Dakota System - Wedge009.net

Shotglass: Hey, Maverick. Glad to see you again. We just jumped in to Dakota system, you know. It’s basically an agro colony, but they’ve had an outbreak of Watson’s Disease. The colonists here’re a proud bunch, an’ they waited to call for help. That’s bad news. Watson’s can wipe out a whole city in just a few weeks. There’s no cure yet, but the Confederation’s ’sportin’ in a vaccine.

Hunter: C’mere, mate. Maniac’s teachin’ me ’ow to fly. Can you believe it?

Maniac: Someone better – you’re dangerous, and not just to the Kilrathi.

Hunter: I’m dangerous? I’m dangerous! This from the guy who goes to afterburners the instant ’e smells a target!

Maniac: Well, at least I go after ’em. Some of you old guys don’t always do that.

Hunter: I ’ate to admit it, mate, but you’re right about some of the ‘old guys’. Knight, Paladin, some others, they must be cat lovers… or pacifists. But don’t lump me with that lot, mate. The more Kilrah blood I smell, the nastier I get.

Maniac: Hey, Maverick? I feel like griping about wingmen. Care to join in? Take Knight, for example. He flies like an old lady. No vision, and he couldn’t find a target if his wingman’s life depended on it.

Hunter: Which it usually does…

Maniac: Yeah. And Angel… always studying, planning. Just fly, I say.

Hunter: Anybody on the Claw you don’t mind flyin’ with, squirt?

Maniac: First off, let’s watch the squirt cracks. And second… ’course there’re a couple of pilots I don’t mind flying with. You’re not too bad, Hunter – almost as good as me. And there’s Iceman… Ice is scary, man. I mean, I’m in this for the flying. He’s in it for the killing, I think.

Mission Briefing. Dakota System, 06:20 hours, 2654.139. Twenty minutes into the briefing.

Halcyon: As you may have heard, there’s been an outbreak of Watson’s Disease here. It’s spreading across the fourth planet, Fargo, like wildfire. If we don’t get a vaccine down there soon, that colony’s history. We’ve been ordered to provide primary cover for medical transports. Your job will be to cover the Draymans as they come and go. Gamma wing will consist of Maverick and Knight. I’m counting on you two to come through, and so are the colonists down on Fargo. Computer, display Gamma. You will proceed first to Nav 1, escorting an outbound hospital ship. Your objective is to protect her from the Kilrathi until she makes her jump out. Once she’s gone, go to Nav 2, where you’ll rendezvous with another ’sport. Bring this Drayman back to the Tiger’s Claw in one piece, she’s the one carrying the vaccine for Fargo. Any questions?

Maverick: No, sir.

Knight: None here, Colonel.

Halcyon: Very good. That’s all gentlemen. Dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 09:00 hours, 2654.139.

Halcyon: Maverick, it’s good to see you. Let’s have your report.

Maverick: Yes sir. We ran into bogies at Nav 1, but we took care of them. The Drayman’s on her way to her destination!

Halcyon: I see, Maverick. What about the inbound Drayman?

Maverick: She should be in formation now, sir.

Halcyon: That’s true. And that vaccine will save thousands down on Fargo.

Maverick: That’s what matters, Colonel.

Halcyon: I’ve reviewed your flight recorder’s report of your mission, Maverick. You shot down 10, Maverick, and Knight ripped 1. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 09:20 hours, 2654.139.

Halcyon: For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Dakota system, on or about 2654.139, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Silver Star to Captain Blair. Your courage is exemplary of the Confederation’s finest defenders. Good job, Maverick. Congratulations.

Maverick: Thank you, sir.

Dakota 2

Shotglass: Maverick! You’re big news lately. Heard you had to take out some Krants last time out. Glad to see you made it back in one piece. Those babies can be tough…, but I hear the Jalthi’s even tougher. One of those six-shooters on your tail, you can kiss it goodbye. But I’ll bet if you get low an’ behind a Jalthi, you’d toast it. She’s got no rear visibility, and big ol’ bullseye exhausts. Bad design no matter how many guns she’s got up front. Just jam a missile up those rear pipes and – BOOM! No more kitty.

Knight: Hey, Maverick. Have a seat. I’ve heard some talk lately that burns me up. Someone’s saying I’m unsafe to fly with… and that I’m a cat-lover. Well, I won’t stand for that kind of slander. It’s not true. I may not be as high-flying as Hunter, but I get the job done… in one piece. But hey, you’re not the guy to complain to… after all, we’ve flown together now. You know you can count on me. It’s just a matter of trust. Thanks for the shoulder, Maverick.

Spirit: Join me, Maverick. Knight is poor company and I feel the need to talk. I have been studying the history and progress of the war, and I see that things are going fairly well for us. To maintain our position, we must be ever diligent, ever alert. We must fight as if there were no tomorrow, for in truth, that is the case. Every day, the Kilrathi bring up more troops. They challenge us harder each time we fly. The very future of Humanity rests with us. A heavy burden, but one we must bear. For if we don’t, who will?

Mission Briefing. Dakota System, 09:50 hours, 2654.139. Ten minutes into the briefing…

Halcyon: …which brings us to our patrol wings. Lambda wing will fly a three-point patrol. Things have been quiet lately… too quiet. The Kilrathi are definitely out there. Problem is, we don’t know where. Your job will be to locate the enemy and report back to the Claw. Maverick, you and Knight will investigate. Maverick will lead the mission.

Maverick: Understood, Colonel.

Halcyon: Your patrol will be as follows. Computer, display Lambda. As you can see, there’s not much to go on. There’s some debris near Nav 1. Could be rocks, could be mines… stay alert. The jump-point at Nav 2 seems to be clear. As does Nav 3. Make the rounds and return with your report. Unless you have questions, that’s all.

Maverick: Are we cleared to engage any targets we sight, Colonel?

Halcyon: Definitely. Use your judgement, though. I don’t want to lose any more pilots. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 12:40 hours, 2654.139.

Halcyon: Welcome back, gentlemen. What is the situation?

Maverick: There was a welcoming committee among the rocks at Nav 1, but they aren’t going home. We spotted a Ralari-class destroyer at Nav 2. She and her escorts gave us some trouble, but we took her out in the end.

Halcyon: Excellent, Captain. That’s the kind of report I like to hear. Let’s go over your flight recorder data. You got 8, Maverick, and Knight scragged 1. Again, good job on destroying that Ralari. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 13:00 hours, 2654.139.

Maverick: Thank you, sir.

Dakota 3

Shotglass: Hey, Maverick. How’s about a cool drink and a tall tale? Word is, we’re pullin’ out soon. Hopefully, it’s for Kurasawa system. There’s some Kilrathi colonies to beat up on when we get there. Also, I heard that one of the Kilrathi aces is flyin’ ’round these parts. Go ask Paladin, I think he’s tangled with him before. Take care of yourself, Maverick.

Bossman: Ah, Maverick. Join our party. We have done well to this point. I believe you have played a major part. However, should we falter now, I fear that we will be pushed back to our colonies. But that is not likely. You, myself, all of us can affect that outcome. Think about that when next you fly. It will guide your actions.

Paladin: Well now, lad. ’tis good to see you again. Have a seat and tilt a glass. I hear ol’ Shotglass rumblin’ on about one o’ the Kilrathi aces. Last I ’eard, laddie, the only ace around these parts was Bakhtosh Redclaw. t’was back a few years when I had a tussle with him. He’s one o’ their nobles, so it’s said. While most Kilrathi look at Humans as animals, he thinks that we’re not even that high or mighty. Anyhow, lad, I was servin’ on a cruiser when he led a Jalthi attack on our ship. He’s easily the deadest aim that Kilrah’s got to offer. He took out four o’ me mates before we knew what hit us. Keep an eye out for him, lad. He’s a tough warrior.

Mission Briefing. Dakota System, 13:20 hours, 2654.139.

Halcyon: No time to waste, people, so let’s get to it. Xi wing reports a Kilrathi supply convoy moving into our attack range. We can’t pass up a target like this, so Epsilon wing is going to take it out. Maverick, you will lead Knight on this one. You boys think you can pull it off?

Maverick: No problem, sir.

Halcyon: There is something you don’t yet know, Maverick. Our spotters have placed a Kilrathi ace, Bakhtosh Redclaw, with the convoy. He’s a Kilrathi nobleman, and the deadliest shot in the entire Kilrathi navy. Here’s the scenario for this one. You’ll first intercept a Dorkir-class tanker at the jump-point near Nav 1. Blow her to bits and proceed to Nav 2. At that point, you should sight at least one Kilrathi troop transport. Those transports are your main objective… and probably the best defended. You are to engage and destroy all Kilrathi transports. No survivors. You watch yourself with Redclaw, but concentrate your fire on the ’sports. You launch in three minutes. Dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 16:20 hours, 2654.139.

Halcyon: Good landing, Maverick. How did things go out there?

Maverick: The tanker’s been nailed, sir. She went up in a flash.

Halcyon: Good job. How did you fare against the troop carriers?

Maverick: We took out the first transport without too much problem, the second one was tougher, but we got her too.

Halcyon: I knew that you boys could do it. That’s very good work. You two have done well today. According to the log, you shot down Bakhtosh Redclaw. My congratulations. According to your flight recorder, you wasted 10 of the fuzzballs, Maverick, and Knight took down 2. Captain, stop by my office after your shift. Dismissed.

Colonel Halcyon’s Office. 16:50 hours, 2654.139.

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

Maverick: Yes, sir?

Halcyon: I’ve been speaking with sector command. The brass have been reviewing your record, and I have good news. The order came in this morning, I’ve been authorised to promote you. Congratulations, Major Blair. Keep up the good work.

Maverick: Thank you, sir. I’ll do my best.

Halcyon: Glad to hear it. We’ll be leaving Dakota soon, and I need to make some personnel changes. Effective immediately following the jump, you’ll be reassigned. I want you in one of the new Rapier-class mediums, in Black Lion Squadron.

Maverick: Yes, sir. You won’t be sorry.

Halcyon: Good. I’m glad to hear it. That’s all, then, Major. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.139.

Halcyon: For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Dakota system, on or about 2654.139, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Gold Star to Major Blair. Your courage is exemplary of the Confederation’s finest defenders. Good job, Maverick. Congratulations.

Maverick: Thank you, sir.

Filled with pride, Maverick meets the applause of his fellows.

Meanwhile…

Human Colony on the water planet, Hurricane, Port Hedland System.

After the Terran fleet has defeated the Kilrathi at Port Hedland, Hurricane’s planetary defences head off a last-ditch Kilrathi assault.

Win: Kurasawa System

Human Colony on the water planet, Hurricane, Port Hedland System.

While Kilrathi vessels over Hurricane gain control of Port Hedland space, a wing of Dralthi fighters descend to attack settlements on the surface. The defeat of Hurricane’s colonists is swift and complete.

Lose: Rostov System

Vega Sector Campaign: Dakota System

Dakota 1

Dakota 2

Dakota 3