Shadow War
| The following information refers to the Solaris universe and is therefore not canon for the FreeSpace continuity. |
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Solaris - Mission 9: Shadow War
System: Morik
Description: Opportunity is found in chaos, while Fifth Fleet escapes a trap.
Created: September 24th, 2018
Released: June 9th, 2019
Background
Admiral Colvin's authorisation level is enough to decrypt the contents of the Mira data. McKearney downloads a copy and communicates the findings to ANI. The findings are explosive; Red Abbey immediately orders the two Commonwealth pilots out of Morik. Ross and McKearney's Federation tour of duty is over.
On board Osiris, Admiral Colvin briefs the squadron pilots directly. She plans to bring the remnants of Fifth Fleet to Akkad to meet with Admiral Akrami's Task Force 55. However, the secrecy of Ariel Station's location has been compromised. Evacuations of the station are proceeding but will need cover for a few more minutes. Romanowska on Imperatrix has arrived and is blockading the station with more Combine ships on the way. The Osiris and a token force of warships must run the blockade so the transports can escape.
Ross and McKearney are the two most senior pilots on board Osiris, and will fly the Phantom stealth fighters as Alpha wing.
Walkthrough
Loadout is locked to the Phantom stealth fighter with Maxim and Gattler primary cannons.
Other than the Osiris, the Federation force is made up of two marine transports, the Longview and the frigate Tribune. Longview's fighters have been transferred to the much larger fleet carrier and will be acting as a large lifeboat for Ariel's personnel. Short-ranged shuttles and LACs will be scuttled or left behind, not being equipped with intersystem drives. The evacuation is in the final stages and needs another five minutes or so.
The Imperatrix and the light cruiser Naga are nearby blocking the exit path of the Federation ships. Two wings of strikers with escorting fighter are launched to assault the transports. Liberal use of the cloaking device will offset the threat of the light fighters.
More Combine ships arrive - the light cruiser Immortal and two guided-missile destroyers arrive to add to Romanowska's firepower. A coordinated ASM launch from all five ships threatens to overwhelm Osiris's defenses - the player should intercpet as many as possible to minimise the damage to the carrier. The situation is further escalated by an Eos launch from Imperatrix, but the player should have enough time to deal with the Javelin missiles before intercepting the incoming nukes. Another wave of strikers is launched at the transports, and the player must balance their attention between the ASM salvos and the strike wings.
Rocinante announces the completion of the evacuation and unclamps from the station. Colvin orders all ships to move out. The rag tag remants of Fifth Fleet charge into mass driver fire.
Notable ships present
- FNS Osiris - Hyperion-class fleet carrier
- FNS Longview - Independence-class fleet carrier
- FNS Tribune - River-class frigate
- FNS Rocinante - Miranda-class transport
- FNS Estella Haversham - Miranda-class transport
- CS Imperatrix - Executrix-class carrier
- CS Naga - Halberd-class cruiser
- CS Immortal - Halberd-class cruiser
- CS Wyvern - Victory-class destroyer
- CS Avatar - Victory-class destroyer
Outcome
- Federation victory.
- Osiris and Longview escape Morik with remaining Fifth Fleet personnel
- Ross and McKearney transfer to HMS Merlin
- The Commonwealth gains possession of information about the Federation and Combine's secret weapons research
Notes
TBFIL
