User Guide

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR
After I graduated from the Terran Confederation Space Naval (TCSN) Academy, I
was immediately assigned to fly missions against the Kilrathi. The flight simulator at
the Academy had taught us basic combat strategies, given us a feel for the different
ships and cockpits and acquainted us with fighters from the Kilrathi fleet. But the
simulated missions we flew at the Academy were hardly comparable to a real-life
dogfight. With the whine of a missile lock indicator and the harsh taunts of a
Kilrathi pilot reverberating in our ears, we suddenly faced completely novel situa-
tions when we flew our first dogfight. Even back then, I wanted to suggest changes
that would make the simulator a more effective preparation for real-life combat. I
was about to get that chance, though in a very different way than I had envisioned.
I was flying a reconnaissance mission in the Gwynedd sector when we were attacked
by a contingent of J a l k e h i . Instead of obeying my orders and remaining with the
escort, my wingman Maniac broke away and engaged two Kilrathi pilots in a dog-
fight. In my E p e e , I did not stand a chance against the seven accomplished J a l k e h i
pilots without cover from my wingman. I ejected from my badly damaged ship just
seconds before it exploded. My injuries left me virtually blind in one eye and
destroyed my career as a pilot.
Due to my otherwise spotless record, I was offered a teaching job at the Academy.
Eventually, I became responsible for instruction in the simulator. The destruction of
my ship and many other tragic losses could have been avoided if simulated missions
had prepared students more thoroughly for combat in space. Consequently, I’ve
tried to make the simulator a more realistic learning tool that will re-enact almost
any situation you might run into during your missions. The simulator room has, in
effect, become the most important instructional feature of the Academy. We have
since implemented new sound effects, varying wingmen personalities and several
other features that emulate combat in space like it has never been simulated before.
Simulations are on the cutting edge of technology, allowing you to encounter ships
and weapons currently still in development. If you can beat the hardest missions in
this simulator, you will graduate truly prepared for real-life combat. This manual
was compiled as a summary of the most important theoretical knowledge necessary
to fly simulated missions. Familiarize yourself with these notes and you will be well
prepared for your first lesson in the simulator. With the help of the new TCSN sim-
ulator we can teach you how to beat the Kilrathi.
Colonel Jack A. Lombard