Kalve Ryder

"Jedi often teach that anger is an easy or lazy path to power, a crutch for the weak willed, a short-cut for the impatient, that anyone can be angry, and that it takes patience and skill to contain or placate ones emotions. And I will not argue; Anger is power and unlike control it is easily attained. But what a Jedi will not speak of is the intellect, skill and mastery required to feel anger towards the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way to be able to manifest desired results. It is easier for the Jedi to cut themselves off from power, to be weaker and relinquish control of their own destinies than it is to be truly in control of themselves and their own potential. The Jedi philosophy, driven by fear to suppress emotions is a paradox. Where-as the Sith philosophy to be driven by emotion to attain power is an honest universal truth acknowledge by all including the Force itself." ―Kalve Ryder

Kalve Ryder is a long term pilot in the TIE Corps and a practicing Sith prior to joining the Emperor's Hammer, later advancing to a Clan Summit position in the Dark Brotherhood. He has held various positions in the Emperor's Hammer and other Imperial fleets, serving by far the longest with the Emperor's Hammer for over two decades, in roles ranging from Envoy to Regional Governor.

The Emperor's Hammer

A Trained Imperial Officer, Kalve had relatives serving in the Galactic Empire at the time of the Second Deathstar's destruction, and with the fragmentation of Imperial Fleets and ruination of the unified Empire, Kalve became aware of the Emperor's Hammer through family members serving in what would become the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. But it wasn't until Imperial propaganda from a then Major General Kessler, the Wing Commander of Wing X aboard the ISD/II Challenge, reached the planet Lears that Kalve Ryder answered the call and signed on as a pilot in the Emperor's Hammer TIE Corps.

TIE Corps

Kalve began his first tour of duty in the TIE Corps in Zeta Squadron, Wing VI aboard the flagship the SSSD Sovereign under the dutiful leadership of the then CMDR WetWilly (Former COO of the EH). Quickly assuming an available Flight Leader position and accepting a promotion to Lieutenant Commander, Kalve began learning how the EH operated and made frequent visits to the venerated ISD/II Challenge where he became enamored by the varied talents of it's pilots, specifically enjoying the ambiance of the Cyclone Squadron Barracks, often quoted as being, "So good, it oughta be illegal."

Through contact with, at the time Cyclone CMDR Mell Kerrigan, Kalve joined the effort to reopen the ISD/II Colossus, using connections to bring in other pilots and settling briefly in Mu Squadron. However the success of the Colossus had drained some of the Squadrons aboard the Challenge, and so Kalve would serve a tour of duty in Cyclone Squadron in an effort to help stablise and fortify one of the greatest ships in the Fleet.

Later returning to Mu Squadron and the ISD/II Colossus, working closely with Derek Klivian the CMDR of Omicron Squadron to bolster activity on the ship. Kalve would go from Flight Member, to Flight Leader to Mu Squadron CMDR before being juggled back to Zeta Squadron and then Daleth Squadron in Wing III of the SSSD Sovereign. Successfully rising to Flight Leader once again in Daleth, Kalve would step aside to allow the pilots he trained the opportunity to advance, before transferring back to Cyclone Squadron on the ISD/II Challenge and being roped into a plan to open the ISD/II Warrior with the offer of a position of Wing Commander...

The next few months would prove trying due to poor communication, inaccurate statements and promises that were never kept. Whilst working with Colonel AbsolutV (previously FS|Talon) and senior staff, the plan to open the ISD/II Warrior would grind to a halt. Initially a sufficient show of interest was asked for to open the ISD/II Warrior; but having assumed this would be necessary, interest had already been pre-established, only after showing proof of this did staff begin to question the benefit of opening a new ship, and thus set another task of improving the declining numbers of the ISD/II Colossus, upon transferring to the ship along with interested parties ... news was received that the ISD/II Warrior would not be opened.

This resulted in the establishment of an allied fleet under the command of AbsolutV, the Orion Strike Force (along with it's own website, database and fledgling mission compendium) where Kalve would hold the position of Wing Commander and Operations Officer for two tours before the OSFs complete reintegration into the Emperor's Hammer. As a leading member of the OSF, Kalve was given the position of Envoy within the Emperor's Hammers Advanced Guard, though the Office of the Lord Ambassador and his Envoys would eventually be shut down.

With AbsolutV's promotion to Commodore of the ISD/II Colossus, Kalve would rejoin the ship serving amongst the Squadrons of the Colossus for well over 2 years. Briefly taking command of Pi Squadron before stepping aside for one of the greatest pilots to ever serve aboard the Colossus. and perhaps the Fleet, to reclaim his place as Pi Squadron CMDR, Colonel Zystem Fryar, whom Kalve served under as Flight Leader/XO until pilot shortages would see the Colossus decommissioned.

Pi Squadron was reassigned to Wing VI back aboard the SSSD Sovereign and Kalve served out one more tour before the Squadron was closed, and two more tours after being forcibly reassigned to Ares Squadron, also at the time a part of Wing VI. Fleet-wide low morale and problems brewing at the command level would irrevocably change the the Emperor's Hammer and Kalve sensing the brewing storm took the opportunity to depart the TIE Corps and EH territories to operate as a private contractor for Corporations who still held loyalty to the ideals of the Empire.

Patches

As a past time Kalve began developing Squadron Patches

A collection of various patches	The Fearsome Jawa Squadron
Sigma Squadron alternative patch	Thunder Squadron alternative patch
Eagle Squadron alternative patch	Delta Squadron patch

Propaganda

Imperial Propaganda poster circulated on holonet feeds on the planet Lears