Actually got to read this one pretty early. I liked seeing all the old crew, though all of the meetings stuffed into one chapter seemed kindof odd. All we need now is Grayson Burrows to show up
(please don't tell me he's the captured Orion pilot).
I had very few problems with this chapter. Besides some grammar mistakes (which I'm just going to leave to someone else to point out), here are my catches.
There are very few TC veterans left to regail their exploits with Casey about flying Dralthi (and IIRC, none are left alive that actually flew them in games/novel).
Note: Loved the Dr. Monkhouse reference, though he must be getting up there in years.
Nuke'ems in the WCU are in Privateer 2, which is set some 100 years in the future. They weren't bombs perse, but they emitted a blast wave that warped your ship ahead in time to avoid the blast. I guess these could be their forbearers.
The Orions got some thick shields, but yet a single laser battery hit licks the armor? Could be explained that these Nuke'ems act like Maces (which might not be a half bad substitute) and weaken even the launching fighters shields when detonated (though he would need some thick shielding to protect him where a Vampires failed).
Confed are the good guys but they are gonna resort to torture to get info? This apparently isn't the kindler, gentler Confed
The nervous breakdown you describe is Maniacs second one, his first would be during Operation Thor's Hammer
Maniac also missed a rank on his way to General. Lt. Colonel comes between Major (what he was on the Midway) and Colonel.
Otherwise, neat chapter.
C-ya