Invictus Launch Week

Invictus Launch Week is a ceremony organized by the United Empire of Earth Navy (UEEN) which marks the beginning of the new recruitment year.

It is also commonly known as Fleet Week or Invictus. It is celebrated in the period between Emancipation Day and Armistice Day. The event is meant as a tool to promote participation in the Navy as well as show awareness for the history of naval events. The event is also used by ship and armament manufacturers  as an opportunity to display their contribution to the military fleet.

Closing and Introduction Ceremony
Invictus is a ceremony used to congratulate the latest graduating class of military personnel, but also as introduction ceremony for new recruits which are gathering to set off for training at the MacArthur base.

Fleet Week
During this time, UEEN vessels dock around the Empire. The public can visit the docked ships.

History
The Fleet Week has a long tradition. It goes back several centuries to the days when the UEE was known as the United Planets of Earth (UPE). Shortly after the First Tevarin War began in 2541, Humanity suddenly found itself in need of an organized military force at a size previously unneeded. To this point, aside from the hostage situation with the Xi’an in 2530, there had only been local security forces under the control of the central Human government.

With Humanity facing an imminent and overwhelming threat, a fleet needed to be raised and trained quickly. The Tribunal sent out an immediate call for recruits to create this army.

Transport ships on each of the settled planets would load up these volunteers and travel to a training facility on Mars known as Invictus.

On the morning of 2542-10-12, families and communities gathered at launch pads around the UPE territories to celebrate those that were going to defend against the alien invaders. As the conflict continued, more recruits would gather on that day to travel to Invictus to begin their training.

Over the centuries, as the Empire has expanded, space travel has become even more accessible and most recruits are able to self-report, the need for Invictus Launch Week’s has diminished. The spirit of it, however, is stronger than ever.

Invictus is a time to celebrate each other. To celebrate bravery, duty, and commitment to the goals that define Humanity at its finest.

Historical pillars
Below are some notable pillars in the history of the event.


 * After the Tevarin were first encountered in 2541 and the First Tevarin War had started, the first Invictus launches take place on October 12th of 2542, bringing new recruits to Invictus Base on Mars. In 2579, this base officially closes and in 2581, Imperator Ivar Messer officially formalizes Invictus as a government-recognized yearly event.
 * 2632: Invictus ceremonies reformatted to change the destination of their transports from Borea, Magnus to Macarthur, Kilian.
 * 2637: Terra abstains from participating in Invictus in protest of Imperator Livia Messer's increasingly pro-military agenda. Senator Assan Kieren speaks at the event.
 * 2681: Military officially ends providing naval transports from all Empire worlds. Recruits are now ordered to self-report to station inside of Kilian.
 * 2735: The Invictus ceremony on Angeli serves as the backdrop for the climactic finale of the classic specvid All Tomorrows Guardians.
 * 2743: Imperator Galor Messer makes attendance mandatory to Invictus events around the Empire. Anti-messer activists turn this against him by using Invictus ceremonies to meet safely.
 * 2794: After the fall of the Messers, the newly instated High Command removed any remaining loyalists from their ranks and needed a new influx of recruits. Invictus is moved to its current date in May to accommodate that need.
 * 2803: 999th Squadron begins to perform at select Invictus ceremonies.
 * 2862: Imperator Gayatari Deomana attends the Invictus ceremony on Earth.
 * 2875: Recorded aboard Archangel Station, Imperator Corbyn Salehi makes infamous one day speech outlining desire to hold Invictus celebration on Synthworld.
 * 2912: Another Invictus ceremony, this one on Terra, appears as the backdrop for a setpiece in Astromedics: From The Fire.

2950 event
In 2950, the event was held from May 22 till June 1 at Area18 on ArcCorp. Ship showcases and booths were located at the Bevic Convention Center, and additional event space was created at Baijini Point to accommodate larger UEEN vessels. A special demonstration was held by the 999th Test Squadron.

Event activities
During the event there were:


 * Free-Fly events with new ships available every other day
 * Show floors available to check out many ships
 * Recruitment booths to enlist yourself in the UEEN
 * Ship skins for sale on the Pledge Store
 * Merchandise booths to get exclusive clothing

Showcase schedule
Showcases were available at Bevic Convention Center, where they rotated different ship brands each several days. All of the ships on display on these days were also available to fly for free during a period of 24 hours.

Commemorative items
At the event, you were able to purchase manufacturer-specific clothing, as well as several Invictus branded items:


 * Invictus Flyby Shirt Olive Green
 * Invictus Flyby Shirt Dark Green
 * Invictus Hat Olive Green
 * Invictus Hat Dark Green
 * Invictus Flight Jacket

Diorama
This diorama was at display at the event.

"The Wreckless" A poem by former 999th Squadron pilot Lt. Ralph Kinoi

We push boundaries. To test the limits of what we can do. To say the impossible can not define us. To move us all beyond where we thought we could go. To be the first. The fastest. The best.

It is not easy. Luck is as important as skill. Failure as important as success. But we get better. And we learn. And we get back up and try again. And we carry on when others can’t.

We carry on so others can.

Controversy
The 2950 edition of the event did not feature Drake Interplanetary, as they weren't formally invited. As a result, the company put up their own show as a follow-up, also at Area18.

Gallery
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Promo video= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m03VBN_WJvE

Trivia

 * The Invictus Fleet Week seems to be inspired by the US Fleet Week