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Post by Thenlar on Apr 14, 2015 19:48:55 GMT -5
Use this thread for RP posts that involve only your character (and NPCs). Journal entries and such will also go here.
3rd party scenes (EXALT vignettes, etc) go here as well.
In-character posts ONLY!
Please include your character name at the top of the post if it's not in your signature or profile.
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Post by Serena Mc'Ivor on Apr 14, 2015 22:59:38 GMT -5
The day had come. Serena headed into the lab complex, and sure enough it was busy as all get out. Nearly every scientist in the labs had been pooled into the newly constructed Psi-Labs and nearly all of them were working their butts off. Doctors were at the ready, neurosurgeons were going over the procedure, technicians were double, triple, and quadruple checking all of the equipment. And in the middle of it all was Doctor Vahlen herself, her eyes scanning over every inch of the upcoming procedure.
"Morning Tech Sergeant Mc'Ivor," A familiar peppy, Australian voice piped up.
Serena looked around to see TSGT Averill step in by her side, like her already sporting a clean shaven head, though that didn't seem to impair her cheerfulness.
"Tech Sergeant Averill," Serena nodded. "Don't tell me you signed up for this nonsense as well."
"Sure did," Averill chimed. "Would have liked to have kept my lovely locks but you can't win them all i guess, and how about them side effects huh?"
Serena raised an eyebrow at Averill's chipper atitude, something about it seemed off to her. "Are you nervous Averill?"
"Fucking terrified mate," Averill replied. "But hey we all knew we'd be putting our lives on the line in the defence of Earth, i guess when it comes down to it the difference between dying on the battlefield and in a test tube is negligible."
Serena nodded, looking behind them as the third candidate stepped up beside them, Aran Rekani of Bravo squad. Serena felt a distinct pang; the poor woman looked terrible. She looked like she was perpetually pissed off, face bent into a constant frown, eyes empty, staring straight ahead. By now everyone had heard of Bravo's disastrous mission on the collapsing dam, it was a wonder even the survivors were still standing, let along subjecting themselves to experimental research.
"Ah Rekani, Averill and Mc'Ivor," Doctor Vahlan stated, heading over to greet the candidates."We're just finishing up the final calibrations of the machine, we've provided a enclosed area and screens for you to disrobe before entering the tanks."
"Uhh... dis-disrobe?" Averill asked. "You took our hair now you want the rest of our clothing?"
"I apologise for the discomfort, but understand we're turning every cell in your body into a neuron, the transmission between your skin and the Catalytic fluid needs to be as seamless as possible and we want to cut down as many variables as possible, having synthetic fibres in a tank of electrical currents of varying amperage was one of our first concerns."
"Makes sense," Serena shrugged. "We're all adults here."
"Doctor!" One of the other scientists called out. "Final safety checks complete, we're good to go."
"Thank you doctor," Vahlan replied before ushering the subjects into their change rooms.
It wasn't long before Serena and the other subjects were guided in hospital gowns to their separate Psion tanks. Serena quickly looked over the machine. It didn't help that it looked like a giant metal coffin, extra components in place for their arms, with notable impressions for the mechanical restraints.
"What's with the ankle chains?" She heard Averill ask.
"We're going to be stimulating your nervous system with electrodes," Vahlen explained. "The sedative should prevent muscle contractions, but just in case you need to be restrained to prevent muscle damage or displacement of the fluid."
"Wow, it's like it's designed to be as uncomfortable as possible," Averill chuckled nervously.
"You're not backing out on us are you Averill?" Serena asked with a slight laugh.
"Not a chance," Nikole replied defiantly.
Serena smiled, she was kind of glad Nikole was here, this whole mess would have been a lot more stressful if she didn't have her usual bountiful optimism on hand. There was a loud clunk as Rekani was set in place in her tube, Serena removing her hospital gown and stepping into her own machine, setting her arms in place as one of the nurses promptly fastened the restraints around her wrists and elbows. Serena set her head back into the head rest, breathing deeply to calm her nerves. The last part of the procedure was simple, the technician inserted a small IV syringe into her arm, connected to a tube that would no doubt apply the sedative and keep her fed during the long time in the tank.
"Isn't there supposed to be some kind of mask?" Serena asked nervously.
"The Neuro-Catalytic fluid is oxygenated, it's important that you inhale it into your lungs, don't try to hold your breath." The technician explained. "It'll feel a bit strange, but it's the only way to prevent rapid pressure changes during the training from putting undue pressure on your respiratory system."
"Oh," Serena replied. "Goody."
The Technican nodded, stepping back once he was finished. "Okay Doctor we're all good to go here."
Vahlen nodded, repeating the action directly to some other technicians. With the depression of a few buttons, the Tubes started whirring as the doors slid into place. Serena leaned back, trying to get somewhat comfortable as the light faded, the door sealing completely. Everything was dark, the tanks were completely light and sound proofed. It was a strange experience, being completely deprived from any outside sound or sight, she could only hear her own breath, the sound of her skin against the shackles, and the mute beating of her admittedly frightened heart.
"All tubes are sealed, monitoring systems online, vital signs are green across the board, heartrate on Averill and Mc'Ivor a little above normal."
"That's to be expected," Vahlan replied. "Fill the tanks."
Serena heard a sharp 'click' from the bottom of the tank and a cold rush ran over her toes. She angled her head down but couldn't see a thing. She could feel it though, each skin cell shiver as the tank filled with fluid from the base up, slowly immersing her. It passed her waist and she could now practically hear her heart thumping.
"Shit," She muttered to herself, closing her eyes as she tried not to panic.
She knew the science, she knew if anything went wrong she'd be out of here in a fraction of a second, back to her comfortable room. Despite that it was surprisingly extremely hard not to panic, the feeling of being restrained, unable to move, stark naked with no sense of sight and only the sound of your heartbeat as the small claustrophobic compartment slowly filled with cold fluid. She felt bad for the others, kind of relieved that Saunders wasn't able to be accepted for the procedure. It was something she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. The fluid passed her chest, lapping around her armpits as she was agonizingly submerged up to her neck, the fluid rising still. It had reached her chin and she was almost worn out from the stress, the procedure was terrifying.
"Mc'Ivor's heartrate is climbing, could be a danger."
"Should we start the sedative?"
"No," Doctor Vahlen replied. "They have to breath the fluid into their lungs, that may not be possible unconcious."
The fluid continued rising and Serena instinctively tilted her head back to keep it out of the fluid, she was shaking in her shackles, writhing uncomfortably. Thoughts started racing through her mind. No, no she couldn't do this. She started to panic, was there a panic button? Could they hear her even if she called out?
No.
No she had to do this.
There were people in this unit putting their lives on the line every day for this project. Some had already given everything. Yes she was scared, but if she emerged out the other side everything the Doctor's hoped she'd be, then they'd be one step closer to stopping the aliens once and for all.
The fluid reached her bottom lip and she sighed, dropping her head back down before she breathed the fluid in. She coughed, the feeling almost instinctively producing a reflex, but the fluid continued to steadily rise and the fluid rushed into her lungs, raising past her eyes until she was completely submerged. She coughed a few more times until the last pockets of air had left her lungs, she opened her eyes again, though still unable to see, it calmed her slightly that she could, now able to breath through the fluid.
"Submersion complete, BPM dropping to normal levels on all subjects."
Doctor Vahlan sighed, they'd gotten over the hard part of the procedure, now it was all on the science team to step in and do their jobs. "Administer the sedative."
Serena leant back in her tank, she'd done it. She'd come close to panicking, she'd wanted to badly to get out of there no matter what, but she'd gotten over the hump and everything seemed normal again. It felt weird breathing through the fluid, but her body was quickly adjusting to it. She felt a cold rush in her arm, beneath the skin, her vein twitching slightly. That must have been the sedative. The hard part was over, now she had a long sleep ahead of her. She relaxed, gently closing her eyes as the rest of her senses faded to nothing.
"BPM steady across the board."
"Neurological readings green, patient's entering REM sleep in ten seconds."
"Sedative complete."
"Electrodes charged and ready to go on your signal doctor."
Doctor Vahlen looked over the three tanks, adjusting the pen in her pocket as she personally looked over every last readout so she could be absolutely sure they were good to go.
"Okay," Vahlen nodded at last. "Start the training."
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Post by Serena Mc'Ivor on Apr 15, 2015 6:49:54 GMT -5
8/3/2015
Operation Fallen Jester.
Specialist Penborough had been quiet ever since Operation Deluge, with his team, his Section Commander, and even his remaining Blackthorn associates. Muywan's death he'd seemed to have taken in his stride, they were friends but they all knew there was going to be casualties. Carolyn on the other hand... Carolyn was the third longest serving of the chosen Blackthorn Mercs, behind Lau who'd been with the organisation most his life, and Penborough himself. He'd have punched Shepherd's head clean off his shoulders if it'd been still attached in the first place.
"CONTACT! MUTONS!"
Penborough snapped up, letting off a barrage of overwatch fire at the approaching aliens. They quickly scrambled to cover, hunkering down against the elevated XCOM soldiers. A grenade clattered along the ground near them, sailing down from Oscar's position. A loud boom signalled the detonation as the fireball ripped through their cover, exposing the furious beasts to the squad. Alistair saw them in the open and his mind clicked as he rose from his position. One peeped it's head out from cover, already wounded by the overwatch. Alistair's scanning eye locked on and he squeezed the trigger, the Muton's head snapping back as it's brain was blasted as ash from it's skull. The second barely got off an angered roar before Alistair snapped it's aim to it as well and filled it's throat with laser fire. He calmly lowered his rifle as the others stepped up to the mark, Solovyova hammering it with laser fire before it was disabled and captured. Alistair calmly reloaded before the area was punctuated with the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps. His eyes scanned to the source, coming from within the adjacent buiding.
"CONTACT LEFT. MECHTOID!"
Alistair felt his blood boil just at the mention. He'd seen the tapes, he'd sat there helpless and watched one of these things run down and murder one of his closest comrades.
"Get out of there Fysh! Everyone else provide cover, let it come to us!" Oscar ordered.
Penborough paces along his wall, shouldering his weapon as he set the sights between the entrances, prosthetic arm keeping the rifle unnaturally steady, ready to snap to wherever the beast emerged. Unfortunately it didn't a Sectoid scrambled out, followed by a Thin man, both putting out ineffective return fire.
"Visual on the Mechtoid, it's holding down inside the observatory, damn thing is shielded!" Crawley reported.
"Alright, fall back until we can isolate the merger, right wing, how are we doing?"
"We;re reading a Sectoid and a Thin ma-." Lamarche stated calmly, his report cut short by the sound of Powerful laser fire. "Correction, a Sectoid out the front."
Penborough couldn't see the Sectoid, but he watched calmly as Oscar dropped down off the roof, flashes of red lighting up the rear of the truck following by the sizzling shriek of a burning Sectoid. Alistair kept his weapon trained, Lau moving around to support them as Crawley rushed around the building, rejoining Oscar as they set up defensive positions. They hunkered down for a while, all eyes and sights trained on the building as they followed the droning mechanical footsteps before suddenly...
Silence.
Penborough frowned before the call from Oscar confirmed his suspicions.
"Damn thing is hunkered down in the building, we're going to have to dig it out," He stated. "Let's take it nice and slow, scouts and heavy hitters up the front, i want a visual first and a quick, effective response second."
The squad quickly pushed up to the entrances up, though their approach slowed to a cautious bound once they closed the gap. They took positions at the doorways, eyes scanning for movement when.
"Contact." Fysh whispered over the radio. "Have a visual on the merger behind the left pillar."
"Affirmative, fire in the hole." Oscar replied.
The grenade clattered in, rolling up behind the Sectoid and blowing it to shreds. the rest of the team moved into position when the footsteps returned. It had clearly heard the blast, and was not too happy about the results. It rushed into the room, barely fitting through the door as it thundered into the center of the room, standing a full two men tall as it scanned around for movement, Plasma cannons hissing angrily as they warmed up.
"Oh my," Lau noted, adjusting his glasses as he took in the scope of the enemy.
"Admire it later Lau, FYSH we need a window!" Oscar ordered.
Fysh nodded, sprinting thorough the room. The Mechtoid immedieately locked on, Plasma cannons brought to bear as they spat superheated gas through the air. Fysh ducked under the barrage, Penborough outside ducking as the wall literally exploded from within in a hail of shattered brick and green fire. The room filled with the sound of laser fire, the entire squad bringing their full force down on the hulking machine. It staggered back from the force as the lasers melted through it's chest, collapsing slightly as one of Lau's grenades tore though it's leg servos. A final laser rifle shot from Crawley knocked the thing back. it was barely functional, a smoking burning wreck of twisted metal and alien flesh. But somehow it yet lived, trying to regain it's footing as Alistair lined it up in his sights. In it's final moment he could have sworn it turned to look at him, it's large alien eyes filled with unknown feelings, or perhaps none at all. Alistair didn't even know if the aliens understood the concept of fear.
But he did know one thing, as his finger snapped to the trigger. After all these aliens had inflicted upon humanity, by the time they were done with them.
They were going to learn.
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Post by Random Commander on Apr 15, 2015 10:12:55 GMT -5
And so it begins.
The lift elevator dinged and the room to the Genetics lab showed itself. Tom stepped out, followed by his cousin and a few other scientists. Lucy followed alongside Tom and went through a few changes with him.
"Right, so due to the timing of your squads, you are not in fact going to be here for a week, but about 3 days. That means you are only getting one gene mod."
Tom tilted his head to the side, "which one?"
"The pupils. Macrophages would take a little longer than the pupils, as engineering would have to make a few modifications to the vest, but..."
"Wait, vest?"
"Yeah, a specialized vest that circulates the Meld we're going to put in you. It's modular, so we can put, like, any type of armor on it. Be it plain body armor or that Phalanx armor you guys have been talking about in Ops."
"Oh, nifty!"
"Which reminds me..." Lucy put her hands behind her back and looked up as if she had done something wrong: "You're going to have to take your clothes off so we can graft that vest on you."
"That..." Tom had a worried look on his face. It's not so much going nude for surgery that bothered him, but Lucy's word choice for how they would put the vest on him. "...'Graft!?'"
"We can't direct the Meld just by body heat alone, can we?" Lucy chuckled. "It may not be as risky, but it's not as effective, either! We have to surgically attach the vest onto your torso, so it would make room for the liters of Meld we're going to pump into you."
Tom nearly jumped at that. "Both procedures sound really painful! Are you sure it's going to be safe!?"
"One, the Meld in the tanks will be designed to ease any pain you may have felt in the surgeries to come, and Two, Major Adler is already in, and as of now..." She turns to a scientist looking at Adler's vitals, and he gives the O.K. hand signal. "...He feels just fine."
Lucy clears her throat and continues, "The vest is designed to ease the flow of traffic between Meld and Blood vessels, so the Meld doesn't go through your arteries, causing unessecary aches and pains like they did with my genetic testing back in Exalt. It will most definitely hurt when being surgically put on, but you will get used to it over time, including while in stasis. When you're out of the tank, you won't feel a thing, I promise."
Tom stood with a blank expression for a moment, unsure how to react to this flurry of information. Eventually he shrugged, accepting the fact that it will all work out. "I can't help but feel extremely nervous about this entire procedure though. Even more so about the people in psionics..."
Lucy had a somber look on her face. "Uh... Tom? I have some bad news..."
Nervousness turned to dread as Tom already guessed what Lucy was going to say. "Oh no. Don't tell me..."
Lucy shook her head. "I heard that Serena's heart rate increased exponentially throughout the procedure, up until the point that..."
"She didn't...!"
"I'm sorry Tommy" Lucy said, "but she eventually stabilized so you're not allowed to cry."
"I..." Tom stood dumbstruck for a moment, wondering what the fuck happened. A few seconds later he doubled over and laughed in a miniature fit of hysteria. Lucy chuckled with him.
"Gotcha good, didn't I?"
"Don't do that!" Tom playfully scolded, "I could've had a heart attack right then and there!"
Lucy smiled wide, "At least you are no longer nervous about the procedure, yes?"
"Actually.... yeah, you're right! How did that happen?"
"It's a technique I learned from a soldier named Winfrey." ((Coming to a closed RP session near you!))
Tom thought for a moment. "The one who pulled a Zinchenko in lieu of Zinchenko?"
"That's the one!"
"That's a neat trick, can you do it again?"
Lucy giggled and said nothing, as if the answer was blatantly obvious.
"So what's it gonna look like when I'm in stasis?"
Lucy gestured to the rotating septic tanks, "A little like this."
Tom looked and saw Adler suspended in a tank full of brownish-orange liquid. There were pumps portruding from a heavily modified Tac-vest and electrodes connected to certain places that were not the vest. His arms were exposed, and a slightly bit buffer than usual, and he was not wearing a mask.
Tom was confused at this development. "Uh... shouldn't Adler be wearing a mask?"
"No." Lucy stated bluntly, then explained: "The substance in those tanks are oxygenated, it is actually safe to literally breath in this fluid. It also allows for the Meld to soak in properly and connect themselves to every cell in your body and modify your DNA according to a pattern set inside the vest. Of course, some modifications require extensive modifications to the vest as well - for example, Adler has chosen to take Depth perception AND muscle-fiber density, so we had to install a protein supplement agent into the vest and made it run nonstop to keep the muscles from deteriorating. Both eye modifications do not require any add-ons to the vest, thankfully."
"That's a lot to take in" Tom admitted.
"Indeed. You should probably get started. Changing room is that-a-way."
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The procedure could only be described as brutal. Since Tom was getting only one gene mod, and it did not require any modifications to his vest, he didn't need to be sedated. Breathing through an oxygen mask while doctors rip open your chest to put a network of smaller tubes inside is really uncomfortable! They took special care around his plasma burn, that much he could thank them for. What he would cuss them out for, however, were the uncomfortable contacts that were permanently welded onto his eyes via laser surgery.
Tom could only take comfort in the fact that A) Serena survived her initial exposure to the psionic substances, B) Adler seems to be doing fine in his own septic tank, and C) Fisher had been through a lot worse than what Tom had to go through just then. Now comes the part where he finally gets to rest. In the weirdest way possible.
He found himself standing in an empty Septic tank. The doctors had just finished hooking up the many tubes into the central Meld dispenser admist the center of all the Septic tanks. They stepped out and the tank closed Tom in. He was also hooked up to many electrodes around his arms and head and there was an IV on his arm, the machine it was connected to was located behind him, where there was a hidden mass of electronics and computations which would show Tom's vital signs and such to the scientists. Tom took one last look at his cousin Lucy before smiling nervously and giving her the thumbs up sign.
Lucy nodded back and turned to the men behind the controls. "Submerge him."
The fluid seemed to fill up quick. Before he knew it, it was already up to his knees! Tom started to panic a little, but he remembered that he was not Lucy's first subject. Adler was. She knows what she is doing, and Tom willed himself to breathe normally. As the fluid got up to his chest, he could feel himself being lifted by the bouyancy of the water, Meld and whatever else solution he was in. He took a deep breath and held it as the liquid went over his lips, past his nose, across his eyes and eventually fully covered him. He exhaled from his nose, bubbles of air escaping from it and going upwards, out of Tom's view. The liquid was oxygenated, so Lucy claimed, and therefore he should THEORETICALLY be able to breathe normally, despite being submerged in this cesspool of whatever.
Lucy stared at her submerged cousin. "Come on you bastard, breathe it in already!"
Tom took a sharp, quick breath in, and then started coughing in reaction. He had trouble breathing for a moment, but he quickly got used to it. Might as well pretend I'm a fish at this point, good lord!
Lucy smiled and turned once more to the men at the controls. "Everything's okay!" one of them said.
"Alright boys, time to sedate him and begin the procedure."
Tom felt a sudden surge in his arm, and it just as suddenly went cold with numbness. Now is the time to rest, it seems.
He turned to the shadowy, wavy figure that should represent Lucy and did a two finger salute, before relaxing and falling into a three-day slumber.
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Post by Ziv Adler on Apr 15, 2015 12:13:27 GMT -5
Ziv Adler Personal Log 21:00 August 2, 2015
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I have time for one more journal entry before my genetic modification procedure tomorrow morning. I've been reading up on the process, and it sounds as though it was specifically designed to be unpleasant. First I will be surgically implanted with a vest to more effectively distribute the Meld around my body, then I will be submerged naked in a tank of oxygenated fluid. I will then stay there sedated for several days while the Meld modifies my genome. I imagine that this would turn most people off, but we are not most people. I came here to to stop the aliens, and I will sacrifice whatever I have to to achieve that.
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run SUB-TEXT_embedded_message_decryption extracting [||||||||||] done decrypting [||||||||||] done
I finally found Fisher's Mossad dossier. Turns out his real name is Michel Hunter, and he's former MI6. He left after he accidentally shot Swarsh, and got involved with Exalt soon after. Still no details on his work for them though. I'll have to see what the Mossad has on Exalt next.
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Post by Blacknife on Apr 15, 2015 12:38:20 GMT -5
Fisher
He strutted back and forth of his cell, still having MELD run through his blood and thought about how long he is going to be stuck in here. His leather shoes tapped along the floor making a slight echo in the small room, his clothes were the usual black suit which was very creased he had it unbuttoned all the way down along with the white shirt underneath with a very loose tie around his neck, his glasses lead on the very end of his nose and they had a crack in the left lens. His orange eyes looked at his door and then flicked at his camera and stared into the black eye of the device, he looked at it for a couple of seconds before breaking the stare and moving to the back of his room and stood face first against the white wall.
He lifted his right hand up and pointed his index at the wall before pushing it against the wall making a horrible screeching sound, his hand moved up and down the wall in small movements before he cracked a small smile and the movements got faster. The camera only saw a captive moving his arm around whilst his body blocked it from view, after a minute of horrific scratching and screeching Fisher stepped back and gave a small nod at the wall he turned around and shuffled sideways and opened his arms to the side of him directing the view to the wall which was white with very dark and deep scratches into the wall reading,
Let me out I don't bite Commander
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Post by Blacknife on Apr 21, 2015 11:45:01 GMT -5
To: XCOM commander From: Michel Hunter Subject:Letting me out
Dear Commander, I am sure of all the people in the world you have to be the busiest person due to all the work you have to do on the Xcom headquarters, but I would like to request the release of me (and maybe Giles) from your cells as I find that our talents are being wasted in captivity like for example I am a very good lab rat for all of Lucy's experiments and I think that you would rather have it be me than one of your soldiers. I'm not sure of Giles' skill set but I could only hazard a guess that he would be useful, and if not I'll just break his neck.
(P.S. Is any Hypermuscularsectoidfluids or 'Slyph' about?)
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Post by medievalman on Apr 21, 2015 13:00:17 GMT -5
Ivan Dogovich:
Ivan stared intently at the screen of his Xpad, scrolling through the options for gene modification. It was amazing what the researchers came up with in the labs. Having the ability to mimic the near impossible feats that the aliens were capable of doing was truly amazing. All because of that strange orange material they’ve been collecting. Who would have thought those alien tin cans were so valuable?
He studied each entry, careful to analyze every detail. With each passing second, Ivan grew more and more excited. Tom and Ziv were already in the tubes getting their gene mods. Despite the process involved, their surgery was going better than expected, even if they would have to wear a second skin to keep their mods running. The thought of improving even his aging bones was an inviting prospect, a way to feel like that young Spetsnaz operative all over again. Ivan leaned back in his chair and smiled, thinking back to the good old days. The days before these alien monsters, and the cruel mind powers and the…
A knock resonated from the door to his room. Ivan snapped out of his daydreaming and sat up in his chair. “Yes?”
A blonde haired woman poked her head in. “Sir?”
“Ah, Winters. Come in, come in,” Ivan said, motioning her to enter. “What brings you here?”
Sarah entered the room and stood in front of Ivan’s desk. She stood uncomfortably straight and looked ahead at attention. She then took a deep breath. “Sir, I wish to volunteer for psionic training, sir.”
Ivan studied Sarah for a moment. “Psionic training…” He paused for a moment, stroking his chin. “Might I ask what motivates this?”
“To become more effective in the field against the alien threat, sir. The mind has proved to be an effective weapon for the aliens and will prove valuable to the squad as a whole, s-sir,” she replied, shifting in place.
Ivan sat up from his chair and paced around his desk. His face grew stern, his eyes not leaving Sarah’s face. Sarah would steal a glance at Ivan before returning to her attentive stance. Ivan stood in front of her, leaning against his desk and folding his arms. “It’s a great risk. We don’t really know how these mind powers will affect us or what it would do to us.”
Sarah tensed up. “I… I am prepared for that.”
“Are you?” Ivan asked his face growing more stern. “Once you have them, there is no going back. It could make you more sensitive to the alien mind attacks and who knows what long term effects they will have on your mind, or your body. These powers will forever change your life. And if something goes wrong...”
Ivan narrowed his eyes. “Do you really think this is worth the risk?”
Sarah opened her mouth to say something, but words failed to escape her. “Ivan… I… I just...” she stammered.
Finally, she sighed. “I don’t want anyone else to die.”
Ivan watched on as Sarah cleared her throat. “Bravo was one of our best squads, and half of them died during the mission. The aliens swarmed them with everything they had. Aran and Naomi couldn’t… c-couldn’t do anything to help them. Even when they tried, they…”
Sarah paused for a moment and collected herself. “I saw what the Sectoids were able to do with those… machines. They protected them with their minds, shielding them. If I could do the same, o-or something, anything else! I...”
She lifted up her hands and looked into them. “I can use these hands to help keep my comrades healthy, but they can only do so much. It just isn’t enough. They couldn’t save Roland. Aran and Naomi couldn’t save Bravo either.”
Sarah’s eyes met with Ivan’s, a stern look on her face. “I never want that to happen to Charlie. If this power can help prevent that, I would take it in a heartbeat. I would do anything to protect my squadmates, both body and mind.”
Ivan looked right into her eyes. “It means that much to you?”
Sarah looked down at her feet. “They are like my... family, sir.”
For a moment, the two stood in silence. Then Ivan smiled. “Very good, Sarah.”
Sarah’s eyes lit up. “You mean…?”
Ivan nodded. “I will process your application for psionic training.”
Sarah leapt forward and hugged her CO tightly. “Thankyou thankyou thankyou!”
Ivan, surprised at first, returned the gesture. “Yes, erm, very good.”
“I promise, I won’t let you down, sir!” Sarah exclaimed as she released her grip.
“I know you won’t, Sarah.” He gave her a salute. “Dismissed.”
Sarah returned the salute and left Ivan’s room with a spring in her step. Ivan chuckled to himself and returned to his seat, pulling up his Xpad. He opened up his e-mailing program and started to type out a request. He stopped for a moment and brought the screen closer to his face, before frowning and deleting a misspelled word here and there. He blinked and rubbed his eyes.
Maybe some enhanced pupils would help out here? he pondered.
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Post by Jchizz on Apr 21, 2015 22:32:01 GMT -5
To: XCOM Command, MAJ JWu cc: MAJ ZAdler, CPT IDogovich, LT SdeKorte, LT OOscar, Group: Bravo Squad 11:24AM, 8/5/15 From: LT TOvdat Subject: Squad Recruitment
Command,
As I'm sure you are aware of, I am currently bedridden and recovering from my injuries. Due to a surplus of time, I began reviewing the files of potential additions to Bravo squad as soon as my dosage of pain killers allowed. After giving it much consideration, I have decided that I would like to request that Specialist Victoria Mikelsen be transferred from Delta squad over to Bravo squad. In addition, I would like to request that Priyankh Vyas and Hua Ling be recruited as Rocketeer and and Scout designations, respectively.
In response to your suggestion regarding Annette Durand, I think it is best for squad morale and cohesiveness that she not become a member of Bravo squad. My concern is that some surviving members of the squad may have misgivings about the sacrifices made for a single woman who evidently lacks combat experience, and assigning her to Bravo squad may result in more conflict than her apparent abilities are worth.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Lieutenent Talia Ovdat
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Talia sighs and shuffles back beneath the blanket of her infirmary bed, closing her eyes and relaxing. "... For fucks sake."
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Post by Random Commander on Apr 22, 2015 8:04:37 GMT -5
Lancaster Refugee house Mail exchange August 4th, 2015
To: Ms. Amanda Winfrey From: Former SSgt Rebecca Winfrey
Mum,
For the first time in a while I feel right terrified. A lot has happened since my debut in this fascinating military organization, I am so sorry that I couldn't write to you sooner! My first mission went exceptionally well... for me anyway. I managed to down five of them in that first mission, which the veterans dubbed "pulling a Z" What was ironic was that Z was the soldier that had been KIA that mission. I'm not allowed to disclose the actual names of the soldiers here due to security reasons, but I'm sure they won't mind being reduced to just their first letters. When I first met "EZ" in the field, she was cold, calculating, and doubtful. About herself. I could tell. And I wish I could help, but we got flanked by one of those 'cyberdiscs' I was right worried about facing. Our heavy weapons specialist, CG, managed to kill it, but not before it killed Z. When I talked to G about it afterwards, he was really upset about it.
I was somewhat worried about our future endeavors, and that was further exacerbated with the Archangel's mission. My heroes, the people I look up to, all slaughtered. By Purple bloody cyborgs! Alien cyborgs! Not only are the Archangels practically ruined, but sooner or later I'm going to have to face these things. I dare not think of what will happen to me. Compared to these 'Mechs, as the soldiers call them, a Cyberdisc is just a big wanker.
But not all our missions went with a death in the family. The two rookie squads, Delta and Echo since they did not have any nicknames attached to them, went without a cinch. Echo faced another of those fearsome 'Mechs, but managed to take it down without having anyone killed. Delta faced off against a terrorist organization that sympathized for the aliens, but that's somewhat unrelated.
Are you worried about that UFO that crash-landed near your area? Don't worry, I'm sure the organization I'm in will send a squad to clear it out. Sadly, I'm not going to be in it, they are sending out a squad called the "Rat Patrol." I know bugger all about them, but I'm sure they perform expertly.
My squadmates are really interesting, and I care for each of them. Or at least try to. Our leader, Major A, is a mysteriously stoic character. I almost wanted to call him 'Major Stone,' as he barely has any facial expression other than focused. I fear he has had a troublesome backstory, so I am trying to release as little information about him as possible, because I fear a few people may be after him or something similar. What if this letter gets into the wrong hands?
Then there is the Assistant leader, SMI. I think she's Scottish, but she claims to be of English descent. Fair enough, Sampson is Welsh with Irish descent, right? Stone seems to think she is the more compassionate leader of my squad. She does seem to have that caring aura about her.
CG, the heavy weapons guy (He's not Russian as far as I can tell!) is strong and brutal. On the outside, anyway. He is softer than you think once you get to know him, he keens for his past squadmates. Before joining this squad, and of the three that the squad lost. Including Z. Poor guy.
There's MW, who is a Yank that participated in both Atlanta attacks before joining this organization. To tell the truth I kind of like the fellow, despite my innate dislike in having difficulty communicating with Americans in general. A cheeky little bastard, too. I guess that's just his style. I'm not sure whether to kiss him or punch him. He doesn't seem to be my type, but that COULD change. Not saying anything though, quiet you!
I have three that I have yet to meet, Dr. NA, LCPL TA and the new recruit we are getting, MR. Or maybe MER since she's... Spanish? World customs sure are queer.
I hope you're praying for me, I'll need it in the times to come.
~ RW ~
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Post by medievalman on Apr 24, 2015 20:06:53 GMT -5
Devlin MacGael:
“O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”
Devlin shifted in his suit of armor. He could swear there was a piece of metal jutting into his back as he walked into the hangar bay, but he just couldn’t get rid of it. The old police vests he used to wear were never this uncomfortable, they were tight sure, but never raking you constantly from behind. “Ack, better get used to it,” he said to himself. “After all, it is…” He looked down at his odd looking weapon, hissing out steam from what looked like the barrel. “...standard equipment.”
Devlin pressed a button or two on his laser rifle, watching the weapon’s part move and shift strangely. Each piece opened and closed as power shifted from one end of the weapon to the other. Then it powered down.
The battery mag fell to the floor.
“Shite.” Devlin said, as he scrambled to pick up the piping hot battery. He fiddled around with it, trying to force it back into the rifle. Finally, the rifle accepted the mag back.
Devlin shook his head and continued over to the large dropship aircraft, where a burly old man stood observing other troops ferry onboard. Judging from his looks, this was the man Devlin was looking for. “S’cuse me, sir?”
The grey haired man turned around and gave Devlin a smile. “Ah, you must be MacGael. Ivan Dogovich. Welcome to X-COM, soldier.” He stuck out his hand for Devlin, who took it into his own to return the gesture.
“Is this Charlie squad?” Devlin asked.
“The one and only,” Ivan replied proudly. “We’ll be heading out on mission soon. Crashed UFO in middle of city. Standard recovery, minimal resistance. Should be a simple one.”
A small tank rolled into the Skyranger behind Ivan. Devlin stared at it as it moved smoothly onto the ramp. “Packin’ some serious tech there, sir.”
“Da,” Ivan replied. “Including this.” He reached for the table beside him and grabbed an odd looking device. He handed it to Devlin. “I heard you used to be policeman.”
“Yea…” Devlin said, cautiously taking the device.
Ivan nodded. “Then you are familiar with tasers, yes? We need to take some of them alive for… questions. That will be your responsibility for this mission. Understood?”
Devlin thought way back to his officer days. He had used tasers then, wasn’t that hard. “Aye.”
Ivan put a hand on Devlin’s shoulder. “Very good, Devlin.” He turned to the rest of the team inside the Skyranger. “Alright, Rat Patrol. Let’s pack up and head out! Charlie strong!”
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“FRAG OUT”
The other new recruit, Ravenna, threw out a frag grenade toward a hulking green alien and his smaller alien friends. It bounced off the ground and expertly planted itself right at the beast’s feet. The resulting explosion rippled through the alien lines, causing them to groan in pain and death. Devlin looked over the railing of his position and watched the carnage below with glee.
The Muton brushed off a heap of rubble from his shoulder and started pounding his chest, roaring loudly at Ravenna. The trooper visibly shook and crouched low into her cover, shouting expletives and screaming for mercy. Then the Muton looked over at Devlin and drew a thick sausage finger across his neck.
Devlin blinked in amazement. He was barely hurt, hardly a scratch on him. Delvin brought his rifle up to fire and clicked down on the trigger.
Nothing.
The laser rifle powered down and an intense burning sensation poked into Devlin’s arm. He screamed in pain and crouched down low into his cover. Am I hit? What happened? What was that alien?
Devlin looked down at his rifle and noticed the half-ejected live battery mag. He stared at it, long and hard. His breathing became labored and heavy
“Devlin, you copy!? We are in a—”
“We’re gettin’ hosed out—”
“—can’t engage! Too many—”
“Fuck! I just— aagghrhhagg—”
“—status, over?! Devlin, do you copy, over?! Garuda—”
Devlin shut his eyes tight.
Deliver me, Oh Lord, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man, which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.
Plasma fire erupted all around his lowered head, spraying in all directions. Devlin sunk his head lower down the wall.
Keep me, Oh Lord from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the—
A sharp elbow to the ribs suddenly demanded Devlin’s attention. “Wake up!” Kelli barked as she swiftly slid in next to him. “You gotta keep a cool head, rookie!”
“I- b-but- ma rifle it—”
“Look, Devlin,” Kelli interrupted, bracing her rifle against the railing. “These fuckos, here? They die way too easy to be scared of em. They go down just… like…”
A brilliant beam of light speared it’s way from Kelli’s rifle, piercing straight through a Floater, killing it instantly. “...that.”
She turned to Devlin and gave him a smirk. “Not so scary when their brains are splattered all over the fucking floor.” She leaned over the railing and pointed at the Floater hiding behind a broken pillar. “Bring it on, fucker!”
Devlin watched as the Floater ducked back into his cover as Kelli beat her chest and drew a finger across her neck. The Muton behind it roared his last breath as another barrage of laser fire showered the aliens. The Floater fired wildly back, ducking down low.
Devlin’s radio sparked to life. “Private MacGael! Subdue that Floater!”
Devlin looked back at Kelli, who gave him a friendly punch to the arm. “Go get em!”
“Aye!” Devlin replied with a smile. “I’ll hae him down before ye know it!”
Devlin hopped down from his position and charged up to the suppressed Floater. Whipping out his arc thrower, he stepped out from behind the pillar and charged up his shot. The Floater stared in amazement, just like so many perps who had faced Devlin in the past. Devlin gave him a smirk. “Quit resistin’.”
With the pull of the trigger, a jolt of lightning erupted from the arc thrower right into the alien monster. The Floater twitched and jerked around before laying limp on the ground, paralyzed. He looked at the device in his hands and particularly at the battery life, which redlined at 0%. Devlin breathed a sigh of relief.
“Mission accomplished, nice work out there Charlie.”
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Post by Thenlar on Apr 25, 2015 14:49:54 GMT -5
Kelli Park
Battle Report, Operation Dark Breath
Man, this shit was a joke. Total milk run. One of the hotshots knocked down a UFO into a damn city in Norway and we went to go clean up.
Hearne and I were just like avenging fucking angels from beyond the clouds, raining down lasers on the cowering scum. She even picked off the Outsider before it even saw us.
Gotta say, though, the rookies are basically wimps. One muton starts yelling at them and they just start freaking the fuck out like the whole world's gonna end. I had to give the Scottish guy a jab in the ribs and blow a floater's head off to remind him that we are the fucking dangerous ones on this battlefield.
He did alright though. Got up nice and close and stunned another floater. We've got enough of those things to start a fucking zoo.
I've decided it's long past time for my strike rifle to have a name. Carved it onto the stock with my knife. I call her Vera.
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Post by Serena Mc'Ivor on Apr 25, 2015 20:57:30 GMT -5
-Inter Office Correspondence-
to: All Ops staff From: CAPT Adam Baker
Subject: Energy weapons
I just wanted to clear up some potential misconceptions regarding our prototype energy weapon systems, in particular our superfocused photon laser rifles or 'beam rifles'. Unlike conventional ballistic weapons these are not, one issue per soldier. We have a very finite supply, each laser weapon is shared and handled by a dozen different operators, we carefully keep each weapon up to perfect operational specifications with only minor adjustments to the targetting scopes to suit the eye of whichever soldier is using it on a particular mission. To sum up, you are not 'issued' a laser weapon, you merely 'borrow' the one, and sometimes literally the only one, we have from the armoury for that particular mission. Please keep in mind that other people may need to use the weapon you may be growing fond of. and that means DON'T CARVE THE RIFLES NAME INTO THE STOCK WITH A GOD DAMN K-BAR KNIFE!
Edit: I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A FIREFLY REFERENCE, DONT.
-CAPT Baker, OC XCOM Logistics.
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Post by Random Commander on Apr 25, 2015 21:26:16 GMT -5
Garth finished cleaning the laser strike rifle and put it back in the position it was in on the rack. He took a step back, admiring the well-placed structure of the laser weapon rack he assembled. His eyes drifted over the laser strike rifle, and he noticed the carving on the stock.
Vera...
Now Garth would admit that vandalizing the laser weapons just plain sets him off, but the life of an armourer is a boring one, and the near-constant berating from some of the more colorful Ops personnel does not help at all. This name gives the weapon a bit more flair to it, and Garth appreciates this simple little detail as one of the rare blessings in life. Even though Baker would probably chew him out just for thinking that.
Which reminds him, he took the laser sniper rifle and strike rifle out of its places and switched them, so that the sniper rifle pointed one way and the strike rifle pointed the other - showing the side of the stock without the engraving. That should be a bit better for inspection.
As Garth walked away he murmured to himself: "I thought it was kinda cute, anyway..."
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Post by Jchizz on Apr 27, 2015 2:17:26 GMT -5
Talia sighs and stares at the ceiling, something that is quickly becoming a common past time for her. Her mind drifts, long ago having gotten bored of actually focusing on anything in particular while in the infirmary. "I thought I'd get more visits... Aran came by to check in... for all of five minutes. That Michael guy came to meet me in person, but he left before long too. Other than that... just nurses and doctors." She signs. "I bet Ryan would have visited. Or Zhang... why haven't Daniel or Steven come?" She frowns, going from bored to deflated quite suddenly. "Too bad their medics... I would have liked them in my squad again."
Her mind jumps suddenly to a somewhat related topic. "Fuck. I need to pick a squad leader." She furrows her brow and thinks, turning her head a little. "Hm... not Aran... or Naomi or Bowman... none of them are really leaders. That girl Jessica, Victoria's sister, she has experience leading. But she's also new... I doubt she has much experience fighting aliens or working in small teams. Park, maybe? She's different than me, that could be good... but we don't need another Scout. Hm." Talia reaches for her X-Pad and opens up a roster of soldiers, scrolling through. Suddenly, she starts to sit up suddenly before wincing. "Oh-! Shit, ow." She lays back down gingerly, reading the name on the X-Pad before going to send an email. "I guess I can do some sort of interview... or something."
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To: SGT DRichardson 7:02PM, 8/8/15 From: LT TOvdat Subject: Come Visit Me!
Hi David,
I know we're hardly familiar with each other, let alone friends, but I would like you to come visit me in the infirmary if you could find the time. There is actually something I would like to discuss with you. Something important.
I'm also extremely bored.
See you soon!
LT Talia
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