Goddard System - Wedge009.net

Bossman: Maverick! Sit down, have a drink. I was just thinking about a story I’d heard about the Gwenhyvar, an Exeter-class ship that disappeared a few years ago.

Iceman: You don’t really believe that old fairy tale, do you?

Bossman: I don’t think it’s a fairy tale, Ice.

Maverick: I’ve never heard this story, Bossman. What happened to the Gwenhyvar?

Bossman: Supposedly the Kilrathi captured it intact in dry dock, with all of its fighter complement and some of the crew… and they’ve used it to deceive and destroy other Confederation ships. No one who’s encountered the Gwenhyvar has survived to tell the tale.

Iceman: I’ll believe it when I see it.

Iceman: Strange things going on. I was on the bridge a few hours ago. Tiger’s Claw received a coded transmission from High Command. The Colonel read it… and ordered non-essentials off the bridge. Since then, we’ve been jumping like crazy.

Bossman: We’ll know what’s happening soon enough, Iceman.

Iceman: True. Very true.

Mission Briefing, 06:00 hours, 2654.326.

Halcyon: Quiet, everyone. We have a lot of ground to cover. As you may have noticed, the Tiger’s Claw has made several jumps today because we’ve been temporarily ordered out of Vega sector. Several hours ago, we received an emergency communication from the Goddard colony in the Deneb sector. A Kilrathi fleet has attacked the colony, using some kind of new weapon. Unfortunately, we’ve lost communications with the colony. Now we’re preparing to jump to Goddard.

Maniac: Sir? Does this mean we don’t know what kind of mess we’re jumping into?

Halcyon: Right. We don’t know the full extent of the Kilrathi fleet, and we don’t know what’s happened to the Goddard colony. For now, no one is to talk about this to the crew. However, we won’t be alone as we’re scheduled to make a rendezvous with the Hickok. She’s a Dilligent-class ’sport loaded with emergency relief supplies for the colony. Also, we rendezvous with the Marciano, a Venture-class corvette. Mission assignments: Alpha Wing will patrol in Hornets… we need you in our fastest ships. You’ll launch immediately when we appear in the Goddard system. If there are any cats in our vicinity, eliminate them. Then I want you to go to Nav 1 and scout for any other Kilrathi activity. Afterwards, proceed to Nav Point 2, where the Hickok is preparing to jump to Goddard, and provide support for her if the Kilrathi attack. Once she’s jumped, go to Nav Point 3, where you’ll rendezvous with the Marciano. Escort the corvette back to the Claw, eliminating any threats. Maverick, you’re wingleader, with Hunter as your wingman.

The Colonel moves on to the other wing and squad assignments. Maverick’s attention snaps back to him as he concludes.

Halcyon: That’s all. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for launch.

Mission Debriefing – 08:45 hours, 2654.326.

Halcyon: Okay. You’ll have to launch again in a few minutes, so let’s make this quick. Your report, Maverick.

Maverick: A Lumbari-class tanker was getting ready to jump out at Nav 1. It’s history, sir. And we were able to keep the Kilrathi away from the Hickok. She’s headed for the colony now. At Nav 3, we protected the Marciano from a squadron of Krants.

Halcyon: For the record, your recorder credits you with killing 8, Maverick, and Hunter came up with 8. All right. You have ten minutes, then get back to Briefing. Dismissed.

Goddard 2

Shotglass: Hey there, Major Maverick! Can’t offer you anything alcoholic, sorry. I heard you’ll be flying again today. Most of the pilots are already in the briefing Room already. I hear there’s still no communication out of Goddard. But I’m hoping that the Kilrathi only wiped out the colony’s comm satellite, not the colony. I’ve got a cousin on Goddard. Zach Siegler. He’s a shuttle pilot. And his wife’s a Chief Engineer. If you hear ’bout either one of them, let me know, and I’ll try an’ get hold of them myself. But you better get to briefing right now, Major.

Mission Briefing, 09:00 hours, 2654.326. Heading to the Goddard Colony.

Halcyon: All right, we don’t have much time. We’re making full speed to Goddard. And the crews are doing emergency repairs on damaged fighters. Early telemetry indicates that no Kilrathi capital ships stayed behind in the Goddard system, but we’ve had reports of some smaller ships. Therefore, you Killer Bees will go search and destroy. Scour the Goddard system, and engage and destroy any remaining Kilrathi. Tactical shows bogies heading this way… fighters left behind to hunt for ’sports. Kappa wing is Maverick and Hunter. You’ll start by going after those fighters. Once you’ve taken care of them, you’ll swing out to clear our path into the colony. Here’s the setup… you’ll jump to Nav Point One, where long-range scans show something moving. Delete it. At Nav 2, you’ll find a Dorkir-class troop carrier. They may be trying to leave the system. Don’t let them. When you’ve accomplished these objectives, return to the Claw. Next is Maniac and Spirit on Beta Wing…

The Colonel briefs the other wings as Maverick considers his orders…

Halcyon: Remember, there are a quarter million colonists in danger. Don’t make any mistakes, pilots. Dismissed.

Mission Debriefing – 11:45 hours, 2654.326.

Halcyon: Our comm people still haven’t been able to raise anyone on Goddard, but our landing crews are now nearing the colony itself. With any luck, we’ll know something soon. All right, then. You cruised out towards Nav Point One, and…?

Maverick: That’s where we stopped the Lumbari, sir. And at Nav 2, we were able to defeat the Dorkir.

Halcyon: Maverick, your recorder shows you downed 10 this round. Hunter fried 3 himself. Okay, now, since we don’t know the status of Goddard, I need you to stay awake and alert. You’re still on duty. Maverick, clean up, then I need to see you in my office. Dismissed.

Colonel Halcyon’s Office. 11:50 hours, 2654.326.

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

Maverick: Yes, sir?

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.

Maverick: I see, sir. I’ll do my best.

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

Operation Thor’s Hammer: Goddard System

Goddard 1

Goddard 2