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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4968528" data-attributes="member: 143">Yeah, Neverwinter Nights has come a long way since 2002, due in part to the spectacular efforts of the custom content community. There's more info about the module in the first post of this thread, including a link to where it can be downloaded. * * * * * Session 6 (May 19, 2008)Chapter 18They were tired, dirty, and all around worn when they exited the Skyranger into the cavernous interior of the base’s underground hangar.  Crews of technicians and scientists hurried forward to take custody of the alien technology they’d stashed in the aircraft’s storage lockers.  Most of it was coming back with the recovery crew, which was also working on securing the alien ship for transit.They would also be bringing back bodies.  They’d found the farm family in their search of the house, a middle-aged couple who’d been killed with plasma bolts at close range. They were so exhausted that they didn’t even complain about the decontamination sequence, a process which involved steam, radiation, and general unpleasantness for everyone involved.    As they were making their way back into the base proper, they encountered Agent Drake, coming out of the main lift. “Look what the cat dragged in,” the FBI agent said.  “If it isn’t Team Banzai.”“Agent Drake,” James said. “So, I heard you captured an alien ship.  Impressive.  A pity you couldn’t stop the aliens from shooting up a farm family.”Vasily came forward, and stood in front of her, looming like a silent monolith.  But if the American agent was intimidated, she didn’t show it.  “Well, I thought I smelled Russian,” she said. “Funny, I think I smell cow,” Vasily replied.  He pushed past her, heading back toward the base quarters.  The others followed, but as they made their way through the lounge, they saw Garret waiting for them in the doorway to the briefing room.  “Ah, good,” he said, when he saw Vasily.  “I know you’re tired, but there’s a few things we need to talk about.  Come in, please.” Alpha Team followed him into the room.  Doctor Wagner and Grace were already there, chatting over one of the control consoles.  Both turned as the field operatives entered.  Behind them, Agent Drake followed.  “I hope your team will remember the terms of our agreement, mister Garret,” she said, as the members of Alpha Team took their seats.  “We will honor our agreement, as long as the United States government holds up its end, Agent Drake,” Garret replied.  He turned to Alpha.  “You got the alien bird.  Good work, team.”“We’ve received a preliminary report from the field salvage team,” Doctor Wagner said.  “It had multiple compartments built into the hull.  We suspect that the alien ship was a probe vessel of some sort.  The compartments, they seemed designed to preserve biological samples.”“They are really abducting people?” Catalina asked.  She didn’t see Jane shudder next to her, or the suddenly intent look that appeared on the other woman’s face. “Cows, too,” James said.  “We found several dead cows on the property, shot by the alien plasma guns.”“Is exactly what we do, no?” Vasily added.“I don’t know why they would kill everything, rather than take captives,” Garret said. “They are alien,” Doctor Wagner said.  “Their motives may not make sense to us.”“Maybe,” Vasily said, frowning.“Well, you’ve given us an alien power system to study,” Grace said.  “Shame about the fuel, though.”“Sorry, I think it was that or have it blow, with us inside,” Cat said. “It is clear that they are studying us as intently as we are studying them,” Agent Drake said.  “We need to do better.”“We could, if we weren’t being disarmed, fighting the aliens with one hand tied behind our backs,” Cat shot back. Drake crossed her arms and stared levelly at Catalina.  “You’re not being disarmed, but my superiors believe it is a bad idea for one organization—with limited accountability—having a monopoly on access to alien technology.”“What are you afraid of?” Vasily interjected.  “You think X-COM going to declare war on U.S. or something?  Bah!” “We have to protect our interests, no matter the cost,” Drake shot back.  “Don’t think this operation is the only one of its kind.”Several members of the team leaned forward in their chairs, but Garret interrupted them.  “Please, we gain nothing but squabbling,” Garret said, holding out his hands reassuringly.  “We are all ultimately on the same side here.”“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” Catalina said. Garret ignored her interruption.  “And we’ve won a victory here,” he said.  “Victory,” Vasily said, letting out a deep breath.  “I have question.”“Yes, Vasily?” Garret said. “Any sign of new coordinates like Buzz find in other ship?  Any clue?”“We haven’t had a chance to study their navigational systems yet,” Wagner said.  “Buzz, we’d appreciate your help working with the decrypt team, after you recent success in that area.”“We’ll be looking for your help with all of our ongoing projects,” Garret said.  “But that, and the rest of the debriefing, can wait until morning, I think.”</blockquote>

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