Description
Train some new pilots in the manly art of starship combat.

Storyline:
The premise for this mission is definitely different -- <u>you</u> are the trainer, not the trainee. The new pilots are understandably eager to see some action, which the sound files portray wonderfully. However, I'm not so sure about the suprise in this mission. I won't give it away, but I will say that the Shivans make their first speaking engagement...but I'm not so convinced this portrayal fits into the Shivans created by Volition. Play it and you'll see what I mean.

Balance:
Although the story is about a training mission, there is fighting in the mission. However, don't expect to be facing impossible odds. The challenge here is keeping your trainees alive, which shouldn't be too difficult...if you remember to cover your wingmen.

Design:
This is a generally well-designed mission. However, it is possible for you to arrive and hang out at the warping in point of the first enemy wave. The events for showing the eagerness of the trainees is a very nice touch. Unfortunately, you are able to attack a neutral convoy and it will not change to hostile...unless you destroy the main ship in the convoy. I was a little disappointed that you are able to pick off a few fighters to show off in front of the trainees.

Gameplay:
This mission is enjoyable and different, but I never found myself drawn into it. Perhaps the training storyline is a little too sterile to support a single mission, or it could be that you never get to know the trainees (their names in a command briefing or a roll call would have been nice). These trainees (Lieutenant AI) happen to be really decent shots, not the newbies you'd expect. Most of the work becomes checking that none of your trainees have a bogie on their tail. The suprise in this mission is one where the mission is ruined once you've played it through one time. As I said, I found myself picking off the neutral convoy fighters to keep myself entertained on the second run-through.

Other Thoughts:
Another well-done, bug-free mission from Peter Drake.