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Operation Thor’s Hammer: Vigrid System
Vigrid 1
Shotglass: You look like you’re havin’ a good day, Maverick. ’course, knowing that the Sivar is sitting out there, running out of power… well, it helps. Scuttlebutt has it that we’re just about ready to go for the kill. I hope that we get that shot soon… for Zach and Trisha. Ah, but waiting’s always the worst part… Bottoms up, Maverick.
Knight: Hey, Maverick. I heard that you just got assigned to the Black Lion squadron. That means you’ll be flying with me. Let’s be careful out there, okay? Well, I just hope that we’re going after that dreadnought soon. We’re so deep into enemy territory, so far from our own lines… the Sivar’s not the only one who can’t resupply.
Iceman: Good job out there against the furballs, kid. We’ll go for the big one, really soon now. Remember missiles. Don’t use ’em up too fast, kid. Your guns will sting, and take out the smaller targets for you, but there’s nothing like a missile to finish the job.
Mission Briefing, 06:00 hours, 2655.199. Unknown sector named ‘Vigrid’.
Halcyon: Attention! We need to get everyone on the flightline, fast. Our tactical data has pinpointed the Sivar, and the Kilrathi know where we are. They’re sending a massive strike against the Tiger’s Claw. It will be all hands on deck and in space. Here’s the setup. Sensors show a large strike force massing at Nav 1. Our guess is that they’ll have at least one heavy ship, with multiple fighters. Whatever’s there, it has to be stopped before it jumps to our position. When you’re sure the area is clear, head back to the Claw. Maverick and Knight get the duty. Your designation is Omicron Wing.
The Colonel assigns all other wings to other jump points, forming a shield around the ’Claw.
Halcyon: Questions? All right, then… keep alert, and don’t make any mistakes. Dismissed.
Mission Debriefing – 10:00 hours, 2655.199.
Halcyon: Welcome back, Maverick. Report, and keep it short.
Maverick: Yes, sir. I launched and ran out to Nav 1 to engage the strike force. When I first arrived, it didn’t seem all that bad, just a Ralari with Jalthi. I should have guessed that another wing was on its way in.
Halcyon: Fine. Did you destroy the Ralari or not?
Maverick: Yes, sir, I did.
Halcyon: No need to discuss the fighters outside, Maverick. Between you and our gunners, they’re history. For the record, you killed 11. Knight got 10 himself. Dismissed!
Vigrid 2
Shotglass: Hey there, Maverick! Hurry up and get to the Briefing Hall. It’s time to finish this pleasure cruise, one way or the other. Best of luck to you, Colonel Blair!
Bossman: Good day, Maverick. I’m glad to talk to someone besides our resident lunatics. I’ve been writing a letter home… just in case we don’t make it back. Have you seen the latest holopics of my family, Maverick?
Maverick: No, Boss, can’t say that I have.
Bossman: I’d like to show them to you later. I miss them very much. I hope that this mission ends soon, so we can return to Vega.
Maniac: Hey there, Maverick. I’m sure that I’ll be flying against the Sivar soon. In case I don’t succeed… you’ll have to take out that ship for me. I know that I’ll be the one to do it. Just like in my dream… But if I die too quickly, then it’s up to you, Maverick. Use your missiles first. But if nothing else works, I want you to hit them at ramming speed. Just in case, y’know?
Mission Briefing, 12:00 hours, 2655.199. Unknown sector named ‘Vigrid’.
Halcyon: Everyone present? Good. We’re now ready to go after the Sivar. This is the best shot we’ll get at her, so let’s make it count. I’ve had difficulty deciding which pilot I should send first because they’re likely to meet the greatest resistance. After our first strike launches, the Claw will move to a new vantage point, where we will launch the remaining wings. With any luck, the Sivar won’t expect attack from two separate vectors. All through this mission, the Sivar’s been escorted by a substantial fleet. We’ve picked off that fleet, ship by ship. But we can’t be sure we’ve nailed all of them. So be very careful out there. Now, listen up. We’ve lost a lot of good people during this operation, I don’t want to lose any more. On this mission… Hunter, none of this is personal. Keep it on a business level.
Hunter: If you say so, sir.
Halcyon: Angel, give ’em hell… but don’t accept any in kind.
Angel: Je comprends, mon colonel.
Halcyon: Maniac, I want you stay alive during this one. I know about your nightmares–
Maniac: But, sir–
Halcyon: They’re just dreams, kid. This is what’s real. And I need you alive, to fight the cats again. Understand?
Maniac: Yes, sir!
Halcyon: Bossman, stay cautious… just don’t be too cautious.
Bossman: No problem, sir.
Halcyon: Knight, you’ve always been a pro. Don’t get sloppy now.
Knight: I’m on-line and up to speed, sir.
Halcyon: Spirit, if you harbour any romantic notions about self-sacrifice…
Spirit: No, sir. Anything I sacrifice today will bear fur and whiskers.
Halcyon: Glad to hear it. Paladin, flying a desk is better than breathing vacuum. Just trust me on that one, okay?
Paladin: Are you just sayin’ that so you can get drunk at my retirement party, sir?
Halcyon: Iceman… uh… just do what you always do.
Iceman: Forget the goodbyes, sir. Let’s get this show on the road.
Halcyon: Maverick, no astrobatics, nothing fancy. Do the job and get out of there alive.
Maverick: Aye, aye, sir.
Maverick considers what the Commander said. He was saying goodbye to the pilots… just in case.
Halcyon: Maverick! You’re teamed with Knight again, as Omega Wing.
Maverick: I won’t let you down, sir.
Halcyon: Here’s the scenario. Head first to Nav 1. Try to destroy any of the remaining support fleet. They are not your main objective, though, that’s the Sivar, at Nav Two. If you are able to destroy the Sivar, hit your afterburners and come home. Rendezvous with the Tiger’s Claw at Nav 3. Questions? No? Good luck, Maverick. We’ll see you at Nav 3. Dismissed.
Mission Debriefing – 16:00 hours, 2655.199.
Halcyon: We’ve got the kill on record, Maverick. Congratulations. Personally, I knew that you’d come through for us. I will see to it that Confederation High Command rewards you for this. What do you have to add to the report?
Maverick: Not much, sir. The Sivar had a strong fighter escort. My guess is that the heavier ships have already manoeuvred out of system. Maybe they thought they could intercept the Tiger’s Claw and prevent our strike. Like the Fralthi at Nav 1… that ship is dusted, sir. But the Sivar still had a wing of Krant, Jalthi, and Gratha on ready-five.
Halcyon: The recorder shows you with killing 17, Maverick. It shows Knight with 10.
Maverick: Yes, sir. But I managed to bag the Sivar… Compared to that, nothing else matters much, does it?
Halcyon: Darn right, Maverick. You’ve struck a fatal blow to their plans for conquering Humanity. Now it’s time to go home. I’ll need to see you in my office later, Maverick. But for now… Dismissed.
Hangar Deck. 18:00 hours, 2655.199.
Halcyon: For excellence in combat with the Kilrathi enemy, on or about 2655.199, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Gold 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.
Meanwhile…
In the Throne Chamber of the Emperor of Kilrah.
The former Grand Admiral of the Kilrathi Empire stands before his master. There is nothing to be said. The Admiral is loyal to Kilrah, and his Emperor – and he knows the price of his failure. His Emperor has demanded an apology for the defeat of the Kilrathi strike fleet… and an apology must be given. An echo of the Admiral’s dying scream lingers in the air… then silence.
The Kilrathi Slave Mines.
With the retreat of the
Tiger’s Claw and the failure of her mission, the Kilrathi use their new weapon to establish dominance over Confederate defenders. Thousands of Humans are enslaved and taken to the Kilrathi Illudium mines, forced to work in misery until dying from the radiation in the ore… their toil fuelling the Kilrathi advance towards the Human homeworlds.
Secret Missions 2: Crusade
