Theta Wing (Hell's Kitchen System)

Theta Wing
Date	2654.285
Fighter	Scimitar
Wingmen	Ian St. John
Previous	Beta Wing (Hell's Kitchen System)
Next	Mu Wing (Hell's Kitchen System)

Mission Layout

• Between Tiger's Claw and Nav 1
  • Mine Field
    • 3 Salthi
• Nav 1
  • Wave 1
    • 4 Gratha
    • 1 Fralthi
  • Wave 2
    • 2 Gratha

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

Pilots:

Major Pitak Puzaki

1st Lieutenant Marsha Shannon

Ship Type:

Scimitar's; assigned to the TCS Eagle's Talon

Mission:

Combined Kilrathi forces have been chased into the system following their defeat in the Venice system. Theta Wing's mission is to recon every bogie in the system, making sure to find out why six enemies have been spotted in a circling pattern at Nav 1. If something big jumps in, engage and destroy.

Synopsis:

Minefield encountered on the way to investigate the circling enemy ships. We reduce speed and are surprised when four Salthi attack us in the minefield and score with lasers to our front and sides. Break and attack ordered. Shannon breaks left and is followed by three ships. I target the fourth.

Although it was dangerous, I fired a quick burst on the afterburners to avoid an incoming missile and slid slightly to the right to bring my nose around to aim at the Salthi. The mass drivers scored, and I took out the enemy with a Javelin when the ship turned to run. Shannon called for help. I responded immediately.

One Salthi goes down to Shannon's lasers, but her ship is destroyed by missiles from the other two ships. I dispatch them with the mass drivers from the rear. I don't hear the EBS signal that would indicate she ejected, but radio the Eagles Talon to initiate a search.

I only found four Gratha at the nav point. The dogfight was a blur of slides, rolls, loops, and turns. Missiles, lasers, and mass drivers lit the sky. I expended all my missiles before destroying the enemy ships.

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

Hey, Maverick. I hear you ran into Khajja the Fang out there yesterday.

Colonel said you did him in!

Man, that hairball's needed killin' since I was a rookie.

One of the pilots from Killer Bee Squadron was in earlier...

...said the Kilrathi'd be sendin' their top aces after us soon.

Thought you might like to know, so you could keep an eye out.

Talk to BOSSMAN

Maverick, have a seat. Lt. Marshall and I were just discussing tactics.

We're likely to be coming up against an increasing number of big ships.

It is important to know how to approach them.

When attempting to destroy a large ship, such as a Fralthi...

...I prefer to attack from the rear.

A large vessel's armor is always weakest around the engines.

Todd Marshall

I hear the Kilrathi build 'em that way on purpose, Boss...

...to make the captains keep their noses pointed toward the enemy!

Kien Chen

I have heard that as well, Lieutenant...

...though I see no reason to believe Kilrathi captains are so cowardly.

Talk to MANIAC

The Bossman here might like to come at a big ship from behind...

...but I like to approach the big ones from the side.

They've got all their missiles to the front...

...and most of their guns to the front and the back.

Kien Chen

True enough.

Todd Marshall

If you come in from the side, you'll have time to get in close...

....then you can really let the sucker have it!

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing. Hell’s Kitchen System, 06:00 hours, 2654.285.

Peter Halcyon

The situation is getting worse, people.

The Confederation's lost Planck's Star...

...and the Kilrathi forces there will be headed for us next.

Since we're expecting an increased hostile presence...

...we'll send wings to recon every bogie in the system.

Maverick, we've got a half-dozen bogies circling about 85,000 klicks out.

I want you and Hunter to go check them out.

Computer, display Theta.

They're circling a point here, at Nav 1.

It looks like they're waiting for something to jump in.

It could be just a tanker or a 'sport...

...but it might be the first of the Kilrathi warships from Planck's.

Ian St. John

Do we make a play for 'er, colonel, or is this just a look-see?

Peter Halcyon

You'll have to make the call, Maverick, but I'd say engage.

Even if it turns out to be a Fralthi...

...she'll never be as vulnerable as when she first jumps in.

Anything else?

All right, then, let's get out into space.

Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 16:00 hours, 2654.285.

Peter Halcyon

I haven't seen the mission report, Maverick. What did you find out there?

Christopher Blair

One of the big cruisers, Colonel...

It was a Fralthi, sir, with Gratha flying escort.

Peter Halcyon

A Fralthi, eh? Did you destroy it?

Christopher Blair

Yes, sir! We took the monster out!

Peter Halcyon

Really? Excellent work!

That's just the sort of initiative mankind's going to need to survive.

Christopher Blair

Bhurak Starkiller was leading a wing of Salthi to intercept us.

Peter Halcyon

I see. Well, Major, why don't you give me the numbers for the mission?

Christopher Blair

Hunter knocked down 2 of them.

I managed to take out 8 myself.

Bhurak Starkiller is out... permanently.

And the Fralthi was destroyed.

Peter Halcyon

Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.285.

Peter Halcyon

For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Hell’s Kitchen system,

on or about 2654.285, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Gold 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.