Omegamission 19

The amount of warm/fuzzies from 2019 Chariot RacesLife Day was SO OVERWHELMING it almost made up for the lack of kelvins. My fingers have only just thawed enough to document the event! 23 brave pilots, prepared with stellar spacesuits, insulating capes, and a variety of warm molecules appeared at the fort, readying steeds for their final launch of the season. Due to space mishaps, both Tard and Nova required special status as barnacles. Pastry Queen and Dr Claw prepared to haul this special cargo in fine style, ditto Threespeed and Deadbride, who were trailing the cogs.
Despite extensive preflighting, Tard's trailered conveyance experienced a sudden loss of plasma as PQ, undaunted by extra cargo, squiggled and squirmed through the nostrils heading to the ceremonial circle. The fleet did their best, working up their internal temperatures trying to keep up with Sidehack, in hopes the extra degrees would carry them through the Ode.
After entreaties to enjoy heated molecules, the rowdy crowd settled down to hear Skunk present medals, old and new- centuries, outposts, stone and bronze cogs, mission milestones, honorary mentions (if you'd just ridden life day, you would've gotten a bar), and lightyears travelled!
Then, various and sundry awards, pins, spoke cards and jokes were awarded to one another in rapid succession. Notable mentions include Stogie presenting a golden leg to Tard, Fuzz's Banana Holsters for DeadBride and Dr Claw, and Nova's miniature, functioning Cloudbuster to Skunk.
Finally, the hour grew late, and Skunk began to read a poem, which, over the years, many had learned the refrain, and gleefully shouted out completion of the lines. The newest addition to the Ode brought Skunk to tears, bestowing the 2019 Iron Cog to the sweetest, most deserving pilot there ever was, a pillar who upholds the whole organization, Red Squirrel.
After many hugs and backslaps, pilots and their new cargo were back astride their ships, hauling for home. The journey was swift, and culminated, as usual, with offers to attempt Cloudbusting. This mission reporter only stayed long enough to watch Rocket mount, while Fuzz ran alongside. If other Pilots succeeded, the memories will be lost to time. Pilots and ships have now been suspended in their cryo-chambers, healing and preparing for a bold new season.

Stone Cog:
Fart Noises
Nova
Shepherd
Ziqqurat

Bronze Cog:
Ms.Moon

Iron Cog:
Red Squirrel

Ode to the Iron Cogs 2019

Ode to the Iron Cogs 2019
In ‘96 (96) Skunk started a gang
in order to have some people to hang
then Crack (98) came along and believed in Skunk
she actually showed up and rode all that junk
NoWay (99) rode with unstoppable vigor
which made our numbers 50% bigger
WalTor earned it for Y2K no doubt
He lives and dies by my command: until it’s time to take me out.
In 2001 the honor was Vomit’s
She made a home for the fort -- well above and beyond it.
It happened to Diva in 2002
Living litmus test for the chopper groove
The same year, MegaSeth earned his pips
the beauty of his code rivaled only by his ships
In 2003 we gave it to Moose
A pilot and a friend who helps us deduce
Moose was happy to share his year with Rotwang
An easy rider and a boon to the gang.
Nameless builds ships as tough as a hog
2004 was his year for the cog.
ThreeSpeed (05) saves the mission with excellent grace,
We made up new medals to keep up with his pace
Hapto (06) shows us the meaning of Chic,
Tiara! Tiara! Flight-paths unfit for the weak.
Ehawk’s (08) award night we’ll never forget
Though I suspect her hangover’s one she regrets.
Nosepicker (08) got it by traveling through time.
Shut up! (nosepicker nosepicker nosepicker)
Leotard’s (09) the one who lets the admiral know
It’s time to ride: the crew wants to go
How can you begin to measure Hack’s worth (10)
Revolutionary master of organized work.
Yt (11) is awesome at keeping the books
Jedi-level hooping with the stylishest of looks
No one more stalwart than our friend Treekiller (12)
Always a hugger and never a quitter
A tiger run over by a horse has his mane underhoof,
Oh and by the way -- 2013’s iron cog belongs to: Baaaaaaaaaaane Thunderwolf
Computio audio photeo geek -
demoscener Dr.Claw (14) does it all for his friends in the fleet.
Skin tight spandex of incredible dayglow,
Civitron (15) is the very essence of hero.
Excess (16) never stops, he’s an unstoppable force,
The right attitude and strong as a horse.
One thing that can be said ‘bout Dead Bride (17),
The harder the mission, the better the ride.
A ball of pure energy - a full-on fun mission leader,
None take on Pastry Queen(17) ‘cause none could defeat her.
The point of McFuzz is to always do better,
His bunny tail acts as the gang’s pace setter.

All these pilots we’ll always remember
We never give up - never surrender!
As this poem grows longer and longer
The stamina of Life Day pilots must get incrementally stronger.
So of all you superstars of the ‘19 crew
Listen up cause I’m talking at you!

Compassionate and thoughtful, quite even-keeled
She’ll bring extra gloves for those who are in need
Seeing the bright side, no matter how dark it gets.
She’s prepared for whatever - you can surely bet!
These are the thoughts that come to my mind
whenever I think of how to be kind.
As I seek to improve myself, I look to this one for aspiration.
She embodies the very thing I try to nurture in this fine organization.
Shears the hub flange right off of the hub
And still she’s un-frustrated, a boon to our club.
So let the record show - write this down in your log -
I’ll keep it short & sweet - just like our newest Iron Cog.
Let the trumpets blare, let the SCUL flags Unfurl
And let’s give it up for SCUL’s 2019 Iron Cog - Red Squirrel!

Image LinK
https://imgur.com/a/wwIiuLn