Sigma Wing (Gateway System)

Sigma Wing
Fighter	Hornet
Wingmen	James Taggart
Objectives	Proceed to Nav Point 1 Escort Drayman-Class Transport back to the Tiger's Claw
Notes	Proceed to Nav Point 1 Escort Drayman-Class transport back to the Tiger's Claw
Previous	Kappa Wing (Gateway System)
Next	Alpha Wing (Brimstone System) (Win Series) Epsilon Wing (Cheng-Du System) (Lose Series)

Mission Layout

• Halfway between Tiger's Claw and Nav 1
  • 5 Krant
• Nav 1
  • Drayman to be escorted / No Enemies
• Halfway between Nav 1 and Tiger's Claw
  • 3 Salthi including Bhurak Starkiller

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

According to the transcripts, this mission, flown by Iceman and Knight in the Gateway System, bears striking similarities to the escort mission I flew with Psi Wing in McAuliffe.

Halcyon: "I heard you took out Bhurak Starkiller, Major. What's the scoop on dogfighting with a Kilrathi ace?"

Iceman: "We'd destroyed five Krants on the way to Nav 1, met the Drayman, and were headed back to the Claw when three Salthi attacked. Bhurak was closest and I knew it would save lives in the future if I could eliminate him."

Halcyon: "How did you engage and still protect the Drayman from the enemy?"

Iceman: "Normally, I tell my wingman to attack my target when meeting a Kilrathi ace, but I ordered him to break and attack. When he took off after another target, I slammed on the afterburners and went after Bhurak. I was hoping Knight could keep the Salthi busy until I returned. It was a judgement call."

"Bhurak flies like he was born in the cockpit. I've never seen an enemy pilot make a Salthi dance like he did. On the first pass, he hit me with two shots from his laser and my fore shields went down. Then he made a hard turn and scooted directly away. I followed with afterburners and was able to get a lock with the Javelin. I launched, but he dodged the heat-seeker and came straight at me. This time, though, I refused to meet him head-on."

"I yanked the stick back. I'm lucky it didn't break off. I went to afterburners and looped back on him. Bhurak was ready for my tactic and hit me from below. He started to turn and run, but this time I was on him like a cheap suit. I stayed on his tail, punching the afterburners and cutting loose with the lasers. He was rolling and changing speeds, but I was hitting him hard, and finally he went down. It was surprisingly easy, but the key to a successful mission was Knight's ability to keep the other Salthi busy until I returned to the Drayman."

Halcyon: "You were lucky, Major."