The Green Ghoul’s Operation

This thread traces Rocco Swift’s operations from the main fleet battle to the transport search, where an intelligence assignment and a new opponent complicate his objectives.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Fighting at Promise

Rocco in the Main Battle An Ace at Work Rocco Swift leads his squadron through the Union attack, clearing enemy ships and screening Wayne Wendel Wheeler’s torpedo specialists. His performance is decisive, but the battle’s crowded formations exact a high price. The Cost of Success The fight for Impervious brings losses and forces Rocco to change tactics when the torpedoes fail. His celebrated confidence is tested by the fact that even successful attacks cannot prevent damage across the fleet.

An Unwanted Assignment

The Search Mission An Intelligence Escort Rocco is ordered to accompany Valentin Fulbright and a special squadron to search the shoal zone. The explanation centers on finding a hidden Tharcian carrier, but the choice of personnel and command arrangement troubles him. Authority Questioned Fulbright’s confidence and his history of hostility toward tubers raise Rocco’s doubts. Rocco follows the assignment while monitoring the agent, unwilling to mistake official authority for sound judgment.

A New Machine Appears

A Search Becomes a Fight The Ozelot’s Attack Rocco encounters the Ozelot and sees it defeat the black reconnaissance machines and then Union fighters. His attempts to treat the opponent as an ordinary target fail as the new machine repeatedly exploits speed and terrain. The Rival Recognized When Roland Horn survives and escapes, Rocco rejects Fulbright’s premature assumptions and insists on confirming what happened. His pursuit sets the groundwork for grudging respect between two pilots on opposing sides.

Evening on 2 November 2135 during the fleet battle

Night on 2 November 2135 aboard Grain & Steel

Dawn on 3 November 2135 near the transport wreck