Omicron Wing (Cheng-Du System)

Omicron Wing
Date	2654.135.1320
Fighter	Hornet
Wingmen	Jeannette Devereaux
Medal	Silver Star
Objectives	Defend the Tiger's Claw
Notes	Defend the Tiger's Claw
Previous	Iota Wing (Cheng-Du System)
Next	Alpha Wing (Brimstone System) (Win Series) Eta Wing (Port Hedland System) (Lose Series)

Mission Layout

• Tiger's Claw Nav
  • Wave 1
    • 2 Gratha
  • Wave 2
    • 4 Gratha

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

Pilots:

Major James Taggart, Wingleader

Captain Jeannette Devereaux

Ship Type:

Hornet

Mission:

Red Alert. Six Gratha are heading for the Tiger's Claw and two wings launch immediately to guard the carrier against imminent attack.

Synopsis:

Immediately following launch, two wings of Gratha approach the carrier. We set speed at 420 KPS and keep formation until auto-targeting provides the range. Rolling 90 degrees, we turn towards the nearest wing and fire afterburners to hit fast and hard.

After calling "break and attack," I pull into an afterburner slide from the right side and let the lasers rip. I missed swinging around on the lead ship, but debris feel from the last Gratha. I bump the afterburners, nose in on the rear with the lasers, and down it.

The second Kilrathi wing approaches the carrier, so we roll, turn, and burn, and try to lock onto a target. Taunts were flying back and forth as we tried to coax the attacking planes into dogfights. Two came out to meet us, and we hit them hard with the laser. I fired a Dart, and when the pilot turned to avoid it, hit hard with the cannon. When he turned to run, I followed and wrecked him with a Javelin HS.

The same tactic scored on another, and Angel reported success with her lasers after a long fight. I called "attack my target" and we downed the last two Gratha using just afterburners and laser fire. Sometimes I wish we could carry more missiles.

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

Knight tells me the colonel's movin' you to Blue Devil Squadron.

That'll put you on a Scimitar, like I flew when I was your age.

Darn fine ship in her day, though she looks a little outdated now...

The Scimitar mounts a pair of mass driver cannons...

...instead of the Hornet's lasers.

They fire a lot farther than laser bolts, and hit with more punch...

...but the projectiles move a lot slower.

That makes you use 'em closer up, in spite of the extra range.

Still, those extra klicks are good against big, slow ships, like tankers.

Talk to KNIGHT

Hey, Maverick, you hear about the new assignments?

The colonel said he's moving you to a Scimitar in Blue Devil Squadron.

Ever flown Scimitars before? I think you're going to like them.

A Scimitar isn't quite as fast or nimble as a Hornet...

...but she's got twice the armor, as well as heavier guns.

Michael Casey

And she handles like a Centaurian mud pig.

Joseph Khumalo

Iceman here'll try to tell you speed and handling'll save your butt...

..but I'll take an extra three centimeters of durasteel plating any day!

Talk to ICEMAN

Maverick. They call me Iceman.

Don't let Knight here fool you about the Scimitar.

It's a gun-heavy slug.

Forget finesse in a Scimitar.Just head straight in, guns blaring.

Give me a ship that lets me use my skill...

A Raptor, even a Hornet...

...or one of those new Rapiers!

If half of what they say is true, the Rapier's a true artist's ship!

Mission Briefing

Emergency Briefing. Chengdu System, 13:20 hours, 2654.135.

Peter Halcyon

Code Red alert, everyone.

We've got six Kilrathi Gratha headed for the Tiger's Claw.

You Killer Bees are the only squadron available...

...so you're going to have to stop them before they can blow the Claw.

They've already taken out one of the two Hornets flying guard...

...so we know they mean business.

Maverick, you and Angel will be first to launch.

Hunter and Redbird will take the next launch...

...then Maniac and Turtle, if they haven't disabled the launch tube.

Take this one personal, people...

They're after YOUR ship this time.

Now let's get into space!

Squadron dismissed!

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 16:20 hours, 2654.135.

Peter Halcyon

Good job, Maverick.

You and Angel really made the difference out there!

Christopher Blair

Hunter deserves just as much credit, sir.

Jeannette Devereaux

Oui, mon colonel. They were in space before the last four Gratha got here.

Peter Halcyon

You people managed to turn the Gratha before Maniac could even launch!

We've already gotten a mission report.

You racked up 4, Maverick...

and Angel got 2.

I want to see you in my office later, Maverick.

Christopher Blair

Yes, sir.

Peter Halcyon

All right, then. Dismissed.

Colonel Halcyon’s Office. 16:50 hours, 2654.135.

Peter Halcyon

Blair. Come in. I need to speak with you.

Christopher Blair

Yes, sir?

Peter Halcyon

We’ll be leaving Chengdu soon, and I need to make some personnel changes.

Effective immediately following the jump, you’ll be reassigned.

I want you in a Scimitar-class medium fighter, with Blue Devil Squadron.

Christopher Blair

Yes, sir. You won’t be sorry.

Peter Halcyon

Good. I’m glad to hear it. That’s all, then, Captain. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.135.

Peter Halcyon

For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Chengdu system, on or about 2654.135,

the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Silver Star to Captain 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.

Win / Lose Series

Win Series: Alpha Wing (Brimstone System)

Meanwhile...

Outside a Kilrathi Military Installation, Brimstone System.

As Kilrathi starships defeat the Terran Confederate fleet in space,

Human commandos make a daring raid to sabotage the Kilrathi base.

But their desperate mission fails when they are discovered by a patrol of Kilrathi soldiers!

Lose Series: Eta Wing (Port Hedland System)