Return of the King?

The Way We Weren't

Here, for your enjoyment, is the original first draft script summary for Wing Commander V (later Wing Commander Prophecy). It's pretty vague, but it includes two elements that clearly would have improved Prophecy: Casey isn't named Casey, and Maestro dies. Enjoy!

WING COMMANDER V -- SYNOPSIS

Nearly a decade has passed since the Border Worlds conflict. Blair is now Commandant of the Confed Academy, in charge of a new class of cadets who are eagerly approaching graduation. Their relatively peaceful lives are thrown into chaos when a giant wormhole appears near the shattered remains of Kilrah and a huage alien fleet of unknown origin invades Confed space. Despite Blair's misgivings, his rookie pilots are pressed into service to confront this seemingly invincible armada -- and to stop it before it can reach Earth.

Our story centers on LIEUTENANT TOM DANE, the best of the best new pilots, as he pursues a series of critical mission objectives. His base ship will be the carrier Midway; his opponents will consist of various enemy aces, capital ships, and, ultimately, a Dreadnought-class vessel.

Dane must fly recon, escort Space Marines to designated drop points, and battle alien fighters. With each completed mission, he helps Confed move closer to its primary goal of stopping the invasion. But the cost will be high -- blasted ships, dead civilians, and lost wingmen.

Dane will also confront a variety of personal obstacles. His best friend is captured -- a beautiful young cadet is constantly (and aggressively) competing with him -- and the secret that Blair eventually reveals to the youngester will have a tremendous, gut-wrenching impact on his future.

Our hero perseveres through every challenge -- right up to the moment that he leads his Wingmen against their final and most important objective; the alien-built Command Center which maintains the wormhole portal.

During the battle to destroy that Command Center, both Blair and Dane's best friend are lost. As the alien wormhole collapses, the invasion armara posed on the other side of it is blocked access to Confed space. Tom Dane has bought Earth some desperately needed breathing room. Until next time.

This war is not anywhere near over.