Episode 3 - Winning Mission 3A - Rearguard Action

Rearguard Action
Date	2668.359.1848
Fighter	Rapier
Wingmen	Sparrow and Gunner
Other Friendly Ships	1 wing of Stilettos, 1 wing of Rapiers, 6 Clydesdale minelayers
Objectives	Primary Lay Mines at Nav 2 Lay Mines at Nav 3 Lay Mines at Nav 4 Secondary Secondary: Ensure survival of at least four Clydesdales
Previous	Episode 3 - Winning Mission 2 - Lashing Out
Next	Four or more minelayers survive Episode 4 - Winning Mission 1 - Clearing the Path Fewer than four minelayers survive Episode 3 - Winning Mission 4 - Destroyer Rescue

Briefing

Good work on your last mission, Bradshaw. One less carrier for us to worry about. Unfortunately, however, the Kilrathi are still pouring in. The situation's getting out of hand, and Admiral Tolwyn's ordered all Confed forces to retreat from Warsaw. First, however, we're going to take part in a small rearguard action. Here's the plan - you will rendezvous with a group of Clydesdale-class minelayers at this navpoint, and escort them through these three positions. They will be laying mines at each navpoint. After the mission is complete, you will take the Clydesdales back to a rendezvous with the Firekka at the jump point.

Player Notes

The mission is to escort six Clydesdales as they lay mines behind the fleet. The player reaches this variant if they killed the Snakeir in the previous mission. You fly a Rapier with Sparrow and Gunner as your wingmen. You are supported by the six Rapiers of Charlie and Delta wings.

Ejection means capture, except at Firekka Nav and at the Jump Point Nav.

As you reach Nav 1 you receive a communication announcing that a fighter transport convoy is in trouble and needs assistance. Charlie Wing will be detailed off while you escort the six minelayers.

Nav 2 contains two Kamekhs and six Krants. The minelayers will begin their drop soon afterwards. You must be careful of the mines, as they are mines and tend to explode if you get too close. Your main priority is to protect the minelayers so check your nav map often to select those fighters targeting them.

Either thirty seconds after the player arrives, or immediately after the six Krants are destroyed the following ships appear: nine Drakhri and three Gratha. Forty seconds later Echo Wing of three Stilettos arrives to reinforce your flight.

The minelayers are required to lay fifty mines before being able to move on. If you lose any minelayers the amount of time required to lay fifty will be increased and additional waves of enemies will appear.

Three Jalkehi and three Krants will appear thirty-five seconds after all enemies have been destroyed if the mine-laying objective is not yet completed.

Once all enemies are destroyed you can autopilot to Nav 3.

Nav 3 starts with three Sartha awaiting your arrival. Thirty seconds later or when all Sartha have been destroyed three Drakhri appear. Thirty seconds later or when all fighters are killed, three Drakhri and three Krants. Followed with the same conditions again by three Krants.

If the player has lost any minelayers thirty-five seconds after all enemies have been destroyed, three Jalkehi and three Krants appear.

Once fifty mines have been laid and all enemies destroyed the player may autopilot to Nav 4.

Nav 4 begins with three Sartha awaiting your arrival. Thirty seconds later or when all Sartha have been destroyed three Drakhri appear. Thirty seconds later or when all fighters are killed, three Gratha and three Jalkehi. With the same conditions, three Grikath will appear followed by six Krants.

If the player has lost any minelayers thirty-five seconds after all enemies have been destroyed, six Jalkehi and six Krants appear. In order for this mission to be a success all three mine-laying objectives need to be completed, otherwise it is a failure.