wedge009.net version 2.6.5
Operation Thor’s Hammer: Valgard System
Valgard 1
Shotglass: You pilots really deserve a pat on the back! Getting that supply station was what everybody needed. Have you looked around? Everyone’s more alert, walking tall, looking good. I think we were all half-dead until that station went up in flames. Now… now, the pilots have hope. Hope that maybe we can win. That’s what they needed.
Bossman: Maverick! Any bets on which one of us is going to bag the ship with the Kilrathi secret weapon? That’ll be something to have on your permanent record. “So-and-so of Tiger’s Claw is credited with the kill of the Kilrathi ship that destroyed Goddard Colony.” I just hope that our boys in Tactical get a clean view on the kill. I’d hate to ship with a carrier-load of pilots, all of whom think they’d put in the final missile!
Iceman: Sit down, Maverick. It’s coming down to the wire. The enemy fleet is going to head straight to us now, right into our trap. I want that ship with the secret weapon, the one that destroyed Goddard. If we’re wingmates on the strike against that ship… don’t get between me and her. That ship is going down, no matter what. No matter what.
Mission Briefing, 06:00 hours, 2655.071. Site of the Destroyed Kilrathi Supply Depot.
Halcyon: Two Killer Bees captured a Kilrathi courier ship yesterday, when we were attacking the supply depot. We now have a schematic, less than two days old of the Kilrathi strike patrol assignments in Vega sector. What this means is that if we do manage to get back home safely, we will be able to nail those cats in Vega sector.
A round of applause and cheers echo through the briefing room.
Halcyon: The other news is that the Bees identified the Kilrathi ship with the secret weapon… a super-dreadnought, which we’ve code-named the Sivar. This may be the same ship that was sighted by our pilots, not far from our own position. That ship will be our main target, pilots. We’re going to lure her to this location, and destroy her completely, and the Kilrathi secret weapon. But now we need to concentrate on today’s mission. The Tiger’s Claw is now positioned where the base station was. This means that we’re probably going to intercept some incoming ships. Now, a lot of them will be short on fuel, or in desperate need of repairs. But we can’t bet that any ship coming in will be an easy kill. And we can’t afford for any of them to tell the Sivar that we’re here. So shoot to kill, pilots. Ignore all radio communications from the Kilrathi. They can send out an emergency beacon to the Sivar while they stay on the horn with you, pretending to negotiate. More good news: You’ve been reassigned to Rapiers for this mission.
Iceman: About time…
Halcyon: We need our newest, best starfighters for these missions. Each wing will have an individual assignment; listen for your name.
Maverick waits as the Colonel assigns the other wings.
Halcyon: Sigma Wing will be Maverick and Iceman, with Maverick as wingleader. You’re running a comet-style patrol mission. Remember those? Launch, then move out to 1500 klicks and circle the Tiger’s Claw a few times. If you see any cats, attack and destroy. When you’re sure the area is clear, run out to Nav One. This area is one of the closest jump points and we can expect some incoming Kilrathi to pop up here. Shoot over to Nav 2 next, clear it of bogies, and head for Nav 3. Once you’ve eliminated any enemy forces there, return to the Claw. Immediately upon your return, Epsilon will launch and head to Nav One. In other words, we’re doing a constant rotation of wings. Until we know where the enemy is coming from, these Nav points will be under constant observation. Dismissed.
Mission Debriefing – 15:00 hours, 2655.071.
Halcyon: Welcome back, Maverick. Report.
Maverick: Yes, sir. At Nav 1, I saw a Krant patrol coming in, escorting a pair of tankers. From the way they moved, I think they were low on fuel, a routine refuelling wing returning from its mission. Both of the tankers are destroyed, Colonel. A Ralari and its Gratha escort were cruising through Nav 2. They had apparently just jumped into the system. The Ralari is splashed, sir. The real show, sir, was at Nav 3. A Fralthi-class cruiser was jumping in with a Jalthi escort. My guess is they were responding to a distress call from the former depot. Those mothers are tough, but that Fralthi is toasted.
Halcyon: Wonderful, Maverick. I’m glad you contained the news of our presence. Now the fleet’s likely to continue her present course. Good job, mister. Your kills totalled 9, Maverick. Iceman killed 8 himself. Good work. Dismissed!
Valgard 2
Shotglass: Bar’s closed, Maverick. No drinking allowed, Colonel’s orders. He wants everyone at 100 per cent, even Paladin. I’m outta here soon. See you later!
Mission Briefing, 06:00 hours, 2655.105. Deep in Kilrathi Space.
Halcyon: We have good news and bad news. The good news is, the Sivar is near. And she’s low on fuel, because we’ve tracked and destroyed all of the fuel tankers in this area. So we know she has to be on her way here. But we won’t wait for her. We’re going to saddle up, head back along the Lumbari’s course, and find the enemy fleet. They’re probably moving; we may have to hunt around a bit. So we’re launching all the wings along slightly different courses. Maverick! Stay alert. Once again, you’re with Iceman, as Mu Wing. No mistakes, cool and cruel. Got that?
Maverick: Got it, sir.
Halcyon: Launch and cruise to your Nav One. If you meet any Kilrathi on arrival, dispose of them, and continue to Nav Two. Destroy any cats. Then head to Nav 3. Get rid of any enemy ships and head for home. Your return flight should be via Nav 1. That way you’ll avoid the minefields entirely. If you run into the Sivar, hit your squawk box and let us know. Questions? Yes, Angel?
Angel: Good luck, my friends, and godspeed.
Halcyon: All right, pilots. Let’s launch. Dismissed.
Mission Debriefing – 15:00 hours, 2655.105.
Halcyon: Welcome home, Maverick. Skip the fighter count, tell me if you iced any capital ships.
Maverick: Yes, sir. Nav One had a loaded Lumbari tanker with a Krant escort. Iceman and I iced the Lumbari, sir. She had to be headed for the Sivar, and we couldn’t let those supplies get through. And Nav 2 got hot pretty quickly. There was a wing of Jalthi - and a Dorkir-class transport. The Dorkir was well guarded… but it’s history.
Halcyon: Were there any other ships out there, Colonel?
Maverick: Yes, there was one heck of a reception committee at Nav 3, Colonel. Krant and Gratha, even a wing of Jalthi nearby… all under the guns of a pair of Fralthi. Both of the Fralthi are toasted, Colonel. On the way back, I found more Kilrathi ships waiting at Nav 1, a Ralari with Gratha nearby. The Ralari is deleted, sir.
Halcyon: The recorder credits you with killing 13, Maverick. They show Iceman with 12. That’s all, Colonel. Why don’t you hit the showers, take it easy for a while? Dismissed.
Valgard 3
Shotglass: Hey, Maverick, glad to see you’re all right. I keep hearin’ that the situation is bad and gettin’ worse… I think the stress is getting to everyone. I’ve seen a lot of off-duty pilots in here, getting drunker than skunks. And fighting each other… Two techs and a pilot tried to kill each other in here, two hours ago. And some people are just going crazy, like Maniac. I’m tellin’ you, if we don’t finish off those Kilrathi soon and get out of this place, we might end up killing each other, and save the Kilrathi some work.
Angel: Maverick! I am glad to see that you are well. I had heard that you were injured on your last mission. There are too many rumours floating around this ship. Some of the stories I have heard! I cannot believe that this is a suicide mission. Soon we will complete this mission, and return to our duties in Vega sector.
Spirit: Hello, Maverick. I have been sitting here, thinking. My fiancé… what if he has been captured, like those poor souls aboard the Gwenhyvar? Captured, and forced to betray his own people, over and over again? It is a fate too horrible to contemplate. I will tell you now, if I was to be captured… I think I would rather die. Better that than the dishonour and shame of what happened to the Gwenhyvar’s crew.
Mission Briefing, 06:00 hours, 2655.115. Valgard System.
Halcyon: Listen closely, pilots, because we don’t have much time. Our success against the supply depot has left a large number of Kilrathi fighters without a home base. Tactical says those ships are heading here. They’ll be very low on fuel, they may try to take the Tiger’s Claw intact. Pilots, you’ll stay close to the Tiger’s Claw and defend. As soon as those ships are destroyed, land immediately. We’ll be jumping from this location before more of these orphaned fighters can arrive. Wing assignments:
The Commander lists the other wing teams, then addresses Maverick:
Halcyon: Maverick, you and Iceman are Mu Wing again. Get ready for immediate launch. Dismissed.
Mission Debriefing – 15:00 hours, 2655.115.
Halcyon: Glad to see you back alive. The recorder shows you nailed 7 of those cats, Colonel. Good work. And Iceman took down 6 Kilrathi. Well, you’d better get some rest while you can, Maverick. Dismissed.
Hangar Deck. 18:00 hours, 2655.115.
Halcyon: For excellence in combat with the Kilrathi enemy, on or about 2655.115, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Bronze Star to Lieutenant Colonel Blair. Your courage is an example to the Confederation’s finest defenders. Well done, Maverick. Congratulations.
Maverick: Thank you, sir.
Filled with pride, Maverick meets the applause of his fellows.
Secret Missions 2: Crusade
