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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4960099" data-attributes="member: 143">Session 6 (May 19, 2008)Chapter 15A topographical map depicting northern California glowed on the huge viewscreen on the wall.  The members of Alpha Team sat along with the X-COM department heads around the long conference table. “Buzz’s discovery regarding the alien navigational coordinates will help us in ultimately deciphering the alien language,” Kim Wagner said.  “We’re still not sure why the aliens are interested in Shasta County,” Garret said.  “There’s not much there.  Very rural area, a few farms, very small towns.  Redding is the largest city in the region, and the coordinates are over a hundred miles from there.  We’ve been in contact with the United States government, and they’ve confirmed that they don’t have any covert facilities or other operations in the area.”“Would they tell us if they did?” Catalina mused. “I don’t know,” Garret said.  “But you are going to find out, Alpha.” “We have some new technologies for you this time,” Wagner said.  “The first laser pistol is ready.  This is a test model, yes?  Be careful with it.”“You break, you buy, huh,” Vasily said. “No, it gets confiscated,” Cat said.  “Doctor Sandesh has also finished his prototype motion sensor,” Wagner went on.  “He expects a full report on its use in the field.”“I hope I don’t have to say anything regarding letting these items out of your sight,” Garret said.  He turned to his left.  “Doctor White, you have something to say about the new medical kit?”Stan White looked up from the papers he was shuffling in front of him.  “Hmm?  Oh, yes.  We have a prototype of the new field kit that I’d like you guys to field test.  It uses the new technologies we’ve derived from the alien bio sample you recovered from Utah.  It won’t work miracles, but it should bring you back, provided you’re treated in time.”“I can do that,” James said.Buzz leaned forward, his fingers white on the grips of his chair’s armrests.  “How did the lab rats fare?”“Well, hopefully you won’t grow another head, like the rats,” Wagner said. There was a shared look around the table.  Buzz turned white.  “That was a joke,” Wagner said, after a moment.  There was a nervous chuckle around the table. “Sehr komisch,” James said.  “The new tech is in the secure storage facility off the alien containment lab.  You should speak to Musa as well, refresh any damaged gear you might have.  Stock up; we may be short on supplies for a while.”That got their attention.  “Why short?” Vasily asked. Garret’s jaw tightened.  “China is not the only consortium member that has been slow with payments.  We are not producing results quickly enough for some of our members.”“Gya,” Vasily said. “It’s not your job to worry about the budget.  Just keep in mind, any alien tech you bring back, it helps our bottom line.”Wagner was even more blunt.  “More dead aliens.  Less incursions.”“What they want, gorviayiche famous movie?” Vasily asked.  “Win war in week?”“People are scared,” Grace said.  “And when they get scared…”Garret nodded at her.  “They do foolish things.  We’ll do our best to avoid that.  If there’s nothing else…”“Just one last thing, Director,” Cat said.  “When will communications be opened up again?”  “I’ll see what I can do, miss De Farrago.  I am sorry that I cannot give you a more firm commitment.”“As long as we are not all sorry, Director.”Garret took a quick look around the table.  “Dismissed.”</blockquote>

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