Venice System - Wedge009.net

Shotglass: So, Maverick, here we are in the Venice system, in the heart of Kilrathi space. Course, the hairballs have their own name for it… Kharak Tar, I think. Its habitable planet is a water world, like Port Hedland’s. We call it Venice ’cause of ancient ruins on it, sinkin’ into the ocean. But the Killie-cats aren’t supposed to like the water, so they put their base in the system in an orbital station. Tactical thinks if we find that station and take it out, we’ll take out the brains of the Kilrathi operations in the whole sector!

Hunter: Maverick, mate I understand we’ll be flyin’ together for a while. Colonel’s just moved me over to Black Lion squadron and Rapier fighters. I can’t wait to get out in one of these new Rapiers, mate! As I recall, she’s got both lasers and neutron guns, right? The lasers were designed for firin’ at a distance, an’ the neutron guns for extra punch up close!

Paladin: I ’ad a run in with Khajja a while back. ’e’s the coldest furball I’ve ever seen! I was flyin’ with Dragon, out of Yellowjacket squadron. We ran into Khajja the Fang while we were flyin’ watchdog on a tanker. We shot ’is wingmen to bits, and put ’is own shields and lasers out, but still ’e keeps comin’! We’re tight on is tail, but ’e holds ’is course and fires off a missile. One shot, right up the tanker’s tailpipe, and she blows, big as day! An’ while Dragon an’ me are dodgin’ ’er debris, the hairy bastard makes ’is escape!

Mission Briefing. Venice System, 06:00 hours, 2654.286.

Halcyon: All right, boys and girls. Welcome to Venice. Confederate Sector Command believes this system is vital to the Kilrathi. Some intelligence reports indicate that Kilrathi High Command, may be located in a starbase somewhere in this system. If that is the case, we need to find it as quickly as possible. We’ll immediately commence an intensive schedule of recon patrols, to identify all vessels and large objects in the system.

The commander quickly assigns four wings to patrol missions. Maverick’s is the fifth assignment.

Halcyon: Maverick, you’ll lead Epsilon Wing. I’m putting Hunter with you.

Hunter: Glad to be on your wing, mate!

Halcyon: Here’s your route, gentlemen. Computer, display Epsilon. You’ll fly a four-point patrol. At the first nav point, you’ll fly by one of our own Exeters. From there on out, though, you’ll be in unknown territory. Now there’s a lot of debris floating around out there, and we believe that a lot of it is going to be Kilrathi mines. You’ll be flying near debris at Navs 1, 2, and 3, so be careful. And I want a report on the locations of any minefields you encounter. Any questions, Maverick? Hunter?

Maverick: What kind of enemy ships do you expect us to encounter?

Halcyon: Since this is a major Kilrathi base system, we expect a strong enemy presence. You could meet almost anything out there.

Hunter: When we spot them, Colonel, do we mix it up?

Halcyon: Maverick’ll have to make that call, but I’d recommend engaging anything up to a Ralari. Now, if there aren’t any questions… All right, then. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 15:00 hours, 2654.286.

Halcyon: Welcome back, Maverick. Did you hit all your Nav Points?

Maverick: Yes, sir, all four.

Halcyon: Run into anything unusual out there?

Hunter: Nothin’ we couldn’t ’andle, Colonel.

Maverick: Met Khajja the Fang out near Nav 4, flying escort for a Ralari.

Halcyon: Oh? I’d heard he was in the system. How’d you do against him?

Maverick: Nailed him, sir. Got the Ralari, too.

Halcyon: Excellent job! Congratulations, Maverick. All right, then, let’s go over the numbers. You scragged 11 of the Kilrathi fighters, Maverick, and Hunter came up empty. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.286.

Halcyon: For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Venice system, on or about 2654.286, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Silver Star to Major Blair. Your courage is exemplary of the Confederation’s finest defenders. Good job, Maverick. Congratulations.

Maverick: Thank you, sir.

Venice 2

Shotglass: Hey, Maverick. I hear you ran into Khajja the Fang out there yesterday. Colonel said you did him in! Man, that hairball’s needed killin’ since I was a rookie. One of the pilots from Killer Bee squadron was in earlier, said the Kilrathi’d be sendin’ their top aces after us soon. Thought you might like to know, so you could keep an eye out.

Bossman: Maverick, have a seat. Lieutenant Marshall and I were just discussing tactics. We’re likely to be coming up against an increasing number of big ships. It is important to know how to approach them. When attempting to destroy a large ship, such as a Fralthi, I prefer to attack from the rear. A large vessel’s armour is always weakest around the engines.

Maniac: I hear the Kilrathi build ’em that way on purpose, Boss, to make the captains keep their noses pointed towards the enemy!

Bossman: I have heard that as well, Lieutenant, though I see no reason to believe Kilrathi captains are so cowardly.

Maniac: The Bossman here might like to come at a big ship from behind, but I like to approach the big ones from the side. They’ve got all their missiles to the front, and most of their guns to the front and the back.

Bossman: True enough.

Maniac: If you come in from the side, you’ll have time to get in close, then you can really let the sucker have it!

Mission Briefing. Venice System, 06:00 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: After extensive reconnaissance of this section of the Venice system, our patrols have located and identified a number of Kilrathi vessels. In our next several missions, we’ll be engaging and destroying these ships. Our fighters will be working with fighters from the carrier Kyoto, which has recently joined us in the Venice system. Maverick, you’re first up with Nu wing. I’ll keep Hunter on your wing for now. You’ll be going after a Fralthi with a couple of the Kyoto’s fighters. Computer, display Nu. You’ll rendezvous with two Rapiers, Foxtrot Wing, from the Kyoto, here. From this point, you’ll proceed to Nav 1, skirting the edge of an asteroid field. Then you’ll head on to Nav 2, the last reported position of the Fralthi. She can’t be far from this point, and she’s an awfully big bogie. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding her. Questions?

Hunter: I’d guess a Fralthi’d have a fighter escort, Colonel…

Halcyon: She’ll be well-guarded. Tactical says to look for Gratha on wide patrol, and either Salthi or Krant flying close escort. Anyone else?

Bossman: Have we got a position on the main Kilrathi base in the system, Colonel?

Halcyon: Not yet, Kien, but Tactical’s narrowed it down to a few possibilities. If that’s it, then let’s get into space. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 09:00 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: Nicely done, gentlemen.

Maverick: Thank you, sir. That Fralthi was a tough–

Halcyon: Oh, the Fralthi, that’s unimportant compared to what was in your computer. Tactical started analysing your log as soon as you arrived and downloaded. That Fralthi was in direct contact with the Kilrathi starbase, and Tactical can use the intelligence you gathered to find it! They’ll have her location pinpointed within the hour!

Hunter: Colonel, that’s bloody incredible! When do we go take ’er out?

Halcyon: Soon, very soon. For now, though, let’s go over your mission report. Computer credits you with 7 Kilrathi, Maverick, and Hunter gets 6 to boast about. That’s all. Dismissed.

Venice 3

Shotglass: Seen the news on the trid lately? Looks like the Kilrathi are startin’ to pull out of the sector! We chased them out of Brimstone, Kurasawa and Gimle, and now they’re pullin’ out of Tartarus and Nifelheim, too! It looks like Venice is goin’ to be where they make their stand, and we’ll be here to help kick them out of Vega sector. It’s history in the makin’, man!

Hunter: I was thinkin’, mate. There’s somethin’ we might want to try… Paladin, ’ere, tells me tha’ the furballs ’ave been plantin’ mines around… I was thinkin’ we might try to use those mines to our advantage! If we’re dogfightin’ near a minefield, why not try to lead ’em into it? There’ll be more of them than there are of us, an’ if we concentrate on the avoidin’ the mines, while they’re thinkin’ of shootin’ us, they might just run into a few mines by accident!

Paladin: Och, Maverick, lad. Things are lookin’ up, aren’t they? I’ve ’eard the Kilrathi are pullin’ all their ships in, gatherin’ ’em all ’round that starbase we’ve been lookin’ for. But they’re s’posed to ’ave mined the system pretty ’eavily.

Hunter: Not to worry, mate! Their mines’ll blow up their ships as soon as ours.

Paladin: Hunter here thinks their mines can be used against them, but I’m not so sure. I say you can’t be too careful when you’re flying through a minefield!

Mission Briefing. Venice System, 09:45 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: As some of you have heard, we’ve pinpointed this system’s Kilrathi base. The Tiger’s Claw will begin to move into position to strike that base. Because Venice is a vital Kilrathi system, we expect significant resistance as we move the Claw into position. For that reason, I’ll be dispatching wings to fly on her flanks, to head off any attacks from the sides as we move.

The Colonel assigns wings to fly above, below, and to port of the Claw.

Halcyon: Maverick, you’ll guard our starboard side. Hunter will fly your wing again on this mission. Here’s your route. Computer, display Phi. This is essentially a three-point patrol, except that you’ll rendezvous with the Tiger’s Claw at Nav 3, instead of returning to the Claw’s original position. Be on the lookout for any enemy vessels in the area. It’s safe to assume any Kilrathi you see is headed to attack the Claw, so your orders are to immediately engage and destroy all enemy ships. Any questions?

Maverick: What kind of opposition are we looking at on this one, sir?

Halcyon: Hard to say, Maverick. This is a crucial base for the Kilrathi, so they’ll send their best to defend it. Now, if that’s all the questions… All right, then. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 12:45 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: Glad you made it back, Maverick. Those Gratha were giving us a hard time.

Maverick: We ran into some opposition along the way, sir, but we got past ’em.

Halcyon: We expected that. Just what did you come up against?

Maverick: Mostly a Ralari with a couple of Dralthi for escort. They didn’t get past us.

Halcyon: Good job, Maverick. All right, then, let’s go over the numbers. You scragged 8 of the Kilrathi fighters, Maverick, and Hunter did in 1 himself. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 13:00 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Venice system, on or about 2654.287, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Bronze Star to Major Blair. Your courage is exemplary of the Confederation’s finest defenders. Good job, Maverick. Congratulations.

Maverick: Thank you, sir.

Venice 4

Shotglass: Hey, Maverick. You hear about Nifelheim and Tartarus? Our boys have kicked those blasted hairballs out of both systems. They had footage of the ground battle on Tartarus on the trid. Man, it was great! Our marines, marchin’ through the streets of the biggest Kilrathi colony, linin’ the fleabags up and loadin’ ’em on to prison ships. They’re goin’ to ship ’em back to Kilrah, lock, stock, and barrel. Me, I’d put ’em to work minin’ salt or harvestin’ fungus, but I don’t reckon that’d work out too good. I’m just happy to see ’em bein’ sent out of the sector, so we can have a little peace again!

Angel: Ah, Major Blair. Bonjour. I have heard that the Kilrathi have sent all of their best against us now. Since Venice is the last contested system in the sector, we will face the finest pilots they have left to them. I have been reading the records of their leading aces, but it appears that their best known pilots have all died!

Paladin: Och, lad, I reckon this fight’s just about over. About bloody time, too, that’s what I say! I spent me entire career fightin’ the Kilrathi, you dinna ken how much it means to me to be here, now that we’re about to run their fuzzy tails out of the sector!

Mission Briefing. Venice System, 13:30 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: All right, people, this is the big one. We’ve discovered that the enemy base here in the Venice system, is the Kilrathi High Command for this entire sector. We’ll be moving in for the final assault on the starbase today. The Kilrathi will expect us to come in with all of our capital ships. That means they’ll be looking for us in a few hours. Tactical has determined that if we send in a handful of starfighters, we’ll be able to hit them before they’ve gathered around the base. We’ll send several wings to punch through the perimeter to the base. Here are the assignments for each wing…

The Colonel quickly runs through the wings of Black Lion Squadron.

Halcyon: Maverick, you and Hunter will head straight in, along this route. Computer, display Omega. Your first objective is the Fralthi-class light cruiser at Nav 1. She’ll have fighter escort as well, but you’re just to slip past them - don’t stick around to dogfight. Then it’s on to the Kilrathi base, here at Nav 2. There will be lots of fighters around the base, but try to ignore them. You’re main objective is to take out that base. Questions?

Hunter: What are we supposed to take the base out with, anyway, Colonel?

Halcyon: Your missiles. Save them for the base, because your ship’s guns will be useless against anything that big. Anyone else? All right, then. Let’s get to work. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing. 16:45 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: Congratulations, men! You just finished the Kilrathi in Vega sector!

Hunter: Oy, Colonel! Don’t go all misty on me!

Maverick: Thank you, sir. We were very lucky–

Hunter: Now, ’old on there, mate! I’d say talent ’ad a bit to do with it as well!

Halcyon: No false modesty, Major. You’re entitled to be proud of what you’ve done.

Maverick: I suppose it was pretty impressive, wasn’t it, sir?

Hunter: ’at’s the spirit, Maverick! Let’s go and see Shotglass for a little celebration!

Halcyon: Not so fast, there, Hunter. You two are the guests of honour at a little ceremony upstairs!

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.287.

Halcyon: In consideration of his valorous service to Humanity, leading the forces of the Confederation against the Empire of Kilrah, taking a decisive role in the Vega Sector Campaign, and commanding the squadron which accomplished the pivotal victory, in the Venice system, on or about 2654.287, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Medal of Valour to Major Blair. History shall number you among the greatest heroes of Humanity. Good job, Maverick. Congratulations.

Maverick: Thank you, sir.

Vega Sector Campaign: Venice System

Venice 1

Venice 2

Venice 3

Venice 4