Reunion

The following information refers to the Solaris universe and is therefore not canon for the FreeSpace continuity.

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Solaris Campaign Black Sun - Mission 5: Reunion

System: Kotus

Description: In the front lines of the Sulsian-Malikan war, the Hoshikuzu protects Alban Commonwealth personnel evacuating the system. However, Katherine's past catches up with her, complicating the mission.

Created: May 2nd, 2020

Released: October 9th, 2021

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Background

Commerce in Sulsia has ground to a halt. The immensely wealthy multinational trade cartels have packed up, and jobs are scarce. The Albans, Jacobines and Rhenish have withdrawn the last of their cruiser patrols. Sulsia is alone against the fury of the Malikans.

The Hoshikuzu isn't a warship, and Lau makes plans to leave for the fringe system of Vicare. Outgoing transports are congregating before making the week-long journey to Aryavarta Subah, the closest major nation to Sulsia. ENroute to Vicare, the Hoshikuzu receives a distress call from the Alban Commonwealth Diplomatic Corps. The embassy evacuation at Kotus is running into difficulties and the Malikans are coming. The Hoshikuzu diverts to provide security for the operation.

The transports at Kotus Anchorage Embassy are small and carry intrasystem impellers. The Commonwealth transport Elgin has been dispatched to collect the Kotus embassy staff, as well as other Commonwealth evacuations elsewhere in the system.

Walkthrough

Recommended Loadout: Comet-class Gunship, Vulcan, Sparrow AAM.

Kotus Anchorage is a small moon base. Two Aries-class shuttles are loading passengers at the Anchorage Tower and the base hangar. Ross and Meiks grumble at the government's incompetence at keeping Commonwealth citizens in Sulsia safe by withdrawing fleet assets at the time they're needed most. Ross compares it to demilitarising on the eve of a major war.

The evacuation is still not complete by the time the Malikans arrive. Three cutters, two [[Barbican-class_Transport|troop transports] and two fighter transports arrive above the base. Six Armadillo gunships and six swarm fighters undock and conduct an air assault against the transports and Hoshikuzu.

Players are under some pressure to take out the attacking fighters swiftly, as the transports' thin armour makes them susceptible to the light and medium cannons of the Malikan strikecraft. Launching AAMs at the Mace fighters at range will thin out their numbers before they reach the transports. However, Armadillo fighters will engage and tie up the player.

The transports eventually complete their evacuation and launch to join the Hoshikuzu. Once in position, Ross and Meiks are ordered to dock with the corvette so they can make their escape. This process is automated, and it is better for the player to engage autodock closer to the Hoshikuzu to minimise dock time. Once both gunships are confirmed secure, the Hoshikuzu and both Commonwealth shuttles jump out of the area.

The Hoshikuzu and shuttles arrive to relative calm, far away from Kotus Anchorage. This was supposed to be the Elgin rendezvous, but the transport is nowhere to be found. The quiet is broken by the arrival of a destroyer, identified as the Nassau. Lau recognises the name and her apprehension is confirmed by a hail from the destroyer: "Hello Katherine."

Kendra, the captain of the destroyer, has a history with Lau going back years. At first she is surprised to see Lau there, and realises that they stand on opposite sides of the same job: Katherine was hired to protect the Alban transports, while Kendra was sent to destroy them. As the Nassau prepares for battle, Kendra is more than happy to destroy the Hoshikuzu as a bonus. Lau tells Ross that Kendra is more than a mere nemesis...she's family.

ASM swarms launch from Nassau and two mercenary heavy fighters undock from Nassau's hull. The Hoshikuzu along with Ross and Meiks are the only missile defense against the transports, and it is imperative none get through. If the player gets too close to the Nassau, the escorting fighters engage them in combat. Getting caught up in a dogfight with these fighters will generally end poorly for the player unless they are familiar with the limitations and strengths of the Comet gunship.

Kendra taunts Katherine while chasing the Hoshikuzu and transports down, continuing to fire missile salvos. The Nassau's top speed is faster than that of the transports, meaning the destroyer will eventually get within PDC range of the transports. Lau recognises this, and decides to buy the transports time by engaging the Nassau at point blank range. Ross and Meiks are incredulous at first - the Nassau significantly outclasses the Hoshikuzu in displacement and firepower. However, Lau seems confident of coming out on top over Kendra.

The Hoshikuzu burns at maximum speed past the destroyer and settles behind her engines out of reach of her cannons. Kendra realises the advantage has gone to the Hoshikuzu and orders the Nassau to swing around to bring cannons to bear. Lau's bought a reprieve for the transports for now, but needs help disabling the Nassau's turrets to minimise incoming fire. A Vulcan primary cannon loadout will assist with disabling the turrets quicker, at the cost of decreased effectiveness against fighters and gunships. As the Nassau continues to take damage, or loses too many CIWS turrets, Kendra orders her crew to open fire on the Hoshikuzu with the ASM launchers.

A PDC round from Hoshikuzu goes through Nassau's armour and hits her reactor, disabling the destroyer. A victorious Lau hails Kendra, telling her to stand down. At first Kendra sees Katherine's compassionate tone as condescending and she reacts angrily, verbally lashing out at her cousin. Lau tries to defuse Kendra's anger, admitting she finds it too hard to fight any more. What's past is past...it's time to move on. Kendra agrees to stand down, but her tone is resentful. She hasn't forgiven Katherine for her years of hurt and anger, but is willing to pause the conflict for now.

The transport Pollux Arrow arrives, having been asked by the Alban Commonwealth to stand in for the destroyed Elgin. Navo remembers Lau from the Korra Refinery mission and greets her. Lau asks him to help with the Alban shuttles, and asks Navo if he has access to tow facilities to help with the Nassau. Navo reports the auxiliary ship Hopewell is also in the system to assist. The Albans are now safe, and the mission is complete.

Notable ships present

• Hoshikuzu - Rasputin-class corvette
• Courier wing - Aries-class shuttles
  
  

• Nassau - Horizon-class destroyer
• Londinium - Orleans-class cutter
• Fusillade - Orleans-class cutter
• Ivory Dagger - Orleans-class cutter
• Nubia wing - Barbican-class transport

Outcome

• Successful evacuation of Kotus Anchorage.
• The Malika People's Militia occupy the system of Kotus.
• The Nassau is salvaged and comes under the care of Katherine Lau.

Notes

• This is the first use of the Stargazer-class freighter as a fighter transport. Like all small craft, Malikan fighters and gunships aren't equipped with a hyperspace impeller and rely on larger ships for long distance travel. The Malikans make heavy use of flat-top freighters in the absence of hulls with enclosed hangars.