Description
With the loss of Gamma Draconis and Capella, GTVA command must send the GTCv Warspite to help evacuate survivors. Except a Shivan Corvette is in the way....

Storyline:
Without being overly detailed, the basic premise is that the GTVA is sending the GTCv Warspite in order to help survivors evacuating from a Shivan incursion in Vega. However, a Shivan cargo depot blocks the escort route. You are to eliminate the cargo depot and then escort the Warspite to the Vega -> Capella Jump Node. A nicely done Command Briefing (albeit the movies don't match with the words) adds to the flavor. The briefing itself is comprehensive - I liked how the icons flew in and out from the sides, albeit the Shivan corvette overlapped with the Jump Node image.

Balance:
Delta Wing serves as reinforcement against a massive Shivan fleet including a Moloch, a Rakshasa, and a Cain. The enemy may seem overwhelming at times, but you are almost evenly matched. You'll find that Beta Wing (Zeus bombers) will be leveled rather quickly. Unlike several of the new FS2 missions, the beam weapons on the larger ships do fire upon your wingmen (most of the time, this is disabled for the sake of the wingman AI). Gamma comes in when Alpha and Beta forces are growing weaker - a nice touch.

Design:
The general feel of the mission is rather solid, albeit it seems shaky at first. The transition from cargo depot assault to defense is a little wacky, as the Warspite arrives before the cargo depot is completely cleared. Once the escort gets moving, though, then things get interesting. A nice assortment of bombers and cruisers will attack along the seven minute voyage to the node. While there are breaks in the action, they are never for very long. All events execute correctly, although I think that the Warspite whining about hull integrity dropping to 70 (and almost every 20% thereafter) is a little excessive. There is also a nice nebula background which borders on the edge of being too colorful. One tiny little bug is that the Jump Node doesn't have a name - it is just Jump Node 0.

Gameplay:
This is a pretty fun mission. At first, you might be inclined to think that seven minutes is a while for an escort. But you'll have a ton to do on the way there. Time flies when you're shootin' Shivans.

Other Thoughts:
Vaguely... vaguely... this mission is <i>like</i> Marathon for Freespace 1, albeit there is more variety in events.