Iota Wing (Cheng-Du System)

Iota Wing
Date	2654.135.0950
Fighter	Hornet
Wingmen	Jeannette Devereaux
Medal	Bronze Star
Objectives	Escort Exeter to jump point
Previous	Epsilon Wing (Cheng-Du System)
Next	Omicron Wing (Cheng-Du System)

Mission Layout

• Between Tiger's Claw and Nav 1
  • Asteroid Field
• Nav 1
  • 5 Dralthi led by Dakhath nar Sihkag
• Between Nav 1 and Tiger's Claw
  • Asteroid Field
  • 4 Salthi

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

Pilots:

Major James Taggart, Wingleader

Captain Jeannette Devereaux

Ship Type:

Hornet

Mission:

A Confederation transport is headed for the Ymir System. Escort the Exeter to Nav 1 and wait for her to jump before returning to the Tiger's Claw. Kilrathi fighter wings are known to be present in the system.

Synopsis:

Took position behind Exeter and set speed to 100 KPS to match destroyer's cruise velocity. Heavy asteroid field encountered 6000 kilometers from Nav 1. Maintained speed through asteroids, steering to the right of the Nav cursor to avoid heaviest concentration of rocks.

Four Dralthi attacked as we approached jump point. Dakhath, the Kilrathi ace credited with 55 kills, led the wing. Targeted Dakhath and ordered Devereaux to break and attack.

Dakhath attempted to lead me away from Exeter, so I broke off and joined the Captain. After four shots to the side armor, I took out one Dralthi with a Dart and hit my afterburners. Attacking from the rear, our laser cannons took out two more Dralthi. Dakhath returned, but now there were two of us to contend with. He attempted to run, but constant afterburners kept us close and we downed him with laser cannons as well. The Exeter made a successful jump.

Five Salthi engaged on way to carrier, but the pilots weren't very skilled and we took out two with heat-seeking missiles and three with our laser cannons after evading their first pass at our position.

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

You hear what they're sayin' in Blue Devil Squadron?

Word is, one of their boys ran into Dakhath on patrol yesterday.

You know Dakhath, right? The Kilrathi ace that flies a Dralthi?

He's got 78 confirmed kills, countin' fighters an' capital ships.

They say his name means Deathstroke' in Kilrathi...

...'cause how he gets his jollies.

He likes to shoot pilots who've ejected as they wait for a pick up.

Talk to KNIGHT

So, Maverick. You've heard about that new fighter, the Rapier?

You nod as you sip your drink.

Joseph Khumalo

I read that we're getting the first Rapier squadron on active duty.

Colonel's already named the squadron Black Lion...

I wonder who'll be assigned to it?

Talk to ICEMAN

Lot of talk going around about this Dakhath guy.

Well, don't sweat that fuzzball too much.

Joseph Khumalo

Casey ran into Dakhath a couple of years ago, near Planck's Star.

Michael Casey

Dakhath got his rep by shooting helpless men...

...but he's not so tough if you stay in your ship.

Watch him when you're on his tail.

He likes to burn out...

...or drop behind you with a kickstop.

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing. Chengdu System, 09:50 hours, 2654.135. Ten minutes into the briefing…

Peter Halcyon

Next up is Iota Wing, Maverick and Angel.

We've got an Exeter-class destroyer that's headed for Ymir System.

You'll fly escort as it heads for its jump point.

Let's take a look at the screen...

Computer, display Iota.

The jump point is here, at Nav 1.

Look alert out there, as you may need to guide the destroyer.

We have detected several asteroid fields in the area...

...and we believe there may be Kilrathi fighters nearby as well.

Questions?

Jeannette Devereaux

Oui, mon colonel. Is it safe to take an Exeter through such asteroids?

Peter Halcyon

We've plotted a safe course through the asteroids for the Exeter...

...but you'll need to be alert for ambush from among the debris.

Ordinarily, we'd fly around the asteroids...

...but that destroyer has to be at Ymir too soon to allow the longer route.

Anything else?

All right, then. Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 12:40 hours, 2654.135.

Peter Halcyon

So the Exeter jumped out all right?

Christopher Blair

Yes, sir. We ran into that Kilrathi ace, Dakhath, and a wing of Dralthi...

...but we held them off until the destroyer got away.

Peter Halcyon

Dakhath, eh? I'd heard he might be in system.

Good work, keeping him off the Exeter. What happened to him in the end?

Christopher Blair

We got him, colonel. Blew him to little bits.

Peter Halcyon

Excellent I'll see that the brass hears about this!

Well, let's hit the numbers on the mission report.

Recorder shows 7 Kilrathi destroyed by you, Maverick...

and 3 for Angel.

All right, then. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 13:00 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 Bronze 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.