Cog Awards

At the end of each SCUL season we have a final mission called "Life Day", where pilots fly to a ceremonial place, make hot chocolate, eat snacks, shiver in the cold, and give each other props for being a part of the gang.

Any pilot can give any other pilot a medal, which they typically make themselves. Afterwards Skunk awards advanced medals: Century, Intergalactic, Interuniversal, and outpost. Pilots also receive medals for flying over 100 missions, 200 missions, etc., as well as for flying1000 ly, 2000 ly, etc.

Once all these medals are given, it is then time to give out the Cog Awards. A SCUL pilot can only have one cog at a time, starting with Stone Cogs, then Bronze Cogs, and then finally the Iron Cog.

The Iron Cogs of SCUL

Typically only one pilot per season is awarded the highest honor given in SCUL—the Iron Cog. The recipient is given a special trophy and is hugged by the gang as hard as possible.

Skunk

1996

In '96 Skunk started a gang, in order to get some people to hang.

Crack

1998

Then Crack came along and believed in Skunk: she actually showed up and rode all that junk.

NoWay

1999

NoWay rode with unstoppable vigor - making our numbers 50% bigger.

WalTor

2000

WalTor earned it for Y2K no doubt. He lives and dies by the Admiral's command: until it’s time to take him out.

Vomit

2001

In 2001 the honor was Vomit's: She made a home for the fort – well above and beyond it.

Diva

2002

It happened to Diva in 2002, living litmus test for the chopper groove.

Megaseth

2002

The same year, MegaSeth earned his pips - the beauty of his code rivaled only by his ships

Moose

2003

In 2003 we gave it to Moose: a pilot and a friend who helps us deduce.

Rotwang

2003

Moose was happy to share his year with Rotwang: an easy rider and a boon to the gang.

Nameless

2004

Nameless builds ships as tough as a hog: 2004 was his year for the cog.

Threespeed

2005

Threespeed saves the mission with excellent grace - we made up new medals to keep up with his pace.

Hapto

2006

Hapto shows us the meaning of Chic. Tiara! Tiara! Flight-paths unfit for the weak!

Ehawk

2008

Ehawk's award night we'll never forget: though I suspect her hangover's one she regrets.

Nosepicker

2008

Nosepicker got it by traveling through time… Shut up! (nosepicker nosepicker nosepicker)

Leotard

2009

Leotard's the one who lets the admiral know: it's time to ride – the crew wants to go.

hackworth

2010

How can you begin to measure Hack’s worth? Revolutionary master of organized work.

yt

2011

Yt is perfect at keeping the books: Jedi-level hooping with the stylish-est of looks.

Treekiller

2012

No one more stalwart than our friend Treekiller – always a hugger and never a quitter.

Bane Thunderwolf

2013

A tiger run over by a horse has his mane underhoof. Oh and by the way – 2013's iron cog belongs to: Baaaaaaaaaaane Thunderwolf!!

Dr.Claw

2014

Computio audio photeo geek: demoscener Dr.Claw does it all for his friends in the fleet.

Civitron

2015

Skin tight spandex of incredible dayglow, Civitron is the very essence of hero.

eXceSs

2016

Excess never stops, he's an unstoppable force: the right attitude and strong as a horse!

Dead Bride

2017

One thing that can be said 'bout Dead Bride: The harder the mission, the better the ride!

Pastry Queen

2017

A ball of pure energy – a full-on fun mission leader. None take on Pastry Queen 'cause none could defeat her!

Lord McFuzz

2018

The point of McFuzz is to always do better: his bunny tail acts as the gang's pace setter.

Red Squirrel

2019

Seeing the bright side, no matter how dark it gets, Red Squirrel's prepared for whatever – you bet!

Wombat

2021

If it wasn't for Wombat we couldn't evolve - he teaches Skunk when there are code problems to solve.

The Bronze Cogs of SCUL

Typically three pilots may receive this award per season. These pilots have gone well above the call of 'dootie'.


The Stone Cogs of SCUL

Typically five of these honors go to pilots who have the spirit of SCUL coursing through their veins, and the song of SCUL beating in their heart. We use a stethoscope to find out.