Claw Marks Comparison
Comm Relay
Header
Original
Comm Relay
News from the Terran Confederation Armed Forces CommNet
Sega CD
Comm Relay
News from Earth (Sol III)
Original
News From Earth (Sol III)
(New York, North American States, Terran News Services) — On 2654.080, representatives of the Committee for Interaction with Alien Intelligences announced contact with a new alien race.
CIAI spokesman Iola Jonson made the following statement: "The CIAI regularly launches unmanned probes to uncharted jump-spheres; these probes contain our most sophisticated translation and interpretation equipment. Eight days ago, Probe Number H227 reappeared in a Terran jump-point carrying data and artifacts from a species we are currently referring to as the Double Helix.
From the information we have so far been able to interpret from H227's records, the Double Helix are a sentient race possessing space travel, and we are not ruling out the possibility they possess FTL drive technology. Physically, they appear to be carbon-based arthropods which communicate through scents and pheromones. Their name is derived from the double-helix shape of their spacecraft."
World Science Federation officials believe this to be the most significant contact with an alien species since the discovery of the Kilrathi, and hope that contact will remain friendly.
Sega CD
News From Earth (Sol III)
(New York, North American States, Terran News Services) — On 2654.080, representatives of the Committee for Interaction with Alien Intelligences announced contact with a new alien race.
CIAI spokesman Iola Jonson issued the following statement: "The CIAI regularly launches unmanned probes to uncharted jump-spheres; these probes contain our most sophisticated translation and interpretation equipment. Eight days ago, Probe Number H227 reappeared in a Terran jump-point carrying data and artifacts from a species we are currently referring to as the Double Helix.
"From the information we have so far been able to interpret from H227's records, the Double Helix are a sentient race possessing space travel, and we are not ruling out the possibility they possess FTL drive technology. Physically, they appear to be carbon-based anthropoids who communicate through scents and pheromones. Their name is derived from the double-helix shape of their spacecraft."
World Science Federation officials believe this to be the most significant contact with an alien species since the discovery of the Kilrathi and hope that contact will remain friendly.
Kilrathi Saga
(New York, North American States, Terran News Services) — On 2654.080, representatives of the Committee for Interaction with Alien Intelligences (CIAI) announced contact with a new alien race.
CIAI spokesman Iola Jonson issued the following statement: "The CIAI regularly launches unmanned probes to uncharted jump-spheres; these probes contain our most sophisticated translation and interpretation equipment. Eight days ago, Probe Number H227 reappeared in a Terran jump-point carrying data and artifacts from a species we are currently referring to as the Double Helix.
"Based on the information we have so far been able to interpret from H227's records, the Double Helix are a sentient race possessing space travel, and we are not ruling out the possibility they possess jump drive technology. Physically, they appear to be carbon-based anthropoids who communicate through scents and pheromones. Their name is derived from the double-helix shape of their spacecraft."
World Science Federation officials believe this to be the most significant contact with an alien species since the discovery of the Kilrathi, and hope that contact will remain friendly.
TCSO Show Scheduled
Original
TCSO Show Scheduled
(Tiger's Claw, TCAFCN) - There's good news for servicemen aboard the TCS Tiger's Claw: The TCSO (Terran Confederation Service Organization) will send an entertainment unit to the much-decorated carrier as early as next month.
The TCSO troupe includes dancers (normal and zero-g), singers, comedians, and the Confederation's best cyberlink illusionists.
Vidstar Saranya Carr, exotic heroine of the popular Luna Jones, JumpScout serial, is accompanying the TCSO troupe to the Tiger's Claw. Carr, 25, stated, "You bet your life I'm happy to be working with the TCSO. I mean, you see Luna Jones blowing Kilrathi fuzzies out of space every week, but Saranya Carr doesn't know a nav computer from a dialogue transceiver. Since I can't help our fighting forces directly, I'm proud to be able to entertain and build morale. Besides," she adds, "I'm not completely unselfish. Perhaps I can persuade someone to give me a ride in one of those new Rapiers..."
Sega CD
TCSO Show Scheduled
(Tiger's Claw, TCAFCN) — There's good news for servicemen aboard the TCS Tiger's Claw — The TCSO (Terran Confederation Service Organization) will send an entertainment unit to the much-decorated carrier as early as next month.
The TCSO troupe includes dancers (normal and zero-g), singers, comedians and the Confederation's best cyberlink illusionists.
Vidstar Saranya Carr, exotic heroine of the popular Luna Jones, JumpScout serial, is accompanying the TCSO troupe to the Tiger's Claw. Carr, 25, stated, "You bet your life I'm happy to be working with the TCSO. I mean, you see Luna Jones blowing Kilrathi fuzzies out of space every week, but Saranya Carr doesn't know a nav computer from a dialogue transceiver. Since I can't help our fighting forces directly, I'm proud to be able to entertain and build morale. Besides," she adds, "I'm not completely unselfish. Perhaps I can persuade someone to give me a ride in one of those new Rapiers ... "
Super Wing Commander
TCSO Show Scheduled
(Tiger's Claw, TCAFCN) — There's good news for servicemen aboard the TCS Tiger's Claw — The TCSO (Terran Confederation Service Organization) will send an entertainment unit to the much-decorated carrier as early as next month.
The TCSO troupe includes dancers (normal and zero-g), singers, comedians and the Confederation's best cyberlink illusionists.
Vidstar Saranya Carr, exotic heroine of the popular Luna Jones, JumpScout serial, is accompanying the TCSO troupe to the Tiger's Claw. Carr, 25, stated, "You bet your life I'm happy to be working with the TCSO. I mean, you see Luna Jones blowing Kilrathi fuzzies out of space every week, but Saranya Carr can't tell a nav computer from a dialogue transceiver. Since I can't help our fighting forces directly, I'm proud to be able to entertain and build morale. Besides," she adds, "I'm not completely unselfish. Perhaps I can persuade someone to give me a ride in one of those new Rapiers ... "
Kilrathi Saga
(Tiger's Claw, TCAFCN) —There's good news for personnel aboard the TCS Tiger's Claw—The TCSO (Terran Confederation Service Organization) will send an entertainment unit to the much-decorated carrier as early as next month.
The TCSO troupe includes dancers (normal and zero-g), singers, comedians and the Confederation's best cyberlink illusionists.
Vidstar Saranya Carr, exotic heroine of the popular Luna Jones, JumpScout serial, is accompanying the TCSO troupe to the Tiger's Claw. Carr, 25, stated, "You bet your life I'm happy to be working with the TCSO. I mean, you see Luna Jones blowing Kilrathi fuzzies out of space every week, but Saranya Carr can't tell a nav computer from a dialogue transceiver. Since I can't help our fighting forces directly, I'm proud to be able to entertain and build morale. Besides," she adds, "I'm not completely unselfish. Perhaps I can persuade someone to give me a ride in one of those new Rapiers ... "
Rookie Turned Ace
Sega CD
Rookie Turned Ace
This past week, the Tiger's Claw was fortunate enough to add another ace to its Confederation ranks. Second Lieutenant Todd "Maniac" Marshall knocked down his fifth Kilrathi in an engagement near Kurasawa System, where he and his wingleader, Captain Jeannette "Angel" Devereaux, were escorting a cargo ship.
While passing through an asteroid belt, the two pilots encountered a wave of five Dralthi fighters. Devereaux downed the first with a volley of mass driver cannon, while Maniac broke formation and nailed the second enemy fighter with a heatseeking missile. The Kilrathi, amazingly enough, began to retreat when Maniac radioed that he was chasing them down. He managed to destroy one more ship, reaching ace status three missions after graduating from the Academy.
"No way I was going to pass up that opportunity," exclaimed Maniac upon his return. "There they were, sitting ducks just waiting to face the best pilot on the Tiger's Claw. I knew ol' Devereaux could take care of the Bonnie Heather, so I hit my afterburners and took care of them. I guess they got what they deserved!" added Marshall.
Devereaux refused to comment on Marshall's success, calling his chase "a ridiculous misuse of Confederation firepower."
Kilrathi Saga
This past week, the Tiger's Claw was fortunate enough to add another ace to its Confederation ranks. Second Lieutenant Todd "Maniac" Marshall knocked down his fifth Kilrathi in an engagement near Kurasawa System, where he and his wingleader, Captain Jeannette "Angel" Devereaux, were escorting a cargo ship.
While passing through an asteroid belt, the two pilots encountered a wave of five Dralthi fighters. Devereaux downed the first with a volley of mass driver cannon, while Maniac broke formation and nailed the second enemy fighter with a heat-seeking missile. The Kilrathi, amazingly enough, began to retreat when Maniac radioed that he was chasing them down. He managed to destroy one more ship, reaching ace status three missions after graduating from the Academy.
"No way I was going to pass up that opportunity," exclaimed Maniac upon his return. "There they were, sitting ducks just waiting to face the best pilot on the Tiger's Claw. I knew ol' Devereaux could take care of the Bonnie Heather, so I hit my afterburners and took care of them. I guess they got what they deserved!" added Marshall.
Devereaux refused to congratulate Marshall on his success, calling his chase "a ridiculous misuse of Confederation firepower."
All Aboard, Austinites
All Aboard, Austinites
Don't be alarmed if you notice a couple of uniformed strangers amidst the Tiger's Claw crew. For the next two weeks, we're entertaining two important visitors from the TCS Austin, our sister carrier assigned to a first-response patrol in Enigma sector. Lieutenants Zach "Jazz" Colson and Etienne "Doomsday" Montclair arrived late last week to meet with our Tactical Plotting group and discuss air defense procedures.
Rumor has it that the Confederation is laying out a defense plan for an anticipated attack on McAuliffe, a teaching and research colony housed in an orbital space station and a groundbased research facility. The vast libraries on McAuliffe are under top security, and Terran Intelligence suspects that the Kilrathi will try to gain access to its Terran Knowledge Bank (TKB) within the next few weeks.
Although details of the upcoming objectives remain classified, I took the liberty of interviewing the two men between their meetings with Colonel Halcyon. Here's a short profile of each:
Poised and Ready
Sega CD
Poised and Ready
NAME ZACH COLSON
CALLSIGN: JAZZ
RANK: MAJOR
AGE: 32
ORIGIN: KANSAS CITY, NORTH AMERICAJazz describes himself as a self-taught jazz pianist and elite pilot who has "uniquely balanced his creative and analytical minds." He's a distinguished Academy alumnus, having graduated at the top of his class nine years ago. Since then, he's claimed no less than 28 Kilrathi kills.
"I know I'm talented and well-trained, just like most of our Confederation pilots," Colson says as he mindfully strokes one of the ribbons decorating his uniform. "But it's poise that determines who survives in combat every time. You can't just launch, find the furballs and rush right in ... you have to visualize your attack and follow through without a hitch.
"That's where my training gives me an edge. Back on the Austin, I've implemented a visualography machine — it uses visualization techniques and holographic goggles to test and improve your combat reflex skills. I wouldn't say it's the train sim of the future, but it's made a heck of a difference in my flying.
"I put the visualography machine to the test a couple of weeks ago as a mission warmup tool — I'd been practicing for about an hour when the defense siren sounded. Five minutes later, I was loose and blasting furballs with ease. My wingman had a hard time keeping up with me. You better believe this contraption's got my vote!"
MAJOR ZACH COLSON, JAZZ
Super Wing Commander
Poised and Ready
NAME ZACH COLSON
CALLSIGN: JAZZ
RANK: LIEUTENANT
AGE: 32
ORIGIN: KANSAS CITY, NORTH AMERICAJazz describes himself as a self-taught jazz pianist and elite pilot who has "uniquely balanced his creative and analytical minds." He's a distinguished Academy alumnus, having graduated at the top of his class nine years ago. Since then, he's claimed no less than 28 Kilrathi kills, three in the current campaign.
"I know I'm talented and well-trained, just like most of our Confederation pilots," Colson says as he mindfully strokes one of the ribbons decorating his uniform. "But it's poise that determines who survives in combat every time. You can't just launch, find the furballs and rush right in ... you have to visualize your attack and follow through without a hitch.
"That's where my training gives me an edge. Back on the Austin, I've implemented a visualography machine — it uses visualization techniques and holographic goggles to test and improve your combat reflex skills. I wouldn't say it's the train sim of the future, but it's made a heck of a difference in my flying.
"I put the visualography machine to the test a couple of weeks ago as a mission warmup tool — I'd been practicing for about an hour when the defense siren sounded. Five minutes later, I was loose and blasting furballs with ease. My wingman had a hard time keeping up with me. You better believe this contraption's got my vote!"
LIEUTENANT ZACH COLSON, JAZZ
Kilrathi Saga
MAJOR ZACH COLSON
Age: 32
Callsign: Jazz
Homeworld: Kansas City, North AmericaJazz describes himself as a self-taught jazz pianist and elite pilot who has "uniquely balanced his creative and analytical minds." He's a distinguished Academy alumnus, having graduated at the top of his class.
"I know I'm talented and well-trained, just like most of our Confederation pilots," Colson says as he mindfully strokes one of the ribbons decorating his uniform. "But it's poise that determines who survives in combat every time. That's where my training gives me an edge. Back on the Austin, I've implemented a visualography machine — it uses visualization techniques and holographic goggles to test and improve your combat reflex skills. I wouldn't say it's the train sim of the future, but it's close."
Doom and Gloom
Sega CD
Doom and Gloom
NAME: ETIENNE MONTCLAIR
CALLSIGN: DOOMSDAY
RANK: LIEUTENANT
AGE: 34
ORIGIN: HAWK BAY, NEW ZEALANDLieutenant Montclair calls himself a "devil's advocate" because he always tries to view things from the worst-case scenario. "That way," he says, "I'm never disappointed. And if I'm wrong about something, it turns out better than I expected." Always anticipating disastrous results, he accurately bears the callsign Doomsday.
"I grew up with pride and prejudice — literally speaking, not literaturely," explains Montclair. "My training in the history of Maori warriors taught me not to expect much from the world and the people around me. Instead, I've learned to take pride in my flying and trust my own instincts.
"The reason I fly with Jazz isn't that big of a secret. Admiral Tolwyn feels he's doing me some kind of favor by pairing me with such an upbeat showoff," sighs Doomsday. "I like Jazz — he's a good pilot and all — but I'd still rather fly patrol missions in a safe sector somewhere. I'm never going to see forty if these Kilrathi keep jumping our nav points."
According to Doomsday, this war's going to drag on forever. Of course, he says the Confederation will pull through, but not before thousands of Terrans sacrifice their lives and colonies to the Kilrathi. Despite his brand of pessimism, Montclair has racked up an impressive count of 187 successful missions and 21 kills.
LIEUTENANT ETIENNE MONTCLAIR, DOOMSDAY
Super Wing Commander
Doom and Gloom
NAME: ETIENNE MONTCLAIR
CALLSIGN: DOOMSDAY
RANK: CAPTAIN
AGE: 34
ORIGIN: HAWK BAY, NEW ZEALANDLieutenant Montclair calls himself a "devil's advocate" because he always tries to view things from the worst-case scenario. "That way," he says, "I'm never disappointed. And if I'm wrong about something, it turns out better than I expected." Always anticipating disastrous results, he accurately bears the callsign Doomsday.
"I grew up with pride and prejudice — literally speaking, not literaturely," explains Montclair. "My training in the history of Maori warriors taught me not to expect much from the world and the people around me. Instead, I've learned to take pride in my flying and trust my own instincts.
"The reason I fly with Jazz isn't that big of a secret. Admiral Tolwyn feels he's doing me some kind of favor by pairing me with such an upbeat showoff," sighs Doomsday. "I like Jazz — he's a good pilot and all — but I'd still rather fly patrol missions in a safe sector somewhere. I'm never going to see forty if these Kilrathi keep jumping our nav points."
According to Doomsday, this war's going to drag on forever. Of course, he says the Confederation will pull through, but not before thousands of Terrans sacrifice their lives and colonies to the Kilrathi. Despite his brand of pessimism, Montclair has racked up an impressive count of 187 successful missions and 135 kills, lifetime.
CAPTAIN ETIENNE MONTCLAIR, DOOMSDAY
Kilrathi Saga
LIEUTENANT ETIENNE MONTCLAIR
Age: 34
Callsign: Doomsday
Homeworld: Hawk Bay, New Zealand, EarthLieutenant Montclair calls himself a "devil's advocate" because he always tries to view things from the worst-case scenario. Always anticipating disastrous results, he accurately bears the callsign Doomsday. According to him, this war's going to drag on forever. Of course, he says the Confederation will pull through, but not before thousands of Terrans sacrifice their lives and colonies to the Kilrathi. "The reason I fly with Jazz isn't that big of a secret. Admiral Tolwyn feels he's doing me some kind of favor by pairing me with such an upbeat showoff," sighs Doomsday. "I like Jazz — he's a good pilot and all — but I'd still rather fly patrol missions in a safe sector somewhere. I'm never going to see forty if these Kilrathi keep jumping our nav points."
Up and Coming
Original
Tiger's Claw Promotions
To Lieutenant: S.E. (Broadway) Sarasin
To Captain: Fatima (Cymbals) HaroudTiger's Claw Awards
Ace: 2nd Lt. Todd (Maniac) Marshall
Bronze Star: Captain Jeannette (Angel) Devereaux
10-Mission Ribbon: 1st Lt. Tanaka (Spirit) Mariko
Kilrathi Saga
Up and Coming
To Lieutenant
S.E. “BROADWAY” SARASINTo Captain
FATIMA “CYMBALS” HAROUDAce
SECOND LIEUTENANT
TODD “MANIAC” MARSHALLBronze Star
CAPTAIN
JEANNETTE “ANGEL” DEVEREAUX15-Mission Ribbon
FIRST LIEUTENANT
TANAKA “SPIRIT” MARIKO
Taggart's Tactics
Introduction
Truth from the Black Box
Basic Tactics: A Review
Individual Objectives
Mission Objectives
First Contact
Maneuvering
Standard Maneuvers
Evasion Tactics
Last Notes
Original
Last Notes
There's no sure way, no sure tactic, to keep you alive on a combat mission. You may be good, but so are the Kilrathi. Somebody's got to win, and somebody will probably die.
The Book, sneered at by up-and-coming aces, is nothing more than a manual which teaches you how to slant the odds in your favor. It says nothing more than this: "Protect your wingman and he'll protect you. Lean these tactics and they'll improve your chances." That's all.
And just remember: You're not the only one who wants your chances to be improved. Your wingman does. Your commander does. Your family does. Ultimately, the entire Terran Confederation does. Because if we fail, our people and our planets will end up "protected" by pilots who proved themselves better than us, fliers who showed they could beat us: The warriors of the Empire of Kilrah.
Sega CD
Last Notes
There's no sure way, no sure tactic, to keep you alive on a combat mission. You may be good, but so are the Kilrathi. Someone's got to win, and someone will probably die.
The book of flight regs, sneered at by up-and-coming aces, is nothing more than a tool that teaches you how to slant the odds in your favor. It says nothing more than this: "Protect your wingman and he'll protect you. Learn these tactics and they'll improve your chances." That’s all.
And remember — You’re not the only one who wants your chances to be improved. Your wingman does. Your commander does. Your family does. Ultimately, the entire Terran Confederation does. Because if we fail, our people and planets will end up "protected" by pilots who proved themselves better than us, fliers who showed they could beat us — the warriors of the Empire of Kilrah.
