The history of the Imperial Star Navy dates back to the origins of the Romulan Star Command in October 2002, where the Navy became one its founding institutions, geared towards the creation of a first-rate Star Trek gaming division whereby high standards and exceptional ability were honed and moulded into a superior gaming force. Historically, the Imperial Star Navy encompasses the Star Trek games that the Romulan Star Command has endorsed in supporting; most noticeable and widely known are the Navy's achievements in Starfleet Command III.
Starfleet Command III - October 2002 to March 2005
In October 2002, the Imperial Star Navy as an institution was created as the first functioning gaming division of the Romulan Star Command in anticipation of the release of Starfleet Command III in the subsequent November. Disadvantaged with no prior experience of that series of games, and wielding a diminutive - but eager - membership base; policy of the time required for the leadership of the Romulan Star Command to set an example of things to come.
In the initial weeks of play, Praetor LordUppity and Senator LordSpheric led - through pure determination and with a sense of providence - a manifestation of ability and innovation culminating into the highest standards of play that would ever be seen throughout the game. Both of them managed to obtained the #1 and #2 player positions simultaneously on the GZLeagues ladder system, and helped to push the Romulan Star Command towards securing the top fleet position.
In February 2003, alliance obligations plummeted the Imperial Star Navy into an inter-fleet war against four opponents: StarFleet (SF), StarFleet Command (SFC), Federation Command (FC) and HaVoK (HVK). Whilst these fleets attempted to mount a combined resistance to Romulan offences, their efforts were insufficient, and the Imperial Star Navy decimated their belligerent forces through excellent, original play; subsequently mounting-up a winning percentage in excess of 80% of all battles played.
Post-war, the Romulan Star Command entered a period of political isolation that was to last for months; instead devoting resources to developing the playerbase and achieving success in competitive environments. During this period, the Imperial Star Navy not only welcomed many fine members into its ranks, but also dominated Gamespy-hosted events with (in order of accomplishment, and month/year of victory), Centurion Dragon (April 2003), Centurion Phoenix (August 2003), Centurion GuiesLucus (October 2003), Senator LordSpheric (July/October 2003), Praetor LordUppity (December 2003) and erei'Arrain Cryptic (May 2004) all dominating their Gamespy Events. Aside from our seven event winners, the Imperial Star Navy lays claim to 14 finalists, and 24 semi-finalists. This success places the Romulan Star Command as the most competitively successful Starfleet Command III fleet of all time.
By October 2003, the Romulan Star Command had endured political isolation lasting almost six months. Forging closer relations with the Royal Federation Alliance (RFA) and Red Squadrons (RS), the Romulan Star Command entered into a second inter-fleet war against four individual fleets, StarFleet (SF), Federation Command (FC), Elite Guard (EG) and Warriors Guild (WG), in the defense of new allies. Despite the sudden disappearance of the leader of Red Squadrons - who had until that point effectively commanded war operations - the Romulan Star Command was quick to adapt and assume overall responsibility of the war effort; due to this, the Imperial Star Navy was granted command over a significant portion of their allies’ military resources and consequently led their allies and themselves to a resounding military victory, with references to a winning percentage of over 84% of all battles participated in.
A smear campaign targeted against the Romulan Star Command by a STGD (now STG) Administrator sparked the beginning of a community-wide conflict in July 2004. It has always been a forethought of the Romulan Star Command that gaming portals or directories should conduct themselves professionally and without interfering in the politics or actions of the fleets in the community that they profess to serve. Such political interference detracts from what should otherwise be a neutral and unbiased perspective. The Administrator in question utilised the sphere of influence of the gaming portal to wage a calculate campaign against the Romulan Star Command, spreading obscene and offensive imagery across forums as a base of propaganda. With delusions of authority in the community and using the portal as a base of operations, the Administrator waged a gaming and political war against the Romulan Star Command. Unfortunately, the portal in question neglected to defuse the situation by allowing the individual to remain part of their administrative team; and in doing so lost reputation and face.
In preservation of integrity - and bullheaded obstinacy - the Imperial Star Navy made a controversial decision not to call upon allies; a statement was made and the Navy would be prepared to fight alone against any number of enemy fleets. Support for the Romulan Star Command grew to an all-time high and although a few other groups declared hostilities towards our enemies, the Imperial Star Navy retained scores individual to the Romulan Star Command only. Falling significantly short of the three month war duration projected by the enemy 'Coalition' of the Botaknights, Guardians of Qo'nos (GQ), Fleet of Honor (FoH) and Section 31 (S31); the Romulan Star Command single-handedly routed the 'Coalition' of four experienced Starfleet Command III fleets by maintaining a majority of victories of all games played - all within a meagre nine days. With resolute victory, followed a myriad of apologies and numerous attempts of reconciliation.
The Romulan Star Command does not forgive nor forget any attempts to tarnish its integrity.
The Imperial Star Navy undoubtedly represented an unmatched rare constant in the dynamic and often unpredictable politics of the Star Trek Community. Fielding a dedicated membership base devoted to loyalty, strength, discipline and excellence - guided by veteran leadership - the Romulan Star Command continuously evolved into becoming the most clean, adaptable, efficient, streamlined, and most fearsome fleet the community had seen for many years. With the fleet being the most internally stable, and militarily superior Romulan fleet in the Star Trek Gaming Community, capable of conducting simultaneous wars against multiple fleets, as well as being capable of achieving an impressive series of competitive league and tournament results; the Romulan Star Command sought to prove itself in other genres of games. Subjected to a dwindling state of competition in the Starfleet Command III community, the Imperial Star Navy opted to withdraw from the community in March 2005, vowing to one day return.
Star Trek: Online - The Future
The latest conditions in the community have allowed the Imperial Star Navy the opportunity to reclaim glory once more. Development of Star Trek: Online, the first suitable title for many years, has been pushed forward as of mid-2008 under Cryptic Studios. Building upon extensive experience and league results in other games, the Romulan Star Command has been planning the re-introduction of the Imperial Star Navy into the community for many months. Fielding many established successful players, alongside a coterie of new faces, the Imperial Star Navy will once again take its place as a unique force in the community. Continually devoted to high-quality gaming, excellence and success, the Romulan Star Command will not just merely play Star Trek Online, but will become an integral part of it.
" Even the tallest of towers, began with the first stone... "