Omicron Wing (Kurasawa System)

Omicron Wing
Date	2654.278
Fighter	Rapier
Wingmen	Kien Chen
Other Friendly Ships	Ralari-Class Destroyer at Nav 1
Objectives	Proceed to Nav 1. Safely escort captured enemy ship back to Tiger's Claw.
Previous	Theta Wing (Kurasawa System)
Next	Chi Wing (Kurasawa System)

Mission Layout

• Between Tiger's Claw and Ralari
  • Asteroid field
  • 4 Salthi
• Ralari
  • 4 Gratha

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong

I remember how stunned we all were when Halcyon reported that Terran forces had captured a Kilrathi Ralari-class destroyer in Port Hedland. It was unbelievable.

Sector command wanted to bring the Ralari to the Kurasawa System and use it in the siege against the Kilrathi bases. Imagine that, using their own destroyer against them. The only problem was that the Kilrathi knew we had control of their ship and they would pull out all the stops to keep us from getting our hands on their technology.

Bossman and I drew the assignment to rendezvous with the Ralari when it jumped in, and escort the ship back to the Tiger's Claw. We'd been told that a wing of enemy fighters was approaching the jump point at top speed.

As Bossman and I raced to the launch pad, he told me his thoughts on the mission. "This is an opportunity we can't waste, Prankster. That Ralari could be the key to the whole mission. I'd advise avoiding dogfights on the way if at all possible. If we have to fight, we'd better make it quick."

I nodded my affirmation as I climbed into the Rapier's custom cockpit. The canopy was sliding before I had taken my seat and the launch caught me with only half the harness buckled. The launch team wasn't wasting any time.

We were cruising at full speed and really burning the afterburners when we hit the asteroids. I came to a screeching halt using backspace, then upped the throttle to 300 for our journey. It wasn't the safest speed, but I felt the extra maneuverability of the Rapier would keep us safe. It woudl have, but for the four Jalthi who saw us before we could sneak through the field. I told Bossman to break and attack and armed the lasers for some long-range shots. The cannons didn't do much to the Jalthi, but did split them up as they approached through the obstacle course.

I switched the guns to full and took a chance. I bumped the throttle to 350 KPS - dangerous in an asteroid field - and headed for the lead Jalthi. That's a real advantage against the Jalthi's maximum speed of 280, and made it the difference in the battle. I blasted the first with a neutron, the second with a Pilum Friend-or-Foe, the third with full guns, and Bossman nailed the fourth. I wondered whether we were fast enough.

We lit up the sky on our way to meet the Ralari. My finger cramped from leaning on the afterburners switch, but it wa a lot quicker than autopilot. Fuel wasn't really a consideration either.

The Ralari had already jumped in and four Gratha were swarming around it like bees around a hive. We couldn't go any faster, and we spit out our insults as soon as we had a target, trying to draw them away from the Ralari. Only two responded.

I ordered break and attack and tried to sidestep the Gratha who were heading our way. I knew we had to get to the ships attacking the Ralari. It was a mistake. I managed to slip by and get near the Ralari, but Bossman was sidetracked by the two attacking fighters. I'd have been better off if I'd just told him to keep formation until we'd evaded the first two fighters.

I hadn't even fired the first shot when the Ralari blew. Damn. Just one simple mistake had blown the greatest opportunity in the war's history. There's no telling what we might have learned from the data banks on that ship, much less the chance to slip in secretly with a converted Ralari destroyer on an unaware enemy.

Halcyon was livid when we returned to the Tiger's Claw. "I accept full responsiblity, Colonel," I responded. "Bossman warned me about the need to make it past the first enemies we encountered quickly. I probably should have tried to work my way around the asteroid field and then just afterburned away from those first Jalthi. At least the Ralari would have had a chance at that point."

I had failed to complete missions in the past, but this one really threw me for a loop. I kept running the sequence of events through my mind, searching for alternatives that would have made a difference. I found more than one. I'd missed an important communication with Bossman; we could have taken out two of the Jalthi and then made a break for the Ralari's jump point.

This one wasn't going to go away. I wouldn't be able to put it in the past. The only positive factor was that I would probably be a better pilot because of it. Some consolation.

Preflight Conversations

Talk to SHOTGLASS

Take a load off, Maverick. I've got good news.

We just got a report from the seige force over Kurasawa IV.

The CSS Suffolk just torched a Kilrathi communications station.

That should keep those Kilrathi jerks in the dark for a while.

I'll let you know if I hear anything else. See you, Maverick.

Talk to KNIGHT

Good day, Maverick. Heard you're flying a Rapier these days.

Is it really as quick as everyone says? I've got to see it in action.

I just got back from a patrol out near Kurasawa IV.That was a nightmare.

Me and Lightning were jumped by a couple of wings of Gratha.

We managed to take out five of them before they got Lightning.

If we'd had those Rapiers, I bet that we'd never have taken a hit.

They're good ships. You're lucky to get to fly one out.

Talk to SPIRIT

Konichi-wa, Maverick-san. Do you have time to share?

I am inspired by the reports of our sucesses. We are doing well.

Still, I am sure that there are many battles left to be fought.

The Kilrathi will not be vanquished until they are beaten on their own territory.

Beware a desperate enemy, $C. They will stop at nothing to defeat you.

Until we meet again.

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing. Kurasawa System, 06:00 hours, 2654.282.

Peter Halcyon

O.K. Boys and girls, we've been lucky.

Less than 4 hours ago, we received a Code Blue transmission...

It seems our boys captured a Ralari-class destroyer in the Port Hedland System.

Sector Command wants to use this ship in our seige here at Kurasawa.

I've given my assurances that we'll bring her in intact.

I'm sending a wing to rendezvous with the Ralari and escort it to the Claw.

Bossman and Maverick, This one's yours. Maverick will fly lead.

Christopher Blair

Understood, Colonel.

Peter Halcyon

Here's the scenario...

Computer, display Omicron.

The Ralari entered the system at the jumppoint near Nav 1.

There's an asteroid belt along the way.Keep your eyes peeled for trouble.

Once you've arrived at the rendezvous point,you'll escort the destroyer back here.

One other note. Our sensors show a Kilrathi force approaching at high speed.

They must have been sent to prevent us from getting the Ralari. Expect a tough fight.

That's all, gentlemen.

Dismissed.

Mission Debriefing

Mission Debriefing. 15:00 hours, 2654.282.

Peter Halcyon

The captured Ralari has pulled into formation with the Claw. Good job, Maverick!

Same for you, Major Chen. You both are a credit to the Confederation.

Kien Chen

The credit belongs to Maverick, sir.

Christopher Blair

I can't take all the credit, sir. Bossman played a major role.

Peter Halcyon

Let's review what happened out there...

Maverick got 6 of the hairballs...

and 2 for Bossman.

I commend you on bringing back the Ralari.

Dismissed.

Hangar Deck. 17:00 hours, 2654.282.

Peter Halcyon

For meritorious conduct in confronting the Kilrathi enemy,

in the Kurasawa system, on or about 2654.282,

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.

Next:

Chi Wing (Kurasawa System)