X-COM (updated M-W-F)

[Elder-Basilisk]

Great story. It'll be interesting to see how many other nations eventually go over to the aliens.

Also, since this is x-com, my brother found an more modern open source x-com clone on the net: UFO: Alien Invasion. It cost me most of the sleep DunDraCon left me with, but it's pretty fun.

 

[Innocent Bystander]

Cool update LB. The whole thing with people leaving the country en mass was a really ingeneous touch that gives the campaign a very real world feel.

 

[Richard Rawen]

Strange to tell, France does indeed have nuclear weapons and submarines. The aliens pick their allies with care.

Aye, that was my point, France Does have nukes... and submarines capable of delivering them with First Strike speed...
Of course the USN would sink every froglog within 15 minutes of this announcement... and that's no joke - or jab against the French - the USN really is that good. Just ask the Ruskies and Chinese who don't leave their own waters without both a shadow and overt escort...
k, nuff flag wavin... no secret I bleed Blue
In game, all anti-Frano sentiments aside, it still seems a stretch for such a move... perhaps mind control?

 

[Sandain]

Its not really a stretch. In the X-COM universe The Aliens are so far more advanced than Humans its not even funny. They quite literally know the cure for cancer. Not to mention DNA enhancement for longer life, space travel, fusion technology, psychic ability, anti-grav etc.

Its like someone asking Julius Ceaser if he would be an ally if he was given automatic weapons, gunships, and tanks.

 

[Lazybones]

Thanks for the posts, everyone. The Alphas were interested in the geopolitical implications of France's betrayal as well, as we learn in today's post...

* * * * *

Interlude: Base Operations (July 24, 2008)

The talk in the common-room was grim.

"... think maybe she right, US got plenty to worry about," Vasily commented. "France over Atlantic, China over Pacific if Doc Ok speak it right. That two nuclear powers, two big members of UN Security Council."

He huffed, irritated. "I guess aliens taking great care over choosing allies in this one. It all feel... strategic."

Jane agreed, "Vasily is right on target here. Two nuclear powers is enough of a threat without us looking for a witchhunt. It proved disastrous with the internment camps in World War II and the tribunals of the McCarthy era. We need to focus on what allies we have remaining, not who we can further alienate next. We do whatever is necessary to survive this mess. I intend on keeping my appointment with Dr. Beauvois."

“Divide and conquer, classic tactics,” Catalina offered. “France capitulating is going to throw the whole of Europe into disarray. Trying to absorb refugees alone is going to strain the EU. Then there's the strike capability, China is a threat but the French have a large submarine based arsenal, some 200 missiles. According to my research, I think a French ICBM launched from, say, the coast of Brest could happily reach Washington DC."

The British agent shook her head. "The same sources estimate China only has about 20 ICBMs capable of targeting the US. The Chinese have been a threat for a while but France? I can't imagine the US ever considering them a true threat, but that's a factor of ten increase. This new front has to be making a few backsides twitchy." Catalina looked at the door. "If Drake is anything to go by, the US already has plans."

"Eh, people with rank usually can count," Vasily said dismissively. "Witchhunt may be bad, but this talk of 'clones'...? All we got is hope that aliens don't want to totally destroy planet."

He paused. "Better hope Pentagon feels same way too."

He paused again, longer this time. "So, ah... this 'reactor' idea? Probably pay for itself in time? They keep sending big UFOs at us, we fill stores back up."

The Russian rubbed his chin. "All count on Doc Ok, though." He looked at the British woman. "You talk to him. A bit. You see his stuff. What your opinion on this guy?"

Face creased a little in a thoughtful frown, Catalina looked up for a moment then focused back on the Russian. "He's a patriot, you know how it goes? One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. One man's dictator is another's political savior. It's more the direction that you look at someone from than the person themselves in some cases. He may have betrayed a trust, but he did it for a cause and for altruistic reasons." Catalina shook her head a little. "I don't know the man intimately, but I'd say no one could fail to see that Africa would be vulnerable here. If the French have made a treaty, how long before some power hungry African politician finds it a way to rule the continent? He's an intelligent man, he has to see that defeating the aliens takes priority now, and he'll be useful. So for me, I say let him out and use him."

"Besides, the reactor is just the first. You talk about strategy, but as far as I see there are two things we need to do." Catalina held up the forefinger on her left hand. "We need to know that if it all goes pearshaped, and someone starts throwing missiles, that we can keep on fighting. For that we need self-sufficiency and the reactor is a big part of that." She held up a second finger. "Our best chance of stopping a world war is to get the little bastards before it happens, and take the fight to them. Defense and sufficiency first, we need the reactor and the laser system badly, but after that we talk to the captive engineer and we get a ship that can take us to them."

Catalina looked at the two fingers and with a hard grin gestured. "Remember Agincourt, you sodding frog eaters. We still have our fingers!"

Jane nodded. “Sounds like your points are on target,” she said. She started to say something else, but was interrupted by the familiar ping of her xPhone. Frowning, she took it out and looked at the device; across from her, Catalina and Vasily were doing the same.

FROM: Special Agent Inise Drake
TO: Alpha Team Members
RE: Traitors

I know that we haven't always seen eye to eye in the past.

But the fact remains, that we cannot afford to be gentle with those that would betray humanity by their actions, whatever the motivation.

I understand that Grace has asked for the release of Doctor Steven Okwelume to help in her reactor project. While I appreciate the need for the reactor, and support the project, I do not think that her request is logical. I have repeatedly asked for Dr. Okwelume to be transferred to an American facility where he can be properly interrogated. He has information that may be of vital use in the War For Humanity and we must access that information to save lives. Garret is a good leader but naive; he balks at making the tough choices. With your support, I believe that he will accept the necessity of this step.

We're fighting for survival, here. I know that each of you understand this, better than most.

"What?" An exclamation followed by a profanity in some Mediterranean language burst from Catalina. "Guantanamo Bay all over again? Not a chance. No way will I see him handed over to the US for interrogation. I'll bet he'd end up in the nice little research laboratory where they are conducting that behind the scenes research for the Department of Homeland Security." She read on. "Nor do I like that ‘War for Humanity’ comment. Does anybody else have a twitchy feeling about this?"

“We could keep 24/7 guards on Doctor Ok while he's working,” Jane said, “and have people triple check his work to be sure he's not doing anything to sabotage the reactor. If that will suffice for Agent Drake for now, perhaps we can transfer him later when this project is done. We need him if we’re going to complete this project in a week's time.”

Vasily’s eyes lingered on his xPhone, narrowed and thoughtful.

"It is not a war for humanity?" he asked. "Then what is it?"

 

[Lazybones]

Session 16 (August 4, 2008)
Chapter 55

The cell had been situated on a little-used sublevel of the base, originally intended for maintenance access. As they descended a narrow staircase, Jane, James, and Vasily could see where cables had been hastily rigged to provide power. The followed the cabling to a door that was likewise new, warded by two alert guards. The guards were polite but thorough, verifying the IDs of the Alphas before letting them through. Beyond was a foyer where another guard kept watch, and to their surprise, they found Eleazar Perez there as well.

“What are you doing here?” James blurted.

“Thought I’d see the traitor for myself,” the Beta replied, his lips curling into a sneer. “What we should do, is take him up to 20,000 feet and push him out the door.”

“We don’t have the luxury of that at the moment, Eleazar,” Jane said.

“Well, you want to talk to him go right ahead, but I’m outta here,” Eleazar said. With a nod to the guard, who opened the door for him, the Beta left.

The Alphas shared a look. “Ready for this?” James asked. “Don’t let the bastard off easy.”

“Keep your distance, please,” the guard said, as they headed toward the interior door. “You can talk through the door, just don’t mess with it.”

They continued into a small chamber dominated by the cell holding the African scientist. The cell had been constructed out of armored glass, giving him no privacy. A cot, chair, sink, and a simple toilet were the only fixtures. A camera observed from high in a corner.

Doctor Okwelume rose slowly from his bunk, and came to the armored-glass door of his cell. He looked like he had aged a decade in just a few days. "I understand that you want my assistance on the reactor project," he said.

“That is what Beluca want,” Vasily said.

“And what is it that you want, Vasily?”

The Russian said nothing, his jaw tightening. “Doctor, what can you tell us?” James asked.

“I have shared everything that I know with your interrogators,” Okwelume said. “I am happy to dedicate my knowledge to X-COM; I bear no animus for this body, nor any love for the aliens.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” James said with a nod, “as the aliens appear to be trying to kill us all.”

“If you allow me to work on the project, I will submit to whatever security protocols you see fit to impose.”

“When we can get the okay, we’d like to begin,” Jane said.

“What did mister Perez want?” James asked.

Okwelume shrugged. “He wanted to know the motives for my actions. Or so he said; he did not seem pleased when I told him again what I told agent De Farrago, and the men who interrogated me.”

“Tell us again what happened,” James said. “I’d like to hear it from you.”

Okwelume sighed. “Very well. I worked with an outside agent. I believe he was Chinese, although I may be mistaken. He worked out the details of my data sharing… ah, my treason, that is.”

“Why did you work with the agent?” James asked.

“Two reasons. First, I believed… believe, that is, that the knowledge being researched here must be shared with all nations. Second, I arranged for investment to be channeled into the area of the Niger delta where I grew up. There is amazing poverty there.”

The African drew back and sat on the chair before continuing. “The delivery system was trivial to arrange. My contact provided the flash drives, and the recovery process. They kept their word. The hospitals, schools, refinery, and solar power station are already being built.”

“Well, it was a win-win then,” James said, a bit of an edge to his words.

“Who got the data?” Jane asked.

“The Israelis, Chinese, and Indians received the data directly; there may have been others. From what I understand, much of it is on the Internet now.”

Vasily looked down at the floor, and shook his head.

“I cannot apologize for what I did, but I will make it up to you, if you wish me to work on the reactor project. If you do not trust me enough, I understand.”

“So what we need from you is simple, and you seem to have agreed to it already, to work on the reactor,” Jane said.

“I will do what I can,” Okwelume said.

“We are concerned you would just repeat the exercise with the reactor project,” James pointed out. “And that would let the aliens know exactly what to expect.”

“And is not that simple,” Vasily added. “Americans want to take you into custody.”

“I understand.”

“What?” Vasily pressed. “What do you understand.”

“They want to… what is the expression… put the water on the board?”

The Alphas shared a look. “I understand that they wish to subject me to their usual methods,” Okwelume continued. ”I suppose that if I were in your situation, I would do the same.”

“They are vague, but the vagueness speaks volumes,” Jane said.

“And what do you think about that?” Vasily asked. “You okay with that?”

Okwelume laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “You think I am eager to undergo torture? I am not. But I knew there would be consequences when I took my actions.”

“Can you promise not to provide any more information outside of X-COM without authorization?” James asked.

“I will cooperate with whatever restrictions you deem necessary. I don’t imagine they’d let me access a computer with outside contact in any case.”

“That isn’t what I asked you, Doctor.”

“I am sorry. I cannot make that promise, Doctor Allen. I must act as my conscience directs.”

“Enjoy your trip, then,” James said, jerking back and turning away from the cell.

“Let me put it to you like this,” Vasily said. “France already surrendered to aliens. How long you think it be before some African warlord sees aliens as path to control of country, even whole continent?”

“Not long at all, I imagine. I am fully aware of the historical problems of my people, Vasily. I suspect some Africans would welcome an alien invasion, as long as they brought food and protection. But that does not obviate my concerns. There are things about this organization that are noble. But surely you can see that there are also things about it that are… troubling.”

“All right,” Vasily said, letting out a breath. “We will let you know.”

“I will await your decision, either way,” Okwelume said. He laid back on his cot, and took out a dogeared copy of a book.

“He’s not a team player, guys,” James said, once they were back out in the corridor. “We gotta let him go.”

“We not talk about that here,” Vasily said. They didn’t talk more as they made their way back up toward the main level of the base.

In her office, Agent Drake watched them go on her monitor. On the right side of her screen, a second window showed Okwelume’s cell, where the doctor lay reading. After a moment, the FBI agent frowned, and reached for her phone.

 

[Lazybones]

Session 16 (August 4, 2008)
Chapter 56


Author’s note: As I noted in the first post, I dropped or modified a few characters whose players only appeared for a few sessions of the campaign. “Moshe Yahav” was one of these (his player only showed up for two games); the new character who arrives in this post was another. Initially the new character who arrives in this session was a player character, but I’ve replaced her with a character that I ran in my own playthrough of the X-COM campaign, in Mulu’s Sunday morning run. I’ve adjusted the PC dialogue to accommodate the changes, and made a few tweaks to the plot as well.


When Catalina emerged from the Royal Air Force BAe 125 and stepped down onto the tarmac of Creech Air Force Base, she was surprised to find Inise Drake and another woman waiting for her.

She didn’t get along with her American counterpart in the best of times, but having just spend the last four days dealing with the aftermath of the France fiasco—including a brief sixteen-hour foray into Bayeaux to meet with representatives of the nascent French resistance—she was not at all pleased to see Drake at all.

“Long trip?” Drake asked.

Catalina bit back a biting comment; if Drake was going to play nice, damned if she’d give her the satisfaction of losing her cool. “Oh, nothing too bad,” she said. “Is there something I can do for you, agent?”

Drake’s expression suggested that perhaps Catalina had laid on the sweet a bit too thick. But after a moment, she shook her head and said, “This is Cecilia Sharp of the FBI, attached to the Special Extraterrestrial Unit of the Department of Homeland Security. She’s going to be a new addition to Alpha. I have to be back in Washington by six o’clock, and thought you could take her on to HQX, get her set up.”

Catalina raised an eyebrow, and gave the other woman a more thorough look. She looked young, was young, but there was a certain hardness in her eyes that suggested that she’d experienced more than her age would suggest. Like Drake, she looked as though she didn’t have a spare kilo of unnecessary body fat on her lithe frame. Unlike the agent she’d let her black hair grow long, but it was tied back in a tight bun, without a single stray lock dangling free.

“Want to make sure you Yanks are a majority on Alpha, eh, agent?” Catalina asked. “Have to keep we foreigners from gumming up the works.”

“You said it, not me,” Drake said. “I have to go. Agent Sharp, I trust that you can find your own way from here.”

“Yes, Agent,” the woman said. She picked up a small backpack lying by her feet, then had to hurry to keep up with Catalina, who was already heading for the big all-terrain vehicle waiting beside the hangar.

The younger woman didn’t try to make small talk, which was fine from Catalina’s perspective. The ride was as uncomfortable as it had been the first time, but despite herself, Catalina found herself drifting, and finally slipped away into sleep.

She woke suddenly, with a stabbing twinge in her back as a reminder of her nap. The vehicle had come to a stop. She felt anything but refreshed, but as she looked up to see Sharp looking at her, she stopped herself from knuckling her back and grimacing. “Come on,” she said, stepping out into the warmth of a Nevada evening. The sun had set during the ride, but the evening breeze hadn’t yet started up, and the ground continued to radiate the heat it had soaked up during the long day.

The topside facility looked deserted, as always. They entered the ramshackle building, and showed their IDs to the guard on duty there. Catalina led the way to the lift. “Here we go,” she said, triggering the control that started the platform’s rapid descent.

The simple statement seemed to have eased the tension between the two of them a fraction. “I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to be doing here,” Cecilia said.

“Fight aliens, save the planet, stay alive,” Catalina said. “And make coffee,” she added, with a slight twitch of a smile.

Cecilia looked over at her, and her own mouth twitched. “Milk and sugar?”

The lift groaned to a stop, and Catalina lifted the mesh barrier. “Just don’t offer it to the Mexican, he’ll want it delivered in bed.” She turned as Hallorand walked up to them, and offered a lazy salute. “Hey, chief. Miss me?”

Cecilia’s salute was crisper, and she came to attention when she gave it, leading Catalina to wonder if she was former military. “Special Agent Sharp reporting, sir,” she said.

“At ease, agent,” the chief said, offering her his hand. After a moment, she took it. “Good to have you on board. I was just heading to the hangar to meet with the engineering team working on the upgrades for our new aircraft. If we ever get the damned thing built.”

“The Firestorm?” Catalina asked. “I was starting to wonder if the thing really existed.”

“Well, once it’s done, it may give us a fighting chance in the skies against those alien bastards. Anyway, I’m late. Catalina. Agent Sharp.”

“Come on, let’s show you the facilities,” Catalina said, taking her down the corridor toward the lounge.

 

[Neurotic]

Why, oh why, did I discover this just now? And I read all your prev(c)ious volumes...good work as always! I don't know how I missed it before Ah, nostalgia of shooting the aliens...

 

[Lazybones]

Thanks, Neurotic!

* * * * *

Session 16 (August 4, 2008)
Chapter 57


Catalina was feeling more nearly human again as she sat with her teammates at a small table in the base kitchen. Her back still twinged annoyingly, but at least she didn’t feel like she was going to fall on her face at any moment. “So, what do you think of Drake’s new spy?”

“She seemed nice enough,” Jane said.

“You have idea already?” Vasily grunted.

“Not sure, but damned if I’m not going to find out. Her personnel files are encrypted, of course, but we’ll see about that. Wish we still had Buzz here.”

“We’re supposed to have a drill tomorrow,” James said. He looked annoyed at being taken away from his work in the lab. “Team-building exercise or somesuch.”

“Lovely,” Catalina said. “Oh, how I missed this place.” She shot a quick glance around before continuing. “I heard you spoke to Okwelume.”

Vasily nodded. James’s expression darkened. “I say let him go,” the doctor said. “He won’t make any commitments not to pull the same stunt again.”

“Well, what did you offer him?”

“Offer him?” Vasily asked. “What could we offer him?”

“How about a little of what he wants, help for Africa?” Catalina returned.

“I not even sure Garret can promise that,” Vasily said.

“We can’t honestly offer or promise him anything,” Jane pointed out, “and he wasn’t promising anything either.”

“So did anyone talk to Garret about the possibility of an offer?” Catalina asked. “I mean, what did you say to him?”

The other three Alphas shared a look, and Catalina let out an exasperated breath. “Do you know what would bring Okwelume over? Any idea at all?”

Vasily’s look matched her own. “No.”

“We offered him not to suffer the tender attentions of the CIA,” James said.

“Would you like to try talking to him?” Jane said. “You seemed to get on better with him, and you were the one to find him out.”

“He prepared to work on reactor even if we do give him to CIA after,” Vasily said.

“Wonderful,” Catalina replied. “Do what we ask, and we might be nice to you and not turn you over to the nasty people at Homeland Security. That worked.”

“That’s what he said,” James said. “But we should expect him to do whatever he thinks best, including acting as a spy. I don’t think it’s worth it.”

“No promises he won’t sell out to the more unsavory nations,” Catalina said.

“Right,” James said.

“And you offered no reason for loyalty other than not letting him get tortured?”

“What you expect?” Vasily said. “We got nothing else to offer. Nothing. We grunts with zero political pull.”

“We need a starting point, th—” She was cut off as their xPhones all buzzed at the same time, followed a second later by the base intercom. “Alpha Team,” Garret’s voice said, “report to Briefing Room 1.”

“naughty word,” Catalina said.

They met Cecilia Sharp on the way; the new agent fell in with them, questions obvious on her face, although she didn’t ask anything. She was carrying a bulky bundle; she’d spent the morning being fitted for Personal Armor in one of Grace’s workshops.

Grace and Stan arrived just ahead of the Alphas; Doctor Wagner and Liaison Garret were already in the briefing room. There was a live track upon the big screen.

“We’re tracking another bogie coming down over northern Canada,” Wagner said, while the newcomers found their seats around the table. “Too far for an intercept, at its original speed, but while we were monitoring, it looked like the alien had… engine trouble.”

A lot of eyebrows went up around the table. “That… new,” Vasily said.

“They went down over Alberta, an area only lightly populated. Hyperwave indicates floaters.”

“Hopefully not too difficult a mission,” Stan said, with a quick glance at Cecilia.

“Great, my favorite aliens,” James said.

Vasily nodded. “We can take floaters.”

“Lasers have a chance,” Catalina said.

“The weather is good, for once,” Wagner went on. “No big snowstorms yet.”

“At least we shouldn’t freeze our butts off,” James noted.

Garret turned to Cecilia. “I’m sorry we don’t have time for a more formal orientation,” he told the agent. “But we learn on the job around here. Alphas, get the agent here up to speed ASAP. Ken’s prepping the Ranger. You dust off in ten.”

As the Alphas stood, Wagner told them, “Capture the ship intact, if possible. Our new Elerium storage area is ready, we’d like to fill it up.”

“We’ll talk about… the other matter, when you return,” Garret said.

Grace came out with them, as the team headed toward the barracks to gear up. “Doctor Sandesh has the second HWP in the hangar bay,” the engineer said. “This one should perform somewhat better than the last.” She paused outside the entrance to the barracks. “Teach them a lesson for France, Alpha,” she said, then hurried on her way.

 

[Innocent Bystander]

Finally time to post. Great couple of updates LB. I enjoy reading character building stories as much as the action ones. I'm also interested to see what happens with Okwelume. Take the chance that he might get around your security and let him work on the project to get it done quicker, or lock him up, throw away the key and let the project struggle. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. My vote would be for using him despite the risk.