Firekkan Crusade: Firekka System – Part 1

Halcyon: I hope everyone’s been enjoying this trip so far because you’ll have to do some real work again. We’ve received reports of a Kilrathi convoy moving through a nearby star system. We can’t risk anything that could disrupt the treaty conference on the planet, so you’ll patrol and watch for that convoy. And I’ll also need some of you to escort the Diplomatic Corps ships to Firekka, where they’re needed for the conference.

Halcyon: We’ll schedule you in shifts for shore leave, so you’ll still get your downtime. These are your assignments. Maverick, you’ll be Alpha Wing, with Iceman as your wingman. You’ll fly a Hornet – a fast, manoeuvrable ship. Escort the TCS Perez de Cuellar from the Claw to Nav 2. From there, the Diplomatic Corps ship will mini-jump to Firekka. We’ve detected traces of high energy on the direct route to Nav 2. After the Perez de Cuellar jumps to Firekka, investigate the unknown bogey between Nav 2 and the Tiger’s Claw.

Halcyon: Remember, if you run into one or two stray Kilrathi, you should engage the enemy. But if you see any sign that the convoy has diverted to this system, return to the Claw immediately. And HQ has reported encounters with the Dralthi Mark IIs in the Vega sector – Dralthi with mass drivers and better shields. HQ could use some good vid-camera data on these new ships. So if you sight any of these new Dralthi, get close and your vid-camera will get that data for us. And something else I wanted to mention. Hunter did a bolter yesterday, a two-point ‘touch and go’ landing. He managed to snap off one of his ship’s laser cannons, break three aerials, and terrify the flight deck crew. Pilots, we use the ACLS – our auto landing system – for very good reasons. The next hot-shot pilot who tries a manual control landing will be scrubbing decks for a week. Is that understood? All right, pilots. Prepare for launch. Dismissed.

Halcyon: I hope you’ll have some good information for us, Maverick, because we need some solid vid camera data to track down and ice that convoy. I don’t know why an enemy convoy is in this system, but we’ll get rid of it, that’s for certain. Your report, Colonel?

Halcyon: Maverick, your recorder shows you took out 9. Iceman took out 7 himself. All right. I’m sending your flight recorder disks up to the Bridge – with any luck, we’ll learn more about that convoy from your information. Dismissed.

Halcyon: For excellence in combat with the Kilrathi enemy on or about 2655.238, the Terran Confederation presents the Bronze Star to Lieutenant Colonel Blair. Your courage is an example to the Confederation’s finest defenders. Well done, Maverick. Congratulations.

Halcyon: All right, pilots, let’s get started. The first news is that the Scimitar has been officially retired as a Confederation combat fighter.

Halcyon: Other news: Most of you didn’t run into any trouble on your last patrol, but some of you encountered ships from that Kilrathi convoy… including some very tough Kilrathi pilots. Tactical thinks these might be the Drakhai, the Kilrathi Imperial Guards… the elite of enemy fighters. But what we don’t understand is why they’re here, or why a convoy is in this unimportant sector. And after reviewing your flight data, Tactical’s not certain that we bagged the entire convoy. Your assignment today is to patrol the system and track down that convoy. If you encounter the convoy, do not engage. Get vid camera data on them and return to the Claw. If you’re close enough to target, your cameras will automatically switch on and get the data we need. You’ll fly Hornets again, so if you run into trouble, you’ll be in a fast ship to return here and report. Wing assignments… Kappa wing will be Maverick and Iceman. You’ll patrol through the asteroid fields to Nav 1. Continue through Nav point 2, then return here.

Halcyon: Get ready for immediate launch, pilots. Dismissed.

Halcyon: Anything to report, Maverick?

Halcyon: You did what, pilot? You were ordered to return if you sighted the convoy! Do you realise that you risked the lives of everyone on this ship? If you’d been killed, attacking those ships, those three Fralthi could’ve launched a surprise attack on the Claw, and probably destroyed her. You’re brave, Maverick, and I’m very impressed with your flying skills. But next time, I’ll expect you to obey orders. Understood?

Halcyon: From your flight recorder, I see that you took out 10 and Iceman took care of 10 Kilrathi. Take it easy for a while, Blair. You’re off-duty for a few hours. But I will need to talk to you in my office later. 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 want you in one of the Rapiers, in Black Lion Squadron.

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 2655.239, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Gold Star to Major Blair. Your courage is an example to the Confederation’s finest defenders. Well done, Maverick. Congratulations.