X-COM #8: The Last Command

Alarms were sounding everywhere, the entire base was lit up. A large UFO, spotted as they were stopping by Jesse's room, had led the Interceptor to an alien base. The General had called a meeting...and Jesse had just been released. As the soldiers lined up, the General explained the situation. "We've located an alien base on earth. While this is a very pressing threat, it is also a very important target. We will not be attacking the base until we have some more equipment. We've also located several UFO's in vicinity of the base. We expect to raid many of what we have found, so be prepared for combat. You'll be informed as the situation arises." They were dismissed, but the General came over to speak to Jesse, Tyson, and Kevin. "Colonel Jesse," he started. Jesse saluted, "Yes, sir?"
"I'd first like to congradulate you on your recovery. As the highest ranking officer here at X-COM, I want you to be directly involved with the details surrounding the base invasion."
"Of course, sir. But if I may, before we begin, we have some questions relating to Tyson and our involvement in this. If you may know." It was a bold move to address the general this way. General Grey seemed slightly nervous, then shook it off. "Of course. I'll tell you what I can."

After a quick discussion, little information was netted. From what the General understood, Tyson had simply been chosen, along with his friends, because of "The Contributor's" wishes. He wasn't sure who The Contributors were, only that they make most of the calls, while he is primarily used to set them out. While The Contributors were most certainly aiding the war, the soldier choice was completely their call. He had asked about why Tyson was so important, after he was told that Tyson was the reason for these recruits. He asked if he had a special purpose, if without him the war would be lost, if he was imperative or invulnerable. They told him that he had to fight, but victory was not part of the equation. The group was as lost about this mystery as before, and turned to planning with the general instead.

I am so excited right now. After looking on the internet, I realize two things. The landed UFO-15 is a very large Battleship. Not something I want to attack. Also, the alien base can wait for some time. Not much, but some. I plan to research stun weapons before attacking.....and hopefully produce some better armor. In all I've read I've never heard of a base assault. Despite my moral opposition to using strategy guides, I'm going to on this mission, as X-COM is a historically hard game. I'm hoping we can handle it, but I want a bit more supplies first. And perhaps some supply raids.....Unless the aliens then attack my base.......

Either way, the small UFO landed, and I need some kills before going down to the base. Deciding to ditch UFO-15, I launch a ground attack on the small one, and follow UFO-14 with Interceptor-1. It's large, but not a battleship.

I have one flying suit ready, but in the chance that person is killed, I don't want to loose that armor. (the one thing lost completely when one dies) I'm sending a lot of rookies, but a lot of experience as well. Cam Ray, Tanner, Zen Halen, NealTheFerrin, Britt P.(finally), Kamille, Taya(she has armor this time) Bree, Courtney F., Carly Rawlins. I plan to take out one of the large UFOs later, so....yeah, we'll have fun. I'm hoping my nervous anticipation doesn't cost us in this next mission.....I'll have to do some Yoga before I command.

I see another large UFO, wait, UFO-12? First one. In Madagascar. I-1 is still following U-14, I-2 is over U-13, or whatever it is. I'll check on U-12 if I get the chance, but the Skyranger just left. It's gonna be a busy week. I-1 attacks it's target, and takes a hefty hit, and I'm not sure if I should attack again or not.... But it lands and answers that question.

Remembering I-2 has infinite fuel, I send I-1 home after U-14 lands next to U-12. If only I had some sort of ballistic missile or something..... The Skyranger arrives, and we're off.

Cam wants the rocket, so he gets it. Bree, Taya, and Neal get plasmas, the rest with laser rifles. It's night time...arrg. The Skyranger landed almost on top of the UFO, and I scout about but the tank finds nothing. Cam moves to the left, he doesn't have a flare, so I have him cover by some trees. Jungle setting: No houses, but lots of trees. I spread out, toss a few flares, and hope for a rainstorm. It looks like the southern area will be dangerous, aside from the UFO itself. Hopefully everyone on board is asleep, as I am afraid of the dark.

As the tank puts near a flare, I hear plasma but see nothing, so I'm not sure where it is. Taya chucks a flare, hoping for the front of the UFO, but it lands on top.

With my luck, that will reveal nothing. I throw another one, on the far side of the UFO, but I still see nothing. I realize that Neal grabbed the heavy plasma that didn't have a clip. Carly is still on the Skyranger, and Neal calls back that he didn't grab a clip. She picks up the loaded one, and tosses it to him. Very nice, she probably should have just taken it and givin him the laser rifle. I'm sneaking about very slowly, and being forced to leave TU's over because of my flare placement.

This time I see the plasma. Courtney throws a flare in the general dirction, and a little looking shows me a Sectoid. This map is really deep to the south, so I've got to watch my flanks. Courtney spotted the alien, so she gets first shot. She misses, and the tank is basically blocking everyone's shot. Neal finds an angle, hits the Sectiod on its pear-like head, but even a heavy plasma can't bring it down. Yes, it is still a mistery. Tanner has the next best angle, and he succesfully clears up the foilage, but not the alien. Zen hollars at the tank to move, and he finishes off the Sectoid from afar. I keep moving, now heading for the front of the craft.

Ohh, I hear an alien open the UFO door. Taya is right by the side...and so is the electro flare. I start flanking the left side, then figure on a grenade toss as well. I save the game, in case my TU calculation is wrong. Taya readies a grenade, and.....AHHH I can't throw it! The grenade is primed at 0, so it blows up when I push end turn! I figure I will have to load the game anyway, but for kicks I hit End Turn, and figure my sister will splat. But she doesn't! Apparently the grenade doesn't go off unless you throw it! Wow, I wish I had known that before. On the alien turn the door opens again, so I figure he's back inside. But not liking the live grenade in her hand, Taya chucks it at the door. Much like you do with bottle rockets and your grumpy neighbors....

I'm pretty sure that there are no more aliens in the south jungle, because I figure I would have been shot by now. I move Tanner and Neal around the UFO's left side, so I can start the UFO storming in a few turns. The grenade goes off, though I think it was on top of the UFO. The very angry alein walks out, blasts away at Neal, then walks back inside. From what I saw, he got hit, but no damage is done. No harm, no foul. I decide on reaction shots to kill the sneaky alien, despite the possible danger. Better than walking in on him, I assume. I set up camp, and wait for my bait. At least, I hope that's how it turns out. Only Tanner hides, as he has no armor.

The Sectoid leaps out, see's his previous victim, thinks "Drat, didn't I kill you last turn?" and knocks the wind out of Neal with a burst of plasma. Neal attempts a return shot, but shooting while hacking is not the best for aim, and the shot goes awry. Bree is ready though, and cooks the alien where he stands. Bree then patches Neal up, as best you can do with a pocket hospital, as Tanner takes his usual trouble-making position.

There's still at least one alien in there, and it's time to finish this. I move in, not seeing anything in the first room. Tanner leads, with Taya behind and Kamille and Carly taking up rear. The rest of the squad starts up night games outside.

Tanner walks onto the bridge and sees a Sectoid with his back turned. Not quite the guy for honorable combat, he splats him across the bridge. But there is still another one. Tanner is the only one on the bridge with enough TU's to enter the power room, and he comes face to face with Sectoid #2. Goodbuy.



Whoa, quite the list of promotions. Must be the newly ordered soldiers. I wonder who they'll be. And Jesse becomes the Surpreme Commander of all X-COM! There can only be one Commander, so if anyone wants the spot.....merit won't help you now. Also, MVP to Bree for that nice reaction shot.

Tyson stood over a large diagram of what the alien base was believed to look like. Odds were that it would be much like the X-COM base. Satellite images revealed a small clearing, as the base is underground. "When the attack is launched, we will drop off the soldiers at the above ground entrance. You will then proceed down to the base and attempt to clear it."
"Will we have armor support?" Tyson asked.
"I'm unsure..." the General responded, "we will look into it before the attack."
"Why are we waiting around?" Jesse asked. "We can't possibly just leave them there. Then we'll have a much bigger problem on our hands."
"That is true," the General answered, "but we need to attempt to capture the aliens in the base. Especially in their command center. It is likely that there will be high ranking officers at the base, and if we can capture one of them..."
"What sort of resistance can we expect? What style of combat will we be experiencing?" Kevin had asked these questions.
"The indoor situation will drop the effectiveness of rockets. Grenades can be used to clear corners, but as far as resistance....expect the best. I mean terrorists, mind control attacks, likely more advanced weapons. While I wish we could get some better technology....if we wait, who knows what the aliens would be capable of?"
Jesse thought for a second. "What about these other large craft? Are they supplying the base?" "We believe so."
"Well, let's attack one of them. That might get us some better technology, as well as some supplies for construction."
"Right. We will have to wait for one to land."
"Ok then," Jesse was confident, "I'll lead an attack on the first one to land. Have we tried shooting one down?"
"Yes. The interceptor was badly damaged. The second Interceptor has longer range missisles, and may be able to destroy it."
"Alright then. We'll move out as soon as the opportunity arises. Has the Skyranger returned?"
"Not yet," Tyson answered, "but they have just cleared the area, and should be back within the hour. One wounded, fairly bad but, he survived."
"Good. Alright, let's go get ready."

I-2 seeks to return to base, but that would end his unlimited fuel, so he's not getting off that easy. I send him to Madagascar, to keep an eye on the proceedings. As I fly by UFO-15 takes off, going at 5000 somethings.

I-2 finds the airborne U-12, and I don't know to attack or not....ahh, what the heck? After quite a battle, I-2 has been hit 4 times and is at 1/2 health. With only 2 missiles remaining. Fine then, if you guys can't shoot these things down..... I-2 now follows the other UFO of the same class. Interceptor-1 is still being repaired, and I-2's infinite fuel will be gone when I land him for repairs and ammo. I'm just waiting for one of these behemoths to land...

Midway in the flight, funding increase. Measly, sure. But hey, Nigeria....isn't AIDS a bigger problem there than any alien could be? Leaving that thought, I return to the chase. UFO-12 reappears, and I see these dumb UFOs are just putting around. I think they are abductors, which isn't the best of news for the African people. I'm to afraid to shoot it though, and I-2 has no more missiles left.

I check on the base...wait a minute. Funds are at 500,000. Not 4 mil, or whatever it should be. Did I loose the check? April will be a very LONG month if so. And I will be very angry.... U-12 lands again, so I'm sending out the Skyranger, this time with Tyson, Cam(again...) Natalie, Kevin, Jesse, Britt(also again) Quinn, Ajay, Chelsea, and Spence E. Don't ask my why, just hunches, I guess. I only have one Heavy Plasma clip now....what? I did unload. Guess I should have tossed the clip on the ground or something. Or maybe the trick doesn't work. Oh well, Laser rifles will work well also. Because Jesse is the commander, he will get the single flying suit I have. After selling stuff, I have 3 mil, but I want my paycheck! Oh well, no time for that now. Skyranger is off to U-12. U-14 lands, but I-2 covers U-12. (I'm sorta getting sick of this code junk.)

A small UFO appears, and that will be I-2's new target. It wouldn't be able to stop U-12 if it took off anyway. The small UFO is up in Europe, but hopefully I can get to it. Then the Skyranger comes in to land.... Kevin has the rocket, Jesse with Heavy Plasma, the rest with Laser rifles.

*I've saved the original transcript of this mission, what I wrote as I played. I'll put it in the next post.*

The Skyranger was coming in to land next to one of the large UFOs spotted earlier. Jesse, now being the commander and leader of this mission, was wearing X-COM's first flying suit. He was glad to be back in the field. The Skyranger came down to land, once again in a thickly wooded jungle.
"Hey, Jesse, how's that flying suit treating you?" Kevin joked. "Dude this thing is sweet. But there's so many displays in here. I've go fuel, target identification, armor readings...and an onboard camera, for view linking with teammates. Too bad this is the only one."
The Skyranger just made touchdown, and the HWP rolled off the craft. "Sectoid ahead, I think I see the UFO through the trees." Cam lines up his sights, and opens fire. But he misses with all his shots. "I'm a little rusty with this one, I prefer that plasma gun." Cam muttered. Tyson can't hit it either, so he rolls off to the side of the ramp. Natalie misses also. 'Why can't we hit this thing?' Tyson thought. Jesse hopped over Cam, going airborne. He aimed, and took down the Sectoid after his first shot. "Feels good to be back." I guess that's why he's commander.

"I see the UFO. Holy cow, that's at least 3 stories tall. Hang on, I'm picking up some alien movement."
"Let's clear the outside, keep cover on that entrance."
It looks like the aliens were moving in and out of the craft, perhaps harvesting or something. Tyson didn't know.


Jesse is up in the air, taking a birds eye view. As the Tank nears the doors, the full size of the UFO is revealed. It has two doors. The group spreads out, expecting the aliens to exit the UFO, but the thick foilage will make shots difficult. Tyson could hear the doors inside the UFO opening...which was somewhat nerve wracking. "Stay calm, keep your eyes on the doors."

Then a Sectoid is spotted by the left door. Tyson can see it, and he shoots though the trees to hit it. But there wasn't much outside. Likely they were inside, on the upper levels. Tyson felt fine about this. "Let's get up next to the door, Tyson, you and Chelsea secure that grove, Kevin and Ajay check the right of the UFO. The rest of you ,we're moving in." Jesse had an upper level view.


The doors inside are going crazy, but nothing comes outside. The Tank has covered the far side of the UFO, and he's indicated all clear. Time to take this thing on. "Jesse, let's get in there and do this. I'm heading for the left door, how's the right side going?"
Natalie responded, "We're at the door, waiting for your order."
"Everyone, open your comms. Let's stay in contact. Alright, Britt, Natalie, Kevin, Cam, and Ajay, you're Alpha squad, you're going in the right side door. The rest of you are moving in the left. Remember, keep your comms open." Jesse was using some nice military lingo. Must've been those movies he's been watching for the last month. Tyson glanced behind him at Chelsea. "You OK?" "Yeah," she nodded, "but that is a big ship." Tyson nodded, and turned to where Quinn and Spencer were headed.

A Sectoid ran out the left door. Tyson aimed, and fired. He finally hit it, after 9 shots. Wow, his aim was really off. Focus, focus... "All right, we're at the right door, and ready to enter." "Affirmative Alpha, move in. Bravo, are you in position?" "I'm almost there," Quinn called up. "Roger, move in as soon as possible." Maybe Jesse had been watching too many movies.

"I'm in. Wow, for being so big, this place is cramped." Britt was the first into the UFO, Natalie and Cam following. "Room is clear, the area looks secure." Cam reported. Jesse plopped down behind Tyson, or Bravo, he assumed. "Two hallways, one leads to the left door..." "Head to the right, Ajay, can you see anything behind the left?"

"Nope, I can't see anything." Spence opens the door, and over the comm you could hear some laser fire. "Don't worry I got him." Quinn follows him into the corridor. Natalie's light voice came over the comm, "I've found the engines. This room looks clear to me." Now Britan, "I'm looking as some sort of elevator or lift. But I can't see anything."

"I'm moving in, heading towards the back," Quinn said. As he walked around the corner, plasma fire was heard by those on the right side, followed by a muffled thump. "Quinn! Quinn, do you copy?" As Jesse called, Tyson tried to see through the door. Chelsea had just moved in, and Spence was in front of her. The hallway led to the left, where Quinn had just walked.
Then there was another burst of fire from right next to him, and he clearly saw a blast hit Spence in the back of his head. Chelsea moved like lightning, shooting the alien that had killed Quinn, then turning to her right and killing the one that had just killed Spencer. "Where did that come from?" Tyson hollered. "He was behind us! We didn't even see it!" Chelsea responded, slightly shaken. The echos of plasma fire echoed down the hall.
Britan screamed once, then went silent. "That's it! I'm going in!" Cam yelled. His footsteps could be heard, then a plasma shot to the the stomach, and his comm went silent. "Tossing a grenade!" Ajay called out.
Natalie's voice next. "There's one in here! I can't see it, but I'm throwing a grenade!" Jesse calls, but too late, "take cover, take cover!" Natalie is still in plain view as the grenade leaves her hand. Tyson was in the ship now, both he and Chelsea covering the corners. Jesse walked in also. Kevin was outside with the rocket, but Tyson could hear the door open and his heavy breathing as he rushed in.

Ajay looks around the corner, and more plasma fire is heard, along with the yell "EAT THIS!" Both shots missed, and Ajay throws his grenade into the center of two aliens. Natalie looks around. "I can't see it! I'm not sure where he went." "He's out here," Tyson whispered to Chelsea, and they kept their eyes on the corner where Quinn had fallen.

After an explosion, a "Got them, from Ajay. Tyson peeked around the corner, and Chelsea moved along side. No alein. "Natalie, I think he's in there by you." Tyson said. Natalie looked, then fired on the Sectoid. But she missed, and plasma fire was heard..."Natalie, are you OK? Don't stay out of cover!" Jesse called. Another laser shot answered that question. "He's still alive," Natalie said. "I hope he can't see me." Tyson was holding his breath, and notices that Chelsea has started blinking.

Another explosion, from inside the engine room. "That got him!" Natalie exclaimed. Suddenly, Chelsea started thrashing about, yelling. She pulled the triger of her rifle, the bullets dancing around Tyson's head. "Chelsea!" Tyson was worried, though he didn't sound it. "We're heading for the grav lift over here" Kevin called, "I've got a rifle now."
"Roger that, I'm heading for the lift right now," Jesse responded.

"I'm taking point," Jesse said to Tyson and Chelsea, who was still trying to get control. "Ok. Chelsea, what happend?" She just stared at him, then quietly, "I don't know. Are we gonna make it out of this?" Tyson couldn't respond. Jesse walked past in his flying suit. He rounded the corner, and plasma flew out from behind the wall, hitting him, in the neck. He crumpled to the ground unmoving.

Tyson went into shock. The commander was dead. Jesse was dead. Even his flying armor....the burn mark along his neck was clearly visible. What were they going to do. Chelsea panicked. "We're not gonna make it out! These things are everywhere....everyone's dead..." She had dropped her rifle and was pressed up against the wall, her eyes darting wildly. Tyson moved fast, rounded the corner to see nothing. "Kevin, where are you."
"I'm on the top floor, preparing to move out, Natalie and Ajay are with me. We've gotta keep pressing." Kevin had heard those events as well.


"First room's clear!" Came the call from upstairs. Tyson barely heard it....something was flashing before his eyes...he could see the alien, then he couldn't move his arms.....NO! He fought it off. That pressing in his mind....how could they do this? He looked around him. Jesse, Quinn, Spence. Down the hallway Cam and Britt. All dead. What had gone wrong? There was still two floors to go...there was no way they could do it. "Kev, we have to pull out, we can't do it, everyone's dead, they'll kill us, they've killed Jesse!" It was uncontrollable.
"I know. But we can't pull out! We've almost got this, stay focused, we can't loose all this for nothing."
Tyson was standing by the grav lift. Chelsea had moved up behind him. At least she could avenge him if he died.



Tyson looked at Chelsea, and she stared back. Behind her, Jesse. Then fury burst upon him. "THESE ALIENS WILL DIE!" He grabbed his gun and accelerated up the grav lift. There was at least one alien up there. The one that killed Jesse.

He peeked out, but couldn't see anything, then turned back into the room. Chelsea floated up. "Cover that door," Tyson motioned, but she was already doing so.
"Ajay, where are you?" Kevin was asking. "Moving around the far side, heading for the front."
"Let's go," Tyson said. Chelsea moved out, seeing growth pods or something, but no aliens. Tyson opened his door, to see the Sectoid standing outside of it. He opened fire. Take that. The duo moved to cover near the room, not moving very far. A plasma shot, and an alien hides. "Natalie, you ok?" Kevin called. "Yeah, it bounced off." "Where is he, I'm coming around the far side," Ajay walked behind the Sectoid, shooting it in the back. At the same time, Natalie looked around the front corner, and shot it in the face. Tyson and Chelsea slowly cover downstairs, covering in another room.

Then it came back. Tyson's vision became fuzzy. "No! NO!" he yelled. He thrashed, and felt his hand pull the trigger. The attack receded, and he looked around. Burn marks were in the wall where Chelsea had been, but she wasn't there anymore. "Chelsea, you OK? Something was...attacking me."
"Yeah, I'm just outside." An alien shoots upstairs, and Kevin returns fire. "Missed," he said. Natalie opened the door, and shot the alien. "It's all clear up here," she breathed. "All clear down here too," Chelsea answered. It was over. And 5 soldiers dead. 5 friends. Tyson leaned back against the wall, put his head in his hands, and tried to breathe.


That was the last one...ahhh, I can't beleive this....




I-2 is still after the small UFO, it lands in Germany. The Skyranger 1 is refueling, and I expect to send out Devyn, Mary, Kamille, Taya, Maria, Bree, Courtney J., Melissa W. Carly Rawlins,and Jacque.