Terran Plot (Bridging mission)

Written by Spike

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Bridging mission

If you start out as a Commonwealth native, then you need to complete the bridging mission. When you enter Omicron Lyrae with the necessary notoriety, you will be invited to contact a person on the Trading Station to take part in an escort of dignitaries to Terran space.

Refusing this mission is acceptable, however this should only be done if you are undertaking a particularly time-critical mission at the time, since it takes some time to re-acquire the plot starting conditions and be offered again.

You begin by following an Argon Eclipse. When you arrive, you're briefed to be on your best behaviour, then a Terran Scabbard turns up. Switch to following it instead.

There may not be Xenon in the vicinity when you get to Circle of Labour, but there are some Pirates waiting to pounce. Despatch them. If you've only just started the Argon Patriot plotline, your ship won't have Fight Command mk II; hence no auto-aim. That makes combat a little more tricky; advise getting MkII as soon as you can.

When you jump into Heretic's End, you immediately get set upon by a squad of Xenon fighters. Move to engage. If you're new to this, just select a target, point your nose in the right direction and pull the trigger. When one target dies, select the next one ad infinitum until there's none left. If the Scabbard takes fire, it may make a beeline for the nearest station to dock at and protect itself. It'll undock once the threat has passed.

The Scabbard resumes its course to the north, and if this is your first time in Terran space; yes, all their stations are that big...

The mission is almost complete when the Scabbard docks. Your one remaining task is to offer your services to Ms Iovis. Then you're free to go; you'll be contacted for a patrol when you're needed. Then the real Terran plot starts.