All those bar conversations about the Ghost Exeter-class ship the Gwenhyvar. It’s got to just be a myth, right? There’s no way that would be foreshadowing for an upcoming mission, right? Ahem.
This mission might give Kurasawa 2 a run for its money as the most difficult Wing Commander 1 mission. On the other hand, Kurasawa 2 is an escort, in this you “only” have to destroy twenty-one enemy fighters, including five of the Confederation’s best.
One of the game balance (I guess) considerations in Wing Commander is that you pretty much either outgun or outmaneuver every Kilrathi fighter. Fighting Rapiers in a Raptor stands all of that on its head. Now your opponent is faster, more maneuverable, and has similar firepower. 4v1 against Gratha seems simple after this.