Phi Wing (Venice System)

Phi Wing
Date	2654.287
Fighter	Rapier
Wingmen	Ian St. John
Notes	Proceed to Nav 1. Proceed to Nav 2. Rendez vous with Tiger's Claw at Nav 4.
Previous	Nu Wing (Venice System)
Next	Omega Wing (Venice System)

Mission Layout

• Nav 1
  • Mine field
• Nav 2
  • Mine field
  • 2 Jalthi
• Nav 3
  • 1 Ralari
  • 2 Dralthi
• Rendezvous Nav
  • Tiger's Claw
  • Wave 1
    • 2 Gratha
  • Wave 2
    • 2 Gratha

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

Terran Command had discovered the location of the Kilrathi starbase and the Tiger's Claw was moving into position to launch her fighter wings against the final target. Significant resistance was expected, and Phi Wing was ordered to take out any enemies encountered on a three-point scouting patrol ahead of the carrier. Then we were to return and guard the starboard side against the fighter attacks that were sure to come.

When we hit the asteroid field while still 73,000 kilometers from Nav 1, I radioed the location back to the Tiger's Claw so she could alter course and avoid the hazard. We worked our way through the rocks and reached our first point without encountering any enemy fighter or capital ships.

"Maybe we've inflicted more damage in the system than we thought," I said to Hunter. "I can't believe we've traveled 90,000 kilometers without any enemy sightings. It's strange."

"You never know, Prankster," he replied. "Maybe they're avoiding us and sneaking back to attack the Claw. Let's finish our patrol as fast as possible and get back there."

We had almost reached Nav 2 when two Jalthi opened up on us. I pushed the throttles to full, added afterburners, and kept turning right and left to keep clear of the incoming laser cannons and neutrons. I ordered a break and attack.

My first thought when dogfight-ng with a Jalthi is always defensive. You need to avoid the tremendous firepower from their six gun ports. Luckily, you have the speed advantage to make it work.

I kept circling the Jalthi and using my afterburners to try and come up from the rear. Once I had position, I fired with the full guns, then broke away when the Jalthi turned around to face me. I launched a Spiculum that scored on the first one, but it wasn't powerful enough to take him down. Another Spiculum and full guns shattered the heavy fighter.

I joined Hunter and we managed to destroy the second Jalthi as well. The only problem was that the dogfight took a long time. We needed to get back to the carrier.

Just before we reached Nav 3, the Ralari and a small fighter escort showed up. They were heading toward the Tiger's Claw, until we launched an aggressive attack. I couldn't understand why only two Dralthi were guarding the destroyer, but I was glad. Another break and attack was ordered and our full guns ripped through the Dralthi's armor when they tried their patented looping escape either up or down. Now that we know how they'll react, the Dralthi are one of the easiest targets to destroy.

I didn't keep enough distance from the Ralari as I swept across her bow and turned to circle and approach from the rear. Her turreted lasers caught me and I lost my target track, which made all but my Dart missiles ineffective. Dumb move.

The Ralari's shields and armor yielded to the full guns and Darts from the two Rapiers, but once again, it took longer than expected to finish the job. We turned toward the carrier and kept our fingers on the afterburners instead of using autopilot. We could get home faster that way.

By the time we sighted the Tiger's Claw, Halcyon was screaming for assistance from all Confederation ships. Four Gratha were hammering the unprotected ship. Whatever wing had been as-signed the port position hadn't returned from patrol yet.

We started taunting the enemy as soon as the Gratha showed up on our autotargeting VDU. I called out to each of the ships, telling them to "bite it," and Hunter was hollering as well. These must have been veteran pilots, since only one turned away. We went after the others in a break and attack.

Hunter just blew away the first Gratha with a precision slide that put him in perfect position to use his full guns. There couldn't have been more than 100 meters separating him and the enemy ship, and his neutrons and lasers ripped through the hull of the ship. I went around the carrier and came down from above a Gratha that was concentrating on the Tiger's Claw. I wasn't as close as Hunter, but I hit the ship twice from above and then came around behind him. He never knew what hit him. Now we were one-on-one. I kept hitting the afterburners, turning and sliding before using my guns. It took some time against the heavy fighters, but I took out both remaining Gratha without taking any damage. Sliding is the most effective move in space combat.

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

Seen the news on the trid lately?

Looks like the Kilrathi are startin' to pull out of the sector!

We chased them out of Brimstone, Kurasawa and Gimle...

...and now they're pullin' out of Tartarus and Nifelheim, too!

It looks like Venice is goin' to be where they make their stand...

...and we'll be here to help kick them out of Vega Sector.

It's history in the makin', man!

Talk to HUNTER

I was thinkin', mate. There's somethin' we might want to try...

Paladin, 'ere, tells me tha' the furballs 'ave been plantin' mines around...

I was thinkin' we might try to use those mines to our advantage!

If we're dogfightin' near a mine field, why not try to lead 'em into it?

There'll be more of them than there are of us...

an' if we concentrate on the avoidin' the mines...

...while they're thinkin' of shootin' us,

...they might just run into a few mines by accident!

Talk to PALADIN

Och, Maverick, lad.

Things are lookin' up, aren't they?

I've 'eard the Kilrathi are pullin' all their ships in...

...gatherin' 'em all 'round that starbase we've been lookin' for.

But they're s'posed to 'ave mined the system pretty 'eavily.

Ian St. John

Not to worry, mate Their mines'll blow up their ships as soon as ours.

James Taggart

Hunter here thinks their mines can be used against them...

...but I'm not so sure.

I say you can't be too careful when you're flying through a mine field!

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing. Venice System, 09:45 hours, 2654.287.

Peter Halcyon

As some of you have heard, we've pinpointed this system's Kilrathi base.

The Tiger's Claw will begin to move into position to strike that base.

Because Venice is a vital Kilrathi system...

...we expect significant resistance as we move the Claw into position.

For that reason, I'll be dispatching wings to fly on her flanks...

...to head off any attacks from the sides as we move.

The colonel assigns wings to fly above, below, and to port of the Claw.

Peter Halcyon

Maverick, you'll guard our starboard side.

Hunter will fly your wing again on this mission.

Here's your route...

Computer, display Phi.

This is essentially a three-point patrol...

...except that you'll rendezvous with the Tiger's Claw at Nav 3...

...instead of returning to the Claw's original position.

Be on the lookout for any enemy vessels in the area.

It's safe to assume any Kilrathi you see is headed to attack the Claw...

...so your orders are to immediately engage and destroy all enemy ships.

Any questions?

Christopher Blair

What kind of opposition are we looking at on this one, sir?

Peter Halcyon

Hard to say, Maverick. This is a crucial base for the Kilrathi...

...so they'll send their best to defend it.

Now, if that's all the questions...

All right, then. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 12:45 hours, 2654.287.

Peter Halcyon

Glad you made it back, Maverick. Those Gratha were giving us a hard time.

Christopher Blair

We ran into some opposition along the way, sir, but we got past 'em.

Peter Halcyon

We expected that. Just what did you come up against?

Christopher Blair

Mostly a Ralari with a couple of Dralthi for escort.

They didn't get past us.

Peter Halcyon

Good job, Maverick.

All right, then, let's go over the numbers...

You skragged 6 of the Kilrathi fighters, Maverick...

and Hunter did in 3 himself.

Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 13:00 hours, 2654.287.

Peter Halcyon

For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Venice system,

on or about 2654.287, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Bronze Star

to Major Blair. Your courage is exemplary of the Confederation’s finest defenders.

Good job, Maverick.

Congratulations.

Christopher Blair

Thank you, sir.

Filled with pride, Maverick meets the applause of his fellows.