TFTC-TC 7: Rendezvous With Peril

General Information

Title: Rendezvous With Peril

Number of Missions: 6

Original Upload Date: 2024-12-14

Author: Jagged Fell III & Frodo March

Force of the Emperor’s Will

Readme Background

Some of my favorite stories in the EH database were written and made by Frodo. He graciously has given me permission to remaster his XWA battles into TFTC and I have chosen to remaster XWA-TC 52: Rendez-Vous With Peril.

This battle tells the story of a hapless Gamma Squadron pilot who through a bad luck finds himself with just one chance to redeem himself, or be cast out of the Emperor's Hammer all together.

Script

Mission 1: Ruined Routine

Commander's Briefing

Lieutenant Doralt rushed to the briefing room at full speed and entered it panting. His commander was there, looking at him. The briefing had of course started and the commander wasn’t pleased at all.

“Nice of you to show up, Lieutenant, I thought you’d never come,” he said sternly.

“Well sir, you see...em...well, I was...” Doralt started but it was much too late, for his commander had already cut him off.

“I don’t want to hear it this time. Since you were late for the briefing, and you missed the whole thing except the last frame, I’m going to have to explain the whole mission to you again,” he said with a bit of not-so-well hidden anger.

Doralt stood at attention and awaited the instructions.

“This mission is coming straight from the top, we have some secret mission objectives which you won’t know about until I tell you in-mission. For now, it’s simply an inspection mission. Inspect everything that comes through between the navigation buoys.”

“The usual mess Lieutenant, except if I tell you to do something, you will do it. Now get moving!”

His commander finished and Doralt was on his way to his TIE interceptor.

Tactical Briefing Text

Good luck pilots! Briefing over. You're late! I won't answer any questions. [See the Commander Briefing].

Radio Messages

<Gamma 1> Gamma 3, why don't you inspect those

<Gamma 3> Roger

<Gamma 1> Rebels!

<Gamma 1> Keep your eyes open for the secret objectives

<Gamma 1> My communications system is...dow...*PSSSHHHH*

<Gamma 2> Sir? sir!? 1 is down, say again: 1 is down!

<Gamma 3> Hmm...a Shuttle...That must be the secret goal!

<Gamma 1> NOOOOOOO!!!! YOU KILLED THE SECRET OBJECTIVE!

<Gamma 3> Uh oh...

<Gamma 1> You're in trouble now...Mop up people!

<Gamma 1> We gotta bring this criminal to the Sovereign

<Enforcer> The cruiser is dead

Victory Briefing

Lieutenant Doralt exited his TIE, knowing he was in heaps of trouble. This mission wasn't what he had perceived it to be. Looks like the secret objective wasn't to destroy the shuttle, but to protect it.

Doralt was now facing multiple charges and was brought to the courtroom of the Sovereign. He walked inside the room and was met by the gaze of Grand Admiral Ronin himself who was sitting at a table along with a few other highly decorated officers.

He came to attention at the door and immediately saluted and said, “Lieutenant Kevin J. Doralt reporting as ordered sir.”

The Grand Admiral studied him for a moment before answering, a long painful moment. “Sit, Lieutenant,” was all the Grand Admiral said to him. Doralt took a moment to study the admirals that were sitting at the table, they seemed to be a panel of judges.

Admiral Xavier stood up and started speaking:

“We are here today for the court hearing of Lieutenant Doralt, accused of Article 412, being a traitor. Article 407, friendly fire and Article 404 conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentlemen.”

He allowed a moment for the young pilot to swallow what he just heard, since it was indeed three of the worst charges he could have against him. Doralt couldn’t believe that his single act of initiative led to this.

“Yesterday, a member of the Intelligence Division was returning to the Emperor’s Hammer via the Strike Cruiser Oblivion, a rebel cruiser. The Intelligence Division arranged that the pilot in question would be pretending to be rebel in origin and he was to be intercepted at those coordinates. The Intelligence Division also arranged for Gamma Squadron and the Modified Frigate Enforcer to meet it, and escort the agent to its hangar in a shuttle. However, when he exited the hangar of the cruiser, he was met by the fire of Lieutenant Doralt and was killed.” The Security Officer sat back down and there was a short moment of silence.

The Grand Admiral said simply, “To these charges and allegations, how do you plead?”

Doralt didn’t quite know what to answer and simply stood up and stuttered, “Not guilty sir...well, I mean it wasn’t supposed to be that way...sir.”

“Did you destroy the shuttle?” Asked the Fleet Commander.

“Yes sir, that I did...but I thought...” Doralt began, but he was cut off.

“What you thought is irrelevant Lieutenant , it's what you did that matters,” interjected Admiral Xavier.

“Allow him to explain himself,” said the Grand Admiral.

“Well, sir, I was under the impression that he was the secret mission objective…I thought we had to destroy the shuttle,” Lieutenant Doralt said.

“How did you come to this conclusion, Lieutenant?” asked the Fleet Commander.

“Well sir, my Commander had told me that he had a secret mission objective for us. But as soon as the rebels entered the system, they knocked out his communications system, which made knowing the objective impossible. He was the one that was going to tell us what to do and when to do it.”

“I know it's not an excuse...but I was sure at the time that it was the target...I’m sorry, sir,” Doralt finished timidly.

“Well, sorry just won’t do it I’m afraid,” said Grand Admiral Ronin. The panel took a moment to confer and then the Fleet Commander spoke, “Admiral Xavier, what is the verdict?”

“On the charge of Article 412, treason, we find the defendant not guilty. On the charge of Article 404, conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of 407, friendly fire resulting in death, we find the defendant guilty.”

“Very well," answered the Grand Admiral. “I sentence you to a loss of your commission, medals, and any other awards. You will be placed in the brig until your appeal tomorrow.”

“Guards, take Cadet Doralt back to the brig,” said Admiral Xavier.

Mission 2: Pirated Escape

Commander's Briefing

Doralt was in the brig, mad at himself and mad at the universe. He was sure that that was the right target, but yet now he was a cadet again, and had no hopes of ever gaining anything ever again in his career ever. Suddenly the door to his cell opened. There was a Fleet Admiral, a woman standing there with a Gold Star on her chest and multiple medals that Doralt had never seen in his life.

She glanced down at the now Cadet and looked at him with a smile and said almost perkily, “How are you pilot?”

Doralt looked at her with all his emotions of sadness evident on his face. She came to the obvious conclusion about ‘how he was’.

“That bad, huh? Well, if it's any consolation, you’re not going to the appeal tomorrow.”

“Huh? How...how can that be possible ma’am?” Doralt asked.

“I’m the Supreme Director of the Intelligence Division, I’m letting you out of your cell and I suggest you go out into exile. In one week, go to these coordinates.”

She handed him a datapad.

“Now get!” She added.

“Yes ma’am...thank you ma’am...and I’m sorry I killed your agent ma’am” he said. She nodded and pointed to the hallway. He left.

Doralt had little trouble not getting recognized as he ran down the halls and to the hangar where his TIE Interceptor was waiting for him. Gamma 3 was right there when he arrived, and he was still wearing his flight suit since they literally put him in the brig the second he set down in the hangar. He had left his helmet in the cockpit and now he slipped it on.

He has to fake his death with the help of pirate collaborators who owe a debt to Fleet Admiral Aseret.

There is no telling if they are trustworthy, and there is no telling why the Supreme Director has liberated Doralt...All he knows is that he is now being offered a chance to live free, even if in exile.

Tactical Briefing Text

From FA Aseret's Datapad: Hello pilot, I have good news. I'm going to let you escape into exile.

However, you have to be at coordinates [2049.49541.90398] in [7 days time].

How will you escape? Easy. The Sovereign is near a pirate base and doesn't even know it.

In one of their asteroid hangars lies a CN/D called [Gamma 3]. You must destroy it.

This will confuse the EH sensors long enough for you to [Enter the Hangar] of the Asteroid.

The Sovereign will think you're dead, but you will only have [10 seconds] to enter the hangar.

If you don't enter within [10 seconds] they will notice you are still alive, and you will have failed.

Now get!

Radio Messages

<Eta 1> Gamma 3, you aren't on patrol. Return to the hangar

<Doralt> Uh oh...

<Doralt> This is Gamma 3, stand by

<Eta 1> You have been warned. Eta, open fi...Pirates!!

<Eta 1> Leave the T/I, pirates at coordinates -6, -11, 3

<Doralt> phew...there they are

<Doralt> Pirates! I am Doralt. I've been ordered to...

<Pirate> We know! We were hired to fake your death

<Pirate> Now destroy that container!

<Pirate> Argh...what was that for!?

<Sovereign> This fight isn't worth it. Withdrawing

<Pirate> You have 10 seconds or you fail, Doralt

<Pirate> Argh, you haven't paid attention

Victory Briefing

Doralt exited his TIE and took off his helmet to find a scruffy looking internal hanger filled with old looking pirate ships.

“The Imperials are leaving the area,” said the intercom system. Doralt pushed down a sigh of relief as he climbed down from his fighter only to be met by…yes, more troops. The pirate guards didn’t have masks and he saw them grinning widely. They took him straight to another brig.

“Perfect! This is just perfect! Now I’m in a pirate brig! At least the Sov was cleaner!” Doralt thought aloud. Suddenly the brig door opened. Doralt wasn’t surprised at all this time, he had gotten used to brig doors opening and closing throughout the last few days.

“Hello, my name is Fitzip, I’m the leader of this magnificent pirate organization based in this small asteroid cluster. I’ve been dealing with Lady Aseret for a long time now and she asked me to help you get into our base and fake your death,” the friendly looking man said.

“Thank you very much, my name is Doralt.”

“Oh no, don’t thank me, you see, I agreed to help fake your death, I DIDN’T agree to let you kill MY MEN!!” he yelled at Doralt.

“Oh...eh...well...sorry...I was making it look like I was really on the Emperor’s Hammer’s side..”

“Well you pretty much ruined it for you. We’re going to give you a chance though, we’ll give you execution through REAL exile.”

The guards took Doralt to the hangar and stuffed him into a beaten up TIE Fighter.

“We got a few of these out of an exchange with Aseret, this one however got really damaged, so you’re getting in there and we’re giving you a 15 second head start to escape. Well, you don’t even have a hyperdrive...so...hehehe.”

Mission 3: Execution

Commander's Briefing

The pirate leader, Fitzip was extremely displeased with the fact that you took out some of his fighters and men despite the fact that he was saving your life.

For this act of ingratitude you will be executed in the pirate's favorite fashion…

Tactical Briefing Text

For brutally killing some of our men, our leader has decided to have you killed in the way of exile.

We will allow you [15 seconds] out there to prepare for our arrival. Then, you die.

• Laughs Evilly*

Radio Messages

<Fitzip> Hehehe, mwahahah! Let this be a lesson to you

<Fitzip> Too bad lessons don't help the dead!

<Doralt> Heh, we'll see

<Fitzip> Nice shooting, you can't take these guys though

<Fitzip> Grrr...eat gunboat!

<Doralt> I'm saved! M/CRV Swankster! Please help me!

<Swankster> Pirates!...You may enter the hangar...for a price

<Doralt> Thank the maker! I'll do anything!

<Fitzip> The only thing you'll be doing, is dying

<Doralt> Oh shut up!...Hey! That's MY SHIP!

<Pirate> The boss is dead!

<Other Pirate> Launch all fighters!

<Swankster> I think you should hurry

<Swankster> We're too damaged, we have to leave

Victory Briefing

“Hello mister…?” asked a scientist in a white lab coat to Doralt as he was exiting the TIE Fighter in the corvette’s tight hangar bay.

“Doralt, my name is Doralt,” Doralt said to him honestly, no need to lie to these people since they were obviously scientists. “Who might you be?”

“My name is Dr. Edgar Fontres, I am a scientist and I work for the scientific community of planet Elbond on the outer rim. We are the first people from our system to ever arrive in this portion of the galaxy which seems to be run by some sort of imperial faction called the Emperor’s Hammer,” the man told Doralt.

“Indeed...what do you know of these imperials?” asked Doralt, out of pure curiosity.

“Well, they seem to have an immense fleet and a lot of power in this particular region. One of the few that have a chance of actually challenging the dominance of the New Republic,” said the doctor.

“Do you like the New Republic?” Doralt asked.

“Not that much to be honest with you. They always seem to be over-preoccupied with maintaining order in chaos, and preventing the imperial types from taking over. However, I’m not here for a political point of view, we’re here to study the many parts of this galaxy,” Edgar answered.

“I see, now...I believe I have a favor to return?” Doralt replied, because being in debt was always better than being in the brig, but he didn’t enjoy being in debt.

“Ah, well, as you can see we have no fighter escort, we’ll fix this fighter and you can provide us with escort on our various missions,” the doctor answered.

“I see, I’ll gladly help you. Can your technicians add a hyperdrive to the TIE?” Doralt asked the scientist, keeping in mind his rendezvous with the Intelligence Division in 6 days time.

“Why do you need one my friend? The corvette has one?”

“Oh, but we cannot rely on that doctor, for you see, often you’ll need me to stay behind and attack your enemies while you enter hyperspace, it’s a very dangerous galaxy,” answered Doralt honestly, so he would believe him.

“Yes, I noticed, well, we’ll add it soon,” said the doctor.

“Thank you very much, don’t worry, I’ll be good to you, my people have life debts you know, and I owe you mine,” lied Doralt. He didn’t have anything like a life debt, and he was no wookiee.

“I’ll show you to your quarters.”

Mission 4: Study Defense

Commander's Briefing

The words “Doralt, we need you at the bridge,” abruptly awoke Doralt in the middle of his long deserved rest in real quarters. They were cramped, yes, but at least he could open the door at will, and these scientists actually respected him...He almost felt too guilty to ditch them in order to get to his rendezvous the next day.

“Doralt, are you there?” the communication system said again.

“Yes, I’m coming,” answered Doralt. He got up and left for the bridge. It was a short walk, being a Modified Corvette and all.

“Yes Dr. Fontres, what can I do for you?” asked Doralt.

“Well, Doralt, we want to study this cruiser which has been struck with various asteroids which caused its crew to escape. However, it seems to have quite a defense around it…mines. Could you take care of those?” the Doctor asked him.

“Of course, I’m on my way,” answered Doralt.

A simple mine sweeping job, nothing hard about that. He’d just get the mines with his newly repaired TIE Fighter, which now has shields, but the hyperdrive hasn’t been added yet. He got to the hangar and entered the Fighter, they even put more stuffing in the seat to add to the comfort.

Tactical Briefing Text

Hello Doralt! After 6 days of constant travel we have yet another mission for you!

We've come across an abandoned cruiser, it seems to have been struck by [magnetic asteroids].

We find these asteroids most interesting and would like to study them. However, we cannot because of a [minefield].

The minefield was automatically generated when the cruiser's hull was crushed. A very ingenious defense method.

We require you to [destroy all the mines], so that we can study the cruiser and asteroids.

Good luck!

Radio Messages

<Swankster> Ok Doralt, take out those mines please

<Doralt> Sure thing Swankster

<Swankster> Half the mines destroyed. Keep it up

<Swankster> Oh crap! Bounty hunters! Let's get out of here!

<Swankster> Doralt, your Hyperdrive works. Hyper out after us

<Doralt> Ok

<Hunter> I am Kabed! Bounty hunter! We seek Doralt!

<Doralt> Uh oh...those Pirates must have SQUEELED!

<Swankster> We're outta here!

<Doralt> Time to hyper out...Hey...ITS NOT INSTALLED!

<Doralt> Wait a sec...that cruiser...

<Doralt> The cruiser has a hangar! I'll go in there!

Victory Briefing

Doralt was screwed in every way possible. He was in an abandoned cruiser that had no life support and the bounty hunters were shooting at it until it would explode. He looked around the hangar and to his delight, his luck once again provided him an escape method. There, in front of him, was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen, it was a Z-95. Now a Z-95 was much worse than his TIE Fighter, but it did have a standard reliable hyperdrive. If the Z-95 that’s been there for an indefinite number of years was still good to go, he was saved, and could go to the coordinates. He still held the datapad in his pocket with the coordinates written on it faithfully.

Mission 5: Hyperdrive Luck

Commander's Briefing

There was no life support in the hangar, but he had his imperial pilot suit which he could easily go into space with, provided it wasn’t too cold. He got out and began floating towards the Z-95, he managed to grip himself onto the wing and to climb into the cockpit which pressurized in an instant when he closed the hatch. He was safe and had a hyperdrive at his disposal.

He still held the datapad in his pocket with the coordinates of the rendezvous recorded in it faithfully...

Tactical Briefing Text

Inside the Cruiser's hangar Doralt found a [Z-95 headhunter] that has a working hyperdrive.

He must now use it to escape the array of pirates currently attacking the Cruiser.

Wait for the Nav computer to calculate the coordinates, go to the [buoy], and destroy it on your way out.

Good luck!

Radio Messages

<Doralt> Calculating hyperdrive coordinates...

<Doralt> Uh oh..."Time to completion: "1 hour 23 minutes"

<Doralt> Guess I'll have to hold em off

<Pirate> Arrr, he's obviously in the Z! Get it!

<Pirate> Arrr, he won't hyper out now! We got an Interdictor!

<Doralt> Ugh...nothing can save me now...

<AD Gilad> This is Admiral Gilad, hand over that Z-95

<Pirate> Oh...crap...

<Pirate> Fight to the death!

<Doralt> Yes! The nav computer is done!!!

<Doralt> Alright! I just gotta destroy this thing...

<Doralt> Woo! I'm off!

<Doralt> Here I am!

<Agent> Welcome Doralt! Now get in the hangar

<Doralt> On my way!

Victory Briefing

“Hello Doralt,” said Fleet Admiral Aseret.

“Hello…ma’am,” said Doralt. He had gotten used to pirates, scientists and being on the run and almost forgot how to treat an admiral.

“Well, you’re probably wondering why you’re here, and why I let you escape, Lieutenant,” replied Fleet Admiral Aseret.

“Yes, yes I am,” answered Doralt, a bit insulted at being played with in such a manner.

“Well, during the trial I was in the audience when I noticed that you, indeed, hadn’t really meant to kill my agent. I talked to the Fleet Commander after the trial and I asked him to let me fake your death so that you could replace my fallen agent.”

She paused for a moment.

“He reluctantly accepted, Doralt, and you will get your rank of Lieutenant back, as one of the agents of the Intelligence Division. We will only issue you a small reprimand for accidental murder.”

Mission 6: The Rendezvous

Commander's Briefing

“He reluctantly accepted, Doralt, and you will get your rank of Lieutenant back, as one of the agents of the Intelligence Division. We will only issue you a small reprimand for accidental murder,” said Fleet Admiral Aseret.

“That’s wonderful! Thank you ma’am!”

Soon after having uttered those words came a few things out of hyperspace: a rebel cruiser, a few bounty hunters that had obviously followed him, an escort carrier, and multiple rebel fighters.

“Well, I’ll be off now Lieutenant. Care to cover my departure? Also, report for training at Aurora after this. Try not to let them follow you this time,” she said.

“I’ll do my best ma’am.”

Tactical Briefing Text

Hello Doralt! You're going to have to fly with Protector flight for this mission.

Basically, we have to cover the Supreme Director while she escapes. We've already evacuated the rest of the crew.

It's ok if the rebels take out our base, its purpose has been served...However, we'd like to salvage as much as possible.

The Rebel Attack has begun! The Immortal will be ready to reinforce us.

Good luck!

Radio Messages

<Doralt> Well, here goes nothing

<FA Aseret> I'm on my way

<Protector 1> Enemy forces seem to be increasing...

<FA Aseret> Seeya later boys

<Protector 1> Well, we're on our own now

<Protector 1> Half of them are gone...we can leave or keep it up

<Protector 1> Hello Immortal! How are you doing?

<Immortal> We're in a heavy assault mood

<Protector 1> Wonderful, we got plenty of targets for you

<Protector 1> All enemy fighters destroyed

<Protector 1> There goes our Dreadnaught...

<Protector 1> Arg...and there goes the asteroid hangar...

<Protector 1> Woo! We got one of their caps!

<Protector 1> Alright! Half their caps are gone!

<Protector 1> Woo! We got a third!

<Protector 1> Excellent! We got rid of all their caps!

<Protector 1> Aaaaarg! the SDIR is dead...you will pay...

Victory Briefing

Upon arriving at Aurora, he got a glimpse of the Dungeon Ship Lichtor V, escorted by Praetorian Squadron. He sped to its hangar and inside he met the Fleet Admiral again, who awarded him the Force of the Emperor’s Will for doing an excellent job at helping her out. His training began, and he was one of the best agents they’ve ever had.

Doralt's adventure had finally come to a happy ending. He was now part of the intelligence division, had a much more interesting job with a much more interesting boss than before.

His life had been saved by two things; his superb piloting ability, and his seemingly large amount of luck. After all that he had been through he had managed to compensate for his mistake, and all that in one short week.

One thing is for sure, Doralt will never be late for a briefing ever again…