Walkthrough: Mission 10

You meet with Juni and Lord Hakkera in the Kyoto Base bar. Hakkera's informant, Herr Von Claussen, is an agent for The Order who operates deep in Rheinland space. The Order has had trouble contacting him recently, and he could be in terrible danger. The only solution is to extract Von Claussen. Since Bretonia is still neutral in the Rheinland war, you can enter Rheinland space alone and not face harm. Meanwhile, Juni plans to take the Proteus Tome to Professor Quintaine. Before launching to space, complete any needed ship repairs and visit the equipment dealer to upgrade your weapons or purchase additional missiles and mines. Replenish your supplies of nanobots and shield batteries.

Meet Lord Hakkera above Kyoto Base; he'll escort you to the edge of Rheinland space. Rheinland has invaded all of the Sigma systems, which means all jump gates and bases there are under Rheinland control. The Order, however, knows an uncharted jump hole into the Sigma-13 system that can take you directly into space near New Berlin, where Von Claussen is believed to be hiding out. Select the waypoint and use the Go To maneuver to proceed to the jump hole. Upon arrival, dock with the jump hole to enter the Sigma-13 system.

Lord Hakkera uploads a new waypoint into your Neural Net—it leads to the jump hole into the New Berlin system. Hakkera warns, however, that his informants say an enormous Rheinland fleet is massing in the area. His words are prophetic—a Rheinland fleet comprising heavy fighters, cruisers, and two battleships appears out of the mist of space.

You're ordered to engage the Valkyries. Punishing fire erupts from the capital ships; stay clear of them and lure the heavy fighters away from their protection. The Blood Dragons engage the capital ships. Fight your way through the nearest heavy fighters. Use your missiles and mines as necessary, as you'll have a chance to re supply upon entering the New Berlin system.

As Rheinland reinforcements begin to arrive, Lord Hakkera orders you to break off the attack and proceed to the New Berlin jump hole (uploaded as a waypoint). The Blood Dragons run interference, jumping the reinforcements and providing your opportunity to escape. Activate cruise engines and proceed toward the jump hole. Kusari citizens are arrested on sight, so you must enter Rheinland space alone. Lord Hakkera and his escorts remain behind in Sigma-13. Select the jump hole and perform the Dock maneuver to enter the New Berlin system.

Upon entering the New Berlin system, select and dock with the nearest trade lane. It's marked Brandenburg Border Station to Planet New Berlin. On the way, Hakkera contacts you. Von Claussen is on the run; his safe house has been penetrated. After reaching the planet, dock with New Berlin and begin the search for Von Claussen. You meet two creepy Rheinlanders—Jonner and Blix—in the New Berlin bar. Luckily, they're friends of Von Claussen. They tell you he can be found on Planet Holstein in the Frankfurt system.

Von Claussen's intelligence networks knew of your arrival and have prepared well. When you launch to space you are greeted by Hans Fischer, who will escort you into the Frankfurt system. Fischer uploads waypoint coordinates into your Neural Net. Dock with the nearby trade lane marked Planet New Berlin to Frankfurt Jump Gate. The immense size of the Rheinland threat is readily apparent. Warships guard every gate, planet, and station, and they are on continual passive scan. It's fortunate Fischer is involved, because you'll need his help getting into Frankfurt. At the gate, the Battleship Freya makes contact but Fischer is given clearance. Select and dock with the jump gate to enter the Frankfurt system.

Locate and dock with the nearby trade lane marked New Berlin Jump Gate to Mannheim Station. Upon arrival at Mannheim Station, dock with the trade lane marked Mannheim Stationto Mainz Storage Facility. Planet Holstein is the water planet on the right. Select Holstein's docking ring and dock with the planet to complete the objective. Lord Hakkera contacts you with a slight change in the extraction plan. The Rheinland fleet has invaded the Honshu system. The rendezvous point is moved to the Hamburg system within Rheinland space. You make contact with Von Claussen, an ace pilot and Rheinland military tactician, on Holstein. Von Claussen has defected to save his people and his home from the Nomad invasion. After a brief introduction, Von Claussen joins you, and you launch to space in separate ships.

Von Claussen suggests visiting other rebels on a nearby base, where the Rheinland informant has a piece of unfinished business. Von Claussen was recently supplied with blueprints of a new type of ship being built by the Rheinland military—using alien technology. Select the waypoint from your Contact List and proceed at cruise velocity to Bruchsal Base. As you approach, Bruchsal Base reports that they're under attack by Rheinland military forces. Engage the nearest Rheinland fighter. You're about to land on Bruchsal Base so don't hesitate to use all missiles and mines at your disposal. Stick close to Von Claussen, a ferocious fighter pilot, for added firepower. Eliminate the Rheinland assault wing to complete the objective.

Take advantage of the pit stop on Bruchsal Base and complete any ship repairs. Visit the equipment dealer and restock your supply of missiles, mines, nanobots, and shield batteries. Also cycle through the dealer's inventory and purchase weapon or shield upgrades if possible. You may need the added firepower or defenses during the attack against the shipyard. When ready, launch to space and rendezvous with your wingmen.

Von Claussen reports that Rheinland is amassing a fleet at an installation not far from Bruchsal. Destroying the shipyard could greatly delay the Rheinland war plans. But it's not an easy operation or approach. A radioactive field, littered with mines, surrounds the shipyard. There's only one known way in and out of the field, and the passage is just 100 meters wide. Sensors can't penetrate the field so there's no tactical information regarding the fleet or its positions.

When you regain control of your ship, begin navigation through the waypoints. It's a tight passage through the mines; monitor your shield strength carefully. If you're sustaining damage from the mines, slow down and wait for your shield to regenerate. The radiation affects your ship's hull. Use your nanobots to repair the damage. Soon after the battle begins, you'll realize the Rheinland advantage is insurmountable. Your newly found allies, the Bundschuh, will do their best to stave off the capital ships while you take out the experimental alien battleships. At least one of these vessels must fall to complete the objective. As soon as the Rheinland shipyard comes into view, use your afterburners to move as close as possible to the alien battleship. The openings are tight, so be careful to not lose your orientation. Make sure you aren't coming under fire from the Rheinland capital ship just beyond and above the alien battleships. Use your guns to pelt the experimental battleship until it's destroyed. If you decide to also use your missiles or mines, watch out for their blast radius when firing.

It looks like your entire team may die here without achieving your objectives. But in a sudden moment of heroism, Botzler decides he can eliminate the dry dock—in a kamikaze maneuver. He sends you a waypoint leading out of the field as he speeds his ship into the installation. You should make your escape while Botzler leaves a fiery farewell.

Von Claussen uploads a waypoint to your Neural Net. Activate cruise engines and proceed directly toward the waypoint. When you enter the narrow passage surrounded by mines, deactivate the cruise engines and use your afterburner to move quickly to each new waypoint. Monitor your shield strength carefully; you may be under pursuit from Rheinland fighters and have to replenish your shields at a moment's notice. Likewise, if your shields get too low from the pursuit, the mines might be just enough to inflict heavy damage to your ship. Use those shield batteries! You'll eventually reach the jump hole into the Hamburg system. Dock with the jump hole to enter the Hamburg system and flee to safety—almost.

When you reach Hamburg, the Rheinland battleship, Odin, uncloaks just above your ship. But all is not lost. A battleship you've never seen before decloaks behind the Odin and engages at close range. Your Contact List reads her as the Osiris. You're ordered to dock with the Osiris quickly. Select the Osiris and perform the Dock maneuver to complete the mission.