>>2276624
>South Korea and Italy? Neither of those two countries are in the Council. Why them?
>Is the Commander aware of this ?

>>2276624
>>South Korea and Italy? Neither of those two countries are in the Council. Why them?

>>2276624
>>South Korea and Italy? Neither of those two countries are in the Council. Why them?

>>2276624
>Is the Commander aware of this ?

>>2276624
>Is the Commander aware of this ?

>>2276629
>>2276633
>>2276634
>>2276637
>>2276657
Looks like we have a tie for both of those options, writing both!

File: Central Officer Bradford.jpg (410 KB, 1280x720)

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You suppress the initial urge to react brashly to things. You had just dealt with that same issue earlier, best to keep a level head and learn more about the situation at hand. Keeping a level head is easier said than done, but one keep things by the numbers.

“South Korea and Italy? Why are you selling to those two countries? I’d assume you were made aware of the Council, there’s been numerous requests already for XCOM tech from them.” You answer.

“Oh don’t worry, I was told. But I’m supposed to be looking for countries besides members of the Council. Honestly, I was quite surprised about the group’s existence and I can only imagine the other countries in the UN wouldn’t be too pleased to not be part of the cool kids club.” Van Doorn shakes his head.

“...So I take it the Commander knows about your activities then?”

“Knows? They were my first orders given to me by the Commander as soon as I became CO of XCOM Asia! Make friends with countries besides the Big 16 and get some money in the process! Start a proper ‘Gray Market’ for tech and alien equipment. I’m just waiting for the go ahead from the Commander to selling Alien Tech, but that’s down the line.” Van Doorn grins, clearly pretty jovial about the whole thing…

You can’t help but frown at this information, money has been pretty tight this month but… colluding with non-Council countries? Gray Market?

What else has the Commander been doing behind everyone’s back? You pinch your nose, taking it all in.

“You’re as easy to read as an open book, y’know Sweaters?” Van Doorn pipes in, a bemused look on her face. “Trust me, this wouldn’t have been my first choice. But if it wasn’t for the Commander and the rest of XCOM saving the ass of both my people and myself, I would’ve said otherwise. I know the score with those-- what did you call them Friendly? Freaks?”

Friendly grumbles at that. You consider this and you are...

>Hesitantly in agreement. It’s worth the risk.
>Wary about the situation.. You can understand the reasoning but unsure of the ramifications.
>Realizing it’s probably best to drop the subject. It doesn’t matter what you think, it's best to keep doing your duty.
>Other.

>>2276788
>>Wary about the situation.. You can understand the reasoning but unsure of the ramifications.

>>2276788
>>Wary about the situation.. You can understand the reasoning but unsure of the ramifications.

>>2276788
>>Wary about the situation.. You can understand the reasoning but unsure of the ramifications.
But if the commander thinks its best...

>>2276800
>>2276815
>>2276822
Wariness it is, writing!

File: It's gonna be kinda like this.png (486 KB, 772x477)

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“That’s… concerning. It’s a very fine line to walk with arms dealing.” You admit. “But, given the greater issues at hand, it’s an understandable and worthwhile risk. Just be careful.”

Van Doorn raises an eyebrow and leans into the camera, as if trying to get a better look of you. You blink as the entire monitor is nearly filled with the General’s bald head.

“Huh.” Van Doorn mutters.

“What?”

“I had pegged ya as an exceptionally loyal type, Sweaters. To the point I almost thought you didn’t speak for yourself!” Van Doorn smirks, your frown only makes him chuckle as he leans back. “It’s a good thing I guessed wrong, it’s good to know you can think for yourself! I can respect that.”

“...Noted.” You say.

“That’s the spirit, Sweaters.” Van Doorn says with a nod. In the background, Friendly shuffles in place a bit. “Anyways, onto more boring topics….”

The rest of the conversation with XCOM Asia is filled with standard topics, logistics requests and status, standing strength of forces, construction updates on facility improvements, etc. The latter confirms that XCOM Asia, while ostensibly an extra air base and safety net for the Asian continent as a whole is clearly geared for production and manufacturing with only a minor complement of base security and soldiers. Workshops have taken the majority of the initial build space of the facility. The Commander had been planning this for some time.

“...And I think that about covers it. You take care now, Sweaters and send my regards to the Commander.” Van Doorn finishes, and with a nod of agreement you cut the line.

You let out a sigh and shake your head, one order complete and in only a reasonable amount of time. Now onto the next task for the day… The alien device should still be in the Labs being poked and prodded by Dr. Vahlen, that is the next thing the Commander wants, although noting the time a shift change has already happened in Mission Control, maybe taking a quick break first could ease your nerves before chatting with Vahlen?

>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.
>A break sounds nice. You do like to relax every now and then, as unbelievable as it sounds.
>Other.

>>2277046
>>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.

>>2277046
>>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.

>>2277046
>>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.

>>2277046
>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.

>>2277046
>>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.

These are our orders.

>>2277046
>>The device first. You have been curious about the device that former Triad smuggled out.

>>2277049
>>2277061
>>2277063
>>2277082
>>2277084
Device it is, writing!

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You fancy the thought of taking a break, but you leave it only as a fancy. You don’t want to cultivate the idea that you slack off, it would look bad on your people. Taking a prompt exit from the Situation Room, you make your way to the Research Labs. Passing through Mission Control shift change had indeed occurred, the next group specialists already hard at work watching the sky.

Hopefully the previous shift hasn’t been too rattled from prior. You wouldn’t want efficiency to drop because of you.

Dismissing the thought, the rest of the way to the labs just a level below you is uneventful. Your clearance allowing you to pass through the checkpoint and other security measures to enter the Labs. The air just as slightly chilly as when you were last here a few hours ago, one the few advantages of your sweater making your trips into RnD not as uncomfortable to you.

Of course, the rather questionable work Dr. Vahlen and her own people do within the Lab’s is another story, but you suppose XCOM is quickly operating on its own terms by now. Over the side, you can already see some of the technicians are already testing out prototypes on the proposed stun weapon, the Arc Thrower. By now the word has gotten out and you can already hear the displeasure from the troops in your head.

You find Dr. Vahlen herself is busy, currently in the middle of an alien autopsy. The scientist taking the lead in the rather unsavory process instead of letting others do the work for her. A small gaggle of labcoats huddled around outside the small autopsy chamber, taking notes and studying from a far. Judging by the black smoke wafting and slightly obscuring the chamber, Vahlen’s working on a Thin Man. Which is odd as you did get a report of the Thin Man already from RnD.

>Wait for Vahlen to finish. Best to not interrupt her.
>Interrupt her. The Commander’s orders overrides her ‘thorough’ work.
>Inquire. Why is Vahlen digging around another Thin Man corpse anyways?
>Other.

>>2277209
>>Inquire. Why is Vahlen digging around another Thin Man corpse anyways?

>>2277209
>>Inquire. Why is Vahlen digging around another Thin Man corpse anyways?

>>2277209
>>Inquire. Why is Vahlen digging around another Thin Man corpse anyways?

>>2277236
>Inquire. Why is Vahlen digging around another Thin Man corpse anyways?

>>2277209
>>Wait for Vahlen to finish. Best to not interrupt her.

>>2277216
>>2277231
>>2277236
>>2277239
Inquiring it is. Writing!

File: Vahlen hard at work.png (1.55 MB, 1600x881)

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You watch Dr. Vahlen for a moment, hazmat suit and all, before tapping one of the shoulders of one of the other scientists observing the autopsy.

“What’s the second autopsy for?” You ask bluntly, the scientists glancing back at you for a moment.

“Inspiration.” He replies flatly before turning his full attention back to Dr. Vahlen, who looks rather unnerving with how proficient she is with an angle saw. One of the first things XCOM’s Science division had learned studying the alien threat was that industrial equipment is much better at getting to the innards of an alien’s corpse than mundane surgical tech. You frown at the rather unfulfilling answer from the scientist and tap his shoulder again.

“Inspiration?” You press again. The scientist sighs and turns to face you.

“Dr. Vahlen’s research in MELD and its application in genetic modification has inspired her to do a second pass in studying the aliens once again to see how viable it is to combine alien genetics with human DNA.” The scientist says before pointedly turning his attention back, clearly hoping to not answer any of your questions. “She’ll be done shortly.”

Human-alien hybrids, huh...

>You doubt anyone’s going to volunteer for that. Sounds risky to you.
>Fighting fire with fire is a viable tactic, you can see the appeal. The aliens wouldn’t expect that.
>Every day is starting to feel more and more like a comic book or science-fi flick. Quietly let that realization sink in.
>Other.

>>2277356
>>Every day is starting to feel more and more like a comic book or science-fi flick. Quietly let that realization sink in.
>You doubt anyone’s going to volunteer for that. Sounds risky to you

>>2277356
>>Every day is starting to feel more and more like a comic book or science-fi flick. Quietly let that realization sink in.

>>2277356
>>You doubt anyone’s going to volunteer for that. Sounds risky to you.

>>2277356
>>Every day is starting to feel more and more like a comic book or science-fi flick. Quietly let that realization sink in.

>You doubt anyone’s going to volunteer for that. Sounds risky to you.

>>2277356
>>Every day is starting to feel more and more like a comic book or science-fi flick. Quietly let that realization sink in.

>>2277359
>>2277366
>>2277374
>>2277397
Horrifying realization that you may be in the setting of a video game it is. Writing!

>>2277356
>Fighting fire with fire is a viable tactic, you can see the appeal. The aliens wouldn’t expect that.

File: Dr_Vahlen.jpg (305 KB, 1272x715)

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Little grey men, dopplegangers, giant bugs that can turn people into zombies, and now the secret paramilitary organization tasked with defending the world has it’s science department considering human-alien hybrids through genetic modification…

Maybe you should have gotten a break first before chatting with Vahlen.

You sigh, rubbing your eyes. Reality is stranger than fiction.

Despite trying to not overthink it, your mind wanders at the absurdity of it all as you watch Dr. Vahlen work (Who, come to think of it fits a few particular fiction tropes). You can only imagine what’s the next thing the universe is going to throw at XCOM. Snake people? You hate snakes.

Eventually, Dr. Vahlen finishes carving up the almost pitiable remains of the Thin Man, satisfied with her findings and depositing particular specimens of note found within the corpse into receptacles. Vahlen takes her leave from the autopsy chamber.

“Bradford.” Vahlen greets you from within the decon airlock, her voice picked up from within.

“Doctor.” You reply equally in return. “The Commander would like an update on the alien device that was found in China.”

“I can have that arranged.” She says as she exits and approaches you, removing her helmet. Her team quickly disperses, taking the data and information found at hand to work in their stations, technicians carting away the specimens from the chamber. “The device has been quite the challenge to understand for my people, but I believe we have a few theories on what it is. Follow me.”

“Hard to crack for your brainiacs then?” You say, following her lead to another part of the labs.

“You could say that, though, funny you should mention ‘brainiac’...” Vahlen muses, causing you to shoot her a questioning look as you arrive at the isolated glass containment/examination table where the device is housed...

(Part 1 / 2)

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The glass case reminds you of a museum’s display case, with gloves built into the case to handle and examine the device. From the looks of it the material of the glass is the same as found in the autopsy chamber and alien containment. Sturdy stuff. The suitcase is placed to the side within the case but the real draw is the device itself. It’s… well. It looks like a brain. It’s housed in a special device to hold it in place, but it distinctly reminds you of a brain, with an attached brain stem. What does catch your attention is two circular lights that almost remind you of eyes…

“Initial examination has confirmed there is a large cache of data stored within the device, attempts to acquire it have been a challenge given the outer shell and make of the device. Our guess is that it’s the alien’s equivalent of a black box.” Vahlen explains as you regard the device.

You nod to the good Doctor’, taking note of things before you catch something at the corner of your eye. You pause, distracted for a moment as Vahlen goes into more minute specifics of the device as you look over at it within it’s case. For a second you swear the eye’s just blinked…

And then things escalate quickly. There’s sudden loud screech as the ‘device’ seems to spark to life. Both you and Vahlen recoil back, clutching at your ears and stumbling back as the screech seems to make the glass reverberate-- and then shatter.

The casing holding the device pops off as the device topples the ground-- and then begins to take the shape of a humanoid being made entirely of yellow shimmering light.

Vahlen stumbles back several other scientists standing shocked and agape. A containment breach.

The shimmering form looks about the room for a moment, it’s face seemingly to shimmer and phase erratically, it looks between you and Dr. Vahlen for a moment.. The being takes a step towards you.

>Retreat! Grab Vahlen and make some distance!
>Look for a weapon to defend yourself!
>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

Don't worry guys, I played xcom, we can't die.

>>2277523
>Retreat! Grab Vahlen and make some distance!

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

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>>2277523

A Codex? In the XCOM EU/EW timeline?!

What the hell is going on here?

>>2277523
>>Get between it and Dr. Vahlen. Her survival is mission critical!

File: New Contact!.png (755 KB, 632x888)

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Someone screams as objects shatter or are knocked over in the confusion.

Your instincts kick in, quickly positioning yourself between Dr. Vahlen and the thing as it almost quizzically regards you. It begins to buzz and whirr, it’s noise almost sounding like a female’s voice. In fact, the thing looks extremely feminine and completely otherworldly. As it regards the both of you. Vahlen continues to scramble back, clearly grateful that your there as she nearly drops her PDA

It then begins to zip towards you, a stream of pure energy as it seemingly blinks from one position to another, hand raised toward you and aimed right toward you, completely ignoring Dr. Vahlen. It looks like the thing specifically wants you!

>Roll 1d20!

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2277567

RNGsus pls

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2277567

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>2277567

>>2277567
dice+1d20

Is this how you do it?

>>2277582

Your dice roll goes in the email field

>>2277589
Options field, because it doesn't actually say e-mail field

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2277567

File: Alarm.png (1.6 MB, 1599x900)

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>>2277572

The thing is erratic and clearly has the element of surprise. That thing can easily run rampant but, you quickly realize that it currently is after something, and for whatever the reason it’s you. You go with your gut and dart to the side, sprinting at full force to the left.

This leaves Vahlen exposed for a split second and you fear you gambled wrong, but sure enough, the thing blinks in pursuit right after you. As it does so, it’s sheer presence seems to cause havoc to the electronics of the lab as consoles and lights go highwire as the being seems to phase through it.
Someone manages to press panic button in the chaos as alarms begin to go off. Security will be here any second but the seconds feel like hours to you as it makes a beeline for you. You need to act quickly and find something to defend yourself! You quickly look around the room and decide to go for…

>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!
>That thing over there clearly looks like some sort of grenade, that could work!
>That fire extinguisher on the wall would make an excellent melee weapon in a pinch!

>>2277602
>>That fire extinguisher on the wall would make an excellent melee weapon in a pinch!

I mean, we can always use it as an impromptu smokescreen if we really need it.

>>2277602
>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!

>>2277602
>That fire extinguisher on the wall would make an excellent melee weapon in a pinch!

>>2277602
>>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!

We need that thing intact! It'll give us an edge in the tech arms race!

>>2277602
>>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!

It'd be fun to see how much collateral we do with the grenade, but i'm no xeno sympathizer so let's not do that one.

>>2277602
>>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!

>>2277602
>>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!

Which do you prefer:

Organic, or Synthetic augments/mods

>>2277602
>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing

File: Adrastia.jpg (662 KB, 1920x2493)

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Wait, guys, a thought occurs:

Have we built the Alien Jail yet?

>>2277607
>>2277608
>>2277609
>>2277610
>>2277611
>>2277613
>>2277626
Arc Thrower it is, writing!

>>2277602
>>The Arc Thrower prototype. Short circuit the damn thing!

>>2277616
Both.

>>2277628
Alien Containment has indeed been built but the thing just shattered the same material used in it!

>>2277638
We'll build it again, better, and bigger.

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Thinking quickly, you scramble over to the work desk where the proposed Arc Thrower prototype is being made. The thing seems to not be in any hurry to close in on you. Almost as if it was either studying or playing with you. A quick glance around the room and you can see most of the consoles and equipment is going haywire. A thought occurs to you. Could that thing be trying to access XCOM’s computers?

If your realization earlier on how absurd everything is does check out it could very likely be a thing. You rip the Arc Thrower out from the desk pointing the device at the being. The scientists bump and tumble over each other as they attempt to escape out of the exits just as base security attempt to funnel in, hampered by the scientists blocking their way. You need to buy them more time.

The thing merely raises its arms out at as you feel it prepare to do something. You quickly take the hint and quickly pull the trigger. Nothing happens. Fuck! You quickly fumble with the device, how the hell do you even use this thing anyways!?

It begins to charge something up, strange purple energy swirling in it’s hands.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2277656
Smile you son of a bitch.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2277638

Oh, well that dog don't hunt. Get Applied Sciences on developing some sort of transparisteel--gotta be better than whatever materials we're using for hte observation tanks right now.

>>2277656

For the gold--!

File: __sumi_elias_original_dra(...).png (7.43 MB, 2800x2800)

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Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>2277656

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2277656
Alright, this is how you do it right?

File: [ALIEN ACTIVITY].png (94 KB, 699x104)

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Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2277658
...

>>2277675
Are we dead?

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You find an innocuous and pretty small switch on the side of the device. Without thinking you quickly flip and then raise the weapon back at the thing and pull the trigger.

The Arc Thrower begins to vibrate and charge to life powering up it’s shot. The Arc Thrower’s charge time racing against the speed of which the thing can activate whatever the hell it’s doing. Thankfully however, the Arc Thrower wins the race as a concentrated burst of electricity blasts out with a satisfying sound.

It impacts it dead on directly between the eyes and immediately interrupts whatever it was casting, letting out an earsplitting screech, it begins to shudder and shake in place, it’s form suddenly difficult to keep together. The thing looks like it’s dying-- or getting stronger. You can’t tell.

Finally, the Blueshirts manage to burst through the crowd of fleeing scientists and level their rifles right at the thing. Thankfully you’re out of the immediate line of fire unless one of them is a terrible shot (which you really hope they aren’t). In the split second a question quickly hangs in the air. Was the Arc Thrower enough or should you be thorough?

>Hold your fire!
>Open fire!

>>2277690
>Open fire!

>>2277690

>Hold your fire!

We've got it, I think.

>>2277690
>Hold your fire!

We've got the power of anime and god on our side!

>>2277690
>>Hold your fire!

>>2277690
>>Hold your fire!

>>2277690
>>Open fire!

>>2277690
Order a non lethal shot to its leg.

>>2277690
>>Open fire!
No time to consider what the eggheads want. Unless they want to not die.

>>2277690
>>Hold your fire!
Nah, let's see what happens.

>>2277697
>>2277705
>>2277710
>>2277712
>>2277736
Holding fire it is, writing!

you idiots

>>2277749
This is when the codex splits, right?
Because we dealt damage and didn't kill it?

>>2277751

its probably just going to recover and then squadwipe, these things are nasty

>>2277759

As long as it doesn't Rift in the middle of the Research Labs, I think we'll be alright.

>>2277764

>as long as it doesn't

never start a sentence with that.

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>>2277767

Don't be daft--this is XCOM we're talking about; what could possibly go wrong?

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Just a heads up, this next update is pretty long! Almost done writing!

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Update incoming, standby for deployment

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“HOLD YOUR FIRE!” You shout at the Blueshirts. You’ve heard your fair share of rumors behind the back joking around of the seemingly ‘hapless’ Base Security but you’d hope to shatter that assumption to see if they’ll follow orders.

Clearly they want to open fire, every ounce of their body screaming for action but-- thankfully-- they don’t. Warily they keep their weapons trained as you and the Blueshirts watch as the thing continues to screech and spaz out, seeming to have extreme difficulty in keeping it’s form hold together. It’s long floating ‘hair’ whipping around wildly like sparking wires.

You hastily back away and keep the Arc Thrower trained yourself, ready to hopefully fire another blast of electricity at it as whatever’s happening to it reaches it’s peak-- and then it explodes, the shimmering form ‘shattering’ like a sledgehammer shattering through it’s shimmering form, static electricity and power sparking wildly. You feel all the hair on your body stand up on end as you feel the electricity burst out from it. The pulse blasts out from the center of the being impacting you but besides being completely surprising doesn’t actually atomize you or anything like that.

And then the lights go out, the sheer blast of raw energy from the being causing all the electricity in the labs to shut off. Darkness, shrouds the entire room and all is suddenly still. Tense moments pass. There’s a series of curses from the Blueshirts towards the entrance and after a moment several of them begin to turn on the flashlights attached to their rifles.

Wavering and wildly flailing light illuminates the lab, the Blueshirts hastily scanning the room for the alien. Several of the beams of light train on you and you are temporarily blinded. Blueshirts rush over to your position attempting to form a tight escort on you. One of them shines her light at the location of the the being and with great relief, you see the thing lying inert on the ground. Then, finally, emergency power kicks in, illuminating the Labs with light.

“Target down! I repeat, target down!” You exclaim, although you keep your Arc Thrower trained at the thing, just incase…

( Part 1 / 3 )

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“...I will have to commend you, Bradford. While the power outage and damage caused by the alien will take some time to reset all the systems in the Lab, XCOM’s Archives and the internal servers have managed keep the majority of our research secure. More importantly, the last thing I would’ve wanted is soldiers shooting up my lab.” Vahlen explains to you, calm as usual but you saw the terror in her eyes, you don’t comment on that however, as the last thing you need is Vahlen making you her new guinea pig. Though it’s clear she is legitimately grateful for stepping in front of the thing.

With the alien finally ‘contained’, now nicknamed christened the ‘Codex’ jokingly by one of the Blueshirts after wanting to know what the hell that thing was and overhearing the Black Box/possible information treasure trove that it could’ve been. Following standard naming conventions it was christened so (not that you are in any mood to refute it after nearly dying by it). Both Vahlen and Shen were quick to confirm that while the thing had run rampant initially, your quick thinking with the Arc Thrower had prevented any major damage.

The Commander is present of course, guarded with a personal escort of soldiers and regards the scene with a critical eye.

“Most of the injuries were self-inflicted by the science staff attempting to flee with the real damage being repairing the labs.” You state, opting to keep the Arc Thrower in hand on your person. You were quick to give Vahlen criticisms with the device by perhaps making it more obvious in the future how to turn the thing on. The Commander nods, quietly surveying the remnants of the now recontained Codex ‘brain’. This time housed in an container made of Alien alloys, a quick temporary fix hastily made by Shen at a moment’s notice.

“You did well, Central.” The Commander says. “Your quick thinking secured and neutralized the alien with minimal collateral damage and has informed to all of us we need to update both security protocols and alien containment. I want that breakout act to never happen again.”

You nod, feeling a sense of… relief at the events.

“It will be done, Commander.” Shen nods, stepping forward. “Our guess was that this… ‘Codex’ had emitted a noise high enough frequency to destroy our containment. Audio and further analysis will allow us to strengthen the physical properties of the glass. It won’t happen again.”

“More importantly… I believe we’ve managed to ‘crack’ the security on the device. Our team should be able to start digging through the Codex’s information. We very well may have a leg up against the aliens if things line up correctly.” Vahlen adds, the excitement and adrenaline from nearly dying seeming to spark her need to… well, Science.

“Good.” The Commander nods, finally relaxing. A reassuring smile on her face.

You relax as well at that, now it seems it’s time for that well deserved br--

( Part 2 / 3 )

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“Bradford! Sir! We have a situation!” Anna bursts in, your communications specialist wild with alarm. The room turns her attention to her but-- seeing the panic in Anna’s face you spurn to action.

“Calm down, Anna. What’s the situation.” You say walking over and placing a reassuring hand on the woman’s shoulder. She blinks and gets flustered for a moment, cheeks turning red.

“I-- sir-- I think you need to see it for yourself!” Anna stammers, you look back to the rest of the Command Staff and quickly follow after Anna. You quickly make your way back to Mission Control.

Mission Control is bustling with nervous energy and activity, your specialists frantically trying to process the situation at hand, but you can see it clear as day the large form of the UFO’s blinking red and purple image hovering over China itself. The class of UFO easily the largest fielded by the Aliens, barring their ‘Abductor’-class ships seen escaping from Abduction sites.

You stare dumbfounded at the the large UFO hovering low over China, over Beijing specifically, on the Hologlobe and realize with horror… it’s making a steady course for XCOM HQ...

File: Heading Out.png (1.82 MB, 1360x882)

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>>2277842

>...And with that, we;ll conclude this special one-shot turned two-shot from Bradford’s perspective! I hope you all enjoyed it and with that, we’ll be gearing up for Dozer’s return with a proper bombastic welcome! Next week, we’ll be... Slingshotting over to China once again to deal with a certain Alien Battleship! So until next time…

Thanks for playing!

>>2277844
Thanks for the run, Boss!

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>>2277844

Good run, Pixel.

Now we just need to figure out who our fastest sprinter is and load up on all the las-weaponry we can muster. If we can pull off this gambit, we'll be able to make Blaster Launchers sooner than expected!

>>2277842
Awwww yeahhhh, Fusion Cores!

Huh. XCOM Classic money-bases, with XCOM2 aliens showing up. This really is a mixture, isn't it?

The question is, do we steal an alien battleship and call it the Avenger?

>>2279065
Yes, we most definitely need to do this eventually.