Given the gravity of the current situation, I'll let Command speak for itself:
Long story short, we have no idea what we're up against, our weapons are 99% ineffective, and regardless of propaganda from Command, the sheer power of this enemy is enough to end a fourteen year war after eleven days of combat.
Expect more news from the front soon.
Space Pickle: "The universe finds a new way to make our lives hell each and every day it looks like."
Yer Mum: "Was it really that bad?"
Machinegun: "It was pure luck any of us made it back. Took everything we had to destroy those shields, and I went empty on missiles before it exploded. It wasn't like flying against a person, it was like fighting a wild animal."
Johnny Chopsocky: "At least they aren't invincible, the Galatea packs a hell of a punch, way more than our fighters. Plus I heard from flight-deck we'll be getting outfitted with the Avengers soon."
Space Pickle: "I'm more worried about the fact we haven't been communicate with them. If we could, maybe we could talk them down. If not, who knows how far they'll take this?"
Yer Mum: "Or... we could just kill them all."
Machinegun: "Gotta go with what you know."
Johnny Chopsocky: "Amen to that."
My least favorite mission of the game on Medium difficulty. Your escort in this mission is simply too well armored to be in any danger at all. And, most damming of all, asteroids don't grant promotion points or add to your kills. It is however the first mission where we see the GTD Orion in all its glory. It is in my view, the greatest human warship ever designed in Freespace, and will keep that crown for the next 30 years or so. It can take and give punishment like the heaviest boxer, and it's flightdecks carry eight full squadrons of fighters and bombers. Over a mile long, and carrying nearly a hundred attack craft, Orions are more than just weapons, they're symbols of human power and perseverance.
Due to increased encounters with Shivan forces, Terran Command has ordered the Galatea to the Beta Cygni system to monitor Shivan activity. The Galatea has taken quite a beating since her last repair, and there isn't time to follow the safest route. The Antares-Beta Cygni Jump Node lies in the center of a dense asteroid field, making it one of the least used Jump Nodes in the galaxy. Standard procedure would have us circumvent this node completely, requiring two jumps. Now we have no choice. Weapons systems have taken damage from enemy bombers. The Galatea should be able to make it through the Asteroid Field, but Alpha wing will be deployed to destroy approaching asteroids. Alpha Wing will fly point for the Galatea and destroy any asteroids that cross its flight path. Asteroids that are considered a threat to the Galatea will be marked by white targeting brackets. Destroy these asteroids first. Once the Galatea has jumped out, you are to report to the GTD Bastion, stationed in Antares. The Bastion will take you to Ikeya for your next mission. Your wing will rendezvous with the Galatea in Beta Cygni upon completion of that mission. In the event of enemy attack, you are to cover the Galatea's escape from the system at any cost.
See that speck between the communication tower branches and the main hull? That's Alpha wing. Yeah, Freespace gets scale like nobody else.
Galatea: "Asteroids on a collision path with the Galatea will be auto-targeted with white brackets on your HUD. We're expecting a top performance Alpha wing." @Dac: "This is Alpha 1, callsign Dac, we'll get it done."
Dac: "You know, I almost feel sorry for these new kids. They're picking a fight with the big boys now. That first wave cut and run pretty fast."
Galatea: "Contacts inbound, gunnery stations are restricted to visual targeting only."
Dac: "The evil rock menace is no more! *sigh* Only 6,345 to go..."
Command: "Tighten up on that com discipline Alpha."
Dac: "Just some gallows humor Command, mission proceeding smoothly."
Dac: "Alpha 1 to Galatea, bursts on target. Radar is clear for the moment."
Galatea: "Roger Alpha, we're accelerating into the field."
Dac: "What's the rush?"
Galatea: "The tactical situation is... fluid, stand by."
Alpha 2: "More rocks incoming. Help me out, Alpha 1."
Galatea: "The Galatea is taking damage. Alpha wing, assist please."
Dac: "Right, right. Don't want to scuff that new paint job."
Dac: "Just DIE already will you!"
Galatea: "Warheads inbound, Alpha, intercept immediately. Our gunners are fully engaged."
Dac: "I'll say this for them, those bombers pack a punch."
Dac: "That's the last of the rocks Galatea. You're clear."
Galatea: "Entering subspace now. We'll see you in Beta Cygni."
Command: "The Galatea is in Beta Cygni. Return to the Bastion."
Dac: "Bombers are bugging out, tough bastards. They didn't even flinch on their runs no matter how hard I hit them."
Command: "You did well under the circumstances. Contingencies have been enacted, in the meantime, we will hold the line."
Dac: "*grumble* Still didn't get any kills..."
This is one of those interesting results where our total performance across a few missions results in a special bonus. In this case, a Distinguished Flying Cross for destroying that Shivan fighter, and keeping the Galatea's hull above 50% integrity. On the bright side, we've managed to reposition our forces for a new offensive with minimal losses. On the not so bright side, we still have no clear picture on the size, capabilities, or objectives of an incredibly dangerous new enemy.
I remembered something else I love about Freespace. In most of the space sims of the day (i.e. XvT) ai controlled fighters would only begin evasive maneuvers once you started scoring hits on them. In Freespace the ai starts dodging as soon as cannon fire is near them...it makes for much more lifelike wingmen, as if they are actually looking out the canopy at the situation.
Who loves suicide missions! I sure do! Especially when I'm not flying them! Thankfully, steely-eyed @MechMantis is ready to do his part for humanity.
Welcome to the GTD Bastion. The Bastion is on a special ops mission to investigate and acquire Shivan technology. This includes weaponry, shielding, and stealth technology. Intelligence has determined that at least one point of Shivan entry into our space lies in the Ikeya system. At least five cargo depots of unknown origin have been located here in Ikeya. These cargo formations are different than any Vasudan and Terran formation, and are believed to belong to the Shivans. Reconnaissance indicates that the depot is protected by six sentry guns on the outer edges. This depot provides a prime opportunity to gather more information about the Shivans. Their offensive activity in this system is at a minimum, and we do not believe that they will make a serious attempt to defend this depot. Long range scanners indicate that some of these cargo containers contain unusual electronics. They appear to be similar to those used to give the Shivans their shielding technology. A short range scan of these containers is the primary objective in this operation. Further reconnaissance indicates another container group may contains parts for a Shivan sensor array. A short range scan of this group should provide crucial data needed to adjust ship sensors to attain radar lock on Shivan fighters. Scanning those containers is your secondary objective. You will jump in approximately six kilometers from the cargo depot. Proceed to the cargo depot quickly, and eliminate all sentry guns. This will enable our freighters to collect the cargo after you have scanned it.
Debriefing
As a side note, AIs in Freespace are limited strictly to sentry guns and training drones for allied forces. They're slow, poor shots and have notoriously unreliable IFF transponders. The only bright-side is they don't get bored once deployed. These Shivan guns are still dangerous for our unshielded fighters though.
Despite their alien nature, it seems the Shivans still require a logistics train to resupply after attacking. In our biggest offensive to date, the GTA is hitting all five target locations with Alpha as the tip of the spear. With a bit of clever hijacking, we may be able to level the technological playing field. It would certainly be useful to actually aim at the Shivans for a change. However, if we're detected during this recovery op, we're all dead, as usual.
Alpha 3: "It's too quiet here."
Alpha 2: "Yeah, this doesn't feel right."
MechMantis: "We don't have a choice, but I'm not reading anything other than the perimeter guns. Let's hope we caught them napping."
Command: "Maintain radio silence, pilots. You have a job to do."
MechMantis: "Let's get this done fast, shred the defenses and scan that cargo. I want this op finished in 300 seconds. Don't be predictable on your approach vectors."
MechMantis: "Half the guns are down, no shields detected. Moving to inspect the cargo... what the hell! Command, half of the cargo field just exploded!
Alpha 3: ""What the hell is going on here? Wait... Shivan wing arriving!"
Alpha 4: "I do not like this!"
MechMantis: EVADE! EVADE! Command! Heavy group hot! Multiple fighters and what looks like a capital craft on radar!
MechMantis: "Alpha wing! We've been set up! It's a trap!"
Alpha 2: "They're everywhere!"
Command: "Most of the cargo has been lost. Scan the remaining cargo Alpha, we still need any data available. Get to those containers, then get the hell out of there!"
MechMantis: "All sentry guns destroyed. Alpha, stay in formation and focus your fire on targets of opportunity. I'm making a run for the containers, keep them busy."
Alpha 4: "Get us out of here, Alpha! AAAAAAHH-"
Alpha 2: "Damn it! Alpha 4's gone!"
MechMantis: "Come on you piece of junk... work faster."
Command: "That's all the data we need. Get out of there Alpha!"
MechMantis: "Charging subspace drives. Alpha, go to full-burn and jump once you get two klicks. Let's leave them in the dust."
Alpha 2: "Copy lead. I don't believe it! We're separating from them!"
MechMantis: "Scopes are clear, I just hope this data is worth the price we paid."
It is fortunate that you were able to escape the Shivan trap. Your persistence in obtaining the data we needed is commendable. While you were unable to gather the shield data, another of our Ikeya task forces was successful in acquiring it. The data you did gather about Shivan sensor technology will be vital in combating the Shivan forces. Our technicians now believe they will be able to implement a targeting solution for Shivan ships.
Good work, pilot.
For those that don't know, Command can also be notoriously petty in dealing with its pilots. If you cheated and somehow kept the shield containers from exploding, this is the debriefing you get:
Your success in acquiring the shield technology against such overwhelming odds has indicated to us that you are, in truth, working with the Shivans. Your interrogation is scheduled for 0930. You will be escorted to the brig.
Thanks Command, you're the best.
Alpha 4's loss was not in vain. Despite the trap, one of the Shivan's deadliest advantages has been effectively nullified. We also get an important reminder we're not in this fight alone. Another GTA task force has recovered what appears to be Shivan shield generators. This priceless technology may very well put us on equal footing with them for the first time in this war. MechMantis did an amazing job considering the force he just went up against. This mission is scripted to have 400 Manticores if you were somehow able to destroy the first few wings. Yeah.
This is also the last mission in Freespace where standard Shivan forces are, for lack of a better term, invincible. From here on, we have a fighting chance, no matter how faint it may seem.
Dragon fighters? Oh yes, we'll be dealing with those soon enough. Allow me to illustrate the approximate feeling of fighting top end Shivan space superiority fighters.
Honestly the Ulysses is more than a match for a lone Dragon, the only difficult thing about that mission is that you can't KILL the thing. All about that speed management when fighting Dragons. They're also fucking cowardly, if you can force a shield face down they will book it.
But yeah. the Valk is my premier early-game fighter from the moment I get it. May not have much in the way of armor but if you're getting shot in a Valk you're doing it wrong.
Admiral Wolf: What were the results?
Johnathan Hargrove: Encouraging. As expected, the ML-16's failure against shields has more to do with its lack of kinetic energy than a failure of the weapon itself. Flight logs show that during the Galetea's withdrawal from Antares, Shivan craft took as much care to avoid incoming asteroids as did our fighters. As you can see, the 134th CEU successfully destroyed the four craft Shivan patrol with no losses.
Admiral Wolf: What about ammunition?
Johnathan Hargrove: The Avenger's classification as a CIWS is accurate, but not in a conventional sense. The weapon shaves a 45mm microshard from a dense block of metal contained within the weapon's body, similar in shape to a coin. The projectile is launched at supersonic velocities via traditional railgun technology. As long as you don't keep your fighters in the field for more than an hour per sortie, they should have effectively an unlimited supply.
Admiral Wolf: Why "Avenger"?
Johnathan Hargrove: After the famous GAU-8 Avenger of the 20th century. Our staff felt it was appropriate considering the circumstances.
Admiral Wolf: Impressive, what else can you offer?
Johnathan Hargrove: Well, with current energy consumption models, we can mount up to four of them per fighter, more for bombers.
Admiral Wolf: Four?
Johnathan Hargrove: Yes, and at 4,500 rounds per minute we've achieved an even higher rate of fire than the original. Quite impressive for an autocannon rather than a Gatling weapon... Sir?
Admiral Wolf: *chuckle* I think it's time we sent our boys and girls in uniform on a little field trip.
Today is one of those good news, bad news, situations.
The end of a 14-year war should bring peace. Unfortunately there is no time to breathe easy. After the 3rd Fleet lost the GTD Amadeus in the Vega system, the GTA and the Parliament of Vasuda have both declared open states of war against the Shivan forces. Unfortunately, not all Vasudan forces have agreed to the cease-fire. Reports have been received of attacks by a rogue group of Vasudans calling themselves the ''Hammer of Light''. Hammer of Light (HOL) appears to be willfully aiding the Shivan cause, citing some Vasudan legend about the coming of an all-powerful race. If you encounter any HOL forces, you are to treat them as hostile and are to use any force necessary to neutralize them. With the vital data gathered by the Galatea at the Ikeya Depot, our technicians now know enough about Shivan technology to successfully target their ships. You should also be able to track them on radar. The Avenger Cannon is now being loaded on every Terran and Vasudan ship in the galaxy. You will find these cannons far more effective against the Shivan shields. A strike squad sent from the 5th Fleet into the Ikeya system was able to recover some Shivan shield prototypes. Fully functioning versions of this technology are being developed for use on GTA fighters.
The shields themselves are being transferred through the Beta Cygni system to the Ribos system. This shipment must arrive in Ribos. Report to mission briefing in 30 minutes.
On the plus side, two galactic powers have set aside their differences and ended a brutal war. On the other hand, we're now fighting a vastly more dangerous enemy, and our new allies have an active fifth column in their own ranks. We have no idea how large this movement is, how far they may have infiltrated, or what firepower they possess. Fantastic.
In addition, the loss of the Amadeus confirms that the Shivans are an existential threat to the GTA. Command has instituted a colonial draft effective immediately.
At roughly 1400 hours a large convoy carrying one of our newly developed shield prototypes was deployed. It was expected that the Shivans would attack the convoy.
The Shivans destroyed the convoy. What the Shivans do not know is that the convoy was a decoy. There were a total of four working prototypes, only one of which was destroyed.
You are to take two wings of fighters to escort the three remaining shield prototypes. The Shivans should think you are just another shipment headed for Beta Cygni. This is not the direct route to Earth, which should divert the Shivans from our true intent. You are to accompany the freighters until the Vasudans arrive to escort them on the second leg. Do not leave the freighters until they have jumped to the Beta Cygni system.
The Shivans have hit everything sent from this installation. Expect resistance. Many pilots lost their lives today that the chances for success on this mission would be greater. You will succeed. Dismissed.
No pressure Alpha.
Considering the stakes of this mission, we're raiding the roster for this one. Our Vasudan war veteran pilots, @YerMum, @Johnny Chopsocky, and @Space Pickle will be crewing Beta wing along with @cj iwakura leading Alpha. If we lose this mission, it will cost us the war. The GTA cannot afford to keep taking losses at this rate. We need to give our pilots, all our pilots, a fighting chance.
***
CJ: Alpha and Beta ready to begin escort, what's the situation Cygni?"
Cygni installation: "We haven't been hit yet, but the main Shivan force is still in system. The fighters jump, fire everything they have, and jump away before we can respond. We barely have enough fighters to cover our perimeter."
YerMum: "Sniper tactics, great."
Johnny: "They'll have a surprise waiting for them this time. Snipers don't do well caught in a crossfire."
Theta 1: "Convoy ready, guns fully charged."
SpacePickle: "Surprised the fighter doesn't feel heavier with all this extra ordinance."
YerMum: "Yer mum's heavier with all this extra ordinance."
CJ: "If we're going to die, I would prefer that not be the last joke I hear."
YerMum: "No promises lead."
Johnny: "Picking up new contacts. New assault fighter codename Basilisk."
CJ: "Split up to cover the cargo. Pickle, you're with me. Everyone else stay with Theta and we'll catch them in a pincer."
CJ: "In gun range, firing!"
SpacePickle: "Burn you bastard! Pickle!"
CJ: "Nice shooting, more bandits at twelve."
YerMum: "Theta's flak screen is holding, they didn't even get a shot off lead. Second wave incoming!"
CJ: "Freighters have the lead ship bracketed, let's go for the triple play on the other three Alpha."
Johnny: "One!"
CJ: "Two!"
YerMum: Three! HA! Arjuna wing is down! These guns are something else!"
Johnny: "In space, no one can hear your bullets, and that's a damn shame!"
Andromeda: "Calling any ships in the area! This is the PVFr Andromeda! We have been attacked by enemy ships! They called themselves the Hammer of Light! They are in pursuit and will be here at any moment! Please assist!"
CJ: "Command, I'm reading a Vasudan freighter ten klicks out. Please advise."
Command: "Ignore them Alpha."
CJ: "Copy Command. *sigh* Only one way this will end."
Andromeda:"The Hammer of Light has arrived! Please assist! We are damaged and do not stand a chance! Nnnnooooo!!!!"
CJ: "No time to sort this out, another wave! Alpha, engage!"
YerMum: "Krishna wing is targeting the Cargo! Reading eight bandits!"
CJ: "I'll take care of them."
YerMum: "What?!"
CJ: "If I can break their formation you can shoot down the others more easily. Firing!"
Johnny: "CJ's on a roll. I'm not reading any survivors. Moving to intercept Rama wing."
SpacePickle: "There's plenty of room in hell for these bastards!"
YerMum: "Now reading Durga wing on sensors! This is endless!"
CJ: "I think... we've won. No new contacts."
Johnny: "Damn that was a hell of a dogfight. What's the final count?"
SpacePickle: "Confirm: twenty six bandits down. No casualties."
YerMum: "Someone up there likes us."
Pi 1: "Greetings Terran. We have come to take escort of the freighters. Alpha and Beta are relieved."
SpacePickle: "Anubis fighters and a few Seths. Vasudans are early aren't they?"
Johnny: "Yeah..."
Theta 1: ""As soon as we reach the jump point you will take escort. Until then, Alpha and Beta have guard."
Pi 1: "Your lack of trust is typical, Terran."
YerMum: "Yer mum lacks trust, Vasudan!"
CJ: "Alpha 2, please don't restart a war we just finished. Especially on my watch.
YerMum: "I'll do my best lead."
Johnny: "I don't like this. Recommend we fly formation with the Vasudans... at 2/3rds thrust. Trust is earned, and they don't have mine."
CJ: "Agreed. We're not taking any chances on this op. Weapons hold until I say so."
Omicron 1: "Beware Terrans! There are members of the Hammer of Light in your midst!"
Pi 1: "We are the Hammer of Light. The prophecy is your doom-."
CJ: "Alpha, Beta, kill them."
Johnny: "All Hammer forces destroyed. Thanks for the warning Omicron."
Omicron 1: "Acknowledged. We serve with honor... Terrans."
CJ: "Theta is jumping out."
Command: "Cargo has made it to Ribos. Return to base."
CJ: "Mission complete. That's a complete victory for the good guys, zero casualties! Let's head home team."
I don't know what Command would call it, but this feels like a win. A big one.
Tracking kills is actually quite easy in Freespace 2 by reading the event log. I just assigned a different "pilot" to each number before the mission. CJ ends with eleven kills, Johnny with two, Yer Mum with one, and SpacePickle with one. The unnamed cannon fodder Alpha 3 shot down two fighters, striking a blow for red shirts everywhere, and our freighters took out the rest with their laser screen.
And with that, our Squadron is in this history books. Gentlemen, ladies, shields up. Let's win this thing.
Aaaah, the Avenger, the weapon I use on literally every single craft in the game from here-on out.
Fuck yes.
We'll be trying out new weapons as they're developed, but yes, the Avenger is overall the best weapon in Freespace, and your wingmen should be using it almost non-stop.
As another fun fact, if we didn't complete the cargo scans for the prior mission. The Hammer of Light ships would have come in guns blazing rather than try to infiltrate our fleet. The method I used was to weaken each infiltrator ship down to critical health during their escort, and then when they go hostile, they'll be destroyed almost instantly.
This mission is also a real roll of the dice in the FS2 engine due to how enemy missiles work. Each four flight enemy wing will emerge in range and begin firing almost instantly. Completing this mission is easy, saving all the cargo is not. You need to do a lot of wingmen micromanagement to have a hope of splashing the Shivans before you lose at least one of the prototypes.
Keep them coming, I look forward to vaping more Shivans! Or more likely dying a horrible space death. FS2 is significantly harder on your ai wingmen thanks to beams and flak, but now that the whole squadron is flying together I think we're going to start seeing some of us go down in a blaze of glory.
Admiral Wolf: "I heard about the capture operation. How is flight lead Basil?"
MechMantis: "It's a miracle he's still flight worthy Sir. Shrinks say he said all the right things after the mission... but still, I'm worried. Not many people could handle losing an entire squadron."
Admiral Wolf: "I'm afraid it won't be the last impossible mission we send you on. We're training every pilot we can, but veterans like Alpha squadron are in high demand everywhere. We can't afford to have all our aces in one unit for the time being. Someone has to teach these rookies how to fight this war."
MechMantis: "I know sir, the operation was always going to be a gamble... still."
Admiral Wolf: "I take full responsibility for what happened. Maybe you'd better start from the top."
***
The radical Vasudan splinter group known as the Hammer of Light has been conducting many surprise attacks on convoys throughout Beta Cygni. These attacks must be stopped. The Hammer of Light presence is to be eliminated from this system once and for all. A Hammer of Light cargo depot which is believed to be the primary supply center for all Hammer of Light activities in the system has been located. This depot is guarded by a wing of Seth class fighters as well as an Aten class cruiser, the Ramses. The Hammer of Light does not have shielding technology, so this operation should be simple. Your primary objective is to capture the Aten cruiser Ramses. You are to disable and disarm it with Disruptor cannons, then protect the Omega transports while they capture it. Do not destroy the Ramses. The crew of the Ramses will be interrogated to learn more about the Hammer of Light. Once the Ramses has been disabled and disarmed, destroy all cargo in the area. The Hammer of Light can not be permitted to resupply. The containers store Vasudan supplies useless to the GTA. You are to lead Alpha wing on this operation. Your ships are equipped with our new shielding system. In case of any unforeseen problems, await further orders from Command.
MechMantis: "The initial engagement went off without a hitch. Without shields, the Hammer Seth fighters were scrap after the first pass. We could take a few glancing hits and only had to worry about our aim. If this is how the Shivans fight, I could get addicted to it."
MechMantis: "We had just started to disable the Ramses when the Shivan warship jumped in."
Admiral Wolf: "What were your thoughts on its performance?"
MechMantis: "Throughout the battle, I took pot shots at it every chance I got. Minimal damage. The real problem was the cluster missile system. No easy way to blindside it. Still, a cruiser is a cruiser. As I said in my report, I believe a full wing of fighters could handle one without excessive risk... stripped of its fighter cover."
MechMantis: "The Hammer of Light still had freighters in system though, and I was able to shoot down one of them. The flak screen was effective though, and bandits were still in the area. I broke off to return to the melee soon after. That's when the shielded Hammer fighters jumped in. We were surprised? Sure, but all it did was *slightly* even the odds in their favor. They didn't last two minutes between us and the Shivans."
MechMantis: "I told the rest of Alpha to keep up the fighter cover. We just didn't have the fire power to disable the Ramses and keep the Shivans at bay. That's when I decided the Ramses was a lost cause Sir, no way a transport would survive that kind of firepower for the duration of a boarding action."
MechMantis: "I used the Ramses as a shield, and began attack the cargo. I have no idea if Shivans can use Terran or Vasudan logistic materials, but just leaving that much hardware behind seemed like a bad idea."
MechMantis: "The Ramses went down soon after that. One of the worst cruisers ever designed against the best we'd ever seen. It wasn't even a contest. They ripped through it like it was made of paper. With the cargo destroyed, there was no reason to stay."
MechMantis: "Still it wasn't exactly comforting to know just how wide spread this rebellion had become. Permission to speak freely Sir?"
Admiral Wolf: "Granted."
MechMantis: "If you had to order the mission again? Would you?"
Admiral Wolf: " I would. The Galetea had its hands full, and your squadron has a reputation for success. We haven't even been able to talk to them for God's sake, and there's a very high chance they aren't interested in talking to us ever. So, eleven lives for an intact Shivan cruiser? Filled with technology and prisoners? Maybe even a crack at their chain of command? Yes, that is a risk worth taking. We may be asked to sacrifice far more when the time comes."
Did the lore behind the Shivans ever get explained further than the second game? Iirc there were some attempts to communicate with them made to varying degrees of success but I can't remember.
Did the lore behind the Shivans ever get explained further than the second game? Iirc there were some attempts to communicate with them made to varying degrees of success but I can't remember.
I think the crazy rogue admiral guy managed to make contact and something something. In the second one, the Shivans went from being omnicidal to being omnicidal and weird. The premise for the last mission was just crazy.
Shut up, Mr. Burton! You were not brought upon this world to get it!
Did the lore behind the Shivans ever get explained further than the second game? Iirc there were some attempts to communicate with them made to varying degrees of success but I can't remember.
I'll be posting all the canon information about them that I can. But there's a lot of aspects of the Shivans that remain a mystery to this day. Which is a good thing. To me, Shivans are Reapers from Mass Effect done right.
In depth ship discussion within:from FS1 and LATER GAMES.
I love how much they build up the Shivan cruisers when in actuality they're just barely above "absolutely fucking terrible" a la the Fenris.
Cains are easy pickings for a lone Loki. They're just so fragile against FS2 era guns and missiles, and their turrets are single mount Shivan primaries, which are garbage in single mounts. The only reason the Dragon is such a terror is due to it having five Shivan Heavy Lasers all hitting in roughly the same spot, and the maneuverability to make sure they always hit. The Cain in FS1 has three Heavy Lasers and four Light Lasers scattered across the hull, and it's a basically stationary ship. In FS2 they trade a light and a heavy for a small red anticap beam and an anti-fighter beam, which makes it a bit more dangerous. If only it didn't have a paper-thin hull and massive blind spots so those beam cannons weren't useless!
The aspect seeking missiles are a little annoying, especially in FS1 if you're not paying attention, but that's what you pack countermeasures for. In FS2 they just don't have the punch to hurt GTVA strike craft.
Liliths on the other hand, have way more armor, and blob turrets which compared to the standard primaries are a godsend. Consider that the Shivan Light Laser, which makes up the majority of the Cain's weapons, deal 8 damage a shot. Shivan Turret Lasers aka THE RED BLOBS, deal 60 per hit. And are way, way better at knocking bombs out of the sky. And unlike a Cain, you might actually want to torpedo a Lilith since it has nearly 4x the HP.
Also, it has cluster bombs where the Cain has aspect seekers. Which actually deal an appreciable amount of damage. But you should really just disable the beam weapons and pull fighters away from it. Then it's a complete non-threat.
Really with the exception of the Aeolus the cruisers in Freespace become so much dead weight against shielded fighters.
Did the lore behind the Shivans ever get explained further than the second game? Iirc there were some attempts to communicate with them made to varying degrees of success but I can't remember.
There's an interesting thread on Hard-Light that has an interview with a volition employee who worked on the Freespace series. It's got some interesting insights into where things might have been headed, but the bottom line is that the FS storylines were not written until late in production, so there was no definitive plan for Freespace 3.
Did the lore behind the Shivans ever get explained further than the second game? Iirc there were some attempts to communicate with them made to varying degrees of success but I can't remember.
There's an interesting thread on Hard-Light that has an interview with a volition employee who worked on the Freespace series. It's got some interesting insights into where things might have been headed, but the bottom line is that the FS storylines were not written until late in production, so there was no definitive plan for Freespace 3.
I'll be pulling that interview once we get to Freespace 2. It's an interesting glimpse of what could have been.
That being said... I'm considering adding Blue Planet to the roster, but I'm focused on finishing FS1 and 2 first.
This is another of those interesting missions where failing prior objectives results in some changes. If you allow the Taranis to capture the depo, it's at full strength and immediately goes on the attack. If not, it limps off to the jump node to try to escape. The FSPort team did a great job of updating the animatics here, there's a particularly nice one showing a group of Apollo and Valkyires strafing the ship, and doing a bit of dogfighting. Not a full cutscene, but still very nice. As I hinted at earlier, this was the first mission I few where I hit a few snags...
Initial attacks have gone off without a hitch, and the Taranis is on her last leg. Delta and Epsilon wings have destroyed most of the Taranis's fighter escort. It is time to finish the job. To this end, Terran Command has sent a full wing of Athena bombers, equipped with the newly developed Stiletto bomb. The Athena is our most maneuverable bomber. It carries a massive payload, yet, in dogfights, is nearly as effective as a fighter. The Stiletto bomb has now been thoroughly tested back in Sol and is now ready for use. It can be used to destroy subsystems on any ship and should prove more effective than the Disruptor cannon. The electronics seeking device should make it simple to use. Just point and shoot. Stiletto homing capabilities are limited, so make sure you get a clean shot before you launch. The Stiletto should be especially useful in destroying the Taranis' engines and weapons systems.
The Cain-class cruiser Taranis has been chased from the Beta Cygni system back to the Ikeya system. It is low on supplies, and, due to recent engagements, it is lightly guarded. Long range sensors indicate that only two fighters and three bombers remain to protect the Taranis. The Taranis is heading for the Beta Cygni subspace node, where it will probably resupply. This will allow for a small window of opportunity in which to conduct a strike. Your primary objective is to disable and disarm the Taranis in order to enable its capture. This will be our first attempt to capture a major Shivan vessel. Three wings will be assigned to this task. Alpha Wing will be flying Athena bombers. These bombers just arrived on the Galatea and are equipped with the new Stiletto bomb . The Stiletto is capable of destroying subsystems in one hit. Alpha's primary responsibility will be to disarm and disable the Taranis. Beta Wing is assigned to escort Alpha and protect it from fighter attacks. Beta will fly Apollo-class fighters. Gamma wing will fly Valkyries and should engage any hostile fighters and bombers in the area. If needed elsewhere, they can be assigned to any task that you see fit. Once the Taranis has been disarmed and disabled, Omega transports will arrive and capture it. When the Taranis has been captured, you are to return to the Galatea for debriefing.Do not allow the Taranis to escape or be destroyed.
Basil: "It was my job to get you back safely... I failed."
Alpha 2: "It's okay Basil, we knew the risks."
Beta 3: "My sister was sick, who's going to take care of her now goddammit!"
Alpha 4: "She'll never know how much... never had the courage to say it."
Gamma 1: "Outlived my old man, still won't hear the end of it I bet."
???: "Ezekiel connected dem dry bones, Ezekiel connected dem dry bones, Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones."
Alpha 3: "The Taranis is within range."
Gamma 1: "What are we waiting for? Let's welcome them to the party, Terran style."
Basil: "Fire on target, good shooting. Engage enemy fighter cover, I'm starting my Wild Weasel run on the Taranis."
Beta 3: "First wave is down! Better make it fast, scanners are picking up reinforcements."
Beta 4: "How'd they get here so damn fast? Not like this chunk of rock has a fighter bay."
Gamma 1: "Fighters are history, damn alarms."
Basil: "Everything alright?"
Gamma 1: "Took some shrapnel damage, systems are green though."
Basil: "Keep an eye on it, form a perimeter around the Taranis."
Basil: "On the money! Alpha, continue the attack. Let's pull this monster's teeth and leave before more backup arrives."
Alpha 4: "Sir, the Taranis is disarmed and disabled."
Omega: "Omega here. On approach, attempting to attach to the Taranis.... Attachment unsuccessful. Omega 2, give it a shot.
Omega 2: "It's not working, the hull is too strong. Never seen armor like this before. We'll need to tow it to Tombaugh Station."
Command: "Shivan wing Rama is attacking the Taranis! Stop them!"
Basil: "Don't give them any time to breath! Attack!"
???: "Keep it up soldier, plenty of time to rest when you're dead."
Beta 1: "They're everywh-."
Alpha 4: "Beta 1 and 3 are down! Damage control is redlined, I can't keep this up much longer."
Basil: "Bandit down. Reform! Next wave in range... twenty seconds!"
Halkins: "Freighter Halkins here. Command said you needed some help."
Basil: "Halkins, we need you to attach to that cruiser and tow it back to Tombaugh."
Halkins: "Roger. Moving into position now, We've docked. Give us time to brace the attachment."
Basil: "We don't have it Halkins, MOVE!"
Gamma 1: "Sorry boss, I gotta bail. Weapons are shot, can't rearm in this swarm."
Basil: "Jump out now I'll cover... Gamma 1, check six!"
Alpha 2: "They sniped him right through the jump!"
Alpha 4: "I got him... okay, we're clear."
???: "You thought you could win, but you're not playing the same game. It's all connected."
Halkins: "Attachment secure. We're heading to the subspace node."
Basil: "Next wave! Ten seconds! Remember your training!"
???: "You can stop shaking, if you die, you'll never feel it here."
Beta 4: "Seven ships down! Sir, what do we do?!"
Basil: "Just need to buy a few seconds. Break and draw them off the Halkins, full engines. Let them get close, bank hard, and jump!"
???: "The fighter's connected to the cruiser, the cruiser's connected to the destroyer, the destroyer's connected to the- *STATIC*."
Halkins: "Jumping out now. See you at Tombaugh."
???: "You didn't even notice did you? When they were gone?"
Basil: "Yeah... you'll see me again. I promise."
???: "Be careful what you wish for."
Congratulations, Alpha 1. You were instrumental in the first capture of a major Shivan vessel! The Halkins is taking her to the Tombaugh station, where engineers will be able to study their technology and learn more about their methods and motives. Meanwhile, feel free to relax for a few days. You deserve it. In recognition of your continuing service to the GTA, you have been awarded the Medal of Good Conduct.
LtCdr. Jennifer Simmons: "-One disputes that Lieutenant Basil's heroism saved the mission, but."
Machinegun: "With respect Doc, I need every combat pilot on deck, banged up or not. Will he still function?"
Simmons: "He passed his post-combat debriefing, I have to clear him. I'm still concerned however about the long term damage this incident will have on his mind. A few days leave is hardly sufficient."
Machinegun: "You see the flight recorder data?"
Simmons: "Yes... but."
Machinegun: "Seventeen confirmed kills. Half of those after his unit was shot down. We don't have the luxury of keeping him on the bench for long."
Simmons: "He'll need looking after, at least in the short term."
Machinegun: "The 53rd Hammerheads are down a few pilots, he'll be in good company."
Simmons: "You're CAG of the Bastion now... just, just how bad is it?"
Machinegun: "..."
Simmons: "You're scaring me."
Machinegun: We'll get new intel soon once we crack open that cruiser. Hopefully find some way to hit them where it hurts. We're stalling them in a few key systems, and that's it. We don't even have a plan to retake the ground we've lost."
Simmons: "I'm sure with-."
*Please login to your nearest duty station for an update from Command*
manwiththemachinegun on
+4
Lord_AsmodeusgoeticSobriquet:Here is your magical cryptic riddle-tumour: I AM A TIME MACHINERegistered Userregular
edited August 2016
I've watched a let's play of Blue Planet and it's very well done and I like the storyline for its own sake, but it's not really where I was hoping the actual story would go with the Shivans and their mysteries. If Freespace 3 ever does get made, as unlikely as that may be, I hope they don't go in the same direction. I've never read those interviews though so I don't know what hints there are about where Freespace 3's story might have gone.
Lord_Asmodeus on
Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if Labor had not first existed. Labor is superior to capital, and deserves much the higher consideration. - Lincoln
I've watched a let's play of Blue Planet and it's very well done and I like the storyline for its own sake, but it's not really where I was hoping the actual story would go with the Shivans and their mysteries. If Freespace 3 ever does get made, as unlikely as that may be, I hope they don't go in the same direction. I've never read those interviews though so I don't know what hints there are about where Freespace 3's story might have gone.
For the purposes of this LP, we'll be sticking strictly to the story of the original games. When the split comes into fan territory, I'll let everyone know. For now, poor Basil's just been through the wringer, and no one is immune from PTSD. Besides, Shivans are scary.
Yeah, this mission can be trouble. Or a cake walk. I got caught up in disarming the Tarantis, and as a result forgot to issue some orders that may have helped the rest of the squad survive. At this point in the game though, we're still undergunned. Believe it or not, the game FORCES you to take disruptor weaponry by only giving you a handful of avenger cannons for your loadout. Which makes sense, this is primarily a capture mission. However, it also means your allies are only hitting at half strength, and this is a mission that has, for all intents and purposes, infinite Shivan fighters to throw at you. We also don't have aspect seeking missiles, which is the last component of our warchest we need to really kick ass.
So, fighter by fighter they went down. You can make this mission easier by disabling the Taranis just before it jumps out to shorten the time your freighter is in system. But then, I'm already behind on kills for this playthrough due to playing cameraman, and if you keep all your wingman alive, even on medium, it's tough to score kills.
When the destroyers came for us, we attacked. Never had we been defeated. They are like the others. Strange, hideous, resisting, fighting. Only these were not like the others. They did not die.
We've just received some discouraging news from Terran Command, pilots. At 0300 today, after the captured Taranis was towed to Tombaugh installation in the Ribos system, the Shivans staged a major ambush. There isn't a lot of confirmation from the footage yet, but it's clear that a Shivan destroyer of massive proportions jumped in and destroyed Tombaugh station, along with all its defenses. We have designated this new class of Destroyer "Lucifer".
Debris from the station is still falling from orbit on Ribos 4.
Terran and Vasudan fighters and cruisers engaged the Lucifer, but were wiped out quickly. Footage suggests that the Lucifer was using a new type of shield, impervious to any of our attacks. Needless to say, this is grim news. If the Shivans indeed have managed to shield a vessel of that magnitude, it's merely a matter of time before they wipe out all front-line installations and march through to our home systems.
Since all attempts at communication with the Shivans have ended in violence, it appears unlikely that a diplomatic solution will work.
At this point, the Shivans have control of Beta Cygni, Betelgeuse, Ross 128, Ikeya, and Regulus. Most of the Vasudan forces are gathering in Vega for a counterstrike, while we are gathering our fleet in Antares for an effort to retake Ribos and Beta Cygni. Oddly enough, the Shivans don't seem to be interested in taking control of any planets in the systems, or gathering natural resources. Instead they seem to be focused on controlling individual jump nodes.
We are officially doomed.
The Lucifer is orders of magnitude more powerful than any warship the GTA or PVE could hope to combat. It's energy shield means we cannot interdict any major attack made by the Shivans against our installations or colonized worlds. As of now, this war is effectively unwinnable. The only tactic we can use is to strike the Shivans where it is not, and pray to find a chink in its armor.
Research and Development teams at Sol have recently completed development on a few new weapons.
A group of Terran scientists has returned from a previously unexplored system known as Laramis, and bring with them a new weapon called the Flail.
The Flail is quite different from our typical energy cannons. Please consult the weapons database in the Tech Room for more details.
Our communications with Vasudan technicians have yielded the Interceptor missile. By combining the Vasudan-designed engine with a Terran warhead, we were able to produce the most powerful anti-fighter weapon yet. It's an aspect-seeking missile, and requires a few seconds to lock onto the enemy's engine signature, but its speed and accuracy make it lethal. Use it well.
Bright news on an otherwise dismal day, our squadron now has the ability to lock and destroy Shivan fighters and bombers from beyond visual range. This increase in firepower is timely, as intelligence estimates the enemy force at somewhere near one hundred capital ships and their accompanying squadrons. Total number, unknown. Even without the Lucifer, this armada would be capable of crushing our forces many times over. That being said, the Shivans are not behaving in a manner we can predict. They are fixated on controlling jump nodes, while directly targeting our most secure military bases and establishing a presence throughout our known systems. Simply put, our fleets are being ignored at will. And that's not good.
The survivors of the Tombaugh attack must be evacuated from the Ribos system immediately. We do not have sufficient firepower to retake Ribos at this time. Your wing's objective is to escort the Iota transports. Other wings will be accompanying this convoy. Alpha wing will be in charge of this operation and will have command authority. The convoy must reach the designated checkpoint. Escort from this point onward will be provided by allied Vasudan forces, led by the PVD Pinnacle. Hostile forces have been spotted all over this system, and there is a good chance that our convoy will be attacked by Shivan fighters. All hostile forces should be eliminated. The PVD Pinnacle will be arriving at the designated check point. This Typhon class destroyer has one of the most skilled crews in the PVE. It will escort the refugees for the remainder of their journey. Help the Pinnacle until it has dismissed you, then return to base. Many lives depend on this operation. Good luck.
For now, our priority is staying alive. To shore up our losses, and give a few days downtime for our exhausted pilots, recently promoted Lt. @Lord_Asmodeus will take point for this escort.
Alpha 2: "Did you see what was left of Ribos?"
Asmodeus: "I've never seen anything like that before, I don't think anyone has."
Alpha 3: "That place was a fortress. I can't believe a single Shivan attack could level it."
Alpha 4: "I don't suppose it's too late to turn in my commission and head home? My father does run a shipping company out of Capella..."
Asmodeus: "Don't even joke about that, Command has declared total war against the Shivans. Deserters will be shot on sight until the crisis passes. And if the MPs don't get you for abandoning thousands of our people to die, I certainly will."
Alpha 4: "C-copy lead."
Nelson: "GTFr Nelson requesting assistance. Shivan forces hit our wing. We have taken severe hull damage."
Asmodeus: "Too late. Send them to hell Alpha. Fox three."
Alpha 2: "*whistles* Nice shooting."
Alpha 3: "If only the big ones would die as easily."
Asmodeus: "I am notifying Terran Command of the attack on GTFr Nelson. Keep on your toes, there could be more."
Alpha 3: "At least the higher ups didn't skimp on support this time. We have enough fighters to cover the whole convoy."
Asmodeus: "More cheery than the other likelihood."
Alpha 4: "Sir?"
Asmodeus: "That we're bait while Command regroups."
Alpha 4: "..."
Alpha 2: "At least the Vasudans are holding their own. Nice change of pace from them trying to kill us."
Asmodeus: "Got the bounce on the Arjuna wing. "
Asmodeus: "Group destroyed."
Alpha 3: "I don't get it, they're not even bothering to evade."
Asmodeus: "Simple. They don't care how many they lose, as long as they accomplish their mission."
Alpha 4: "How, how do we fight something like that?!"
Asmodues: "We kill everything they send."
Asmodeus: "Fox three."
Alpha 2: "What is that, eight Sir?"
Asmodeus: "I consider it a sin to return to base with unexpended ordinance."
Alpha 3: "Winchester on ammo here too Sir. Call for a Texco?
Asmodus: "Remember the Alamo."
Asmodeus: "Rearming complete, let's hunt some wild dogs."
Alpha 4: "These are the right coordinates, where is the PVD Pinnacle?"
Alpha 2: "The PVD Pinnacle is jumping in ahead sir. And it brought friends."
Pinnacle: "Sorry we were late. We were assisting a convoy of freighters that were ambushed by the Hammer of Light."
Asmodeus: "No need to apologize Pinnacle, we appreciate your aid in recovering our people."
Pinnacle: "You are... welcome? *thumbs up*"
Asmodeus: "*grin* Well, that's a first for interspecies diplomacy."
Alpha 4: "Stupid cockroaches, we'd be better off fighting solo. At least then we would have to worry about half of 'em fragging us, and the other half not caring if we buy the farm."
Asmodues: "You speak out of turn again 4, I'll shoot you down myself. They're trying to win this war, unlike you."
Alpha 4: "..."
Asmodeus: "Convoy is in the clear. What's your status Pinnacle?
"Thank you for your assistance. We can take it from here. Alpha and beta, return to base."
Despite an excellent performance by Asmodues, contributing eighteen kills to finally kick our squadron over one hundred kills for squadron "Ace" status, our situation is untenable. Morale is low, relations with the Vasudans remain unstable, the Shivans are advancing, and the non-military refugees will place an even greater burden on our supply train. On top of that, we have our very own Death Star to crack, and it's shields are already up. No one ever said being a hero was easy.
@ArcSyn: "Heard the LT busted your head in over the comms last mission 4."
Jake: "Gimme a break Arc, I'm not stupid. I'm just not eager to die like some stooge for our glorious GTA High Command. And come on, don't tell me you buy this "kumbaya" crap, with the Vasudans."
ArcSyn: "Every nation has its crazies."
Jake: "Unhuh, and why exactly were our reinforcements late? Was it because they were too busy killing each other? We could have lost the whole convoy! Command bet the mission on their help and we nearly died because they did!"
ArcSyn: "It's tough everywhere, we're at our breaking point as it is."
Will: "I did hear a lot of our strike craft are being diverted to go after Hammer targets, friend of mine heard the CAG."
Jake: "See! It’s those damn sand eating bastards! I tell you man. We ought to kill em all. They’re causing more trouble than the Shivans."
Will: "I don’t know about that, Jake. I’ve heard some evil shit about the Shivans…"
Jake: "Oh they’re all in it together. First those stinking Shivans show up. That’s why they signed that treaty. They knew they would lose. They’re in it together I tell you."
*Vasudan glances at them*
Jake: "Yeah buddy! What are you looking at?"
ArcSyn: "Jesus, calm down. Are you trying to get us thrown in the brig?"
Vasudan: "You have a loud mouth, human. If you knew the truth you would not say such things."
Will: "Hey man, he just had a bit too much to drink. Give him a break."
Jake: "Yeah! Give me a break! In fact I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you come over here and I’ll give you a break! I’ll break your face into little alien pieces and flush it down the toilet!"
Vasudan: "You should leave now."
Jake: "Me leave! Ha! This is our damn ship you stupid bastards! You think you own it! Here, own this!"
* followed by a Bar Brawl*"
Red Alert! The GTS Asimov and the GTC Ravage are under attack in the Antares system. The GTS Asimov was working on project Tsunami, which involves hyperreactive substances. These substances are extremely volatile. If the Asimov is destroyed, the reagents are likely to reach critical mass. Analysis predicts a shockwave of up to five kilometers in radius. The station is in bad shape. We need to clear the area, then transport the scientists out of there. When the area is secure, the GTT Spomer will jump in and retrieve the scientists. After they have been safely evacuated, return to base. We have 5 ships waiting in the hangar. We have no time to get them fully loaded out, so you'll need to use what you've got. Suit up! You're launching in two minutes.
ArcSyn: All craft, fire at will! We stop the Shivans right now, or there won't be enough left of any of us to fill a casket. Put all power to shields and ram their torpedoes if you have to, but get it DONE!"
Alpha 2: "This bucket is barely holding together from the LAST mission!"
ArcSyn: "ML-16s are useless, switch to Avengers and go for the bombers."
Alpha 3: "We can't keep pace with them like this!"
ArcSyn: "Just keep shooting!"
ArcSyn: "Bandit destroyed, how are we looking Alpha?"
Alpha 2: "Systems stable, but I've only got 80% thrust."
Alpha 3: "Quartermaster only had time to load two MX-50s, and I just used the last of them. Scorpion's shields are holding."
ArcSyn: " Don't worry about trying to shoot them down in one pass, just keep them off balance."
GTC Ravage: "Intensify forward firepower! That's a kill on the starboard bomber!"
ArcSyn: "Command! The Asimov just went critical! We need reinforcements and we need them right now!
Alpha 3: "GTS Asimov has fallen to 31% integrity! My God... I see people. People... moving."
Command: "Hang in there just a while longer Alpha, crews have nearly finished emergency repairs. ETA, 5 minutes."
ArcSyn: "This fight's gonna be over in two!"
Alpha 2: "Remaining Scorpions are lining up for a suicide run!"
Alpha 3: "This is it! We're all dead!"
Alpha 2: "Lead?"
ArcSyn: "Ha ha."
Alpha 2: "?"
Beta 1: "Didn't catch that lead..."
ArcSyn: "FINE! I will do it MYSELF!"
ArcSyn: "Command, I am switching to manual flight mode and going to maximum burn. Send a recovery craft, it's likely my fighter won't handle the strain."
Command: "Copy Alpha, Godspeed."
ArcSyn: "2, cover me, this is it!"
ArcSyn: "Kill CONFIRMED."
Alpha 2: "I can't believe it!"
GTC Ravage: "Area of engagement is clear. Superlative work Alpha, we're moving to assist the Asimov. EVA teams launching now."
ArcSyn: "Engines are fried, powering down. They say you only fly one suicide mission. I think I just flew mine."
Alpha 2: "All in a day's work lead. We'll stay until the transport arrives."
ArcSyn: "You know, I just realized something."
Alpha 2: "And that is fearless leader?"
ArcSyn: "Whoever said, "only the good die young," was an idiot."
This mission is fast and fun. As one of the only "Red Alert" missions in the game, you're not given a chance to pick your fighter or weapons, and your wing starts the battle pre-damaged. Thankfully, since our squadron performance has been excellent, we had the extra help of the Ravage to keep the Shivans at bay. On higher difficulties and without the cruiser, it's easy to lose the Asimov, and the resulting explosion is worth seeing at least once. ArcSyn completes the mission with three kills and a medal using a half armed, crippled fighter.
The above "bar fight" dialogue was for a cutscene that was never finished due to time, and is found in the Freespace story Bible. While not crucial to the plot, it does show the alliance between the Terrans and Vasudans is hardly ideal, even in the face of total defeat.
I think Shivans are among my favorite scifi species for a number of reasons. But as demonstrated here, each and every one is terrifying. With it hinted that zero gravity is the Shivan's "natural" habitat.
What starts as a standard depo raid quickly escalates into one of my favorite missions in the game. Join us won't you? This time on, "All my Shivans."
GTD Galatea
Antares System
2/15/35
The Hammer of Light has decimated the Vasudan fleet at Vega. Most of the surviving Vasudan forces have retreated to Deneb and Antares. Because our fleet is also holding Antares, relations between the VPE and the GTA have been strained. In order to quell the tension, we have been ordered to eliminate all Hammer of Light outposts in the vicinity. Fortunately, we have some new tools to assist us. Our first new weapon is the Phoenix V anti-bomber warhead. This missile can puncture even the thickest of shields, and can also be used effectively against larger targets, like freighters. More details are available in the Tech Room. We have also acquired a wing of the new Medusa bombers. Though they are slower and less maneuverable than the Athena, they are far more powerful. Once again, full details can be found in the Tech Room. The new Tsunami bomb is the ultimate anti-cruiser weapon, and can be carried by the Medusas. Just a few of these will take out any cruiser, and the Hammer of Light Aten-class cruisers are no exception. You'll be using this bomb quite often against major Hammer of Light outposts.
Here in the Antares system we have detected a small HOL base of operations. Your squadron is being sent to eliminate it. You will destroy all Hammer of Light ships, then jump back to the Galatea. The Galatea will be monitoring you in case the situation gets out of control. Good luck.
With the Medusa, we now have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with any mainline Shivan capital ship. The Medusa is usually best left in the hands of your wingmen however, its slow speed means few fighter kills, which in turn means few Ace medals. However, as a bomber, it does its job admirably, and will get us some big point totals later on.
Bomber strikes in Freespace are usually not a tense affair barring two exceptions. One, if all of your wingmen have been shot down and enemy fighters are still active. Two, on higher difficulties you MUST target Shivan weapon subsystems to ensure as many torpedoes as possible strike home. Many carrier craft have nearly unlimited reinforcements, and your wingmen will often park right next to a destroyer and wait for a rearm that will never reach them in time.
However, our job this time is simply to provide fighter cover, and get some serious payback.
@Elvenshae "This is Alpha 1, callsign Elvenshae. All wings report in."
Alpha 2: "All fighters and bombers accounted for, ready to attack."
Elvenshae: "Approaching the strike point now... What the hell happened to the Hammer outpost? I'm reading radiation spikes across the grid."
Gamma 1: "Confirmed lead, I'm reading nothing but Shivans!"
Elvenshae: "Good, let's see how they like getting ambushed for a change. Everyone, lock targets. Antares is ours, we're NOT losing it!"
Elvenshae: "Multiple hits, half of the Shivans are KIA. Break and engage! Go go go!"
Beta 2: "I can't keep track! They're swarming!"
Gamma 1: "Fox 1, hits away."
Alpha 4: "3, your six is clear. Next target at vector five-five-"
Elvenshae: "Galatea, we are in an intense situation with Shivan forces! Request assistance!"
Galatea: "We are already engaged with Shivan forces in our area. Standby."
Galatea: "Galatea ready to assist."
Elvenshae: "Glad to see the cavalry could make it."
Galatea: "Reading multiple new contacts. Identified as Lilith and Cain class cruisers. Targets designated as Hellion 1 and Hellion 2. We are bringing all guns to bear for a broadside."
Galatea: "Lasers at maximum charge, armor is holding."
Elvenshae: "Bandit destroyed. Delta, your attack vector on Hellion 2 is clear. Alpha will destroy its heavy weapons."
Delta 2: "Torpedoes away!"
Beta 1: "Look at that bastard burn!"
Elvenshae: "Hellion 2's power reactor has gone critical."
Elvenshae: "Good shooting Delta."
Delta 3: "That was for Tombaugh!"
Galatea: "Alpha, continue the attack. Our weapons are only moderately effective against the Lilith's hull."
Alpha 4: "I can't believe it, that thing is trading punches with an Orion!"
Galatea: "Target destruction is only a matter of time, our goal is to minimize damage for future engagements."
Elvenshae: "That's the last of the fighters. Here's the game plan: Alpha, strafe the Hellion from above, keep its air defenses busy. Delta, use the Galatea's barrage as cover and fire every Tsunami you have."
Elvenshae: "Galatea, the Hellion is crippled, but still functional."
Delta 1: "Are you kidding me? Is it a ghost ship?! What does it take to kill one of them!"
Galatea: "You've done enough Alpha, withdraw your squadron, the Galatea is ending this battle, now."
Elvenshae: "Sadly, I think that that thing's head is a bit too big to hang in the officers lounge Galatea."
Galatea: "A shame indeed Alpha 1. Battle area is clear, entering subspace now."
We expected a simple raid on a cargo depo, and ended up with the last thing we expected: a victory.
Victory is yours today, but the Hammer of Light will not be turned from the cause of our saviors. No matter how ... confused they may be.
The failure state for La Ruota Della Fortuna states the following:
Upon evaluating this mission, we have concluded that the Hammer of Light was gathered in the Beta Aquilae system only to lure the Shivans to the area. Now that a Shivan presence in Beta Aquilae has been established, God help the Alliance.
As Shivans have only been detected moving into system that have Terran and Vasudan populations, it can only be assumed the Shivans are actively hunting the GTA and PVE populations, and the Hammer is attempting to leak positional/population data to them by proximity, or perhaps by luring Shivans to the area after engaging them in combat. This type of sabotage will be dealt with ruthlessly and decisively.
We already have the Athena, my most favoritest ship in Freespace. Why they ever retired or replaced it, I will never, ever know.
But MAN we're getting into the thick of it now.
Due to the earlier game/engine, fleet engagements are rare in Freespace, and anytime the big guns get to play it makes for a more exciting mission. Fortuna is a really fun mission to play.
Having started school again, I plan to keep updates regular by playing and recording several missions at a time, and doing the write ups as I go about every week. No schedule slip as of yet!
Posts
Long story short, we have no idea what we're up against, our weapons are 99% ineffective, and regardless of propaganda from Command, the sheer power of this enemy is enough to end a fourteen year war after eleven days of combat.
Expect more news from the front soon.
See that speck between the communication tower branches and the main hull? That's Alpha wing. Yeah, Freespace gets scale like nobody else.
Galatea: "Asteroids on a collision path with the Galatea will be auto-targeted with white brackets on your HUD. We're expecting a top performance Alpha wing."
@Dac: "This is Alpha 1, callsign Dac, we'll get it done."
Dac: "You know, I almost feel sorry for these new kids. They're picking a fight with the big boys now. That first wave cut and run pretty fast."
Galatea: "Contacts inbound, gunnery stations are restricted to visual targeting only."
Dac: "The evil rock menace is no more! *sigh* Only 6,345 to go..."
Command: "Tighten up on that com discipline Alpha."
Dac: "Just some gallows humor Command, mission proceeding smoothly."
Dac: "Alpha 1 to Galatea, bursts on target. Radar is clear for the moment."
Galatea: "Roger Alpha, we're accelerating into the field."
Dac: "What's the rush?"
Galatea: "The tactical situation is... fluid, stand by."
Alpha 2: "More rocks incoming. Help me out, Alpha 1."
Galatea: "The Galatea is taking damage. Alpha wing, assist please."
Dac: "Right, right. Don't want to scuff that new paint job."
Galatea: "We've detected two Shivan bombers."
Dac: "I'm reading Shivan fighters! Engaging now."
Dac: "Just DIE already will you!"
Galatea: "Warheads inbound, Alpha, intercept immediately. Our gunners are fully engaged."
Dac: "I'll say this for them, those bombers pack a punch."
Dac: "That's the last of the rocks Galatea. You're clear."
Galatea: "Entering subspace now. We'll see you in Beta Cygni."
Command: "The Galatea is in Beta Cygni. Return to the Bastion."
Dac: "Bombers are bugging out, tough bastards. They didn't even flinch on their runs no matter how hard I hit them."
Command: "You did well under the circumstances. Contingencies have been enacted, in the meantime, we will hold the line."
Dac: "*grumble* Still didn't get any kills..."
This is one of those interesting results where our total performance across a few missions results in a special bonus. In this case, a Distinguished Flying Cross for destroying that Shivan fighter, and keeping the Galatea's hull above 50% integrity. On the bright side, we've managed to reposition our forces for a new offensive with minimal losses. On the not so bright side, we still have no clear picture on the size, capabilities, or objectives of an incredibly dangerous new enemy.
Destiny Profile : http://www.bungie.net/en/Profile/254/7028016
As a side note, AIs in Freespace are limited strictly to sentry guns and training drones for allied forces. They're slow, poor shots and have notoriously unreliable IFF transponders. The only bright-side is they don't get bored once deployed. These Shivan guns are still dangerous for our unshielded fighters though.
Despite their alien nature, it seems the Shivans still require a logistics train to resupply after attacking. In our biggest offensive to date, the GTA is hitting all five target locations with Alpha as the tip of the spear. With a bit of clever hijacking, we may be able to level the technological playing field. It would certainly be useful to actually aim at the Shivans for a change. However, if we're detected during this recovery op, we're all dead, as usual.
Alpha 3: "It's too quiet here."
Alpha 2: "Yeah, this doesn't feel right."
MechMantis: "We don't have a choice, but I'm not reading anything other than the perimeter guns. Let's hope we caught them napping."
Command: "Maintain radio silence, pilots. You have a job to do."
MechMantis: "Let's get this done fast, shred the defenses and scan that cargo. I want this op finished in 300 seconds. Don't be predictable on your approach vectors."
MechMantis: "Half the guns are down, no shields detected. Moving to inspect the cargo... what the hell! Command, half of the cargo field just exploded!
Alpha 3: ""What the hell is going on here? Wait... Shivan wing arriving!"
Alpha 4: "I do not like this!"
MechMantis: EVADE! EVADE! Command! Heavy group hot! Multiple fighters and what looks like a capital craft on radar!
MechMantis: "Alpha wing! We've been set up! It's a trap!"
Alpha 2: "They're everywhere!"
Command: "Most of the cargo has been lost. Scan the remaining cargo Alpha, we still need any data available. Get to those containers, then get the hell out of there!"
MechMantis: "All sentry guns destroyed. Alpha, stay in formation and focus your fire on targets of opportunity. I'm making a run for the containers, keep them busy."
Alpha 4: "Get us out of here, Alpha! AAAAAAHH-"
Alpha 2: "Damn it! Alpha 4's gone!"
MechMantis: "Come on you piece of junk... work faster."
Command: "That's all the data we need. Get out of there Alpha!"
MechMantis: "Charging subspace drives. Alpha, go to full-burn and jump once you get two klicks. Let's leave them in the dust."
Alpha 2: "Copy lead. I don't believe it! We're separating from them!"
MechMantis: "Scopes are clear, I just hope this data is worth the price we paid."
For those that don't know, Command can also be notoriously petty in dealing with its pilots. If you cheated and somehow kept the shield containers from exploding, this is the debriefing you get:
Thanks Command, you're the best.
Alpha 4's loss was not in vain. Despite the trap, one of the Shivan's deadliest advantages has been effectively nullified. We also get an important reminder we're not in this fight alone. Another GTA task force has recovered what appears to be Shivan shield generators. This priceless technology may very well put us on equal footing with them for the first time in this war. MechMantis did an amazing job considering the force he just went up against. This mission is scripted to have 400 Manticores if you were somehow able to destroy the first few wings. Yeah.
This is also the last mission in Freespace where standard Shivan forces are, for lack of a better term, invincible. From here on, we have a fighting chance, no matter how faint it may seem.
No.
The REAL suicide missions are coming up.
.......have we even encountered any Arjuna wings yet? :P
But yeah. the Valk is my premier early-game fighter from the moment I get it. May not have much in the way of armor but if you're getting shot in a Valk you're doing it wrong.
Admiral Wolf: What were the results?
Johnathan Hargrove: Encouraging. As expected, the ML-16's failure against shields has more to do with its lack of kinetic energy than a failure of the weapon itself. Flight logs show that during the Galetea's withdrawal from Antares, Shivan craft took as much care to avoid incoming asteroids as did our fighters. As you can see, the 134th CEU successfully destroyed the four craft Shivan patrol with no losses.
Admiral Wolf: What about ammunition?
Johnathan Hargrove: The Avenger's classification as a CIWS is accurate, but not in a conventional sense. The weapon shaves a 45mm microshard from a dense block of metal contained within the weapon's body, similar in shape to a coin. The projectile is launched at supersonic velocities via traditional railgun technology. As long as you don't keep your fighters in the field for more than an hour per sortie, they should have effectively an unlimited supply.
Admiral Wolf: Why "Avenger"?
Johnathan Hargrove: After the famous GAU-8 Avenger of the 20th century. Our staff felt it was appropriate considering the circumstances.
Admiral Wolf: Impressive, what else can you offer?
Johnathan Hargrove: Well, with current energy consumption models, we can mount up to four of them per fighter, more for bombers.
Admiral Wolf: Four?
Johnathan Hargrove: Yes, and at 4,500 rounds per minute we've achieved an even higher rate of fire than the original. Quite impressive for an autocannon rather than a Gatling weapon... Sir?
Admiral Wolf: *chuckle* I think it's time we sent our boys and girls in uniform on a little field trip.
On the plus side, two galactic powers have set aside their differences and ended a brutal war. On the other hand, we're now fighting a vastly more dangerous enemy, and our new allies have an active fifth column in their own ranks. We have no idea how large this movement is, how far they may have infiltrated, or what firepower they possess. Fantastic.
In addition, the loss of the Amadeus confirms that the Shivans are an existential threat to the GTA. Command has instituted a colonial draft effective immediately.
No pressure Alpha.
Considering the stakes of this mission, we're raiding the roster for this one. Our Vasudan war veteran pilots, @YerMum, @Johnny Chopsocky, and @Space Pickle will be crewing Beta wing along with @cj iwakura leading Alpha. If we lose this mission, it will cost us the war. The GTA cannot afford to keep taking losses at this rate. We need to give our pilots, all our pilots, a fighting chance.
***
CJ: Alpha and Beta ready to begin escort, what's the situation Cygni?"
Cygni installation: "We haven't been hit yet, but the main Shivan force is still in system. The fighters jump, fire everything they have, and jump away before we can respond. We barely have enough fighters to cover our perimeter."
YerMum: "Sniper tactics, great."
Johnny: "They'll have a surprise waiting for them this time. Snipers don't do well caught in a crossfire."
Theta 1: "Convoy ready, guns fully charged."
SpacePickle: "Surprised the fighter doesn't feel heavier with all this extra ordinance."
YerMum: "Yer mum's heavier with all this extra ordinance."
CJ: "If we're going to die, I would prefer that not be the last joke I hear."
YerMum: "No promises lead."
Johnny: "Picking up new contacts. New assault fighter codename Basilisk."
CJ: "Split up to cover the cargo. Pickle, you're with me. Everyone else stay with Theta and we'll catch them in a pincer."
CJ: "In gun range, firing!"
SpacePickle: "Burn you bastard! Pickle!"
CJ: "Nice shooting, more bandits at twelve."
YerMum: "Theta's flak screen is holding, they didn't even get a shot off lead. Second wave incoming!"
CJ: "Freighters have the lead ship bracketed, let's go for the triple play on the other three Alpha."
Johnny: "One!"
CJ: "Two!"
YerMum: Three! HA! Arjuna wing is down! These guns are something else!"
Johnny: "In space, no one can hear your bullets, and that's a damn shame!"
Andromeda: "Calling any ships in the area! This is the PVFr Andromeda! We have been attacked by enemy ships! They called themselves the Hammer of Light! They are in pursuit and will be here at any moment! Please assist!"
CJ: "Command, I'm reading a Vasudan freighter ten klicks out. Please advise."
Command: "Ignore them Alpha."
CJ: "Copy Command. *sigh* Only one way this will end."
Andromeda:"The Hammer of Light has arrived! Please assist! We are damaged and do not stand a chance! Nnnnooooo!!!!"
CJ: "No time to sort this out, another wave! Alpha, engage!"
YerMum: "Krishna wing is targeting the Cargo! Reading eight bandits!"
CJ: "I'll take care of them."
YerMum: "What?!"
CJ: "If I can break their formation you can shoot down the others more easily. Firing!"
Johnny: "CJ's on a roll. I'm not reading any survivors. Moving to intercept Rama wing."
SpacePickle: "There's plenty of room in hell for these bastards!"
YerMum: "Now reading Durga wing on sensors! This is endless!"
CJ: "I think... we've won. No new contacts."
Johnny: "Damn that was a hell of a dogfight. What's the final count?"
SpacePickle: "Confirm: twenty six bandits down. No casualties."
YerMum: "Someone up there likes us."
Pi 1: "Greetings Terran. We have come to take escort of the freighters. Alpha and Beta are relieved."
SpacePickle: "Anubis fighters and a few Seths. Vasudans are early aren't they?"
Johnny: "Yeah..."
Theta 1: ""As soon as we reach the jump point you will take escort. Until then, Alpha and Beta have guard."
Pi 1: "Your lack of trust is typical, Terran."
YerMum: "Yer mum lacks trust, Vasudan!"
CJ: "Alpha 2, please don't restart a war we just finished. Especially on my watch.
YerMum: "I'll do my best lead."
Johnny: "I don't like this. Recommend we fly formation with the Vasudans... at 2/3rds thrust. Trust is earned, and they don't have mine."
CJ: "Agreed. We're not taking any chances on this op. Weapons hold until I say so."
Omicron 1: "Beware Terrans! There are members of the Hammer of Light in your midst!"
Pi 1: "We are the Hammer of Light. The prophecy is your doom-."
CJ: "Alpha, Beta, kill them."
Johnny: "All Hammer forces destroyed. Thanks for the warning Omicron."
Omicron 1: "Acknowledged. We serve with honor... Terrans."
CJ: "Theta is jumping out."
Command: "Cargo has made it to Ribos. Return to base."
CJ: "Mission complete. That's a complete victory for the good guys, zero casualties! Let's head home team."
I don't know what Command would call it, but this feels like a win. A big one.
Tracking kills is actually quite easy in Freespace 2 by reading the event log. I just assigned a different "pilot" to each number before the mission. CJ ends with eleven kills, Johnny with two, Yer Mum with one, and SpacePickle with one. The unnamed cannon fodder Alpha 3 shot down two fighters, striking a blow for red shirts everywhere, and our freighters took out the rest with their laser screen.
And with that, our Squadron is in this history books. Gentlemen, ladies, shields up. Let's win this thing.
Fuck yes.
We'll be trying out new weapons as they're developed, but yes, the Avenger is overall the best weapon in Freespace, and your wingmen should be using it almost non-stop.
As another fun fact, if we didn't complete the cargo scans for the prior mission. The Hammer of Light ships would have come in guns blazing rather than try to infiltrate our fleet. The method I used was to weaken each infiltrator ship down to critical health during their escort, and then when they go hostile, they'll be destroyed almost instantly.
This mission is also a real roll of the dice in the FS2 engine due to how enemy missiles work. Each four flight enemy wing will emerge in range and begin firing almost instantly. Completing this mission is easy, saving all the cargo is not. You need to do a lot of wingmen micromanagement to have a hope of splashing the Shivans before you lose at least one of the prototypes.
Destiny Profile : http://www.bungie.net/en/Profile/254/7028016
MechMantis: "It's a miracle he's still flight worthy Sir. Shrinks say he said all the right things after the mission... but still, I'm worried. Not many people could handle losing an entire squadron."
Admiral Wolf: "I'm afraid it won't be the last impossible mission we send you on. We're training every pilot we can, but veterans like Alpha squadron are in high demand everywhere. We can't afford to have all our aces in one unit for the time being. Someone has to teach these rookies how to fight this war."
MechMantis: "I know sir, the operation was always going to be a gamble... still."
Admiral Wolf: "I take full responsibility for what happened. Maybe you'd better start from the top."
***
MechMantis: "The initial engagement went off without a hitch. Without shields, the Hammer Seth fighters were scrap after the first pass. We could take a few glancing hits and only had to worry about our aim. If this is how the Shivans fight, I could get addicted to it."
MechMantis: "We had just started to disable the Ramses when the Shivan warship jumped in."
Admiral Wolf: "What were your thoughts on its performance?"
MechMantis: "Throughout the battle, I took pot shots at it every chance I got. Minimal damage. The real problem was the cluster missile system. No easy way to blindside it. Still, a cruiser is a cruiser. As I said in my report, I believe a full wing of fighters could handle one without excessive risk... stripped of its fighter cover."
MechMantis: "The Hammer of Light still had freighters in system though, and I was able to shoot down one of them. The flak screen was effective though, and bandits were still in the area. I broke off to return to the melee soon after. That's when the shielded Hammer fighters jumped in. We were surprised? Sure, but all it did was *slightly* even the odds in their favor. They didn't last two minutes between us and the Shivans."
MechMantis: "I told the rest of Alpha to keep up the fighter cover. We just didn't have the fire power to disable the Ramses and keep the Shivans at bay. That's when I decided the Ramses was a lost cause Sir, no way a transport would survive that kind of firepower for the duration of a boarding action."
MechMantis: "I used the Ramses as a shield, and began attack the cargo. I have no idea if Shivans can use Terran or Vasudan logistic materials, but just leaving that much hardware behind seemed like a bad idea."
MechMantis: "The Ramses went down soon after that. One of the worst cruisers ever designed against the best we'd ever seen. It wasn't even a contest. They ripped through it like it was made of paper. With the cargo destroyed, there was no reason to stay."
MechMantis: "Still it wasn't exactly comforting to know just how wide spread this rebellion had become. Permission to speak freely Sir?"
Admiral Wolf: "Granted."
MechMantis: "If you had to order the mission again? Would you?"
Admiral Wolf: " I would. The Galetea had its hands full, and your squadron has a reputation for success. We haven't even been able to talk to them for God's sake, and there's a very high chance they aren't interested in talking to us ever. So, eleven lives for an intact Shivan cruiser? Filled with technology and prisoners? Maybe even a crack at their chain of command? Yes, that is a risk worth taking. We may be asked to sacrifice far more when the time comes."
***
Maybe its the hint of xenomorph.
SOON
Destiny Profile : http://www.bungie.net/en/Profile/254/7028016
I think the crazy rogue admiral guy managed to make contact and something something. In the second one, the Shivans went from being omnicidal to being omnicidal and weird. The premise for the last mission was just crazy.
I'll be posting all the canon information about them that I can. But there's a lot of aspects of the Shivans that remain a mystery to this day. Which is a good thing. To me, Shivans are Reapers from Mass Effect done right.
Cains are easy pickings for a lone Loki. They're just so fragile against FS2 era guns and missiles, and their turrets are single mount Shivan primaries, which are garbage in single mounts. The only reason the Dragon is such a terror is due to it having five Shivan Heavy Lasers all hitting in roughly the same spot, and the maneuverability to make sure they always hit. The Cain in FS1 has three Heavy Lasers and four Light Lasers scattered across the hull, and it's a basically stationary ship. In FS2 they trade a light and a heavy for a small red anticap beam and an anti-fighter beam, which makes it a bit more dangerous. If only it didn't have a paper-thin hull and massive blind spots so those beam cannons weren't useless!
The aspect seeking missiles are a little annoying, especially in FS1 if you're not paying attention, but that's what you pack countermeasures for. In FS2 they just don't have the punch to hurt GTVA strike craft.
Liliths on the other hand, have way more armor, and blob turrets which compared to the standard primaries are a godsend. Consider that the Shivan Light Laser, which makes up the majority of the Cain's weapons, deal 8 damage a shot. Shivan Turret Lasers aka THE RED BLOBS, deal 60 per hit. And are way, way better at knocking bombs out of the sky. And unlike a Cain, you might actually want to torpedo a Lilith since it has nearly 4x the HP.
Also, it has cluster bombs where the Cain has aspect seekers. Which actually deal an appreciable amount of damage. But you should really just disable the beam weapons and pull fighters away from it. Then it's a complete non-threat.
Really with the exception of the Aeolus the cruisers in Freespace become so much dead weight against shielded fighters.
There's an interesting thread on Hard-Light that has an interview with a volition employee who worked on the Freespace series. It's got some interesting insights into where things might have been headed, but the bottom line is that the FS storylines were not written until late in production, so there was no definitive plan for Freespace 3.
I'll be pulling that interview once we get to Freespace 2. It's an interesting glimpse of what could have been.
That being said... I'm considering adding Blue Planet to the roster, but I'm focused on finishing FS1 and 2 first.
@Basil: "I'm sorry everyone."
Basil: "It was my job to get you back safely... I failed."
Alpha 2: "It's okay Basil, we knew the risks."
Beta 3: "My sister was sick, who's going to take care of her now goddammit!"
Alpha 4: "She'll never know how much... never had the courage to say it."
Gamma 1: "Outlived my old man, still won't hear the end of it I bet."
???: "Ezekiel connected dem dry bones, Ezekiel connected dem dry bones, Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones."
Alpha 3: "The Taranis is within range."
Gamma 1: "What are we waiting for? Let's welcome them to the party, Terran style."
Basil: "Fire on target, good shooting. Engage enemy fighter cover, I'm starting my Wild Weasel run on the Taranis."
Beta 3: "First wave is down! Better make it fast, scanners are picking up reinforcements."
Beta 4: "How'd they get here so damn fast? Not like this chunk of rock has a fighter bay."
Gamma 1: "Fighters are history, damn alarms."
Basil: "Everything alright?"
Gamma 1: "Took some shrapnel damage, systems are green though."
Basil: "Keep an eye on it, form a perimeter around the Taranis."
Basil: "On the money! Alpha, continue the attack. Let's pull this monster's teeth and leave before more backup arrives."
Alpha 4: "Sir, the Taranis is disarmed and disabled."
Omega: "Omega here. On approach, attempting to attach to the Taranis.... Attachment unsuccessful. Omega 2, give it a shot.
Omega 2: "It's not working, the hull is too strong. Never seen armor like this before. We'll need to tow it to Tombaugh Station."
Command: "Shivan wing Rama is attacking the Taranis! Stop them!"
Basil: "Don't give them any time to breath! Attack!"
???: "Keep it up soldier, plenty of time to rest when you're dead."
Beta 1: "They're everywh-."
Alpha 4: "Beta 1 and 3 are down! Damage control is redlined, I can't keep this up much longer."
Basil: "Bandit down. Reform! Next wave in range... twenty seconds!"
Halkins: "Freighter Halkins here. Command said you needed some help."
Basil: "Halkins, we need you to attach to that cruiser and tow it back to Tombaugh."
Halkins: "Roger. Moving into position now, We've docked. Give us time to brace the attachment."
Basil: "We don't have it Halkins, MOVE!"
Gamma 1: "Sorry boss, I gotta bail. Weapons are shot, can't rearm in this swarm."
Basil: "Jump out now I'll cover... Gamma 1, check six!"
Alpha 2: "They sniped him right through the jump!"
Alpha 4: "I got him... okay, we're clear."
???: "You thought you could win, but you're not playing the same game. It's all connected."
Halkins: "Attachment secure. We're heading to the subspace node."
Basil: "Next wave! Ten seconds! Remember your training!"
???: "You can stop shaking, if you die, you'll never feel it here."
Beta 4: "Seven ships down! Sir, what do we do?!"
Basil: "Just need to buy a few seconds. Break and draw them off the Halkins, full engines. Let them get close, bank hard, and jump!"
???: "The fighter's connected to the cruiser, the cruiser's connected to the destroyer, the destroyer's connected to the- *STATIC*."
Halkins: "Jumping out now. See you at Tombaugh."
???: "You didn't even notice did you? When they were gone?"
Basil: "Yeah... you'll see me again. I promise."
???: "Be careful what you wish for."
LtCdr. Jennifer Simmons: "-One disputes that Lieutenant Basil's heroism saved the mission, but."
Machinegun: "With respect Doc, I need every combat pilot on deck, banged up or not. Will he still function?"
Simmons: "He passed his post-combat debriefing, I have to clear him. I'm still concerned however about the long term damage this incident will have on his mind. A few days leave is hardly sufficient."
Machinegun: "You see the flight recorder data?"
Simmons: "Yes... but."
Machinegun: "Seventeen confirmed kills. Half of those after his unit was shot down. We don't have the luxury of keeping him on the bench for long."
Simmons: "He'll need looking after, at least in the short term."
Machinegun: "The 53rd Hammerheads are down a few pilots, he'll be in good company."
Simmons: "You're CAG of the Bastion now... just, just how bad is it?"
Machinegun: "..."
Simmons: "You're scaring me."
Machinegun: We'll get new intel soon once we crack open that cruiser. Hopefully find some way to hit them where it hurts. We're stalling them in a few key systems, and that's it. We don't even have a plan to retake the ground we've lost."
Simmons: "I'm sure with-."
*Please login to your nearest duty station for an update from Command*
one word: SHIVANTOWN
For the purposes of this LP, we'll be sticking strictly to the story of the original games. When the split comes into fan territory, I'll let everyone know. For now, poor Basil's just been through the wringer, and no one is immune from PTSD. Besides, Shivans are scary.
Yeah, this mission can be trouble. Or a cake walk. I got caught up in disarming the Tarantis, and as a result forgot to issue some orders that may have helped the rest of the squad survive. At this point in the game though, we're still undergunned. Believe it or not, the game FORCES you to take disruptor weaponry by only giving you a handful of avenger cannons for your loadout. Which makes sense, this is primarily a capture mission. However, it also means your allies are only hitting at half strength, and this is a mission that has, for all intents and purposes, infinite Shivan fighters to throw at you. We also don't have aspect seeking missiles, which is the last component of our warchest we need to really kick ass.
So, fighter by fighter they went down. You can make this mission easier by disabling the Taranis just before it jumps out to shorten the time your freighter is in system. But then, I'm already behind on kills for this playthrough due to playing cameraman, and if you keep all your wingman alive, even on medium, it's tough to score kills.
We are officially doomed.
The Lucifer is orders of magnitude more powerful than any warship the GTA or PVE could hope to combat. It's energy shield means we cannot interdict any major attack made by the Shivans against our installations or colonized worlds. As of now, this war is effectively unwinnable. The only tactic we can use is to strike the Shivans where it is not, and pray to find a chink in its armor.
Bright news on an otherwise dismal day, our squadron now has the ability to lock and destroy Shivan fighters and bombers from beyond visual range. This increase in firepower is timely, as intelligence estimates the enemy force at somewhere near one hundred capital ships and their accompanying squadrons. Total number, unknown. Even without the Lucifer, this armada would be capable of crushing our forces many times over. That being said, the Shivans are not behaving in a manner we can predict. They are fixated on controlling jump nodes, while directly targeting our most secure military bases and establishing a presence throughout our known systems. Simply put, our fleets are being ignored at will. And that's not good.
For now, our priority is staying alive. To shore up our losses, and give a few days downtime for our exhausted pilots, recently promoted Lt. @Lord_Asmodeus will take point for this escort.
Alpha 2: "Did you see what was left of Ribos?"
Asmodeus: "I've never seen anything like that before, I don't think anyone has."
Alpha 3: "That place was a fortress. I can't believe a single Shivan attack could level it."
Alpha 4: "I don't suppose it's too late to turn in my commission and head home? My father does run a shipping company out of Capella..."
Asmodeus: "Don't even joke about that, Command has declared total war against the Shivans. Deserters will be shot on sight until the crisis passes. And if the MPs don't get you for abandoning thousands of our people to die, I certainly will."
Alpha 4: "C-copy lead."
Nelson: "GTFr Nelson requesting assistance. Shivan forces hit our wing. We have taken severe hull damage."
Asmodeus: "Too late. Send them to hell Alpha. Fox three."
Alpha 2: "*whistles* Nice shooting."
Alpha 3: "If only the big ones would die as easily."
Asmodeus: "I am notifying Terran Command of the attack on GTFr Nelson. Keep on your toes, there could be more."
Alpha 3: "At least the higher ups didn't skimp on support this time. We have enough fighters to cover the whole convoy."
Asmodeus: "More cheery than the other likelihood."
Alpha 4: "Sir?"
Asmodeus: "That we're bait while Command regroups."
Alpha 4: "..."
Alpha 2: "At least the Vasudans are holding their own. Nice change of pace from them trying to kill us."
Asmodeus: "Got the bounce on the Arjuna wing. "
Asmodeus: "Group destroyed."
Alpha 3: "I don't get it, they're not even bothering to evade."
Asmodeus: "Simple. They don't care how many they lose, as long as they accomplish their mission."
Alpha 4: "How, how do we fight something like that?!"
Asmodues: "We kill everything they send."
Asmodeus: "Fox three."
Alpha 2: "What is that, eight Sir?"
Asmodeus: "I consider it a sin to return to base with unexpended ordinance."
Alpha 3: "Winchester on ammo here too Sir. Call for a Texco?
Asmodus: "Remember the Alamo."
Asmodeus: "Rearming complete, let's hunt some wild dogs."
Alpha 4: "These are the right coordinates, where is the PVD Pinnacle?"
Alpha 2: "The PVD Pinnacle is jumping in ahead sir. And it brought friends."
Pinnacle: "Sorry we were late. We were assisting a convoy of freighters that were ambushed by the Hammer of Light."
Asmodeus: "No need to apologize Pinnacle, we appreciate your aid in recovering our people."
Pinnacle: "You are... welcome? *thumbs up*"
Asmodeus: "*grin* Well, that's a first for interspecies diplomacy."
Alpha 4: "Stupid cockroaches, we'd be better off fighting solo. At least then we would have to worry about half of 'em fragging us, and the other half not caring if we buy the farm."
Asmodues: "You speak out of turn again 4, I'll shoot you down myself. They're trying to win this war, unlike you."
Alpha 4: "..."
Asmodeus: "Convoy is in the clear. What's your status Pinnacle?
"Thank you for your assistance. We can take it from here. Alpha and beta, return to base."
Despite an excellent performance by Asmodues, contributing eighteen kills to finally kick our squadron over one hundred kills for squadron "Ace" status, our situation is untenable. Morale is low, relations with the Vasudans remain unstable, the Shivans are advancing, and the non-military refugees will place an even greater burden on our supply train. On top of that, we have our very own Death Star to crack, and it's shields are already up. No one ever said being a hero was easy.
@ArcSyn: "Heard the LT busted your head in over the comms last mission 4."
Jake: "Gimme a break Arc, I'm not stupid. I'm just not eager to die like some stooge for our glorious GTA High Command. And come on, don't tell me you buy this "kumbaya" crap, with the Vasudans."
ArcSyn: "Every nation has its crazies."
Jake: "Unhuh, and why exactly were our reinforcements late? Was it because they were too busy killing each other? We could have lost the whole convoy! Command bet the mission on their help and we nearly died because they did!"
ArcSyn: "It's tough everywhere, we're at our breaking point as it is."
Will: "I did hear a lot of our strike craft are being diverted to go after Hammer targets, friend of mine heard the CAG."
Jake: "See! It’s those damn sand eating bastards! I tell you man. We ought to kill em all. They’re causing more trouble than the Shivans."
Will: "I don’t know about that, Jake. I’ve heard some evil shit about the Shivans…"
Jake: "Oh they’re all in it together. First those stinking Shivans show up. That’s why they signed that treaty. They knew they would lose. They’re in it together I tell you."
*Vasudan glances at them*
Jake: "Yeah buddy! What are you looking at?"
ArcSyn: "Jesus, calm down. Are you trying to get us thrown in the brig?"
Vasudan: "You have a loud mouth, human. If you knew the truth you would not say such things."
Will: "Hey man, he just had a bit too much to drink. Give him a break."
Jake: "Yeah! Give me a break! In fact I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you come over here and I’ll give you a break! I’ll break your face into little alien pieces and flush it down the toilet!"
Vasudan: "You should leave now."
Jake: "Me leave! Ha! This is our damn ship you stupid bastards! You think you own it! Here, own this!"
* followed by a Bar Brawl*"
ArcSyn: All craft, fire at will! We stop the Shivans right now, or there won't be enough left of any of us to fill a casket. Put all power to shields and ram their torpedoes if you have to, but get it DONE!"
Alpha 2: "This bucket is barely holding together from the LAST mission!"
ArcSyn: "ML-16s are useless, switch to Avengers and go for the bombers."
Alpha 3: "We can't keep pace with them like this!"
ArcSyn: "Just keep shooting!"
ArcSyn: "Bandit destroyed, how are we looking Alpha?"
Alpha 2: "Systems stable, but I've only got 80% thrust."
Alpha 3: "Quartermaster only had time to load two MX-50s, and I just used the last of them. Scorpion's shields are holding."
ArcSyn: " Don't worry about trying to shoot them down in one pass, just keep them off balance."
GTC Ravage: "Intensify forward firepower! That's a kill on the starboard bomber!"
ArcSyn: "Command! The Asimov just went critical! We need reinforcements and we need them right now!
Alpha 3: "GTS Asimov has fallen to 31% integrity! My God... I see people. People... moving."
Command: "Hang in there just a while longer Alpha, crews have nearly finished emergency repairs. ETA, 5 minutes."
ArcSyn: "This fight's gonna be over in two!"
Alpha 2: "Remaining Scorpions are lining up for a suicide run!"
Alpha 3: "This is it! We're all dead!"
Alpha 2: "Lead?"
ArcSyn: "Ha ha."
Alpha 2: "?"
Beta 1: "Didn't catch that lead..."
ArcSyn: "FINE! I will do it MYSELF!"
ArcSyn: "Command, I am switching to manual flight mode and going to maximum burn. Send a recovery craft, it's likely my fighter won't handle the strain."
Command: "Copy Alpha, Godspeed."
ArcSyn: "2, cover me, this is it!"
ArcSyn: "Kill CONFIRMED."
Alpha 2: "I can't believe it!"
GTC Ravage: "Area of engagement is clear. Superlative work Alpha, we're moving to assist the Asimov. EVA teams launching now."
ArcSyn: "Engines are fried, powering down. They say you only fly one suicide mission. I think I just flew mine."
Alpha 2: "All in a day's work lead. We'll stay until the transport arrives."
ArcSyn: "You know, I just realized something."
Alpha 2: "And that is fearless leader?"
ArcSyn: "Whoever said, "only the good die young," was an idiot."
This mission is fast and fun. As one of the only "Red Alert" missions in the game, you're not given a chance to pick your fighter or weapons, and your wing starts the battle pre-damaged. Thankfully, since our squadron performance has been excellent, we had the extra help of the Ravage to keep the Shivans at bay. On higher difficulties and without the cruiser, it's easy to lose the Asimov, and the resulting explosion is worth seeing at least once. ArcSyn completes the mission with three kills and a medal using a half armed, crippled fighter.
The above "bar fight" dialogue was for a cutscene that was never finished due to time, and is found in the Freespace story Bible. While not crucial to the plot, it does show the alliance between the Terrans and Vasudans is hardly ideal, even in the face of total defeat.
Personal log of Admiral Robert Petrarch
"The ancient General Sun Tzu once said, 'know your enemy, know yourself, and you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.'
It should have been no surprise then, why we nearly lost the Great War."
With the Medusa, we now have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with any mainline Shivan capital ship. The Medusa is usually best left in the hands of your wingmen however, its slow speed means few fighter kills, which in turn means few Ace medals. However, as a bomber, it does its job admirably, and will get us some big point totals later on.
Bomber strikes in Freespace are usually not a tense affair barring two exceptions. One, if all of your wingmen have been shot down and enemy fighters are still active. Two, on higher difficulties you MUST target Shivan weapon subsystems to ensure as many torpedoes as possible strike home. Many carrier craft have nearly unlimited reinforcements, and your wingmen will often park right next to a destroyer and wait for a rearm that will never reach them in time.
However, our job this time is simply to provide fighter cover, and get some serious payback.
@Elvenshae "This is Alpha 1, callsign Elvenshae. All wings report in."
Alpha 2: "All fighters and bombers accounted for, ready to attack."
Elvenshae: "Approaching the strike point now... What the hell happened to the Hammer outpost? I'm reading radiation spikes across the grid."
Gamma 1: "Confirmed lead, I'm reading nothing but Shivans!"
Elvenshae: "Good, let's see how they like getting ambushed for a change. Everyone, lock targets. Antares is ours, we're NOT losing it!"
Elvenshae: "Multiple hits, half of the Shivans are KIA. Break and engage! Go go go!"
Beta 2: "I can't keep track! They're swarming!"
Gamma 1: "Fox 1, hits away."
Alpha 4: "3, your six is clear. Next target at vector five-five-"
Elvenshae: "Galatea, we are in an intense situation with Shivan forces! Request assistance!"
Galatea: "We are already engaged with Shivan forces in our area. Standby."
Galatea: "Galatea ready to assist."
Elvenshae: "Glad to see the cavalry could make it."
Galatea: "Reading multiple new contacts. Identified as Lilith and Cain class cruisers. Targets designated as Hellion 1 and Hellion 2. We are bringing all guns to bear for a broadside."
Galatea: "Lasers at maximum charge, armor is holding."
Elvenshae: "Bandit destroyed. Delta, your attack vector on Hellion 2 is clear. Alpha will destroy its heavy weapons."
Delta 2: "Torpedoes away!"
Beta 1: "Look at that bastard burn!"
Elvenshae: "Hellion 2's power reactor has gone critical."
Elvenshae: "Good shooting Delta."
Delta 3: "That was for Tombaugh!"
Galatea: "Alpha, continue the attack. Our weapons are only moderately effective against the Lilith's hull."
Alpha 4: "I can't believe it, that thing is trading punches with an Orion!"
Galatea: "Target destruction is only a matter of time, our goal is to minimize damage for future engagements."
Elvenshae: "That's the last of the fighters. Here's the game plan: Alpha, strafe the Hellion from above, keep its air defenses busy. Delta, use the Galatea's barrage as cover and fire every Tsunami you have."
Elvenshae: "Galatea, the Hellion is crippled, but still functional."
Delta 1: "Are you kidding me? Is it a ghost ship?! What does it take to kill one of them!"
Galatea: "You've done enough Alpha, withdraw your squadron, the Galatea is ending this battle, now."
Elvenshae: "Sadly, I think that that thing's head is a bit too big to hang in the officers lounge Galatea."
Galatea: "A shame indeed Alpha 1. Battle area is clear, entering subspace now."
We expected a simple raid on a cargo depo, and ended up with the last thing we expected: a victory.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
We already have the Athena, my most favoritest ship in Freespace. Why they ever retired or replaced it, I will never, ever know.
But MAN we're getting into the thick of it now.
The failure state for La Ruota Della Fortuna states the following:
As Shivans have only been detected moving into system that have Terran and Vasudan populations, it can only be assumed the Shivans are actively hunting the GTA and PVE populations, and the Hammer is attempting to leak positional/population data to them by proximity, or perhaps by luring Shivans to the area after engaging them in combat. This type of sabotage will be dealt with ruthlessly and decisively.
Due to the earlier game/engine, fleet engagements are rare in Freespace, and anytime the big guns get to play it makes for a more exciting mission. Fortuna is a really fun mission to play.
Having started school again, I plan to keep updates regular by playing and recording several missions at a time, and doing the write ups as I go about every week. No schedule slip as of yet!