Burning Bridges

Location: Galatea
Status: Success

Galaport Galatea
Lyran Alliance
5 October 3072

Ships bearing Northwind Highlanders colors and codes appeared at Galatea’s zenith point, shocking everyone. Claiming to have escaped Northwind and the clutches of the Blakists, they burned in to Galatea, intent on grounding and resupplying before taking up arms against the Word. The DropShips were allowed to enter Galatean airspace, because they were, after all, the famed Northwind Highlanders. And their arrival was backed up with reports coming from other systems regarding the Blakists’ urgent messages describing their escape.

The ruse was brilliant. And a nightmare.

Behind the façade of the famed mercenary regiment was the Word of Blake. Using authentic Highlander codes and IFF, the Word caught the mercenary world with its pants at its collective ankles.

A wolf in a sheep’s tartan.

The Word had come. And Galatea was to be the next Outreach.

(partial log of air traffic control at Galaport Spaceport, 5 October 3072)

Controller: Be advised, uh, .. Fiery Coconut, you have not been cleared for takeoff. Please hold for further instructions.
Fiery Coconut Actual: This is Captain Baxter. Have you seen whats going on out here? We need to liftoff immediately.
Controller: I understand the situation is irregular, but for safety reasons, it is important to follow protocol. Failure to do so could result in fines and even impr–
Fiery Coconut Actual: F&#king irregular! Are you blind! We finally have all units boarded and maybe a five minute window before the Wobbies come back for a second round. We are leaving now! We will take our chances.
Controller: Maam, I am going to have to ask you to – Remaining audio drowned out by the sound of a dropship lifting off nearby

Main Track

05 October 3072
Status: Victory

Units belonging to the Word of Blake are combat dropping onto the Galaport. Some of them appear to be members of the infamous “Shadow Divisions.” With their droppers not yet ready for take-off, the Monkeys have set-up a defensive cordon around their vulnerable transport assets. Luckily, other mercenary groups have joined them to fend off the attack.

After-Action Report

Apparently several of the mercenary commands had taken a bribe from the Wobbies and changed sides in the middle of the battle. This made the battle more challenging, but the Monkeys were able to hold their position and by the time the 47th Shadow Division forces cut through the other mercenary units, they were so heavily damaged that they were forced to withdraw after exchanging a few blows with the Monkeys.

The Monkeys took advantage of the momentarily lull to board up onto their droppers and boost out of the system.