Description
Scan a cargo convoy for contraband. A routine patrol. Heh, heh, heh.

Storyline:
Maybe you can find one for me, I don't see any. The contraband you find is amusing. As the convoy starts to leave, a massive Shivan attack begins and you receive the message to "protect the convoy." Only problem is that the convoy really isn't threatened at all...the station is. And then an equally massive Terran and Vasudan fleet arrives.

Balance:
Battle of Endor syndrome. It seems that everyone's first impulse upon opening up FRED is to fill all that beautiful empty space, without realizing that space is supposed to be empty. To fight this immense battle, players will find themselves with no missile selection. These are both typical first-mission mistakes.

Design:
Very poor ship placement. Several ships in the convoy begin a massive space fender-bender as the ships jockey into position. Too many ships are placed on the same two-dimensional plane, plus the largest of the transports are placed at a 90 degree angle from the Jump Node and must make a course correction. These antics are a bit amusing as several GTT Elysiums end up spinning head over heels. In addition, two of the attacking Shivan capital ships warp in at a 90-degree angle and plow right into each other at full speed...and right on top of the station. If you thought the transport pile up was funny, wait until you see this! <p> According to an in-flight message, the Shivan capital ships are supposed to retreat at one point. However, the Shivans appear to be like relatives who don't get the hint and plan on staying for hours. <p> The sounds, at least, are good. It's amusing to hear a voice in the background of one transmission saying "Ohmygod, we're all going to die." Also, this is the first mission I ever played that showed the power of events. And those events even worked, too!

Gameplay:
Once you know the trick to spotting the contraband, that part of the mission is simple. Then the only trick is to fight the massive Shivan invasion with only a few missiles. Thankfully, it is possible to resupply. However, you will miss most of the mission if you decide to try to take out a Shivan capital ship...since it will take forever and then a day.

Other Thoughts:
It is amusing to realize that <u>everyone</u>, even the creator of the FRED FAQ, has fallen victim to the Battle of Endor syndrome -- the temptation to recreate a massive space battle between the Terran, Vasudan and Shivan fleets. Compare this mission to Order of the Eye, also by this designer, to see the evolution of Freespace missions.