~ -X-9- MISSION 09 ~

Upon entering the mission, your fleet is attacked by a small enemy force including a Battlecruiser (BC), a Destroyer (D), a Heavy Frigate (HMF), and assault craft. Your Dreadnought (DN) destroys the enemy BC with a single shot from its phased cannon array, but this severely damages the DN. Deploy your 5 destroyers to engage the enemy Destroyer and 2 frigates attacking the damaged DN.

You will face attacks from 5 different directions simultaneously. Immediately deploy a minelayer with a minefield in each of the 5 directions. Position your Destroyers in front of your DN to intercept incoming threats. Use your interceptors to destroy groups of fighters, pulsars and gunships to target other enemy craft, and your fleet of flak frigates to defend another direction.

When the Support Ship (SY) hyperspaces in, send it directly to your Mothership (MS) for protection. Use your bombers to attack any stray frigates. Attack enemy hyperspace gates whenever possible, as this reduces the number of incoming attacks. Prioritize destroying at least 3/4 of the gates before engaging in resource gathering to avoid drawing attention to your vulnerable collectors (coll) and mobile refineries.

Continue to eliminate enemy forces and destroy hyperspace gates as they become visible. Protect your Support Ship (SY), Interceptors (INFs), Marines, Defense Frigates (def frigs), and mobile refineries. Allocate collectors to repair damaged ships. If you must divert strike craft (fighters/vettes) to defend against attacks from another direction, do so. Interceptors, pulsars, gunships, flaks, and torps are effective against strike craft. Pulsars, gunships, flaks, and torps are good against capital ships (vettes). Bombers, movers, flaks, ion frigates, torps, and destroyers are effective against frigates. Destroyers are effective against other Destroyers. Ensure you assign appropriate craft to counter specific enemy types to avoid them being ineffective.

Even if you need to split groups to attack multiple enemies, it is better than losing frigates, your Support Ship (SY), or irreplaceable ships like Interceptors (INFs) or your Vaygr Destroyer. Be aware of a Vaygr Destroyer that may attempt to sneak attack your Support Ship (SY).

The Vaygr will launch a major strike consisting of 1 BC, 2-3 Destroyers (D's), and 10-15 Heavy Frigates (HMF's). Assign all your Destroyers (D's) to attack the enemy Destroyers first. Use your frigates to assist. Deploy bombers to attack the enemy frigates and Destroyers. Use any remaining vettes to protect your bombers from enemy fighters. Do not attack the enemy BC directly. Instead, eliminate all other threats. Move your Marines or Interceptors (INFs) directly next to the enemy BC. Once your Marines are adjacent to the BC, order them to capture it. This will yield your first captured Battlecruiser (BC), which can be used to win the mission after repairs.

Use a scout's ping ability to locate any remaining enemy forces. Rebuild lost ships and conduct any necessary research before proceeding to the next mission. Captain Sobaan hyperspaces in with a carrier and other capital ships on his tail. He provides coordinates for a future mission before being captured. The carrier and its fleet hyperspace out to give chase, but the situation deteriorates.