Bearbaiting
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ACT 3, MISSION 1
Fighter squadron: 203rd Scorpions
Description: Help Disarm the Sathanas.
Background
The SJ Sathanas entered Gamma Draconis, despite the destruction of the Knossos portal. The bulk of the Allied Fleet is amassing in Capella, Alpha One's Squadron must weaken the Sathanas and it's supporting Demon class destroyer in preparation for the engagement with the fleet and eventually the Colossus.
Walkthrough
(You can't select your weapons)
Default: GVB Bakha, 1 GTW Akheton SDG, 1 GTW Mekhu HL-7, GTM Helios and GTM Trebuchet
Divert all gun energy to shields, but leave engines as they are. Increasing engine energy in a Bakha apparently doesn't do anything, and your Mekhu HL-7 is incredibly energy-efficient and shouldn't need much recharge. On higher difficulty levels you will need to call in your reinforcement wing immediately; calling in the support ship also makes your wingmen survive a lot longer, somehow, because it apparently distracts the Shivan fighters. If possible without wasting time or missiles, kill the two nearby Basilisks as this will make Beta Wing's (your fighter escort) job much easier. Approach on the SJ Sathanas on afterburners at ludicrous speed, firing an equal load of Trebuchets at each of its two forward flak turrets. As soon as you're out of Treb, switch to Helios and target the nearest frontal beam. Now you have to bomb the turret from the correct angle; if you fail to destroy each turret with only two bombs, your chances of taking out all of them are slim. Try to release your bombs at under 200m going at maximum speed (with afterburners). You get the most damage if you approach a turret from the forward hemisphere. Now barrel in on the flak cannons, quickly destroying what's left of them using Mekhu (not Akheton, which does little damage on them for some reason).
You will have less chance to follow the trick above in the case of the second turret. Target the second turret and try to acquire a lock on it. Hit your burners and fire the GTM Helios warheads at close range. Call in support, ignoring anything in your vicinity. When you're waiting for the support ship, you can put your shields at full and totally disregard any flak, but fighters will still wax you. With practice, you can shoot down all four big beam cannons on the Sathanas. Do not entrust the AI with destroying the turrets. They are too stupid to do anything complicated.
But sadly, the mission doesn't end here. There will be a SD Demon-class destroyer (SD Beleth) jumping in. You have to prevent it from escaping. The GTM Trebuchets are good against its anti-fighter turrets, but use the GTM Helios to attack the ship's hull (obvious). It has only one wing (two waves) of Aeshma escorts, which you should quickly take care of to keep your wingmen alive. Disable the Beleth by doing a quick Helios run on its engines, and you'll have all the time in the world to kill it.
Notable ships present
- SJ Sathanas
- GTD Phoenicia
- SD Beleth
- GVCv Thebes
