Rho Wing (Jotunheim System)

Rho Wing
Fighter	Raptor
Wingmen	Mariko Tanaka
Previous	Alpha Wing (Jotunheim System)
Next	Mission Success Psi Wing (Bifrost System) Mission Failure Iota Wing (Retreating from Kilrathi Territory)

Mission Layout

• Tiger's Claw
  • 4 Gratha
• Nav 1
  • 4 Jalthi
• Nav 2
  • 5 Captured Rapiers
  • 1 Captured Exeter-Class Destroyer (TCS Gwenhyvar)
• En route back to Tiger's Claw
  • Wave 1
    • 4 Krant
  • Wave 2
    • 5 Gratha

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

Previous Entry - Between Missions (Jotunheim System)

Colonel Halcyon said we had an emergency. The Tiger's Claw had received a distress call from the Johann, an Exeter-class sport. Apparently the ship needed protection while under repair.

Mission Profile:

Patrol Nav 1 for enemy fighters first, then go to Nav 2 and guard the Exeter-class ship until she completes repairs and jumps out.

Mission Chronology:

1. Four Gratha attacked 55,260 kilometers from Nav 1.
2. Four Jalthi hit when 15,000 kilometers from Nav 1.
3. Four Rapiers attacked when 19,800 kilometers from Nav 2.
4. A Rapier and the Exeter appeared 8,000 kilometers from Nav 2.
5. Four Krant, in two wings, and four Gratha started blasting away when we were 53,444 kilometers from the carrier.

Post-Mission Analysis:

I don't know how Intel could have been so wrong. This mission was the most bizarre I'd ever flown. As it turned out, the mission was the result of a bogus radio message from the Kilrathi. It wasn't the Johann, but the mythical Gwenhyvar that appeared at Nav 2. They were trying to draw us into an ambush and they almost succeeded. I knew something was wrong when Rapiers attacked our position before we reached the Exeter, so I was prepared for something unusual.

Our guard mission turned into a search-and-destroy and it's a good thing we were flying Raptors. We ran up against 22 heavy and medium Kilrathi fighters, and only our constant use of afterburner slides, and rolls and turns, allowed us to survive. Our complement of missiles was ex-pended against the Jalthi. It would have been suicide if we'd been flying Hornets or Scimitars.

Preflight Conversations

Shotglass

Hey, Maverick! Bar's closed...the Colonel needs every pilot in Briefing, right away.

Mission Briefing

Peter Halcyon

Quiet, everyone. We have an emergency situation here.

We've received a distress call from the Johann, an Exeter-class ship---

---that was attacked by the Kilrathi several hours ago.

They've drifted right into Kilrathi territory. I need someone to guard them while they complete---

---enough repairs so they can reach the Tiger's Claw.

Unfortunately, I also need most of you here to protect the Claw from another possible ambush.

Mariko Tanaka

Maverick and I can take care of this situation, Colonel.

Peter Halcyon

Good. Here's your mission data....

You'll launch immediately and go to Nav 1.

If the Johann has drifted past that point, intercept them at Nav 2.

Defend them from any Kilrathi in the area while they repair their ship....

And then escort them back to the Tiger's Claw.

The Colonel assigns the other wings to different patrol duties.

Peter Halcyon

That's all. Pilots, prepare for launch.

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing -- $T, $D.

Peter Halcyon

I'm VERY curious to hear your report, Maverick. Where is the Johann? Why in the hell didn't you bring it back?

Christopher Blair

It wasn't the Johann waiting for us at Nav 2, sir. It was the Gwenhyvar.

Peter Halcyon

The Gwenhyvar I never thought that story was for real. What happened, Blair?

Christopher Blair

It was real, sir, and they tried to kill us. But it's dusted now.

Peter Halcyon

Well, here's your recorder information. You had $K kills, Blair.

Spirit bagged $L Kilrathi.

Okay, take it easy for a while.

Dismissed.