black Tower Squad) and the Southern Highlands Robot Builders Club we brought out a similar display we had to the one displayed at Oz Comic-Con in Sydney

Officers of the Shuttle Animus and USS Tydirium

Over the weekend, the Animus was joined by the CO and 2IC of our mothership the Sydney-based USS Tydirium, Rear Admiral Greg Mortenson and Captain Prue Hill. Suffice to say, we were thankful for the extra hands as we were off our feet the entire day with Trek fans of all ages stopping by to get their photo taken in the chair.

The highlight of the weekend was the Great Debate, where the Shuttle Animus and USS Tydirium took on the 501st Legion in which both groups debated under the watchful moderation of Rae Johnston which franchise was the better, though we gave the better arguments, Star Wars won the popular vote and won the day. (Even if the moderator thought we had the better arguments. See so yourself

See we totally should have won. Even in defeat, we enjoyed the experience, and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Which is the reason why this event is in our calendar every year as long as they are willing to have us.

Lieutenant Jasmin Jesenkovic with Rae Johnston

Mission Report: Oz Comic-Con 10-11/9/16

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Sydney- New South Wales 10-11/9/16

On a warm September weekend, the officers of the Shuttle Animus: Lieutenant Commander Ross Manuel (CO), Lieutenant Jasmin Jesenkovic (XO/CMO) and Crewman Emma Johnston travelled north to the centre of the patrol area of our mothership the USS Tydirium and attended arguably the largest event within their area of responsibility; Oz Comic-Con at the Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island.

Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia’s east coast, the metropolis surrounds Port Jackson and extends about 70 km (43.5 mi) on its periphery towards the Blue Mountains to the west, Hawkesbury to the north, the Royal National Park to the south and Macarthur to the south-west. Sydney is made up of 658 suburbs, 40 local government areas and 15 contiguous regions. Residents of the city are known as “Sydneysiders”. As of June 2019, Sydney’s estimated metropolitan population was 5,312,163 and is home to approximately 65% of the state’s population.

GammaCon was located within the three building precinct of the Conference Centre, while the CO and XO had attended the event in the past, this would be the first time that we had a physical presence. Set up next to the 501st Legion’s Southern Cross Garrison (Black Tower Squad) and a selection of Daleks, we unveiled our updated backdrop wall (now with Perspex LCARS screens) and our prototype command chair.

Officers of the Shuttle Animus

On Saturday, the Animus crew supported our mother ship at their table, with both Lieutenant Jesenkovic and Crewman Johnston being quite a draw at the Captain’s Chair, and were off their feet the entire day with Trek fans of all ages stopping by to get their photo taken in the chair, including a number of people who had been following us on social media for several months.

Owing to the fact that the actual Sydney Exhibition Centre was under construction, the Glebe Island complex was prefabricated and such had the feeling of a much smaller event, even though it was one of the largest conventions in Australia.

On the Sunday we donned disguises and walked the convention floor as DC Bombshell’s Characters, with Emma as Wonder Woman, Jasmin as Super Girl and our CO as a Green Arrow of his own creation.

This was the first event where the Animus Pattern Unique Ship Device was premiered on the uniforms of both Jasmin and Emma, with the one worn by our CO originating from Goulburn Comic Con last year.

As always a staple in the Ty’s calendar, the Animus will most definitely attend this event again