Kappa Wing (Gateway System)

Kappa Wing
Date	2654.133.1200
Fighter	Hornet
Wingmen	James Taggart
Objectives	Defend the Tiger's Claw
Notes	Defend the Tiger's Claw
Previous	Delta Wing (Gateway System)
Next	Sigma Wing (Gateway System)

Mission Layout

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

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

The following transcript followed a mission necessitated by a Code Red Alert. Multiple wings of Dralthi were attacking the Tiger's Claw.

Halcyon: "Glad to see you back, gentlemen. I heard your ships were heavily damaged. What happened out there?"

Iceman: "There were three wings of Dralthi, Colonel, so the numbers were definitely in their favor. When you have that many ships attacking from so many different directions, it's tough to stay with a single target. The problem is, if you don't, it gives them time to repair damage and shield power."

Halcyon: "I've heard that information many times, Major. Give me something new that will help when other pilots are outnumbered."

Iceman: "The most important thing is to take out the closest targets right away, sir. I ordered Paladin to break and attack so we could divide their attention between the two of us. The Darts were the most effective weapon, Colonel. I wish the Hornets carried more."

"The tricky part is timing the launch. That slight delay between hitting the fire button and actual release takes some getting used to. I tried to approach from the side, so that they were moving perpendicular to my line. Then I led them by about half a ship and banged that fire button. You've gotta be close sir, real close."

Halcyon: "How about the Javelins and laser cannon, Major?"

Iceman: "The long range of the lasers is really an advantage in heavy traffic, sir, but the Javelins were just about useless. By the time I locked onto a target and fired, those Dralthi were looping away and the missile was losing the heat signature."

Paladin: "If I could break in, sir, I think I discovered a trend that'll rattle their brains in the right situation. We've always known that taunts often lead a pilot away from the primary target and he'll turn to attack the pilot who sent the message. They seem to take it personally. Well, Iceman was caught up in a real seat-squirmer of a dogfight and I was going after the third wing that was hitting the Tiger's Claw pretty hard. Just by luck, I think I told the Kilrathi wingleader to 'slag off.' I never expected it, sir, but every plane in that wing turned to attack me. When we're trying to draw fire away from a capital ship, sir, I think we should just cycle through every enemy with our taunts. Once we burn the ears of the wingleader, he'll have every ship in his wing changing targets. One occasion doesn't make it a habit, but it's something we should test."

Halcyon: "No doubt about it, Captain, that's worth looking into. I'll have Communications set up a priority message on the network."

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

You met Maniac and Bossman over there yet?

Maniac’s a real lunatic, a good pilot, but way too erratic.

He was just comin’ up when the fleabags put me outta commission.

Just between you and me, I’d rather fly alone than with Maniac on my wing.

Bossman’s another story, though. He’s a real team leader.

A crack pilot, with 17 years behind him.

Flown ever’thin’ in the Terran fleet, and blown up at least one of every class the Kilrathi have.

Talk to BOSSMAN

Chen Kien

Sit down, Maverick. They call me Bossman.

I’ve been watching you. You look good for a rookie.

You handle yourself well in a dogfight, but we’ll be facing some bigger ships soon.

Todd Marshall

All right! Some serious action!

Chen Kien

A lot of young pilots get excited when they see their first destroyer…

Todd Marshall

Just what do you mean by that, Boss?

Chen Kien

…they lose their heads and go straight in for the battleship.

Then a light fighter they forgot about blasts them from behind.

Big ships move slow and turn like pigs.

Thing to do is clean up the fighter cover first, then go in for the battleship.

Talk to MANIAC

Hey, Maverick. I’m Maniac. Glad to meetcha.

Bossman says we’re gonna see some action against some battleships soon.

I can’t wait. Dodging flak and fighter cover to make a missile run at a destroyer…

Man, that’ll be a rush!

Get in there quick, waste the mama cat, then pick the kittens off one by one.

That’s the way to do it!

Mission Briefing

Emergency Briefing. Gateway System, 12:00 hours, 2654.133.

Peter Halcyon

We've got a Code Red alert, people.

At least half a dozen Kilrathi fighters, coming in fast.

With Blue Devil and Star Slayer squadrons out on patrol...

...you Killer Bees will have to stop them yourselves.

We've got two Hornets in space already...

...and we'll scramble the remaining wings at double-time.

Paladin is Alive	Paladin is Dead
Peter Halcyon Maverick, you and Paladin will be first out the launch tube.	Peter Halcyon Maverick, you'll be first out the launch tube.

Peter Halcyon

Iceman and Dragon will be next...

...followed by Bossman and Redbird.

Remember, people, this is for all the marbles...

Stop these fighters, or you'll have no place to land!

So let's get to it!

Squadron dismissed!

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 16:00 hours, 2654.133.

Paladin is Alive

Paladin is Dead

Peter Halcyon Excellent work, Maverick. You too, Paladin. Congratulations to the both of you. James Taggart You might say I was inspired ta a great effort, Colonel. Christopher Blair I just did what had to be done, sir. Peter Halcyon You fought off the Dralthi before we could even launch the next wing.

Peter Halcyon Welcome back, Maverick. Looks like we all came through it. Christopher Blair How's the Tiger's Claw, sir? Peter Halcyon We took considerable damage, especially to the flight decks. One hit blocked the launch tubes just before Iceman and Dragon launched. That's why we couldn't get anyone out there to back you up. Christopher Blair That's all right, sir. At least we all lived through it.

	Paladin is Alive/Solo	Paladin is Dead
		Peter Halcyon All except Paladin, that is.

Peter Halcyon We've already gotten a mission report.

Your Kills	No Kills
Peter Halcyon It shows you took out (number), Maverick...	Peter Halcyon It shows no kills for you, Maverick.
Wingman's Kills	No Kills
and (number) for Paladin.	and none for Paladin.
Wingman's Alive/Solo	Wingman Dies
	Peter Halcyon And Paladin didn't make it back, of course.
Awards/Reprimands	None
And Maverick...I want to see you in my office in an hour.

Peter Halcyon

That's all. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.133.

Peter Halcyon

For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy,

in the Gateway system, on or about 2654.133,

the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Silver Star to 1st Lieutenant 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.