Xi Wing (Rostov System)

Xi Wing
File:Xi-wing-rostov.jpg
Date	2654.284.1200
Fighter	Raptor
Wingmen	Michael Casey
Medal	Silver Star
Objectives	Proceed to Nav 1 Destroy Ralari-Class Destroyer Return to Tiger's Claw
Previous	Gamma Wing (Rostov System)
Next	Tau Wing (Rostov System)

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

While we'd been successful in halting the supply ships the Kilrathi had deployed throughout the system, their military presence was increasing daily. Tactical had reported several new bogies in the system, including a Ralari-class destroyer. Eliminating the Ralari was critical to our success.

Before we even hit the mission briefing, I met with Iceman. After yesterday, when I'd ordered a head-on attack against the Dralthi, I'd sensed he was holding something back. It was hard to tell with Iceman since he was so quiet all the time.

"I know I made a mistake out there yesterday, Iceman, and I appreciate your calling my attention to it before we met another enemy wing. I'm glad it was you on my wing. I know the wingman's role is to protect the wingleader and obey orders, but you're the real veteran in the wing and I'm always ready to listen," I said.

"No problem," was his characteristic reply. "Let's go."

We decided to take advantage of the asteroid field and try to use it as cover to ambush the Ralari. We were well on our way when two wings of Salthi seemed to appear out of nowhere. The smaller wing of two Salthi was closer, so I ordered a break and attack, hit the afterburners, and raced into battle. I wanted to take the first two out fast and then turn our attention to the three Salthi that were furthest away.

The Salthi pilots were good, very good, but the light fighters just didn't carry enough firepower to pose much of a threat to our Raptors. They could be pesky, since their speed and acceleration were excellent compared with our heavy fighters, but it doesn't take many shots from the neutrons to destroy the 1.5-cm left and right armor. The only chance they had was to hang on until the odds were 5-2. They didn't make it that long.

Iceman scored with two perfect shots from the full guns. It took me a little longer to down my target, but I might have been overly cautious after Iceman's warning the day before. I was giving the same respect to the Salthi that I usually reserved for the Kilrathi's heavy fighters. The comparison pales, since the Salthi only carries two laser cannons and a dumb-fire. The heavy fighters, especially the Jalthi, are heavily armed.

We turned on the last three ships and I ordered Iceman to attack my target. We could breeze right through these guys with our combined guns, and that's exactly what happened. We just evaded their first run, hit the afterburners to stay on their rear when they turned, and blasted away. Nothing to it.

I wish our next dogfight had been as easy. When we first saw the Ralari and the escort wing, we couldn't tell what type of fighters was providing protection. As soon as the first six-gun salvo headed our way, we knew they were Jalthi. They always present a formidable challenge.

Since there were four enemies, I ordered a break and attack and left Iceman to his own devices. I circled behind the Ralari, hoping to use it as a shield, but its turreted lasers locked on and sent my front shield reeling. I headed dead away from the enemy, with a Jalthi on my tail, to let the front shields regenerate and keep my intact rear shields towards the heavy fighter. Their strength dipped as well when a double shot of laser fire tore into me. It was time to go on the offensive.

I rolled left, turned hard to the right, and hit the afterburners to reverse direction and coem back from above the Jalthi. He was ready, but by the time he had me in his sights, I had scored with three shots. When he turned to regroup, I was on his butt and firing full guns. That's all it took.

"Help me out here!" I heard Iceman yell. Three Jalthi were giving him fits. I burned straight toward him, turned right to begin a slide, then hit backspace to put on the brakes. Keeping my speed set to 0 KPS and just using afterburners, a tactic the Kilrathi hadn't seen before, gave me the edge and I blasted two Jalthi while Iceman took out a third. It was full guns all the way.

I used the same tactic on the Ralari that I use on all capital ships, but I fired all my missiles first, and turned off when I was about 2000 meters from the target. The Ralari sends a lot of laser fire to the rear and I wanted to stay out of range. Once my missiles were expended, I switched to neutrons and, with Iceman, continued the attack. It took awhile, but she lit up like a shower of fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

Hey, Maverick. You look like a man who could use a drink.

I've invented a new drink named for this system...

I call it the Rostov Hairball...

...for all those Kilrathi ships on the rocks out there in the asteroid!

Stop by when you're off duty and we'll have one.

Talk to KNIGHT

Hello, Maverick. Have a seat.

I hear the Kilrathi are hungry for the minerals in those asteroids out there.

My guess is that they'll try to send in some heavier ships...

...so its probably a good idea to hang onto a couple of missiles...

...in case you meet something big in the later stages of a mission.

That way, you'll still have something with punch to throw at the big boys.

Talk to MANIAC

Hey there, Maverick. How's it goin'?

I sure wish that I could see some more action.

But the Commander won't let me on the flight deck.

He's still upset about that 'sport that I accidentally skragged...

Man, it wasn't my fault...I can't control a missile once its launched!

No one can! How am I supposed to stop it from acquiring a Drayman as its target?

Besides, a transport should know enough to stay out of a fighter's way.

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing. Rostov System, 12:00 hours, 2654.284.

Peter Halcyon

Listen up, people.

The Kilrathi are strengthening their position within this system.

Tactical reports several new bogies jumping in around the system.

We've just gotten a confirmed fix on a Ralari-class destroyer.

Maverick, you and Iceman get this one.

We can't let them keep that kind of firepower at our backs.

Your mission will be to engage the Ralari and destroy it.

We don't have a tactical report of its escort ships, but rest assured they'll be there.

We're counting on you to succeed.

Michael Casey

We'll take her down, sir.

Peter Halcyon

Here's your strike plan...

If the Ralari moves as we expect...

...you should encounter her at Nav 1.

You'll have to fly through an asteroid field...

...but that should allow you a measure of surprise.

Colonel Halcyon assigns the rest of the squadron to investigate other bogies.

Peter Halcyon

...which should provide a safe corridor for our reinforcement ships.

Squadron dismissed.

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 15:00 hours, 2654.284.

Peter Halcyon

Good work, Major.

You too, Iceman. You both did your job well.

Michael Casey

No problem.

Christopher Blair

The destroyer never stood a chance, sir.

Even though they had us outnumbered and outgunned.

Peter Halcyon

Let's go over your mission log...

Report shows 8 Kilrathi for you, Maverick...

and 2 for Iceman.

Again, good job on taking out the Ralari.

That's all. Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.285.

Peter Halcyon

For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy, in the Rostov system,

on or about 2654.284, the Terran Confederation is proud to present the Silver 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.