A sneak preview of Mission 8
Mission 8 - Dreadnaught Berth
Among the derelicts lies a powerful Progenitor ship that holds the key to
Balcora and Sajuuk.
Objective: Confirm location of Dreadnaught.
Before confirming the dreadnaught’s location, reinforce your fleet as
necessary. Primarily you need pulsar gunships and torpedo frigates to counter
a new enemy and more ion cannon frigates to counter an even deadlier new
enemy. You should also consider building a full fleet of five destroyers. Also,
make a squad of 10 movers.
Build a probe and send it to the area marked on the sensor map; it’s the
possible location of the dreadnaught vessel. When the probe reaches the site,
the dreadnaught is revealed. Something emerges from the derelict repeating
the message, “The keeper is aware…the keeper understands…the keeper
has seen the enemy.” Not comforting words.
Objective: Use movers to transport the dreadnaught.
You must use at least six movers to transport the dreadnaught. However, the
dreadnaught is protected by drones launched from the keeper. These drones
aren’t simple enemies; they’re extremely durable and can wipe out your strike
craft very quickly. The drones are essentially corvettes so counter them with
anti-corvette units, specifically pulsar gunships and torpedo frigates. Research
upgrades for these units for further assistance.
Move up your destroyers and ion cannon frigates near the dreadnaught. Send
your movers to dock with the dreadnaught and begin hauling the huge vessel
toward the mothership. The keeper will appear periodically and unleash its
powerful cannon weaponry against anything in its path. It has the ability to
crush a destroyer fast. When the keeper appears, concentrate all firepower on
it. The keeper disappears after sustaining a certain amount of damage; so the
faster you can inflict damage to the keeper, the better.
Escort the dreadnaught back to the mothership. Replace any destroyed pulsar
gunships or torpedo frigates and move them quickly back into battle. You
should also replace any lost destroyers (also, try to keep them repaired with
resource collectors after the keeper leaves).
Movers are required to transport the dreadnaught back to the mothership.
Objective: Protect the fleet.
As stated, concentrate all firepower on the keeper when it appears. Use ion
beam platforms for additional firepower; just move them up near your fleet to
help keep the keeper occupied. Repair any damaged ships after it exits.
Reinforce your units when you lose any craft. You’ll be told that you can’t
defeat the keeper with conventional weaponry. Thankfully, someone found a
weakness. There are Progenitor power modules in the area. The modules can
be activated and can cause the keeper to overload. New locations appear on
the sensor map; send probes to all locations.
Objective: Send probes to scan for trigger devices.
Create six probes and send one to each of the marked locations on the
sensor map. Also, build a full squad of movers if you don’t have one; you’ll
need it shortly. You’ll be notified if the location contains the power modules or
nothing. Meanwhile, continue to pound on the keeper if he arrives. Repair and
dock vessels as necessary and keep your units as healthy as possible.
Objective: Use movers to collect Progenitor devices.
Send your pulsar gunships ahead of your movers toward the location of the
power modules. There are drones awaiting your arrival and your movers won’t
be able to withstand their firepower. Use the gunships in the lead to distract
the drones long enough for your movers to nab the modules. As you
approach, micromanage each mover to one of the three power modules. This
will ensure you grab a module as quickly as possible. And should a mover die
on the way, another mover will follow it and take its place. Keep your pulsar
gunships engaged with drones as the movers haul the devices to their
destination.
The keeper’s drones will attempt to prevent your movers from retrieving the devices.
And as always during this mission, watch out for the keeper, who will appear
near your mothership in the heart of your units. Concentrate all fire on him and
keep your destroyers repaired!
When the movers haul all three modules to their destination, the devices are
installed and the keeper arrives in its center. As promised, the keeper is
overloaded and self destructs as you escape and complete the mission
successfully.
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