Tau Wing (Gimle System)

Tau Wing
Fighter	Raptor
Wingmen	Jeannette Devereaux
Objectives	Examine Kilrathi force at Nav 1. Retreat if overwhelmed.
Notes	Examine Kilrathi force at Nav 1. Retreat if overwhelmed.
Previous	Omicron Wing (Gimle System)
Next	Gamma Wing (Dakota System) (Win Series) Alpha Wing (Brimstone System) (Lose Series)

Mission Layout

• Nav 1
  • Wave 1
    • 6 Dralthi
  • Wave 2
    • 3 Dralthi lead by Dakhath

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

Captain Devereaux and Lt. Mariko weren't pleased when the prototype Rapiers were assigned to other pilots, especially when they heard their next mission briefing. Halcyon ordered them to check out a large group of bogies at Nav 2, flying the heavy Raptor.

Hours later, I found Spirit sitting in the library, halfheartedly scrolling through the latest issue of the Global News. I could tell she was distracted, but walked over and sat down anyway.

"It is the first time I have ever turned the blue flames of my exhaust toward the enemy and run, Prankster," she lamented. "Even though I destroyed Dakhath, and completed the mission according to orders, I feel I have failed."

"We ran into nine Dralthi separated into two wings. We handled the first group with ease, but then I heard Dakhath boasting of his ability to destroy me. I know he stays with a single target until it explodes, and I could tell that Angel had her hands full with the four other Dralthi. I had to engage."

"Dakhath loves missiles and the first came toward me as I turned to put him in my crosshairs. I punched the afterburners and rolled right to avoid the explosive, and was out of position to avoid the first shots of his laser cannon. My rear shields were quite low. I was concentrating so much on Dakhath that I didn't notice the Dralthi on my tail until the cockpit shook with the impact of still more laser fire. My computer and communications systems were damaged."

"I just had to stay with Dakhath and hope the armor and my own gyrations as I chased him would keep me alive as the other Dralthi continued their assault." Spirit paused and brushed a wisp of hair away before proceeding with her story.

"I weakened Dakhath's rear shield with a Javelin HS and stayed on him with full guns. When he pulled away, I switched to mass driver and saw debris through the glass. The other Dralthi were hammering me, and my missile system was destroyed, but two more shots with the neutron and Dakhath started screaming. I couldn't tell if he ejected or not. His demise cost valuable time, and by the time I turned to help Angel, she was ordering me to form on her wing and run back to the Claw. I had to comply. We had simply taken too much damage."

"I just heard that an assault on a Kilrathi base in Brimstone was thwarted. It adds to my sorrow. I hope my failure didn't contribute to the loss of human lives there."