I don't command much, it's not really my thing- maybe a total of an hour or two. I'd rather be out killing and capping outposts than ordering others to do so. However, tonight, the Port Bavaria (forgive me if the spelling is wrong) round began. I spawned recon, joined a squad, and hopped in an APC. There was a locked squad I had been interested in joining, so I opened the menu to find we had no commander. Crap. I said it over chat, but there were no responses. So I figured "What the heck?" and applied. I got the job, of course, and podded out of the APC onto a nearby hill to begin work. I was promptly shot in the face by an observant sniper from East Docks. Not a nice way to be welcomed into my new position.

I spawned back in base, undeterred, and once again opened the command menu. I started by EMPing and Orbitaling a walker that was harassing Squad 2 (there were 3 squads to start with, it ended with 5). I proceeded give a few orders and drop some supplies to an SL who couldn't get his support soldier to get out the hub. The match continued. We left East docks alone, which must have caught the PAC off guard, as most of their team started there. We capped West docks, then the one to the south of that, then moved east. We had the PAC cornered into two areas, and it was all on my little command screen playing out like some weird movie for me to watch. Things fell apart a bit then- I had made the usual mistake I make when commanding: Pushing forward too much, General Patton style, and leaving the enemies who hid from us behind. Well, one was an SL, and he capped West docks back with his newly spawned squad. Squads 2 and 3 mobilized fairly quickly, but not in time. We left a few outposts undefended (like I said, that is my big commanding weakness- I like to move my team as one, splitting into as few parts as possible, and with tremendous force, thinking back on what was left alone later), and the PAC retook a one of our southern outposts.

We traded back and fourth practically every outpost on the map several times over. I'm not sure if they had a commander- I didn't hear any enemy orbitals laid down, but I can't be sure. If there was one, they commanded like me a bit. Either way, they divided their army into two parts- One was moving around the south most of the round, while the other pinned down a couple of my squads at Central and West docks for the majority of the time, preferring the bunker to the south of West Docks as their base.

So then, I hear a "clink" and found myself dead by knife. Oh well, I came back in and wasted the dude. But, just as my command screen was back up, APC mortars pounded my position, killing me. I was killed a few more times- The guy was either a genius at guessing spawn positions or a hacker. I did not confront him, I simply observed over VOIP that I was currently unable to command due to being pwnd by an APC. I spawned back in East Docks to avoid this. Then, Squad leader 2, I think from the |TG-21st|, took an interest in my plight and asked if the guy had destroyed assets, or if he was simply harassing me. I answered that it seemed odd, but no, he had destroyed no assets. I also noted his uncanny ability to know where I was. A few minutes later, the SL said he had notified an admin. Thank you!

Anyway, I got back to commanding and then realized, East Docks was being taken! I was in East Docks. I closed the command screen and pumped one of the guys full of SMG bullets (I spawned Eng. earlier in case of asset destruction), took some damage myself, then retreated up some stairs. The squad capped the outpost then seemed to forget me. I jumped off the stairs, and just before I landed, thought "Crap!... My health is too low for this fall" and died by failed HALO

I spawned in the south-eastern outpost (forgot the name) and commanded again. I looked at the scoreboard and realized how close the game was. It was like 51-54 (we were losing). Here is where my commanding was worst, and I apologize to any poor squad leaders or squads I may have confused with faulty orders. I looked at the map, saw squad 5 near East Docks, and accidentally ordered Squad 4 (at West docks) to attack it. Whoops. I said sorry over VOIP, then proceeded to do the opposite- I accidentally ordered Squad 5 to defend West Docks. Several botched commands later, and a missed orbital/EMP on a walker, and we were back up and running again. Then I got killed again, this time by a Baur.

I spawned back in, as I had stupidly left said outpost undefended other than me, and killed the perpetrator. Then I got killed by a speeder. I spawned again, and just as I was about to get killed, orbitaled the outpost. I don't know if it killed the guy, but it delayed them. I spawned at the south-west outpost (no name that I can come up with now) and EMPed the one I had just died in, sending a few orders to squads.

I looked again at the scoreboard. It was 15-14 our lead. I told my team over VOIP to keep up the good work (not wanting to panic anyone who hadn't glanced at the score lately). Then, the amazing happened: We took a 10-4 lead. We lost a ticket, the other team lost 2. It was 9-2. I was so transfixed by the scoreboard, I forgot my commanding duties. The opposing team's tickets locked at 2, and we continued to drop. 4-2. I closed the command screen and realized a PAC soldier had just run by my hiding place. Another ran by. I checked their back, but there was nothing. I popped out and emptied my SMG into one's back, killing him with the clip's last shot. The other turned, and just as he began to shoot his Ganz, I pulled out my Pilum and let a shot fly, no-scoped. It drilled him in the chest. 4-1, due to the instant ticket loss. I told my team that in about 5 seconds, we would win due to my kill on the first soldier, and sure enough, we did, 4-0.

That was not only the most fun I've ever had commanding, but some of the most fun I've had in this game period, not to mention the closest game I've ever been in. We were still talking the next round during the planning time over how close it had been. I couldn't believe I had led my team to a 4 ticket victory, and been the one to close the book on the PAC for the last two tickets. Good times, long live NS night. I need to command more often.

The next round, I started off in a |TG| lead squad (wish I had paid closer attention to the names, but I can't recall any) defending West Docks, but in anti Goliath reserve. I wasted a couple APCs, then helped bring down the Goliath itself (great shot whoever dealt the fatal blow). I killed a walker that broke though our flank, then rejoined the squad to again find the Goliath. I'd have played all night, but I got kicked for an SM. I really need to get me one of those, and except for lack of a credit card, debit card, bank account, or anything like that (not to mention money, probably), I think I would.

Just some closing thoughts-
Thanks to my team- Not many TGers amid them, but enough to make a difference.

Thanks to the 3 squads for putting up with me though the whole game, and the two the dealt with me for a little more than half. It must take some patience to listen to some random Brig. General who has barely commanded in his life give you orders and watch him miss walkers with EMP several times over. You guys did great, and did everything I asked of you and more, even when it didn't make much sense. I tried to all-call the things that needed to be and to talk to individual squads when necessary, but I don't think I did too good at it. A few times, my updates started one way, or with one squad, and ended up the other or with another squad.

Thanks especially to Squad leader 2, of the |TG-21st|: I think you put up with the most sh1t from me, and still came to my aid when I was being harassed by that base-raper. I mean, how many times did I ask you if you were pinned down in this or that spot, and how many times did you have to calmly reply "No, just gathering my squad". Of course, I would say something like "Oh, that makes sense" making a bigger ass out of myself. Thanks for tolerating me.

Thanks to the |TG-9th|: You make much, much, much more than equal enemies. I believe you had a squad or maybe two on the opposite team, and probably were the main source of my commanding problems (as far as leaving bases undefended and having them capped), not to mention our rapidly draining tickets.

Thanks to anyone else I haven't mentioned but was a part of this amazing battle. I think I have found the proper balance, when commanding, between ordering people to kill, and fighting personally against our enemies. As I said, I really should command more often

I'd like to hear any comments about this battle, or other perspectives of it. If you were one of the people I mentioned, but couldn't name, please say so, I'd like to know.