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Version Final
An in-depth walkthrough about Silent Threat
Author: Strikerkid (Chris Dodge or Commodore Chris the Assassin on
Multiplayer)
Contact me at Freespacemaster1@comcast.net
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Version Log
Introduction to Silent Threat
New Ships and Weapons in Silent Threat
Mission by Mission Walkthrough
Thanks too... and Legal Junk
Silent Threat is an expansion to Descent Freespace: the Great War.
The story is set after the destruction of the Lucifer at the very end of
the Great War and the collapse of the Sol jump node. If you have not
yet completed the Freespace campaign, I recommend you do so before
attempting this one. This campaign features four new weapons and four
new ship types. As an extra bonus, you get more multiplayer missions
for Descent Freespace. These new missions are very impressive, with
more co-op and team missions, like Powerball Arena, where you have to
shoot an invincible crate of Harbinger bombs into the center hub of the
other team's Arcadia base with your Flail guns. These new expansions
make this game very much worth your ten dollars.
4. New Ships and Weapons in Silent Threat
B Seraph
Ships
SB Seraphim- The new Seraphim class bomber is the Shivan's latest
threat. It is three times larger than a Nephilim, and carries a massive
payload at least 150% the size of the Nephilim. With strong hulls and
almost impenetrable shield system, the Seraphim is easily the most
dangerous bomber we have yet encountered. The Seraphim has been
designated a Class A threat to GTA destroyers and cruisers. In
unpopulated systems, it is to be considered a Class B threat.
GTF Loki- Designed by GTI engineers, the Loki is undoubtedly the best
reconnaissance craft in Terran or Vasudan service. Originally designed
as a stealth fighter, a minor design flaw has rendered its stealth
technology useless. Even though the Loki is considered a failed
experiment, it has been put into production as a recon/scout craft. Its
hull shape and shielded reactor chamber lends itself to providing a low
sensor profile, and is yet capable of very high speed maneuvers
B Zeus
GTB Zeus- Another product of GTI R&D, the Zeus strike bomber is a worthy
successor to the Athena. Its balanced design and increased reactor
capacity give it remarkable speed for a bomber, yet still remains
capable of carrying the powerful Tsunami bombs. These features will make
the Zeus a versatile and effective weapon against capital ships.
GTD Hades- Covert project being designed by Terran Intelligence. Little
is known of its purpose or specifications.
Weapons
Leech Cannon- The Leech Cannon depletes the power supply of enemy
fighters. Use it to disable afterburners, energy weapons, and shields.
No subsystems targeting is required, just point and shoot. The leech
cannon is specifically designed to drain energy from fighter and bomber
class ships. It is useless against larger ships.
Shield Breaker- The shield breaker is a weapon solely designed to
deplete shields. It is best paired with an anti-hull cannon, such as an
Avenger or Prometheus. It has maximum compatibility among fighters.
Cluster Bomb- A second-generation synaptic bomb, this GTI-developed
cluster warhead has been designed for attacks against entire wings of
enemy ships. Upon reaching its target, the primary warhead fragments
into multiple secondary warheads that explode within a split second. The
detonations produce a large field of blast, making this weapon most
effective against fighter formations.
EM Pulse- Upon impact, the EM Pulse missile temporarily disables the
electronics systems of the target ship. This renders the target unable
to track targets, manage communications, or gain aspect missile lock.
This has numerous tactical applications. For example, a direct hit with
an EM Pulse missile will prevent bombers from launching aspect-locking
warheads for several seconds. Once the EMP field has worn off, the
target must also re-acquire a missile lock, buying you valuable time to
destroy them.
**********************************************
*SPOILERS AHEAD!!! READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK!*
**********************************************
And now, finally, the part you've been waiting for... the Walkthrough!!!!
Silence All Voices
Difficulty Rating: 3 of 10
Command Briefing
Welcome to the GTI
Congratulations, pilot. You have been selected for the Special
Operations branch of Galactic Terran Intelligence. You passed GTI's
rigorous medical and psychological examinations, and your record of
service with Admiral Po and the GTD Intrepid is exemplary. You are now
assigned to the GTI's Special Ops destroyer, the Krios.
The primary mission of the GTI is to provide Terran Command with
accurate and comprehensive information regarding the tactics,
technologies, activities, and strategic objectives of our enemies,
specifically the Shivans and the Vasudan insurgency, Hammer of Light.
As a pilot for Special Ops, your missions will involve intelligence
gathering and containment. These assignments are covert and classified.
Violation of classification protocol will result in court-martial and
possible execution under the Counter-Intelligence and Espionage act.
Sol
All efforts to restore contact with Earth have failed. As you know, the
Sol jump node in Delta Serpentis collapsed shortly after allied forces
tracked and destroyed the Lucifer during its subspace jump. We believe
the explosion of the Lucifer's five reactors created a subspace
cataclysm that closed the node, perhaps permanently.
We have no word on what became of the Terran pilots that destroyed the
Lucifer, or how much of the attack force remains stranded on the Earth
side of the node.
As Terran scientists work toward reestablishing contact with Earth and
the GTA HQ, an interim GTA Command center has been set up in the Delta
Serpentis system.
State of the Treaty
Cultural and political difference have threatened to undermine the
Terran-Vasudan treaty since its inception. After fourteen years of
warfare, the GTA and the PVN has been plagued with mutual distrust,
misunderstanding, and a failure to comply with the treaty's mandate of
full cooperation. Furthermore, incidents of violence between Terran and
Vasudan military personnel have compounded an already precarious
situation.
Overzealous Pilots
The GTA and the PVN are conducting joint operations in the Vega system.
Though hostilities between allied forces in Vega have been confined to
isolated episodes, tensions have now escalated to an all-out
confrontation. During a recent Shivan attack, Terran pilots fired upon
Vasudan ships with intent to kill. Terran Command fears that if the PVN
learns of this incident, the treaty and our hopes of defeating the
Shivans will soon collapse.
Mission Classified
This mission is classified at the highest level. If you should be
killed or captured while fulfilling your objectives, GTI will disavow
any knowledge of you or your actions.
New Technology: Leech Cannon
The secondary mission of the GTI is the research and development of
cutting edge technologies. As a Special Ops officer, you will have
access to advanced weapons and warship prototypes not yet available to
GTA pilots. These systems have undergone extensive lab and field
testing and should function as designed.
The Leech Cannon drains the power supply of enemy fighters. Use the
Leech Cannon to disable afterburners, energy weapons, and shields. No
subsystem is required, just point and shoot. The Leech Cannon is an
anti-fighter weapon with minimal effect on large vessels.
Briefing
At approximately 1500 hours, Terran and Vasudan fighters repelled a
Shivan assault on Outpost Fermi. During the skirmish, Terran pilots
fired upon our Vasudan allies with intent to kill.
The motives of the pilots are unclear. We do not believe their actions
represent a large scale insurrection within Terran ranks, but the
situation must be contained.
Hostilities have escalated to an all out confrontation between Terran
and Vasudan forces in the area. A GTI Communications terminal in the
sector transmitted an encoded message advising command of the situation,
which threatens to jeopardize our treaty with the Vasudans.
Your objective will be to sanitize the area. Destroy everything but the
GTI communications terminal. All voices must be silenced to preserve
the Terran-Vasudan Alliance.
This mission has an operation window of 5 minutes. Get in. Do your
job. Get out. Good luck, pilot.
Strategy
Now that you're done reading all that, now it's time for some strategy.
First thing is tell your wingmen to ignore Aries 2. Also tell them to
ignore Aries 3. Aries 2 will always escape, the sentries around the
comm station will take out Aries 3. You should use Phoenix V's to take
out Aries 1. Then proceed to take down freighters, and finally
fighters. By the time you are done with the freighters, your wingmen
will probably have taken care of the fighters. Nice warm up mission.
Debriefing
Well done, Pilot. You executed a clean sweep of the area and contained
a volatile incident. A single Vasudan ship escaped, but the GTI will
soon liquidate this threat.
A Vasudan ship, designated Aries 2, escaped our containment operation.
GTI has traced the vessel to a Vasudan controlled supply zone.
Aries 2 has communicated our objectives to Vasudan forces in that
sector. We are jamming all local transmissions, but we must achieve
absolute containment.
Your mission will be to destroy all vessels in the supply zone. Ignore
the cargo. Preliminary recon. Indicates a garrison of two Aten cruisers
with fighter escort.
The loss of innocent lives is regrettable but necessary to preserve the
Terran-Vasudan alliance and defeat the Shivans. You must not fail.
Strategy
There will be four Atens when you jump. Order your wingmen to ignore
all four cruisers, you can take them out. Position yourself directly
behind the engines of the Aten and fire away till it is destroyed. Then
RUN! Repeat the process to take out the others. By this time your
wingmen will have taken the fighters out and possibly the sentries.
Also by now, a Faustus will have arrived, designated Einstein. Tell
your wingmen to destroy it, and you should loiter around killing
sentries and cargo until your wingmen have finished the job. The
explosion will be massive, which is why it is not recommended to kill it
yourself. The shockwave will kill you if you are closer that 3,000
units to the Einstein. Then jump out.
Debriefing
Excellent work. You defeated superior forces that intelligence failed
to anticipate. The science vessel's escape pods survived the assault,
but GTI will track and eliminate them. Analysis indicates that you had
no choice but to avoid the shockwave of the blast. You exercised good
judgment under fire, pilot.
GTI has located the Einstein's escape pods in the Beta Aquilae sector.
Command has issued a new directive. Your mission will be to secure the
area and guard the pods. A retrieval ship will recover the survivors
for interrogation.
We will deploy the retrieval ship as soon as possible. Defend those
pods until you are relieved of duty. You will receive further orders in
Beta Aquilae.
Primary Objective
*Escort Escape Pods Until Retrieval
Directives
Escort Einstein Vessels
Strategy
This one is soooooooooo easy. You will first face four Manticores
(Krishna) and three Seraphims (Kali). These are easy to dispatch, they
don't even seem intent on attacking the pods. Next your sensors will
"malfunction". Actually it's a new type of fighter, that your sensors
can't read (for now). They will protect the pods. Eight Manticores
will challenge you (Rama and Bheema), use your wingmen and dispatch
them. The GTD (lame name LOL) will retrieve one pod, however it has no
clearance but you do not know this. Next the GTD Myrmidon will arrive
(cruiser!?! I think not...) and pick up the other pod. However, during
this time, a wing of the new fighters you encountered (Lokis) will
attack. Destroy all six of them using your radar to locate them and
your primaries to blast them to bits. Your aspect missiles won't work,
but the Lokis are wimps anyway, you won't have much trouble. A total of
twenty-one ships in this mission to fight. You could go to sleep and
beat it. Just make sure that you are not in front of the Orion when it
departs or you'll become splattered and have to do the mission ALL over.
Debriefing
The incident at Beta Aquilae has us puzzled. Command acknowledges you
had no means of confirming the authorization status of the destroyer.
Under these circumstances, you did an excellent job ensuring the
recovery of an escape pod.
A preliminary analysis of the incident at Beta Aquilae suggests that the
fighters you engaged had advanced stealth technologies. The origin and
intent of this force remains unknown, and Terran Command has ordered a
full investigation. You will be informed of the progress of this
inquiry on a need-to-know basis. Until further notice, you have been
assigned to other GTI operations.
New Technology: Zeus Bomber
GTI Research and Development has completed field testing of the Zeus-
class Strike Bomber. Like the Athena, its predecessor, it offers
excellent speed and maneuverability. However, more efficient design
allows the Zeus to carry Tsunami Space Bombs in its arsenal. These
features will make the Zeus a versatile and effective weapon against
Shivan capital ships.
New Technology: Cluster Bomb
A second generation Synaptic bomb, GTI's cluster warhead has been
designed for attacks on groups or wings of enemy ships. Upon reaching
its target, the primary warhead explodes into a series of multiple
secondary warheads that explode within a split second. The field
produces a series of energy blasts, making the Cluster Bomb most
effective against fighter formations.
Briefing
A Shivan offensive has decimated our forces in the Ikeya system. The
enemy has annihilated our installations and eighty percent of the forces
garrisoned in that sector. The survivors are now retreating to secure
Terran positions.
Fortunately, the science cruiser Ratna survived the engagement.
Scientists onboard this vessel are spearheading the Eumendies Project,
and have developed cutting-edge weapon prototypes vital to the war
effort.
The Shivans disabled the Ratna, so the vessel has neither propulsion nor
warp capability. We must retrieve our ship, its scientists, and its
prototypes. Command anticipates that Shivan reinforcements will soon
resume their offensive.
Under these circumstances, we must perform a high risk maneuver to
recover the Ratna. Vasudan transport Gemini will dock with the vessel
and tow it away from the Shivan attack point. The docking seal may not
hold, but we have no other viable options.
Command will deploy additional Terran transports to evacuate the
scientists. We cannot extract the prototypes from the Ratna, so the
science cruiser must be recovered.
Your mission: protect the Ratna. Destroy any Shivan attack so the
repair crews can get the engines back on line. The future of this war
is in your hands, pilot.
Ships: Ulysses, Apollo, Valkyrie, Hercules, Zeus
P. Weapons: Ml-16, Disruptor, Avenger, Flail, Prometheus, Banshee, Leech
S. Weapons: Mx-50, Fury, Hornet, Interceptor, Phoenix V, Cluster Bomb
Recommended Loadout (to shorten my typing): Valkyrie, 2 Prom, Hornet
Strategy
This one is pretty tame. At first, you'll see the Ratna, a Faustus, and
the Gemini transport, a Satis. Soon into the mission three Manticores
(Krishna) will decide to drop in, so dispatch them. Following Krishna
will be two Basilisks and Shaitans, so be wary. When the three Seraphim
enter, you should know that you are almost done. Vasudan reinforcements
will arrive... but they turn out to be Hammer of Light, so destroy them as
well. When the Ratna leaves, do the same.
Debriefing
You held off the enemy so our transports could evacuate the scientists.
We need their expertise to win this war, pilot. Good work.
Because of your outstanding performance, we recovered the Ratna and its
prototypes. You should be very proud, pilot. You save not only the
Eumendies project, but possibly the lives of millions.
Reconnaissance has observed a small Shivan cruiser group, designated
Hellfire, en route to the Delta Serpentis jump node. If Hellfire
reaches its destination, it will be united with the primary Shivan
fleet.
Hellfire consists of four cruisers, both Cain and Lilith class, with a
fighter escort of ten to fifteen ships.
Your squad will intercept and destroy as much of the Shivan force as
possible. Beta and Delta wings will engage the cruisers. Alpha and
Gamma will defend the bomber wings and neutralize the fighters.
This is a basic strike mission. To be truthful, just go in there and
blow everything up. Use strategies for attacking cruisers and fighters
that you have learned in previous missions. If the cruisers escape, try
again and aim your Tsunamis at the engines. A quick tip for attacking
Cain's and Lilith's that I learned in multiplayer, take out the third
turret that you select with [k]. I think it is the third, but it might
be the second. It's on the back of the arm that goes vertically, not
horizontally. Once you have knocked that out, feel free to match speed
and stay just behind the back of the cruiser. You'll be safe from
turret fire and you can just plow it down with primaries. Be careful
aiming secondaries from there or you may kill yourself with the blast
radius.
Debriefing
Well done, pilot. Because the Shivan cruisers failed to reach the Delta
Serpentis jump node, we anticipate a decisive victory for our forces in
that sector.
You successfully destroyed Hellfire's fighter escort.
Hammer of Light commandos have seized the Giordano, a science station
located in the Deneb system. Sensitive GTI data will be compromised if
we fail to recapture the Giordano immediately.
Intelligence indicates the Vasudan destroyer Ptah now guards the science
station.
Your objective will be to protect transport Epsilon 1. The transport
will dock with the Giordano and warp to a secure position. Delta wing
will escort Epsilon 1 into the Deneb system and assist you with your
mission.
Should Epsilon fail to accomplish its objective, we will deploy Epsilon
2. If neither transport succeeds in recovering the Giordano, your
orders are to destroy the station and return to base.
Strategy
This one is tough, but not impossible. You have three wings to deal
with: five Thoths, another wing of five Thoths, and another wing.
Cancer and Pisces wing will respawn infinitely so keep them away from
the station. The goal is simple, destroy all the fighters. Now after
the Giordano is safe comes the hard part. For your bonus objective, you
must destroy the Ptah. However, the two wings of five Thoths each
continue to respawn. You must single-handedly destroy the Typhon while
avoiding/fighting TEN Thoths!!! And to make it worse, they respawn
infinitely. YIKES! Good luck :)
Debriefing
Excellent work. We recovered the Giordano and its data with only
minimal losses.
During your recovery of the Einstein's escape pods in Beta Aquilae,
unidentified fighters attacked you and your wing. The results of our
inquiry are puzzling - the vessels are Loki-class fighters, GTI design
and manufacture.
GTI Research and Development created the Loki-class fighter at a top-
secret installation, location undisclosed. The prototype of a stealth
fighter project, the Loki is designed to elude detection by all known
sensor arrays.
Analysis of the Beta Aquilae attack has enabled our engineers to exploit
a structural weakness in the Loki, thus rendering it's stealth useless.
We have shared this information with out Vasudan allies, and we also
expect the Shivans to have the expertise to uncloak the fighters.
The incident does signal an even more disturbing development, however:
the emergence of a rogue element within the GTI. We suspect an
insurgent cell has appropriated the Loki for unknown purposes However
the secrecy surrounding the stealth project has impeded further inquiry.
The Einstein
The appearance of the Einstein in the Vega system is also troubling.
According to service logs, the Einstein was destroyed during the initial
Shivan encounter of Ross 128, in which the enemy annihilated all Terran
ships and installations. The Einstein had entered the system to conduct
a routine geological survey three days prior to the attacks.
Obviously, the Einstein's presence in Vega during our recent operation
contradicts the official report.
Ross 128
Furthermore, evidence suggests that the Einstein my have been a rogue
GTI ship. A high-ranking GTI operative, captain Ezra Tycho, commanded
the science vessel. Though its official duties were limited to low-
level planetary studies, the Einstein may have been involved in covert
operations and weapons research. Analyzing the data we have gathered so
far, we believe rogue elements of the GTI may have known about the
existence of the Shivan threat prior to the attack on Ross 128.
Rogue Elements
Therefore, we suspect the Loki-class fighters were engaged in a GTI
cover up. The attack on your wing in the Beta Aquilae system may have
been a botched attempt to cover up the Einstein's existence.
The extent of the cover-up and the objectives of the conspiracy remain
unknown. You are advised to exercise extreme caution during your next
sortie.
New Technology: Loki Fighter
The latest prototype developed by the GTI stealth project, the Loki
features high maximum velocity and excellent maneuverability. Because
of a minor structural weakness, the Loki's stealth capability has been
compromised nevertheless, the Loki is the most versatile fighter (yeah
right ^^;;) in our arsenal.
New Technology: Shield Breaker
Developed as an anti-Shivan weapon, the Shield Breaker inflicts massive
damage to enemy defensive systems. This weapon causes no structural
damage, but coupling it with an anti-hull cannon will be effective
against larger Shivan bombers such as the Seraphim. Use it well.
Briefing (finally ~_~)
Pirates have attacked the Talus mining facility. Because this
installation processes materials critical to our warhead production,
control of Talus is of the utmost strategic importance.
The facilities garrison repelled the pirate attack but sustained ninety
percent casualties. Certain volatile materials breached containment
during the engagement, and the resulting explosion annihilated the
pirate force. However, the blast also severely compromised the
structural integrity of the installation.
Your primary objective will be to escort our transports while they
recover the remaining warhead materials.
Be advised the explosion released an ionized gas that will render small
ships invisible to sensors. This will make missile target lock
impossible on targets within the ionized zone.
Once the operation has commenced, the facility will begin its
evacuation. However, the cargo must be your first priority. Only after
the materials have been recovered should you protect the escape pods.
We regret any casualties that may result, but the strategic value of the
warhead materials necessitates this decision.
Command will deploy bombers to destroy the facility after all materials
and survivors have been recovered.
Because of heavy subspace activity in this area, we should anticipate a
Shivan attack against our operation (hint hint).
Ships: Ulysses, Apollo, Valkyrie, Zeus, Loki, Hercules
P. Weapons: Ml-16, Disruptor, Avenger, Flail, Prometheus, Banshee, Leech
S. Weapons: Fury, Hornet, Interceptor, Phoenix V
Recommended Loadout: Valkyrie, Prometheus and Avenger, Hornet
Primary Objectives
*Protect the cargo containers
*Protect the transports
Strategy
This mission is quite unique. You start in an asteroid field, unable to
target most anything. Go to the jump node. Freighters will start to
jump in, keep scrolling through them until you select the GTFR Pandarus.
Go within 200 meters and scan it. It's IFF status will turn hostile,
nail the turret on the front top part of it and proceed to blast the
sucker to hell. By this time, Bheema will certainly have jumped in, and
Rama and Pirate Zen wings will likely be in the battlefield also.
Bheema is Seraphim, and there are 3, and 3 wings total. This makes a
total of 9 fighters of Bheema, once you destroy 3, 3 more come in. Let
Bheema take priority over the other wings. If you want to ignore
fighters completely, that's okay too, as your wingmen will do a fine job
blasting them to bits. Once the first round of freighters departs with
cargo, a second batch will enter. Stay on the lookout for the GTFR
Aegis and Dionysys. There are two of these freighters under the same
name, just scan to find out which are the fakes, and blow them away.
Then, mop up any remaining fighters, and sit around until your precious
cargo leaves. No ship attacks the escape pod so unless one gets
attacked by a fluke, they will make it away safely. After all the
freighters are gone, the Talus will turn hostile so you can destroy it.
Tell all fighters to depart so you can get the kill for some more points
toward a promotion. Depart once you trash the Talus.
Debriefing
Well done, pilot. You ensured the retrieval of all warhead materials
and saved the lives of facility personnel.
You skillfully thwarted the pirate assault. You did well to monitor the
status of the transports to prevent materials from falling into enemy
hands. Analysis suggest the pirates no longer pose a viable threat to
our military ships or installations.
Iota wing is en route to a GTI safe zone, located within an asteroid
field. We have positioned watchdog sentries near the zone to neutralize
incoming projectiles.
Iota's cargo is classified at the highest level, as are the coordinates
of the safe zone. Your orders are to rendezvous with Iota and follow
them to their destination.
Strategy
As you can see from the number of directives, this mission is pretty
tame. The layout is similar to the original Freespace campaign where
you had to protect the Galatea while she made her way through an
asteroid field. This one is just like that, except you have Fenris and
two Chronos transports to protect. Along the way, you'll be hit with
various Shivan fighters, dispatch them as needed and destroy all
asteroids with the white brackets around them. Once the convoy is
inside the ring of sentry guns, the objective will turn true and you are
free to jump out.
Debriefing
Well done, Iota wing arrived at the safe zone and sustained minimal
casualties. You accomplished a mission of the utmost importance to GTI
security.
Strategy
You enter the mission with the Krios at 10%, and 8 escape pods out.
Hurry and destroy Bragi, Hrid, and Buri before they can hurt the escape
pods. The Krios will be destroyed no matter what you do, so it doesn't
matter, don't worry about it. Once those wings are knocked out, order
your wingmen to protect the escape pod that is closest to the jump node.
Head near the jump node yourself. Sooner or later (the pods will be
about a minute from the node) more enemies will jump in, four fighters
and a Leviathan cruiser. Order your wings to engage the enemy and nail
those fighters quickly before they can hurt the pods. It is not
necessary to get every pod to the node, but it is better. Once the
fighters are down, just concentrate on the Vidar, and you'll draw fire
and the pods will escape.
Debriefing
Well done. The evacuation could have been a massacre, but you got those
pods to the jump node safely.
To obliterate data gathered about its activities in the Ross 128 system,
Galactic Terran Intelligence destroyed the Krios. Effective
immediately, all surviving personnel are to be reassigned to the GTD
Soyakaze.
The GTI
The conspiracy is not confined to a rogue element within the GTI, but
involves officers in the highest echelon of the intelligence
directorate. Although their objectives remain unclear, command believes
the conspirators intend to overthrow the GTA government and dissolve the
GTA treaty.
Galactic Terran Intelligence - its ships, installations, and personnel -
are now hostile targets. Because of the technology and sensitive
information within its grasp, the GTI poses a significant threat to the
stability and security of the GTA, the PVN, and all allied worlds. Our
actions must be swift and decisive.
Ross 128
The Soyakaze has set course for the Ross 128 system. Information
recovered from the Krios indicates GTI operations are concentrated
around the site of the initial Shivan attack. Our first task will be to
investigate this activity.
Admiral Scott
I will now take this opportunity to honor the late Admiral Scott,
commander of the GTD Krios, who died in the line of duty.
Admiral Scott devoted many years of service to the GTI and dedicated
himself to its mission: to provide the GTA and its allies with accurate
and comprehensive information regarding the tactics, technologies,
activities, and strategic objectives of its enemies.
His superiors, to whom he had given his trust and loyalty, betrayed
Admiral Scott when they abandoned that mission to pursue their corrupt
ambitions and designs. GTI is now the enemy.
Let us never forget the integrity and sacrifice of this fine officer.
New Technology: EM Pulse Missile
Without the technology and expertise of GTI's research and development
branch, we will lack our enemy's cutting edge weapon systems and ship
prototypes. However, we do have a new addition to our arsenal, the EM
Pulse missile.
Upon impact, the EM Pulse disables the electronics systems of the target
ship. The weapon has numerous tactical applications. For example, a
direct hit with an EM Pulse missile will prevent bombers from launching
aspect-seeking warheads for several seconds. Once the EMP field has
worn off, they must also reacquire their target's signature lock.
Briefing
We have set course for Ross 128, site of the first Shivan contact. GTI
operatives have been active in this system, and we must investigate.
Your mission will be to inspect the wreckage from the original Shivan
assault.
Ross 128 is currently under Shivan control. There are no other Terran
forces in this system (yeah right). You will need to complete your
mission quickly. Scan the wreckage and return to base.
Strategy
As you jump in, you'll find 7 wings of fighters, 2 Leviathans, and 1
Lilith in a heated battle. Don't let all those wings make this mission
harder than it needs to be. Tell all your wingmen to form on your wing,
make sure that you are stopped, and sit there. The Shivans and the GTI
will fight, with the GTI ultimately winning. However, the Lilith will
knock out a lot of GTI fighters, and by the time that the Lilith is
gone, the GTI will have no more than 6 fighters left. Then just raid
the remaining fighters and pound on the severely weakened cruisers to
complete the mission.
Debriefing
Your wing annihilated all GTI vessels. Fine work. We suspect the GTI
already salvaged the wreckage at Ross 128. Their objectives in this
sector remain unknown.
We made no strategic gains at Ross 128, but your assault decimated the
Shivan garrison. Nice work.
Strategy
At first, all is quiet. Then, all of a sudden, a bunch of Shivan ships
jump in. Four freighters, a Cain, and eight Manticores make up the
convoy. Tell your wingmen to engage enemy and head out there. Take out
the Manticores as fast as you can. This will take about two to three
minutes, but try to be as fast as possible. Once all of the fighters
are down, tell all your wingmen to take out the Cain. While they do
this, target the freighters, being careful not to hit the cargo they
hold, but only hitting the freighter's hull. Be careful, because once
your wingmen are done trashing the Cain, they will go crazy on the
freighters, and likely blowing up the cargo. To avoid this, just depart
them after the Cain is toast. Proceed to take out all four transports,
while protecting the three cargo pods and you'll win. Be sure to wait
for your freighters to come in and take the cargo before you jump out.
Debriefing
Our freighters retrieved the Shivan cargo. Well done. Intelligence has
begun its analysis, and we hope to learn much about Shivan strategy in
this sector.
We have located the GTI's base of operations - the Jotunheim
installation in the Beta Aquilae system.
The full extent of their activities in Beta Aquilae remain unknown.
However we believe the GTI has been studying Shivan culture and
technology at Jotunheim since the massacre at Ross 128.
GTI Plans
Reconnaissance also has evidence of a large-scale prototype construction
involving Shivan technology, but no data regarding the configuration and
capability of this vessel could be gathered.
GTI Technology
GTI forces have access to Shivan armaments as well as the systems
created by its research and development branch, so be advised your foe
will possess superior technology. You will have to fly smarter and
fight harder to win this battle
Command suspects the GTI may also have Shivan captives at Jotunheim for
the purposes of biological research and the development of viral
weapons.
Hades
Terran Command intercepted a GTI transmission and technical readout
relating to a Jotunheim operation with the codename Project Hades.
Cryptographers are in the process of deciphering the transmission, and
engineers are analyzing the technical readout. Although we have nothing
conclusive, we must act now.
Our Mission
The rogue Galactic Terran Intelligence group must be crushed. These
traitors threaten the security of the GTA, the stability of the Terran-
Vasudan Alliance, and our future victory over the Shivans. Report to
your mission briefing, pilot.
Briefing
Reconnaissance has uncovered the location of GTI's primary base of
operations, the Jotunheim. Details concerning the strength of the
garrison remain sketchy. GTA will launch an immediate, all-out
offensive and deploy reinforcements as soon as possible.
Failure is not an option. The GTI conducts weapon research on the
Jotunheim, so be prepared to engage exotic prototypes with unknown
capabilities.
Strategy
This is probably the hardest mission in all of Freespace. You begin the
mission with the Jotunheim and a few wings of fighters. Slowly move
your way up (you're in an Ursa, right?), until you reach the Jotunheim.
I would not recommend trying to dogfight in an Ursa. Go into the middle
area of the Arcadia, where there is a hole in the middle. Lock on to
something, and let your Harbingers rip. If you run out, reload and get
some more. When the Jotunheim is at about 16%, a MASSIVE ship will jump
in. Ignore it for now, and destroy the Jotunheim. Once the Jotunheim
is down, you can focus your attention to the Unknown vessel, Hades. The
Hades is the strongest ship in the game, next to the Lucifer. It is the
Terran version of the Lucifer, for that matter. It takes literally
FOREVER to kill (ever tried to get the Lucifer's hull to 0?), and you're
faced with an unlimited respawning wing of Lokis. Sound fun?
Fortunately, there's a trick. Not a good one, but it works... sorta.
Firstly, you need to disable the Hades. Not too tough, two Harbingers
should do it. Now, in the back of the Hades, it has these four big
thins rise out of the back, as boosters. There is a "safe spot" near
there, where turrets can't hit you and the AI is stupid enough to not
"detect" you. The big arm reaches out of the Hades, and then it goes
forward, as the booster. There is the place where the booster and the
arm meets, it forms a backwards 7. You must go, as close as you can, to
that junction. Here's a diagram for those who are lost (everyone).
/| |
Imaginary / | |
Glow --> | | Booster |
Stuff \ | |
\|__________________________|
\ \YOU<-----Hide here
\ \
\ \
\ Arm \
\ \
\ \
\ \
If you did it right, the fighters will ignore you and you can shoot off
Harbingers till the cows come home. Once the Hades is dead, run like
hell because if you're killed in the explosion I guarantee you'll smash
the computer so hard there won't be any computer left. Once the primary
is true, return to base.
6. Thanks to... Legal Junk
You don't have to tell me! I know this is a cut and paste from my other
walkthrough. It doesn't matter. Legal JUNK remember!
If you want to see your name here, e-mail me and give me information
about something that I have missed or challenged you to do. If you have
any questions that are not covered in this walkthrough please feel free
to e-mail me. If I add something because of you, your name will go
here.
I want to give credit to Volition, Parallax, and Interplay for making
Descent Freespace.
I also want to thank myself for writing this FAQ/Walkthrough. It was
rigorous. I would also want to thank anyone who sent me information
that I added to the FAQ.
I mostly want to thank the fool who sold this game used to a store so
that I could buy it for $6.00.
Thanks to azstraph@yahoo.com being the first to tell me about the
alternate missions.
Thanks to Game FAQs for posting my guide and keeping my updates intact!
Thanks to anyone who asks me if they can put this guide on their site.
LEGAL JUNK
This guide is Copyright 2001-2002 Chris Dodge. All rights reserved. If
you want to use any of this document, you must ask me first. If I give
you permission to use it on your site, make sure the document is kept in
its original text. If you post this on your site without my permission
or alter this document in any way, I have the power to sue you. So
don't.
DESCENT: FREESPACE THE GREAT WAR COPYRIGHT 1998 VOLITION INC ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
DESCENT: FREESPACE THE GREAT WAR AND INTERPLAY ARE TRADEMARKS OF
INTERPLAY PRODUCTIONS.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PARALLAX IS A TRADEMARK OF PARALLAX SOFTWARE CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED.
This document Copyright 2001-2002 Chris Dodge. All rights reserved.
