Firekkan Crusade: Corsair System – Part 3

Halcyon: Pilots, we’ve received confirmation from the marines on Firekka. They succeeded in disrupting the Sivar ceremony, but took heavy casualties in their mission. And the Kilrathi are patrolling the area to make sure that they can’t escape from Firekka. Four marine ships have already been destroyed, trying to leave the planet. And we’ve received another communiqué from this Prince Thrakhath. Tactical’s very puzzled by this. To send a single-pulse vid message means that the Kilrathi know exactly where we are. But they’re talking, not shooting. And what this Prince Thrakhath says is even more interesting…

Halcyon: Tactical’s conclusion from this is that because the ceremony was interrupted, Thrakhath may fear a mutiny among his troops if he orders a general attack. If his soldiers believe that they’re destined to die in combat, they won’t want to fight. Of course, Thrakhath will probably start using the Kilrathi tactic of shooting troops that disobey direct orders… But right now, we have time to act before all of his battle fleets converge on us. In case you’re wondering about that, pilots, Tactical suggests that we retreat immediately. And we will, after we rescue our Marine transports. Your job is to find and assist those ships. Wing assignments… Blair and Devereaux are Omicron Wing. The transports will be trying to shake their Kilrathi pursuers, so we don’t know exactly where you’ll find them. But we’ve drawn up several possible flight paths to different jump points. Maverick, you’ll fly to your Nav 1, destroying any enemy ships you encounter, and then return immediately to the Tiger’s Claw.

Halcyon: We’re expecting a major Kilrathi attack as soon as Thrakhath rallies his troops. So get back here as fast as you can, and be ready to defend the Claw. Because if this carrier is destroyed, you’ll have a long walk back to the Vega sector. You’ll launch in five minutes, pilots. Dismissed.

Halcyon: After you launched, we received a distress call from your Nav 1. One of our Marine transports was there, trying to evade a wing of Krants. They said that two other transports had left the planet with them, but hadn’t survived. At the jump point, they turned off all power and tried to drift past the Kilrathi patrols. They said that they’d vented the corridors near their airlocks, and left their own dead floating there so the Kilrathi boarding party would think there were no survivors. But the cats saw through the ruse. When we received their vid-link message, they were under attack.

Halcyon: I’m impressed with how you handled this situation, Maverick. Good work. For the record, you killed 6. Including a Ralari. Not bad, Colonel. Angel iced 6 Kilrathi. That’s all, Blair. Dismissed.

Halcyon: Listen closely, everyone, because we don’t have much time. As you’ve probably guessed, we’re leaving this area as fast as we can. The Kilrathi battle fleets are manoeuvring towards our last position in the Corsair system. The Kilrathi can’t remain in this area much longer, even to pursue the Tiger’s Claw, because the Confederation is advancing through the abandoned Kilrathi positions in other sectors. So they’ll have to withdraw their forces from this sector, and soon. But in the meantime, they’re probably going to retaliate against the Firekka for disrupting their religious ceremony. Which could include genocide. At a minimum, the Firekka will be transported out-system as slaves. And we’re going to try a very dangerous tactic to prevent that. Our goal is to inflict as much damage as possible on the Kilrathi on our way out-system. If we can kill enough of their ships, they won’t have enough troops to remain near Firekka and defend their borders. Our plan: the Tiger’s Claw will make several mini-jumps to lure individual Kilrathi capital ships into ambush points. Your assignment is to destroy as many of them as you can. Pilots, I can’t order you to go out on a suicide mission, but when you’re flying out there, keep this in mind: There are several million lives at stake on Firekka. They may not look like us, but they’re just as human. Measure your own lives against that, pilots, and make your own decision. Maverick! You’re teamed with Angel again, as Omega Wing. Follow your programmed Nav course. You’ll rejoin the Claw at the rendezvous point.

Halcyon: You’ll launch in five minutes, pilots. Dismissed.

Halcyon: Your report, Maverick?

Halcyon: Excellent, Maverick! I knew you wouldn’t let us down. The recorder shows you with killing 15, Maverick. Angel took down 14 Kilrathi ships. Blair… I don’t believe in lying to my pilots. So I’m going to tell you the truth… We’re outnumbered and outgunned here. If we stay, the only way this scenario can end is with the total destruction of the Tiger’s Claw. So we’re going to retreat immediately. There’s nothing else we can do for the Firekka except inflict as much damage on the Kilrathi as much as we can, on our way out-system. But Maverick, you and the other pilots… what you’ve accomplished is far above the call of duty. You’ve flown better than you ever have before, and against impossible odds. If we survive the next few days and return to Confed HQ, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded for this. I’m sure you’ve heard that I’m transferring to Tactical Command. When that happens, I want you, Maverick, to take command of the Tiger’s Claw fighter squadron. You’ve shown resourcefulness, and skill, and almost superhuman talent in these campaigns, and I think you’ll be an outstanding squadron commander. But we’re not out of this yet, not by a long shot. You’re still on Active Duty. Get some rest, then report to Briefing. And drop by my office later, Maverick. Dismissed.

Halcyon: Blair. Come in. I need to speak with you.

Halcyon: We’re having to change some pilot assignments. Effective immediately, you’ll be reassigned. I need you in Star Slayer Squadron, flying a Raptor-class heavy fighter.

Halcyon: I’m glad to hear it, pilot. That’s all, Colonel. Dismissed.

Halcyon: For excellence in combat with the Kilrathi enemy on or about 2655.295, the Terran Confederation presents the Gold Star to Lieutenant Colonel Blair. Your courage is an example to the Confederation’s finest defenders. Well done, Maverick. Congratulations.