_Bac Shadow, 32 ABY

A week has passed since Ruluk announced his arrival back to the Battleteam. He has been away for long enough already, and it is time for Ruluk to get back to shape. Driftan has been expecting him for the whole week, but he has not arrived yet. Maybe something's wrong, perhaps he had to go on a more important mission and he is not coming yet. These are Driftan's thoughts.

The fear has gone; a shuttle has been reported to be getting close to the signature ship. Ruluk is inside; Driftan can sense it.

Once the Shuttle lands, Ruluk looks at his old friend and speaks. "It's nice to see you again, commander. I'm more than ready to have my next mission with you."

"I'm glad to have you back with us, Ruluk," Driftan says. "But I am not going to go with you in whatever your next mission becomes."

"Why would you say so?"

"I am not your commander anymore, hunter. I am now Aedile of your house, at your service." Driftan nods politely, as if introducing himself for the first time.

"I... am happy for you, but... Now, who is running business within the Shadow Gate?"

"You are."

Ruluk, at first, takes the words as a simple joke, but noticing the seriousness in Driftan's face, he finds out that it is far from a joke. "Ruluk," Driftan continues, "I'm giving you control now. Don't fail me." He nods again and leaves Ruluk alone in the hangar._

---

Welcome to my very first report for my beloved Battleteam: Shadow Gate!

First of all, I can formally introduce myself. I am Ruluk Okoth, currently a Jedi hunter, and now the proud leader of this team. You might already know that I was AWOL for about two-three months, and just like a week ago I returned. Things like these happen when you have a real life, for sure. What makes it different is how you manage to face it. I still have lots of things to deal right now in RL. And yet, you see me here.

What do I do to stay here? Nothing weird. I still go out, I still do my work. The point is, you should spend bits of your free time in what you enjoy. And I enjoy this.

How, then, can you enjoy this? Precisely, that's what I'm here for. You tell me what you like to do; I can do my best to make it happen. This community is big enough to find all types of people and all types of activities that you would like to do. Even Star Wars seems something small compared to all the things that you get to do here.

So, want my advice? Do what you love to do. Unless you don't like anything at all in here, I'm sure there is something you can do. Most of the competitions are for a week at least, so you got a full week to make, slowly, your idea. Make it 15 minutes a day, and in 4 days you may have your fiction done. And in 6 days you have an interesting graphic to share. And you did it by spending 15 minutes, of the whole day, on this. Difficult? No. That simple.

Now, you may argue that there is no interesting competition around. Then tell me about it. Tell me what you like, tell me what are your hobbies or interests, and I can plan something for you that will also be enjoyable for everyone. Otherwise, just make what you want to make! Show it to us, outside of any competition, and surely you will get points for doing things here.

Now, you may argue that you just don't advance. Have you ever wondered why? Why not, for a change, try to help your summit in anything they may need? Graphics? Fiction? Maybe they just want you to participate in the current competitions. Then do so! You have nothing to lose, and many things to gain. Make yourself noticeable here. You can do it. I'm not only sure, I know you can do it; I feel that you are more than capable of doing it.

Speaking about competitions...

---

Right now, fellow members, there are three things that you must not miss. First and foremost, there's our Run-on. We, as a team, are to show that we can do much, much more than our rival Battleteams. Can we do it? Only if you help me. I can't lead myself alone. You must be the ones to show your skills here. I will only give you a path to follow and some advices to stay in it. You want to participate, but you have doubts? You should know, I can answer them. If not, the summit can answer them. There is always an available answer from someone willing to give it to you. I would love to make you participate in this one, not for my own needs, but to show you that these type of things do have a reward, not to mention that you will enjoy it and you will be noticed for your efforts. Efforts, I said. You don't need the first place to get noticed, I know. The first one to notice (but not the only one) will be me.

And remember, these things give you promotions.

Second, Cethgus, who was in my place temporarily, left a competition for you to participate in. Probably, this will be the easiest medals you will get, as participation may be low as of now. I know I will participate in it, and I'm not the best writer ever, so you can overcome me on this one easily. It's up to you. Do you want to get easy but rightful medals when you have the chance? Believe it or not, this won't show for every competition.

Third, I am releasing a competition too. This competition is for the whole house. I want you to win, but I am a very objective man. How can you win, then? Show me the best of you! What can be more satisfying than making your own leader proud?

---

Medals? Promotions? I have nothing, but I know that it is only because I just arrived. I already know that this isn't like that. I'm sure I will have my mail flooded of approved medals and promotions by next week. I'm very excited about this part!

---

Let me help you the way you help me. It works that way. If you participate and are active, you help me show that I have a good team in my hands, and I reward you for it. If you participate, and you get last place... You still did something! Do you know how many people just stay back and do nothing, but watch? Do you know that just by participating constantly you are doing 500% more than most of our members?

The final advantage of participating in everything is that you get better with practice. You failed the last two times, but the second one was better than the first one. Then the third one was one of the best. Then the fourth one was the best itself. That's just how life works, both here and outside.

If we work, together, as one, as a team, we can go really far, and get noticed by it. Only we can do it. I want you to go, do your best, and come back saying that you won ten medals. Because you can, I'm betting my life on it.

So, Shadow Gate, Are You With Me??

JH Ruluk Okoth (Sith)/Qel-Droma of Arcona The Proud Battleteam Leader of Shadow Gate ID 7606