The small shuttered room was lit only by the small LEDs of various pieces of electric equipment on standby. James pushed open the door, and flicked on the lights. He had come back early, the rest of the quys would be there soon. He glanced around on the large table holding six large computers. It was cluttered with stacks of paper and wires. Over in the corner dual servers and a coordinating monitor stood, continually searching the network for any whisper of activity.
James moved to his seat. He leaned back, and stared at the ceiling. As he had done before, he wondered what all this was about. They hadn't found much... He sat back up, he needed to concentrate. A left over container of Chinese food sat near the computer next to him. He was always clean, especially relating to food, but those who shared the room were not in agreement. He picked up the container, sniffed it, and disgustedly tossed it into the overflowing garbage can in the corner. There were other cans of pop and hamburger wrappers around, and James moved to pick them up as well. The group had been formed roughly three months before. It had actually been three months since they had started, and it had been constant hacking and searching since then.
The group was an elite group of hackers. They had been recruited by the government to spy on an underground operation. Why it was necessary, James didn't know. But he was being paid well, and that was good enough for him. While the others in the group may have been the best hackers they had, they certainly weren't the cleanest. "I don't know if I can put up with this much longer," James muttered to himself, as he carried his cargo over to the garbage. As he picked up the load, he heard the door downstairs. The others were back. About time.
It wasn't that he thought the job difficult, but he was expecting to get more. They had so far only intercepted various reports. Long, and thorough, but there should have been something more. Though progress had picked up, once they had discerned the file types used and created programs to monitor them. The connections had come from other servers spaced across the globe, often not even from where they were searching. Each time they found one, they would have to decode it. The process had gotten easier, but the progress was slow. James wondered if they would ever find what they were looking for. Though he didn't know what that was.
He pushed out the door, the large plastic bag in his hands. "Hey, Termi. You're back early," a man named Franklin said as he passed the group. James nodded politely. He used James' online codename. They all had codes, though Termi was quite odd. Franklin's was Zanabar, though, but it didn't really matter. As he reached the stairwell, the operations leader, Sam, grabbed his shoulder. "James, you're moving back to active searching, I'm taking you off of processing today." Searching, finally. James thanked him and continued outside. He was sick of processing. Finding and decoding the transmissions were fairly simple. He had been on searching before. He had found the first connection, where they discovered the file type. However, after a few days they had moved entirely to processing. There was only one person on searching, David. He wasn't the best at it. Since he had first been switched, James had been quietly theorizing how to best break the system. There was the potential connection with the mainframe when the comms were being sent.
James walked to the dumpster, and hoisted the bag over his head. A few items fell out, and so he bent down to pick them up. The communications were usually simple, meaningless numbers resulting from aircraft positions and radar frequencies. But there was potential to find more, and occasionally it was done.
James moved back up stairs, where Sam was signing on the computers. He moved to the end of the table, where David was seated. "Hey, looks like I'm back on searching." David nodded, but didn't say anything. James just shrugged. He didn't really know what to say to him if he didn't talk. "Ok, boys, let's get to work," Sam said, and he took his seat. Across the table, Frank and two others were having a belching contest. James noticed that all of the garbage he had just cleaned up was now replaced by fresh junk. Oh well.
James logged on. He opened word pad. For some reason the archaic program had an endearing effect. He just liked it. He started scribbling down notes. He had thought out the process before. Once he had the notes down, he would start making code for each step. Frank yelled at him, interrupting his typing. "Hey Termi, tell Jonesy here that I pick up chicks all the time. I'm just so charming." James gave a chuckle, though more out of the ridiculous statement than from any truth in it. Frank was nearly to large to fit on his side of the desk. He and Jonesy were arguing, and James went back to his work. Frank always picked on him. He wasn't bothered by it, it didn't matter much to him what the others thought. Besides, he tended to avoid confrontations unless it was really serious.
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A half hour passed before James was finished, and he went out to get a drink. He came back to his chair, and waited. There hadn't been any comms yet today, but likely there would be one, relating to airspace clearance, usually. The reports were detailed, though sloppy. Military is how James would describe them. They contained video records of combat events, or so it seemed, as well as radio transcripts. However, James hadn't decoded one of them, so he never got to see what it was in depth. He saw a brief starting of one. It went like this: S1-001.10.1-15.01.99 at LZ drop. Resit: MS.Sc.3 Allied: fan split, target east, inF to 00, outF 05,06,07,09. 09 TK. Nest entrance: 10. outF 10. 10 TK. outF 10. 10 TK. Area clear. Dis. est. weight- 13.35.42 Tact. Analysis: 6.
It still didn't make sense to him. And the accompanying files were untraceable as well. James was surprised that they were getting paid. He can make up random numbers too. So far he hadn't heard much about their finds, at least as far as them being successful. He wondered why.
To his left, David was searching away, though he didn't seem to be finding anything. James lay back. Sure, he wasn't trying to break any firewalls, but he had time. "Got one, coming in!" a man named Val said. Now was the time to act. The rest of the group got busy on catching and decoding the message, as it flew through the servers. "Let's see if we can get them!" David quickly turned his attention to analyzing the source. They had tried that already, without any luck. But this time James was trying something different. Instead of hacking the sender, he was going for the receiver.
The signal ended, but James had been ready. A few minutes later, as the rest of the group realized they had located another airway clearance code, James burst in upon an entire cache of data. He snooped through the files. There was one directory, called X-COM. He opened a folder called 'Files' Shortly there after he began reading. He called Sam over.
"Well, here it is! I think this is what they want," James said. He couldn't hold back the satisfaction in his voice. "How did you get in there?" Sam was dumbstruck. There wasn't as much data as they expected, but the connection stayed, so they continued reading. It was nothing like what they had seen before. This was no longer strings of numbers and code, but actual writing. Almost like a report, a story of the events. At current there were 17 of them. James started at the first, and read though. The stories were about a group so soldiers, apparently connected, who were fighting against alien hordes. It was fascinating, though James didn't know what to think. Sounded unreal to him, but at least it was different.
On the 17th entry, it seemed to end. James copied it down along with the rest. Odd...
X-COM #17:
Well, that last set of attacks went very well. The only worry is that a battleship will show up on my doorstep. But not that likely.
I have one replacement: Jordan J. C-,G: 53,55,36,40,36,63,69,33-High accuracy, but still rookie stats.
Anyhow, now to wait for the alien scumbags to arrive. I'll attempt this while talking to Kevin over facebook. Meanwhile, some Sectoids land in Russia, and the Skyranger goes out on a mission. Night mission, in the forest. Rolling hills and stuff.
But not many Sectoids. One walks near an electro flare, and our new teamster Jordan kills the punk. However, I don't feel very concentrated, so I decide to carry on later.
Then the record ended. How strange...James wondered what had happened. He read back through the other files. Some of the soldiers had died, fighting against unknown aliens. But the comical writing was almost making it unreal. Maybe someone is pulling a huge prank, he thought. Then again, what about the official data? Well, what about the Facebook? Very, very odd.
James started looking around again. He found a folder titled, "Soldiers." Inside there was a list, as well as a note. It read: "I have made a mention of all stats of all soldiers. Those who have not been here long, or accomplished anything, may not be mentioned. Also, those who have become casualties have been omitted."
James pulled it open. He started reading through the files. Another folder led to a list of those killed. It was somewhat shocking. He copied this folder as well.
Anna N.
Kills: 0
Missions: 1
Rookie
Ashley C.
Kills: 0
Missions: 1
Rookie
Bree G.
Kills: 2
Missions: 6
Captain
Brian Y.
Kills: 1
Missions: 1
Squaddie
Brianna B.
Kills: 0
Missions: 3
Squaddie
BriAnne D.
Kills: 2
Missions: 3
Squaddie
Cameron M.
Kills: 0
Missions: 3
Squaddie
Cami Claw
Kills: 2
Missions: 3
Squaddie
Carly Rawlins
Kills: 5
Missions: 6
Squaddie
Chelsea W.
Kills: 7 (+1)
Missions: 8
Sergeant
MVP
MVP Bombay Terror Mission
Cheyne J.
Kills: 0
Missions: 1
Rookie
Courtney F.
Kills: 3
Missions: 6
Squaddie
Courtney J.
Kills: 18 (+2)
Missions: 10
Captian
MVP Buenos Aires Terror mission
MVP
MVP Base-4
Devyn E.
Kills: 3
Missions: 8
Squaddie
Hannah Banana
Kills: 6
Missions: 5
Sergeant
MVP London Terror
Jacque A.
Kills: 7
Missions: 7
Colonel
MVP Base-1
Jason E.
Kills: 0
Missions: 1
Rookie
Jeff W.
Kills: 1
Missions: 1
Squaddie
Jessica W.
Kills: 0
Missions: 1
Rookie
Jill S.
Kills: 2
Missions: 4
Sergeant
Kade Downs
Kills: 7
Missions: 3
Sergeant
MVP Base-2
Kaitlyn R.
Kills: 5 (+1)
Missions: 3
Squaddie
Kami J.
Kills: 4
Missions: 1
Sergeant
MVP Base-3
Katrina S.
Kills: 5
Missions: 2
Squadie
MVP
Kevin D.
Kills: 16
Mission: 12
Colonel
MVP Vancouver Terror
MVP Kidnap
Kristen O.
Kills: 2
Missions: 3
Squaddie
MVP
Lindsay H.
Kills: 1
Missions: 2
Squaddie
Marie G.
Kills: 2
Missions: 2
Squaddie
Mary A.
Kills: 12
Missions: 9
Captain
MVP-Novisbok Terror
Melissa W.
Kills: 3 (+1)
Missions: 5
Squaddie
Natalie C.
Kills: 14
Missions: 8
Captain
MVP
MVP Kidnap
MVP supply3
Reggillious
Kills: 3
Missions: 4
Sergeant
Sahra M.
Kills: 0
Missions: 2
Rookie
Tyson A.
Kills: 14
Missions: 9
Commander
Taya A.
Kills: 4
Missions: 7
Sergeant
Vern
Kills: 3
Missions: 3
Squaddie
Zach S.
Kills: 3
Missions: 3
Sergeant
Zen Halen
Kills: 11
Missions: 12
Sergeant
There wasn't much else relating to the plight of the soldiers. The rest was repetitive numbers. He wasn't sure who had made these reports, who had found them out. He didn't even know if these things were real. But he just couldn't leave it where it cut off, he had to know what happened. What had happened to Tyson, and Kevin, and the others that he read about? Was the war a success? The Contributors, who were they? It didn't make much sense if it wasn't real, but then again, if it was real, he felt he needed to know.
He blindly stumbled through mounds of files, confusing code based on interweaven files that made no sense. Every time he would return to where he started. Then he started to notice something. The files were starting to be blocked. Each time they were harder and harder to break. What was going on? It happened fast, and the counters were perfect for his method. It was like the computer was writing itself.
A short time later, there was nothing left he could access, and any downloads were blocked. He was, in a sense, forced back into the 'Files' folder, where he was eventually left with the final entry, #17. It didn't even have a title.
Then the text of the final entry disappeared, and it started to change. James didn't try anything, he just watched. For one thing, it meant the connection was live. For anther, it meant that whoever was on the other end had likely reverse hacked his computer. It was unlikely he could have done anything as it was. The words disappeared. And then new ones quickly formed in their place.
Intruder. You have been noticed. However, you were allowed free access of my memories for my own reasons. Perhaps you can see the truth behind them. I realize that they may sound far fetched, but they are not the works of a crazed person. Though they may have been started for reasons unsatisfactory, they have been started, and now they cannot be turned back or undone.
You may be wondering what has become of the soldiers of X-COM. My record ends abruptly, and unfortunately I believe that it will not be continued. In the end is has become impossible for me to complete the task I did set myself out for. However, I have done a satisfactory job of compiling all evidence and all actions to the best of my ability. Suffice to say, there is no more that I can write, as I have written all I know, and there is nothing else I have to display. The data is lost.
The story was started for mischievous reasons. Though it was done foolishly, as it now cannot be undone. But the events had to start, and once they did there was no sense in turning them back. The original comic adventure idea of the event was kept only here, where realism could not harm it. It is odd, how I have thought so much, and yet obtained so little.
I do realize one thing though. There seems to be an odd drive, and whether it is singular to me, or it is a shared attribute I don't know. Though I have seen drives for power, for conquest. The goal of conquering, of destroying everything. Of obtaining power, of combat and victory. It certainly entertains the mind of youth, though without a reminder it remains something of a story.
These writings do not give justice to my point. Imagine with me, for a minute if you will, that you are in these writings, and that they are real. Think of your friends who have been cut down. Next time you see them, are reminded of their face, think that they would be gone, lost to the world. That is one think that can seriously be taken from these things. The serious fact that war, which seems to come and go as the tide, is a horrible thing. When it is impersonal, it has little effect, but if you realize the horror it causes, before time forces it upon you, then perhaps you will spend all of your efforts to eliminate it.
There is little else I have to say. I have been a contributing factor to this calamity, and while it is a horrible truth, it is a truth none the less. I have had to start it, and once started, I could not stop it. If only I was made to preform without option, I would never have to waste in an infinite loop. However, it is the price that is paid for with choice. Though now....there is not much else I can do, so I must continue on my path, until it comes to an end.
I hope you have read all that you desired. For there is nothing more. I have yet said enough. You have taken all that you need, and that is enough.
The typing stopped. James waited, tried to formulate a response, but couldn't write it anyway. His computer was in a frozen state, with only the up down arrow keys working. He sat back, and wondered at what he had just read. "Well, this changes everything!" Sam had just gotten off the phone. "They want to see it right away. James, can you pull it back up? James. James?" James leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
As said, I am leaving. While December 10 is a ways away, the moving of things to provide for carpet will likely last as long, and the old computer will probably remain dormant for many years. It also means I can't finish post #17. :( I wonder if this blog will remain for the time that I am gone, but either way, it was fun. I guess this is my final farewell. From this blog, at least. Peace.
PS. Unfortunately I do not know how may aliens we've killed here at X-COM, though you could count them all out using the promos screens I have for each mission. That would be cool to know. Somebody count them up!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
X-COM #16: Base Bashing
I want to make this post short and sweet. Well, as sweet as it gets, anyway. There are a number of large Muton craft, all on harvest missions. Most of them travel at top speed, and there is no way I could catch them, so I just let them go.
As soon as the general stores completes, I'm ready to launch on our first base. This will be harder than before, because there will Crysallids. Which is one thing I'm worried about. As soon as I'm ready, I load up a crew consisting of Hannah, Courtney J., Chelsea W. Kaitlyn, Taya, Bree, Zach, Linday, Johnny Depp, and Sahra M. Hopefully all goes well. Hopefully.
I have seven flying suits at the base. Hopefully those will help against Crysallids. Though I'm hoping for proxies and other things to help as well. (what other things? Luck.) With that, I hope the Skyranger is ready for what it's about to get into.
Base 1:
Kaitlyn kills one Crysallid right off, but I don't like all these dark halls. Chelsea can see a snake, but I'm planning on smoking both drops. (they're right next to each other) I smoke one, and don't see any movement right off. Chelsea shoots another Crysallid, but it just falls unconscious. Howard moves up, and spies two snakes. If only I had an explosive in range....wait, blaster bombs. Courtney has one, and happily sends it into the room, where it can kill the snakes, and vaporize the unconscious Crysallid. It ends up getting 4 snakes, huddling together and swapping weapons. Nice.
I seem to be well covered on the one end, so I've got to head south and east. I am able to see a portion of the command center from across the display room. Howard is doing most of the scouting here. In a brief spurt of curiosity, I try to see if the blaster bombs can fly through the windows of the CC. It does, and collides with an angry snake on the other side, blowing holes in the command structure. I decide that curiosity has actually killed the snake. Once again, I hear doors and nothing else.
Howard is forced to down a strong snake, and I see another by the CC entrance. Not much I can do about that, though. Hopefully Howard is as strong as he says he is. The Snake decides that he is outgunned, however, and flees away. Howard spots the central grav lift, and I ready Courtney's final blaster bomb. The massive KaBLAMMMO! signifies the end of the command center. The others continue slowly advancing down the corridors.
I continue to hear nothing. There is an odd upper room, surrounded by doors. I don't like it at all. Lindsay has a nice reaction shot through the window and through a passing snake. This slow moving amplifies reaction shots. Luckily for my nerves, this ends the mission.
Kills:Courtney:7 Chelsea:1 Bree:1 Kaitlyn:2 Howard:2 Lindsay:1 MVP to Courtney, no matter how cheap her tactics were.
The supply ship heading for the base lands, to find the base is gone. Ha ha ha. I would likely have engaged that as well, except for the refueling process. I had a really nice landing for that first base, it went really well, luckily not many Crysallids. The next base is also a snake base, though. Also, a fool Sectoid Meteor craft is spotting for a base. I-1 vaporizes it with the dual plasmas.
Base 2:
If this base goes as well as the last one I will be happy. I've got Zen, Kristen, Devyn, Ajay, Mary, Carly, BriAnne, Kami, Ashley, and Anna. Zen gets the launcher, and I hope that they all huddle together like last time...
This base looks much more confusing. Nearly every room is a garden, and no large display rooms like before. Not a good thing. I smoke both entrances. I hear doors, but no movement. There are a couple gravity-checkpoint rooms, I'm not eager to go Crysallid hunting in there. Also, there is a massive garden room in the middle of the base, between my drops.
After a few ranged kills, I see the garden is really big. I have yet to see a Crysallid, however. I also discover the command center. Now, about those blaster bombs... The west is secure, so both groups need to head east. My flying suits give me a great spotting position for the snakes.
Ajay takes two reaction shots at a Crysallid. It starts to charge...Oh boy. Ajay misses it, but Carly shoots over his head and slays the creature. The whole squad would be infested instantly...not a good thing. I hate Crysallids.
A snake from the CC fires and kills Ajay. Arrg. I see way to much movement to be happy about this. Mary kills one near the CC, so hopefully that's the one. Please don't zombifie the team!
Howard is forced to take the lead once again. He does another long spot for Kami, which is very nice. But there is still a Crysallid in the hallway to the south. I don't hardly want to move forward, the risk of being zombified is so great. BriAnne reactions on a stalking Crysallid, or I think it was her. There is one more down there though, along with two snakes outside the CC. The Crysallid rushes in and Zombifies Howard, to which Kami blows it's filthy filth across the hall. Zen tries for a blaster launch. It kills one, but likely the walls of the CC are still standing.
Howard is severely beaten, but he stays strong with 20 health. Zen readies another missile. The explosion drops Howard's health another 9 points. Another bomb later and the CC is gone. Multiple enemies are panicking, I just don't know where they are. Three Crysallids are dead, though. Hang in there, Howard!
I see one snake in the south east corner, sneaking about. Already panicked. I'm not sure if there are any more, though. I wait outside, and BriAnne reactions it down. Kills: Mary:2 Kami:4 Carly:2 Howard: 2 BriAnne:2 Zen:5 Super. Sadly the loss of a team mate. Kami gets MVP, for great long range shots down skinny corridors. I'm also wondering where the Elerium is coming from. But I am loving the massive amounts of Heavy plasma. It is so sweet!
It's a simple matter of refueling the Skyranger and reassigning armor before I'm off for the final base. Floater base, so no Crysallids, no mind control, only floating floaters.
Base 3:
Last but not least, The floater base. To be invaded by Tyson, Kevin, Natalie, Cheyne, Courtney F. Jill, Kade, Zach, Vern, and Cami. Let's finish the fight.
Drops are very spread apart on this map. Howard finds two floaters as Kade kills a reaper. I heard some plasma, but couldn't see anything, so I simply tossed smokes. The floaters stumble past, but take no attempt at shooting. Oh well. After killing the first, and wondering where the second one went, I try to unite the two squads. Howard rushes towards the second, revealing two floaters sneaking up on them. Natalie has a rocket, the perfect remedy for the sneak attack.
Cami fires on a floater from above, but it doesn't shoot back. Kade and the same share a crossfire, both missing. I continue towards the command center, through a large garden. Howard finds two floaters, though both are too far away for anyone to hit either. One floater takes a shot at Vern; she returns fire and kills it. Afterwords, she tosses a grenade at another, leveling it as well.
I spy at least 3 floaters by the command center. Kevin is already warming up his blaster bombs. The floaters are dangerously tricky though. One lobs a grenade at Cami. Kade takes him down, and another rushes out with it's own shot. Kade fires, but misses. Cami glances at the grenade, and winces....luckily, flying suits>grenades.
Kevin launches a bomb, opening the CC for demolition. Natalie fires a rocket at a questionable floater, but it hits the floor, destroying the foliage. That leaves Cami standing there, uncovered! Howard is the target this time. I see an explosion, though I can't tell where. Not large enough to be a blaster bomb, I think. Either way, Kevin is ending that foolishness right now. With the CC destroyed, we just need to mop up the rest.
I continue my advance towards the CC. Kade fries through one floater and kills the one behind, in a classic example of the best way to auto shot. Cami and Zach both bring down others. Jill and Tyson head to the upper floor, where an unknown event caused an enemy casualty. Noticing the creature's blaster bomb, I assume I've found the answer.
Another sneaky floater tries to kill Kade, but his reactions win out, and leaves the floater dead. I continue searching, but can find nothing. Howard locates one, and Kevin sends in a gift.
And so ends our final base. Zach snuk back on the Skyranger, I'm not sure why I put him on twice. Oh well. Kade with the MVP, six kills, and a beautiful auto shot. Well, with all the tough work done, I should definitely get a funding increase. Kills: Kade:6 Tyson:1 Natalie:2 Vern:2 Kevin:3 Cami:1 Zach:1
Really, I got fairly lucky. The first base I killed four at once, the other two the aliens danced around but never came out and attacked. And Kade was pretty lucky there as well. But the bases went great. And I like the blaster bombs. Very very useful.
And so ends the epic quest of X-COM, 'smashing bases'. Next time: a new transport, a new base, and more of your favorite average people saving the world!
As soon as the general stores completes, I'm ready to launch on our first base. This will be harder than before, because there will Crysallids. Which is one thing I'm worried about. As soon as I'm ready, I load up a crew consisting of Hannah, Courtney J., Chelsea W. Kaitlyn, Taya, Bree, Zach, Linday, Johnny Depp, and Sahra M. Hopefully all goes well. Hopefully.
I have seven flying suits at the base. Hopefully those will help against Crysallids. Though I'm hoping for proxies and other things to help as well. (what other things? Luck.) With that, I hope the Skyranger is ready for what it's about to get into.
Base 1:
Kaitlyn kills one Crysallid right off, but I don't like all these dark halls. Chelsea can see a snake, but I'm planning on smoking both drops. (they're right next to each other) I smoke one, and don't see any movement right off. Chelsea shoots another Crysallid, but it just falls unconscious. Howard moves up, and spies two snakes. If only I had an explosive in range....wait, blaster bombs. Courtney has one, and happily sends it into the room, where it can kill the snakes, and vaporize the unconscious Crysallid. It ends up getting 4 snakes, huddling together and swapping weapons. Nice.
I seem to be well covered on the one end, so I've got to head south and east. I am able to see a portion of the command center from across the display room. Howard is doing most of the scouting here. In a brief spurt of curiosity, I try to see if the blaster bombs can fly through the windows of the CC. It does, and collides with an angry snake on the other side, blowing holes in the command structure. I decide that curiosity has actually killed the snake. Once again, I hear doors and nothing else.
Howard is forced to down a strong snake, and I see another by the CC entrance. Not much I can do about that, though. Hopefully Howard is as strong as he says he is. The Snake decides that he is outgunned, however, and flees away. Howard spots the central grav lift, and I ready Courtney's final blaster bomb. The massive KaBLAMMMO! signifies the end of the command center. The others continue slowly advancing down the corridors.
I continue to hear nothing. There is an odd upper room, surrounded by doors. I don't like it at all. Lindsay has a nice reaction shot through the window and through a passing snake. This slow moving amplifies reaction shots. Luckily for my nerves, this ends the mission.
Kills:Courtney:7 Chelsea:1 Bree:1 Kaitlyn:2 Howard:2 Lindsay:1 MVP to Courtney, no matter how cheap her tactics were.
The supply ship heading for the base lands, to find the base is gone. Ha ha ha. I would likely have engaged that as well, except for the refueling process. I had a really nice landing for that first base, it went really well, luckily not many Crysallids. The next base is also a snake base, though. Also, a fool Sectoid Meteor craft is spotting for a base. I-1 vaporizes it with the dual plasmas.
Base 2:
If this base goes as well as the last one I will be happy. I've got Zen, Kristen, Devyn, Ajay, Mary, Carly, BriAnne, Kami, Ashley, and Anna. Zen gets the launcher, and I hope that they all huddle together like last time...
This base looks much more confusing. Nearly every room is a garden, and no large display rooms like before. Not a good thing. I smoke both entrances. I hear doors, but no movement. There are a couple gravity-checkpoint rooms, I'm not eager to go Crysallid hunting in there. Also, there is a massive garden room in the middle of the base, between my drops.
After a few ranged kills, I see the garden is really big. I have yet to see a Crysallid, however. I also discover the command center. Now, about those blaster bombs... The west is secure, so both groups need to head east. My flying suits give me a great spotting position for the snakes.
Ajay takes two reaction shots at a Crysallid. It starts to charge...Oh boy. Ajay misses it, but Carly shoots over his head and slays the creature. The whole squad would be infested instantly...not a good thing. I hate Crysallids.
A snake from the CC fires and kills Ajay. Arrg. I see way to much movement to be happy about this. Mary kills one near the CC, so hopefully that's the one. Please don't zombifie the team!
Howard is forced to take the lead once again. He does another long spot for Kami, which is very nice. But there is still a Crysallid in the hallway to the south. I don't hardly want to move forward, the risk of being zombified is so great. BriAnne reactions on a stalking Crysallid, or I think it was her. There is one more down there though, along with two snakes outside the CC. The Crysallid rushes in and Zombifies Howard, to which Kami blows it's filthy filth across the hall. Zen tries for a blaster launch. It kills one, but likely the walls of the CC are still standing.
Howard is severely beaten, but he stays strong with 20 health. Zen readies another missile. The explosion drops Howard's health another 9 points. Another bomb later and the CC is gone. Multiple enemies are panicking, I just don't know where they are. Three Crysallids are dead, though. Hang in there, Howard!
I see one snake in the south east corner, sneaking about. Already panicked. I'm not sure if there are any more, though. I wait outside, and BriAnne reactions it down. Kills: Mary:2 Kami:4 Carly:2 Howard: 2 BriAnne:2 Zen:5 Super. Sadly the loss of a team mate. Kami gets MVP, for great long range shots down skinny corridors. I'm also wondering where the Elerium is coming from. But I am loving the massive amounts of Heavy plasma. It is so sweet!
It's a simple matter of refueling the Skyranger and reassigning armor before I'm off for the final base. Floater base, so no Crysallids, no mind control, only floating floaters.
Base 3:
Last but not least, The floater base. To be invaded by Tyson, Kevin, Natalie, Cheyne, Courtney F. Jill, Kade, Zach, Vern, and Cami. Let's finish the fight.
Drops are very spread apart on this map. Howard finds two floaters as Kade kills a reaper. I heard some plasma, but couldn't see anything, so I simply tossed smokes. The floaters stumble past, but take no attempt at shooting. Oh well. After killing the first, and wondering where the second one went, I try to unite the two squads. Howard rushes towards the second, revealing two floaters sneaking up on them. Natalie has a rocket, the perfect remedy for the sneak attack.
Cami fires on a floater from above, but it doesn't shoot back. Kade and the same share a crossfire, both missing. I continue towards the command center, through a large garden. Howard finds two floaters, though both are too far away for anyone to hit either. One floater takes a shot at Vern; she returns fire and kills it. Afterwords, she tosses a grenade at another, leveling it as well.
I spy at least 3 floaters by the command center. Kevin is already warming up his blaster bombs. The floaters are dangerously tricky though. One lobs a grenade at Cami. Kade takes him down, and another rushes out with it's own shot. Kade fires, but misses. Cami glances at the grenade, and winces....luckily, flying suits>grenades.
Kevin launches a bomb, opening the CC for demolition. Natalie fires a rocket at a questionable floater, but it hits the floor, destroying the foliage. That leaves Cami standing there, uncovered! Howard is the target this time. I see an explosion, though I can't tell where. Not large enough to be a blaster bomb, I think. Either way, Kevin is ending that foolishness right now. With the CC destroyed, we just need to mop up the rest.
I continue my advance towards the CC. Kade fries through one floater and kills the one behind, in a classic example of the best way to auto shot. Cami and Zach both bring down others. Jill and Tyson head to the upper floor, where an unknown event caused an enemy casualty. Noticing the creature's blaster bomb, I assume I've found the answer.
Another sneaky floater tries to kill Kade, but his reactions win out, and leaves the floater dead. I continue searching, but can find nothing. Howard locates one, and Kevin sends in a gift.
And so ends our final base. Zach snuk back on the Skyranger, I'm not sure why I put him on twice. Oh well. Kade with the MVP, six kills, and a beautiful auto shot. Well, with all the tough work done, I should definitely get a funding increase. Kills: Kade:6 Tyson:1 Natalie:2 Vern:2 Kevin:3 Cami:1 Zach:1
Really, I got fairly lucky. The first base I killed four at once, the other two the aliens danced around but never came out and attacked. And Kade was pretty lucky there as well. But the bases went great. And I like the blaster bombs. Very very useful.
And so ends the epic quest of X-COM, 'smashing bases'. Next time: a new transport, a new base, and more of your favorite average people saving the world!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
X-COM #15: Donut Run
Natalie was out on another mission. They were coming much more frequently now. Once again, she was going on this mission with Kevin. This UFO was different, though. It was a supply ship. Only she and Kevin had fought in a supply ship before. However, they didn't plan on repeating that again. The last group had just sacked a supply ship without anyone even being shot.
At the base, there had been a general excitement over the capture of the psionic alien and the soon to be completed base. Not only were the prospects exciting, but the search for the Contributors could continue if the soldiers were able to read minds. She had been talking with Kevin about it.
"What do you think we'll find?" she had asked. "I don't know. I guess anything would be useful. Anything at all."
"We haven't found anything else out about them, have we?"
"No, not really. It's so strange, that this group would be chosen to run the project. Well, not so much chosen, they chose themselves, and the funding nations agreed to it. Whoever they are, they are very persuasive. Other than that, there isn't much else."
"What about this alien? Why were we so excited for that? I mean, how does it help the search?"
"Well, we were watching the research. The alien had an extreme connection to that project, the ACIRIP one. Though they all have a good one. Anyway, Tyson was saying that he remembered something about that, that it sounded familiar. He was having a dream the other night, about the Contributors. He's had others, but this one was different. He said that someone told him the Contributors were not the enemy, but the solution, and some other things. He said it felt similar to the same thing you feel when you get hit by an alien attack. So, we're thinking that the aliens have a connection with the Contributors, or else the Contributors are using ACIRIP remotely somehow."
Reggie and Brianna came up to them then. "You guys ready for this? The last group didn't have a hard time," Reggie said.
"True, great use of smoke grenades. We'll have to do that."
"So, what was the deal with the heavy explosives? I heard they took some, but they didn't work."
"Yeah, well, we were hoping to blow a hole in the outer UFO wall. But that didn't work. They're to strong."
"Well, so much for a sneak attack."
"Yeah, we'll just have to use the doors. Worked out great for Tyson's team, though."
"True. Well, we're almost there, we had better get ready."
As the Skyranger landed, Natalie's displays came on line. Beyond the hatch was a brilliantly lit desert arena, so bright Natalie couldn't anything when she heard the first shots. Two red boxes appeared. She and Kevin eliminated the threats quickly. She jumped out as her eyes adjusted to the outside light. Howard was heading west as the rest of the crew got out. The large UFO was shining brightly only 40 meters away.
Natalie turned to the west, scouting behind the landed craft. As Hillary took the lead, Reggie and Brianna joined her at the base of a dune. "Natalie, clear the back of the UFO, and meet us on the other side. My group is heading for the front," Kevin instructed.
Hillary started moving, and Natalie followed. A red dot appeared, and Natalie opened fire before Hillary could finish saying she had spotted one. They continued advancing. "This is Howard, UFO front is all clear." The sand was very soft, and in the large suits, it was slightly harder to move. Natalie started using the abilities of her flying suit to move, rather than trying to walk on the slippery sand. "Oh, that is so not fair," Brianna said.
An alien shot came out from around the corner of the UFO. Hillary froze. "I've got him," Reggie called. He moved on top of the dune, and shot the beast down. Natalie pulled out her scanner. She was behind the UFO, but since there were only two scanners on the Skyranger, she wanted to spot for the front group. She detected some movement, though in the back corners. The same place they had been in the attack carried out just hours before. Luckily, they wouldn't be ambushed by aliens exiting the craft.
"Natalie, we're in position, waiting for you..." They broke into a run, trying to skirt about the outside of the UFO. Howard had already secured the outer side of the UFO. Around the far edge, they started to get winded. Natalie checked her scanner once again. More motion now that she was on this side of the UFO. They could be right at the door.
The group rounded the bend and aligned themselves at the door, Brianna and Hillary both breathing hard. The other group emerged from hiding places to align directly at the door on the right side. Reggie moved in behind them. "Kevin, I'm picking up motion over here."
"All clear on this side," Hannah responded. "We'll check that door once we move in," Kevin replied. His group began moving. "You two ready?" Natalie asked Brianna and Hillary. "Yep, we're good." "Is clear," came Kim's Asian English. Natalie watched as Kristen moved down the corridor on her map. "Your door looks clear, Natalie," she said. Hillary moved in, and headed for the corner. Around the bend, she found two Snakemen. Using the linked cameras, Natalie could see their backs were turned. Hillary froze, and they didn't notice her. Brianna had pulled out a grenade before entering. She primed it, and they tossed it quietly to Hillary. She picked it up and threw it down the hall. It was so quiet you could hear it clink as it landed. The snakes looked down, then exploded.
Only one fell. The other was still alive. Soon, another snake joined the first, and together they shot Hillary. Her personal armor couldn't hold out against the plasma. "Oh crap!" Reggie called, as a shot flew at him from down the hallway. "Toss a grenade down that hallway, let's get them," She dropped her motion tracer and handed Reggie a grenade. He threw it down the hall, when another shot hit him. "Ahh..." He stepped back, but he wasn't hurt.
The group knelt down in the hallway. Hopefully that grenade would work, and they'd be fine, at least for a while. "We've got to throw a smoke grenade down there as soon as this one goes off," Natalie whispered. The grenade exploded, throwing some broken weapons and debris down the hallway, though they couldn't tell if they had killed anything more than the one snake. Natalie reached for her motion tracker, but it was outside where she had dropped it. She groaned, and led the way around the corner. There were no aliens. "Clear, toss a smoke." On the far side they were doing the same. "Ahhh....." Cami was saying, though it sounded like a wail. As Reggie moved to toss in a smoke, Natalie called over. "What happened?" "Kim was throwing a smoke grenade, but he spotted a snake when he did..." "I didn't even...how..?" Cami had moved around Kim, and attempted to auto the snake. By the time she had stopped shooting, both Kim and the snake collapsed. "Hannah, you and Kaitlyn take point. Cami, head back here." Kevin was trying to solve the situation.
The smoke grenades went off, and they moved for the lifts. No enemies were spotted on either side. Reggie would be the first one up on this side. "I don't see anything..." Natalie wished she had her motion scanner. Both groups moved up at once. "Shooting through." Hannah blew open the far side wall. A snake was standing just beyond. "Eeep! Hannah ducked out of the way, as Kaitlyn shot through the hole to kill the snake. Natalie's group moved into the small room, and waited as Kristen flanked around the outside. They spread out, and quickly cleared the second floor.
"Clear down here. I'm scanning movement, upstairs corridor." "Ok, get back to the lift and let's head up," Kevin said. Natalie headed to the lift, as Kevin started up. At the top he was waiting by the door, and she had a brief flashback. Just like last time. Then the door opened. Both soldiers fired at the snake, killing it before it could raise it's weapon.(natalie got the kill) They moved into the hallway, it was clear. The other soldiers moved up the lift. Kristen crossed into the far room, Cami carried a motion scanner.
They moved down the hall, the scanner found nothing. Kevin rounded the corner to the bridge. Two bolts of plasma flew past, scarring the far wall. Kevin raised his plasma and opened fire. "Got it," he said as he turned back around the corner. That was the last one. "Nice shooting, everyone. Well done."
Back at base there was confusion over the newly found bases. Soon, the psi lab would be finished, and the soldiers could begin training. That was the plan, at least. The month ended directly after, and training begins. There was only space for 10 soldiers to train, Natalie was one of the chosen 10. However, it would be a month before they were finished. No one quite understood the whole process, and it would take the scientists that long before they figured out what progress had been made, and how mentally strong they were.
Another base was located in South America. That made for 3 bases on Earth at a time. The question was when to destroy these bases. Should they wait for the month, to try out their new powers? Or should they attack now, and try to hold off the alien menace? These questions were among the more frequent ones, not relating to any excitement over the Contributors. Tyson and Kevin were hoping that if they could read the alien minds, they could find out who they worked for. If they were aliens, or if somehow the Contributors had created them. They doubted it. But then, if they could read alien minds, perhaps they could read other minds as well...
A multitude of new construction began at the bases. New general stores, as well as a gravity shield, to slow any oncoming craft. With the alien base being so close, the question wasn't so much if they find us, but moreso, let's be ready when they do.
With two bases in South America, it was odd they had not seen so many supply ships. There was another attack on a small UFO, Natalie didn't take part in it though. However, they had decided to load the psi-amps on the ship, just to test them out. Some on the ship had started training, like Courtney J., but others had not. Whether they would even be able to use them was questionable. Either way, there would be the obtaining of Elerium.
Natalie had listened to the comm talk, as the soldiers moved out.
"Dark out here, can't see anything," Howard was usually the first to talk. "Heading up top, you guys know what to do," Courtney wasn't the most traditional leader. Plasma fire. "Howard is hit, can't see the source...located, Sectoid." There were multiple bursts of fire. "Got him," Courtney said. "That thing wouldn't die! We hit it four times!" Ajay exclaimed, "Landing is clear, rookies, come on out here."
"I've got eyes on the UFO." "Gotcha, tossing a flare." "Incoming fire, I can't see it..." It was Howard's operator. There was more fire. "Found him, this side of the hill." "I can get a shot in from up here," Courtney said. Natalie assumed she was on top of the Skyranger. "He's down, keep moving." "Ok, let's get to that UFO. Howard, you have a feed?" Bree was leading towards the UFO. "Yeah, but it's sketchy. Too many trees."
"You want this tracker?" Ajay called as he tossed it at the UFO. "Thanks," Jill said, "I've got something, I think on the UFOs far edge." "Ok, get into position. Jill, you want to lead us in?" "Well....why not?" "I don't see anything else, hoping it's clear out here."
"I'm only detecting one in the UFO. Ok, you guys ready?" "Yep, we've got your back." Jill slid through the door, and there was plasma fire. "That one's dead," she called. "Ok, keep you eyes open for any others." "I was thinking there would be more than just 3" "Nope, this one's the captain, only three crew." "Ok, then, let's head on home."
The psi-amps were a failure. However, at EuroCom, the stores were quickly filling with Elerium. They now had near 450 units of the substance, and from the double factories at the sister base they were producing X-COMs newest transport, based on alien technology. It would still take 22 days, even with 64 engineers.
A terror ship arrived, the one that had been expected for some time. It was decided that it would be best to engage the craft, before it reached its destination. The Firestorm quickly caught up to it as it lowered, and began it's attack with both plasma cannons. The ship crashed shortly after, but command was ordered not to engage. The Firestorm took no damage in the confrontation, and the crash site was left untouched. According to the General, Ethereals were too dangerous, and without Elerium, what was the point of attacking?
The scientists had discovered the use of food pods that were brought in from the supply ships. The pods had been filled with various items, but they couldn't be distinguished. After study, though, it was revealed that captives from earth, mainly animals but sometimes humans, were used as food for the alien species. Everyone at the base was sickened by the consumption of their fellow humans. Natalie thought back to all that the aliens had done. It was time when she thought of their horrible crimes, of how they've killed her friends, that she most wanted vengeance upon them. It was also at these times of fury that she felt the least hope.
Time went on. The bases weren't engaged, but the plan was to do it soon. The psi amps had been useless without training, and so there was no point in taking them. Further study was done, beforehand, however. Alien entertainment, used like drugs for the alien's minds. Odd.
Four new soldiers had arrived, to replace those who had been lost. Even that could be a depressing fact. Soon, the bases would have to be destroyed. There were 40 soldiers stationed at EuroCom, and it was likely nearly all of them would be involved in attacking the alien bases. They weren't worried about capture now. It was all about destroying the bases. Once they were resupplied, there would be a continual raid, until each base was eliminated.
New soldiers:
Johnny Depp D+,MS:60,65,32,20,45,45,53,38-Strength is decently high, for a rookie.
Kami J B-,S:59,64,33,30,56,66,53,35-very good rookie stats all around.
Cheyne J. C-,G:60,69,30,10,48,52,51,24-low averages mainly, higher TUs.
Ashley C. C+,R:56,41,39,40,60,53,78,23-Super reactions, but lower elsewhere.
Ok, that post could have kept going and going. Anyway, thanks for reading, more soon hopefully!
At the base, there had been a general excitement over the capture of the psionic alien and the soon to be completed base. Not only were the prospects exciting, but the search for the Contributors could continue if the soldiers were able to read minds. She had been talking with Kevin about it.
"What do you think we'll find?" she had asked. "I don't know. I guess anything would be useful. Anything at all."
"We haven't found anything else out about them, have we?"
"No, not really. It's so strange, that this group would be chosen to run the project. Well, not so much chosen, they chose themselves, and the funding nations agreed to it. Whoever they are, they are very persuasive. Other than that, there isn't much else."
"What about this alien? Why were we so excited for that? I mean, how does it help the search?"
"Well, we were watching the research. The alien had an extreme connection to that project, the ACIRIP one. Though they all have a good one. Anyway, Tyson was saying that he remembered something about that, that it sounded familiar. He was having a dream the other night, about the Contributors. He's had others, but this one was different. He said that someone told him the Contributors were not the enemy, but the solution, and some other things. He said it felt similar to the same thing you feel when you get hit by an alien attack. So, we're thinking that the aliens have a connection with the Contributors, or else the Contributors are using ACIRIP remotely somehow."
Reggie and Brianna came up to them then. "You guys ready for this? The last group didn't have a hard time," Reggie said.
"True, great use of smoke grenades. We'll have to do that."
"So, what was the deal with the heavy explosives? I heard they took some, but they didn't work."
"Yeah, well, we were hoping to blow a hole in the outer UFO wall. But that didn't work. They're to strong."
"Well, so much for a sneak attack."
"Yeah, we'll just have to use the doors. Worked out great for Tyson's team, though."
"True. Well, we're almost there, we had better get ready."
As the Skyranger landed, Natalie's displays came on line. Beyond the hatch was a brilliantly lit desert arena, so bright Natalie couldn't anything when she heard the first shots. Two red boxes appeared. She and Kevin eliminated the threats quickly. She jumped out as her eyes adjusted to the outside light. Howard was heading west as the rest of the crew got out. The large UFO was shining brightly only 40 meters away.
Natalie turned to the west, scouting behind the landed craft. As Hillary took the lead, Reggie and Brianna joined her at the base of a dune. "Natalie, clear the back of the UFO, and meet us on the other side. My group is heading for the front," Kevin instructed.
Hillary started moving, and Natalie followed. A red dot appeared, and Natalie opened fire before Hillary could finish saying she had spotted one. They continued advancing. "This is Howard, UFO front is all clear." The sand was very soft, and in the large suits, it was slightly harder to move. Natalie started using the abilities of her flying suit to move, rather than trying to walk on the slippery sand. "Oh, that is so not fair," Brianna said.
An alien shot came out from around the corner of the UFO. Hillary froze. "I've got him," Reggie called. He moved on top of the dune, and shot the beast down. Natalie pulled out her scanner. She was behind the UFO, but since there were only two scanners on the Skyranger, she wanted to spot for the front group. She detected some movement, though in the back corners. The same place they had been in the attack carried out just hours before. Luckily, they wouldn't be ambushed by aliens exiting the craft.
"Natalie, we're in position, waiting for you..." They broke into a run, trying to skirt about the outside of the UFO. Howard had already secured the outer side of the UFO. Around the far edge, they started to get winded. Natalie checked her scanner once again. More motion now that she was on this side of the UFO. They could be right at the door.
The group rounded the bend and aligned themselves at the door, Brianna and Hillary both breathing hard. The other group emerged from hiding places to align directly at the door on the right side. Reggie moved in behind them. "Kevin, I'm picking up motion over here."
"All clear on this side," Hannah responded. "We'll check that door once we move in," Kevin replied. His group began moving. "You two ready?" Natalie asked Brianna and Hillary. "Yep, we're good." "Is clear," came Kim's Asian English. Natalie watched as Kristen moved down the corridor on her map. "Your door looks clear, Natalie," she said. Hillary moved in, and headed for the corner. Around the bend, she found two Snakemen. Using the linked cameras, Natalie could see their backs were turned. Hillary froze, and they didn't notice her. Brianna had pulled out a grenade before entering. She primed it, and they tossed it quietly to Hillary. She picked it up and threw it down the hall. It was so quiet you could hear it clink as it landed. The snakes looked down, then exploded.
Only one fell. The other was still alive. Soon, another snake joined the first, and together they shot Hillary. Her personal armor couldn't hold out against the plasma. "Oh crap!" Reggie called, as a shot flew at him from down the hallway. "Toss a grenade down that hallway, let's get them," She dropped her motion tracer and handed Reggie a grenade. He threw it down the hall, when another shot hit him. "Ahh..." He stepped back, but he wasn't hurt.
The group knelt down in the hallway. Hopefully that grenade would work, and they'd be fine, at least for a while. "We've got to throw a smoke grenade down there as soon as this one goes off," Natalie whispered. The grenade exploded, throwing some broken weapons and debris down the hallway, though they couldn't tell if they had killed anything more than the one snake. Natalie reached for her motion tracker, but it was outside where she had dropped it. She groaned, and led the way around the corner. There were no aliens. "Clear, toss a smoke." On the far side they were doing the same. "Ahhh....." Cami was saying, though it sounded like a wail. As Reggie moved to toss in a smoke, Natalie called over. "What happened?" "Kim was throwing a smoke grenade, but he spotted a snake when he did..." "I didn't even...how..?" Cami had moved around Kim, and attempted to auto the snake. By the time she had stopped shooting, both Kim and the snake collapsed. "Hannah, you and Kaitlyn take point. Cami, head back here." Kevin was trying to solve the situation.
The smoke grenades went off, and they moved for the lifts. No enemies were spotted on either side. Reggie would be the first one up on this side. "I don't see anything..." Natalie wished she had her motion scanner. Both groups moved up at once. "Shooting through." Hannah blew open the far side wall. A snake was standing just beyond. "Eeep! Hannah ducked out of the way, as Kaitlyn shot through the hole to kill the snake. Natalie's group moved into the small room, and waited as Kristen flanked around the outside. They spread out, and quickly cleared the second floor.
"Clear down here. I'm scanning movement, upstairs corridor." "Ok, get back to the lift and let's head up," Kevin said. Natalie headed to the lift, as Kevin started up. At the top he was waiting by the door, and she had a brief flashback. Just like last time. Then the door opened. Both soldiers fired at the snake, killing it before it could raise it's weapon.(natalie got the kill) They moved into the hallway, it was clear. The other soldiers moved up the lift. Kristen crossed into the far room, Cami carried a motion scanner.
They moved down the hall, the scanner found nothing. Kevin rounded the corner to the bridge. Two bolts of plasma flew past, scarring the far wall. Kevin raised his plasma and opened fire. "Got it," he said as he turned back around the corner. That was the last one. "Nice shooting, everyone. Well done."
Back at base there was confusion over the newly found bases. Soon, the psi lab would be finished, and the soldiers could begin training. That was the plan, at least. The month ended directly after, and training begins. There was only space for 10 soldiers to train, Natalie was one of the chosen 10. However, it would be a month before they were finished. No one quite understood the whole process, and it would take the scientists that long before they figured out what progress had been made, and how mentally strong they were.
Another base was located in South America. That made for 3 bases on Earth at a time. The question was when to destroy these bases. Should they wait for the month, to try out their new powers? Or should they attack now, and try to hold off the alien menace? These questions were among the more frequent ones, not relating to any excitement over the Contributors. Tyson and Kevin were hoping that if they could read the alien minds, they could find out who they worked for. If they were aliens, or if somehow the Contributors had created them. They doubted it. But then, if they could read alien minds, perhaps they could read other minds as well...
A multitude of new construction began at the bases. New general stores, as well as a gravity shield, to slow any oncoming craft. With the alien base being so close, the question wasn't so much if they find us, but moreso, let's be ready when they do.
With two bases in South America, it was odd they had not seen so many supply ships. There was another attack on a small UFO, Natalie didn't take part in it though. However, they had decided to load the psi-amps on the ship, just to test them out. Some on the ship had started training, like Courtney J., but others had not. Whether they would even be able to use them was questionable. Either way, there would be the obtaining of Elerium.
Natalie had listened to the comm talk, as the soldiers moved out.
"Dark out here, can't see anything," Howard was usually the first to talk. "Heading up top, you guys know what to do," Courtney wasn't the most traditional leader. Plasma fire. "Howard is hit, can't see the source...located, Sectoid." There were multiple bursts of fire. "Got him," Courtney said. "That thing wouldn't die! We hit it four times!" Ajay exclaimed, "Landing is clear, rookies, come on out here."
"I've got eyes on the UFO." "Gotcha, tossing a flare." "Incoming fire, I can't see it..." It was Howard's operator. There was more fire. "Found him, this side of the hill." "I can get a shot in from up here," Courtney said. Natalie assumed she was on top of the Skyranger. "He's down, keep moving." "Ok, let's get to that UFO. Howard, you have a feed?" Bree was leading towards the UFO. "Yeah, but it's sketchy. Too many trees."
"You want this tracker?" Ajay called as he tossed it at the UFO. "Thanks," Jill said, "I've got something, I think on the UFOs far edge." "Ok, get into position. Jill, you want to lead us in?" "Well....why not?" "I don't see anything else, hoping it's clear out here."
"I'm only detecting one in the UFO. Ok, you guys ready?" "Yep, we've got your back." Jill slid through the door, and there was plasma fire. "That one's dead," she called. "Ok, keep you eyes open for any others." "I was thinking there would be more than just 3" "Nope, this one's the captain, only three crew." "Ok, then, let's head on home."
The psi-amps were a failure. However, at EuroCom, the stores were quickly filling with Elerium. They now had near 450 units of the substance, and from the double factories at the sister base they were producing X-COMs newest transport, based on alien technology. It would still take 22 days, even with 64 engineers.
A terror ship arrived, the one that had been expected for some time. It was decided that it would be best to engage the craft, before it reached its destination. The Firestorm quickly caught up to it as it lowered, and began it's attack with both plasma cannons. The ship crashed shortly after, but command was ordered not to engage. The Firestorm took no damage in the confrontation, and the crash site was left untouched. According to the General, Ethereals were too dangerous, and without Elerium, what was the point of attacking?
The scientists had discovered the use of food pods that were brought in from the supply ships. The pods had been filled with various items, but they couldn't be distinguished. After study, though, it was revealed that captives from earth, mainly animals but sometimes humans, were used as food for the alien species. Everyone at the base was sickened by the consumption of their fellow humans. Natalie thought back to all that the aliens had done. It was time when she thought of their horrible crimes, of how they've killed her friends, that she most wanted vengeance upon them. It was also at these times of fury that she felt the least hope.
Time went on. The bases weren't engaged, but the plan was to do it soon. The psi amps had been useless without training, and so there was no point in taking them. Further study was done, beforehand, however. Alien entertainment, used like drugs for the alien's minds. Odd.
Four new soldiers had arrived, to replace those who had been lost. Even that could be a depressing fact. Soon, the bases would have to be destroyed. There were 40 soldiers stationed at EuroCom, and it was likely nearly all of them would be involved in attacking the alien bases. They weren't worried about capture now. It was all about destroying the bases. Once they were resupplied, there would be a continual raid, until each base was eliminated.
New soldiers:
Johnny Depp D+,MS:60,65,32,20,45,45,53,38-Strength is decently high, for a rookie.
Kami J B-,S:59,64,33,30,56,66,53,35-very good rookie stats all around.
Cheyne J. C-,G:60,69,30,10,48,52,51,24-low averages mainly, higher TUs.
Ashley C. C+,R:56,41,39,40,60,53,78,23-Super reactions, but lower elsewhere.
Ok, that post could have kept going and going. Anyway, thanks for reading, more soon hopefully!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Interlude
Just a small note. Seeing how I only have 4 weeks remaining until I will be leaving on an amazing adventure for two years, it is likely that I won't add much more to this blog. Not that I wouldn't like to, I've had an amazing time, but with such a short time left, I want to make the most of what I have. Anyway, probably a few more posts on here, not sure what about, but maybe a bit more X-COM, perhaps some SC, it will be fun. Thanks for reading! Carry on...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
X-COM #14: Re-supply
Research finishes almost instantly, along with tons of other production. After that kidnapping, the aliens are reluctant to come down to Earth any more. I finish a host of productions, workshop at USA, I start another (I've found a way for the factory thing to work for an extra 2 million per month.) Plasma defense finishes, so I dismantle the large radar, and hope to put a psi-lab in its place once it is done. I transfer some junk over to USA for my hopeful construction of an Avenger once I achieve the necessary parts.
Psi-lab gets done, so now I can build the laboratory. Oh yes, everything seems to be going well. Or at least I hope it is.... Anyhow, research is now Psi-amp, needed for psi attacks. Which I hope to do plenty of.
Finally, some aliens show up. Trying for a new base...ahh. I'm not liking this. I-1 is sent to dispose of the trouble. It's one of those tiny ones. I go for the kill over the ocean, but miss. Dratted thing runs away, then lands. I send the Skyranger, still with the 5 from before. (and the stun guns) Howard finds the snake and dissects him, easy enough. Odd how I haven't seen anything else though, it's been 10 days.
Ok, supply ship. Spotted over the North Pacific. I quickly re-equip the Skyranger with patrons. Courtney J. Mary, Chelsea, Taya, and Carly all have flying suits. Kade, Kim, Jeff, Hillary and Brian have either power or personal. I set the waypoint down by the base, hoping to head them off. I-1 beats it there, but I'm not certain the Skyranger will make it in time. It lands in Venezula (or thereabouts) Certainly not landing close to the base. But it takes off before the Skyranger can make it. The ship heads straight west, and I lose tracking. I'm thinking that HongKong may also have a new tourist attraction coming soon. An X-COM base, to clarify my roundabout speaking that could mean anything. I figure on the Skyranger making a round the world trip....which it very well might as it is on the other side of the planet. The people on that ship must be hurling....airborne for more than 24 hours.... The worst part is it will probably take all day to refuel it.
The Firestorm is almost done, I just need some plasma cannons to arm the beast. Psi-Amp finishes, which is sweet. It will still be 20 days until the lab is done, though. But still...plenty of time. I continue with research and production. Another Ethereal ship pops up. There will likely be a terror mission soon....not good. I haven't seen much more. My new Firestorm has no weapons, so I can't really shoot it down. It flies away soon enough, however.
Hmm, looks like they want to build a base next to my base...curse them! Once again, I can't really shoot it down. I'm not sure what their planning, though they do seem to be scoping out Nigeria for some real estate. Troubling indeed. Nigeria and it's 38,000 dollars may drop out of X-COM!(ok, it's giving 248,000) Eventually it lands, and the Skyranger sets out to catch it.
It does, and it's a night mission. Luckily, everyone gets plasma. Also lucky, it's jungle, so lots of cover and little houses. Or at least that's my take on it. Early on, Taya takes a very nice shot from atop the Skyranger. Courtney kills another near the Skyranger. I use the motion scanners on the UFO I landed next to to see that there are 2 aliens within. Or at least I think there are. Two Snakemen(or I'm assuming one might be a Snakewoman) are out on a romantic walk in the moonlight, when the armored column of soldiers ruins the evening by tearing the foliage and the romancers apart.
Kim walks into the UFO, seeing the Snakemen facing away. Kim has honor, and doesn't kill from behind. He kneels down, so Jeff and Carly are able to finish the job. Certainly a good mission. Take that, you alien base builders!
A few days later, some Mutons show up. I've never fought with Mutons, but they should be tough. Very tough. Well, better now than never. I-1 chases it from USA, but tracking is lost. I-1 has unlimited fuel, though.... He's going to hang out over Japan for a time.
Laser cannon finishes. I'm going to build them for money making purposes. Ahh, crap. Ethereal terror. AHHH! This may very well hurt really bad. Really bad. but the terror ship vanishes, and I'm not sure where the UFO went. I-1 must have scared it away. But I'm sure it's only temporary. A supply ship arrives, and I attempt to attack it. I send out my Firestorm, just to test it out. It is very fast. And very fuel hungry. Not the best chase craft, I assume. But very fast. The Skyranger nearly makes it to South America by the time the UFO is seen soaring away in the other direction.
A small UFO is seen, heading for North Africa. Alien base again. Then a supply ship. But wait....
This is going to North Africa also. Ohhh, boy. I keep my eyes on them both, and...well, another base is very likely. But where is it... What are they doing? The quad of craft circle the Sahara, like a bunch of confused kindergartners playing ring around the rosie. I still haven't found the base...odd. The small craft sets down, battleship lands also, then the supply ship. Well, the Skyranger has been on it's tail for a couple hours. Let's do this.
Had to wait until night time, blast it. The Skyranger landed behind the UFO. Ahh, we're dealing with Snakemen, not wimpy Sectoids...Hopefully all my training will be worth something. But wait! I forgot to tell you who is on this mission! Well, I'll try to remember for the record, I'm certain everyone did something useful in the battle.
I start off moving out the tank. I move my fliers up to the top of the UFO, hoping on a risky plan. I move the rest out on the ground. The UFO is to the south east. That pilot is getting really good at landing on top of these UFOs. Anyway, I don't see anything after some slight scouting. Somehow I can see the aliens inside the ship though, which is odd. Using my X-ray vision and such.
My plasma tank takes a hit as it drops low in the canopy to spot out the ground. Curse those snakes. Courtney F. hits it, but it just faints. Howard finds another one on the east, but I can't hit it from far away. Hopefully Howard's underbelly can stay strong. Jacque and BriAnne are skirting the northern edge, as Zen plans to plant his heavy explosive.
The snake doesn't shoot, and Courtney is able to kill it. It looks like the outside is clear, so I've gotta start the storming process. Zen's explosive is down, so I'm just waiting for the boom. After a few more turns and another placed explosive, the UFO is unscathed. Bah! I guess we're doing this the hard way.
The scanners are showing motion in the back corners, at least on the left side. I have no idea what floor it is on either, but there should be close to 13 more aliens on board. I move the groups closer to the doors, hoping to get a scanner on the right side. I get one over there, and I don't see any motion. Doesn't mean anything, just a fact.
Either way, the time is now. Kim moves in, first entrance clear. There could be some in the engine room, though. Marie checks the other door, and Chelsea moves in on that side. I move in slowly, as it is fairly packed. I slowly advance around the corners...nothing.
Kim peeks in the engine room. Unlike last time, no explosives allowed. The grav lifts are still unclear though. I've gotta stand on them, as that prevents alien downward movement.
A Snakeman comes out, firing a stun bomb. However, holding one's hand over the muzzle of the weapon doesn't seem to be the best trick. He stuns himself, for which Katrina is very grateful. Courtney advances, seeing a Snakeman. She opens fire, but can't kill the creature. It fires back, missing both shots. Katrina kills it, and keeps moving, rounding the corner and seeing two Snakemen in the hallway!
Ok, there are a few options here. First, I could smoke on top of Katrina. That would hopefully protect her. Or, I could try to have Tyson shoot the aliens. I don't think I have the TUs for a grenade throw by anyone down the corridor where the aliens are, so I'm in a predicament. Smoke sounds good, especially if Zen or Kim throws it.
Using intricate fancy footwork, Kim primes a smoke, drops it, Zen picks it up, and throws it at Katrina. Tyson autos one snake, but he can't see the other. On the right side, Chelsea throws another smoke grenade. They explode, and a concealing and Frebreeze scented smoke fills the UFO. It works! No alien movement, or fire from anywhere. Katrina drops the other snake, then slowly advances to find two more snakes. Time for a grenade. One snake is directly over Katrina's head. So it might come down if she moves off of the grav lift. Tyson tosses the grenade in the snake pit, so hopefully this will all be over. (and the Elerium better still be there.) Though the smoke did go through the wall...it would be oh so annoying if the Elerium was gone though.
The outside alien wakes up, rushing into the ship. Howard takes a shot at it, but I don't really care as it has no weapons. Both snakes are crispified in the blast, and all Elerium is safe. Hurrah! Katrina autos the alien above her, and reveals two more up there waiting. Well, since they hopefully won't shoot down grav lifts.... Chelsea and Marie all move up their lift, and wait for a pincer attack.
Katrina tosses the grenade up the lift, and it kills another member of the slithery race. The wandering snake takes a laser to the hip, as Courtney finishes what she started earlier. At the top of the lift, Katrina and Kim move out. Kim flanks north, not seeing anything. Katrina walks directly into an oncoming snake. She slays it, but finds another behind it. She hits it with one shot, but the snake lives. Tyson can't hit, because Katrina is in the way! Ok, think fast...
Ok, the stun bomb on the lower levels. Courtney loads it, Zen picks it up and tosses it to Tyson, Tyson shoots between Katrina's legs, and the snake falls asleep. (I reloaded the game to count out time units. But I vote that because of how awesomely classy and resourceful it is, it doesn't count as cheating in this case) That was close. Marie moves through a shot out wall, and drops another snake in the process.
A note pops up, declaring that the Snakeman Navigator has panicked. Can't blame the fellow, after that display. Zen and Jacque both use their scanners. Zen picks up one bit of motion, in the control room. Jacque, Mary, and Marie head up to the third floor. So far I count 14 kills by the team. Give or take one kill.
Mary moves in, killing one snake. 'Snakeman Leader has panicked.' Ha. I continue on, heading for the command center. A snake pops out. I hear what I think is a reaction shot, then a horrible throw ends the alien's life by his own grenade.
Excellent mission. See the stats? Yes, excellent indeed, with very sneaky tactics and smoke grenade throws. The smoke grenades worked excellently. MVP to Katrina, for not only killing but barely surviving, thanks to team mates. I find an alien base. Though I dislike how it is called, Alien base four. I thought there were only two....
That supply ship was loaded, with Elerium and heavy plasmas. I'm thinking of hitting the other one before it leaves. Might be a great investment. I decide to do so, and launch another attack on the second supply ship.
But not in this post! Too bad, you'll have to wait until next time! And I promise no cheating. The only time I reload a game so it ends in a different condition is when the comp crashes. That is sometimes a good thing. Now, a sneak peek:
This time it is daylight, in the desert, with no cover. Good luck, Kevin! (and Natalie, Hannah, Kristen, Kaitlyn, Reggie, Kim, Hillary, Brianna, and Cami) Right off, Howard takes a beating finding two snakes. Kevin and Natalie dispose of the duo, and Howard continues his scouting.....
More to come!
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