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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4945728" data-attributes="member: 143">Interlude: Jane (May 9-11, 2008)Jane caught up to Stan White in the research lab, as he was preparing samples of Sectoid blood for examination through the base's scanning electron microscope. She asked him about the medical projects and the alien autopsies mentioned in Doctor Wagner’s report. He considered a moment at Jane's questions. "Well, I do think that medical research should be given a priority. We're near a breakthrough on alien medicine, I can feel it. Doctor Allen has been a big help on analyzing the alien substance you found at the Utah site, and with the sectoid bodies now in our custody, I believe we can figure out how to make a practical field kit that utilizes the principles of cell regeneration that we've seen in the alien physiology. Once we can map the creature's genome—that will take time, mind you—then we may be able to develop some means of countering them. Sort of like the tranquilizer you had mentioned earlier, in the briefing." "So if you're asking for my advice, I would recommend splitting our resources on the alien medicine and finishing our autopsies on the sectoid corpses. There's just so much we can learn. I know that the engineers and physical scientists want to get into that alien wreck you found, but I saw it when they brought it in, and honestly, I'm not sure how much they can learn from that." As Jane turned to leave, the doctor added, "Oh, and if your team can put a word in with Mister Garret about getting us a separate medical lab, I know he will listen to you. These crowded quarters impair our efficiency." “Thanks, Doc,” she said.  After pausing to make a few notations on her xPhone, she went looking for Grace Thelon Beluca. * * * * *Jane found Grace surrounded by a small cadre of engineers working on the hull of the alien spacecraft. She was trying to remove a small piece of the hull with an acetylene torch, without much success. She handed the torch to one of her assistants as she spotted Jane waiting nearby. "I think we should make alien ship technology our top priority," she said, in response to Jane's questions about the Doctor Wagner’s list of priorities.  “True, there isn't much left to this wreck, but if we can successfully research the alien alloys, then we can use that as a building block once we acquire an intact vessel. And in practical terms, understanding this material can help our engineers develop more advanced tactical armor for the field units. That should really help your survivability on away missions." As Jane steered the conversation to the alien weapons, she replied, "Well, those alien guns pack a punch, and no question. But the problem is the power source. Until we figure out how it works, the alien guns are just too dangerous to use in field operations. My suspicion is that it's the same power supply that they use in their ships; we detected traces of the material in the wreck. We need to get an intact alien power supply, then we can work on the guns. Researching them now won't likely yield usable results for a long time. Besides, we have plans for the laser pistol complete, which we can put into production now." She looked back at the ship, which fills most of the workshop. "But what I really need is more space. You gave the researchers a larger space, and given what we can accomplish here in the workshop, I would think that we deserve the same. Once we add a second workshop, we can focus our attention on turning out those laser pistols for your team." “Thanks, Grace.”* * * Base Chief Hallorand seemed to have his answer ready when Jane ran into him in the corridor. "Base defense, I've made no secret about that as needing attention. I know Grace has been talking about a laser defense system some time in the future, but we have access to the best missile technology on Earth right now, and even a single battery could make the difference if we're attacked. It is inevitable that the aliens will notice our activities as we ratchet up our operations against them, and right now, our base is a sitting duck. Especially if Alpha is away at the time; our guards are good, military veterans to a man, but I saw the tests on those alien weapons you brought back, and there's no way we can stand up to those for long. I know that Director Garret is working on getting Beta Team up and running, but our member nations are being reluctant in sending the next cohort of men and women to us. I suppose it's a blessing in disguise; I'd hardly know where to put them, with all these new scientists arriving." “The other department heads have made a good choice for their particular priorities,” Jane said.  “I’m just trying to capture the ‘Big Picture’ so we can all be pulling together toward the same goals.”Hallorand nodded.  "I understand where you're coming from. I believe that's why Director Garret and the others have asked Alpha to take such a large role in planning the base expansion, manufacturing, and research priorities. It's my job to focus on the operations side; I have to advocate for what I see as critical to mission success. I know that Grace, Stan, and Kim feel the same way about their areas. But as the team that actually goes out and fights the aliens, Alpha has to put it all together and make the tough decisions that will determine whether you live or die, come back with bloody wounds or alien artifacts that will help us turn the tide." They were interrupted by the sudden blare of a klaxon that filled the base over the intercom. Hallorand stiffened for a moment as he whipped out his communicator, then relaxed, if only slightly. "Thank god, it's just a drill," he said.  "One day it won't be," he added to Jane, before he ran off, shouting orders to the men who appeared in the halls of the base as he went. * * * Jane spent a few more hours talking to others, researchers, engineers, and the base guards, but wasn't able to learn much more.  The engineers were too busy working on the alien wreck to talk for very long.  The hangar crew pointed out that the X-COM interceptors have hardpoints that allow the easy addition of new weapons. When she dropped by, they were busy mounting the new Avalanche missiles. The two aircraft, based on the advanced American F-22 airframe, looked sleek, deadly. How deadly they would turn out to be against alien ships remained to be seen.</blockquote>

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