Commander, we have a situation developing in China. A member of the local crime syndicates has contacted us. He claims to have an alien artifact and is willing to give it to us in exchange for a way out. The Council regards his information and the likelihood he has obtained genuine alien tech as credible. The mission is time-sensitive, as we need to extract him before the aliens, or his former associates, find him.
Strike, scramble. Briefing to follow.
Operation Devil's Thorn (Friends in Low Places), Hong Kong, China, 1:58AM, April 21st.
Deployed: Euclidean Geometry (assault), Enoich (assault), The E, (assault), Micheal Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), Admiral Ralwood (MEC)
"Strike, your contact is Shaojie Zhang. He's a senior member of the local crime syndicate. The Hong Kong police suspect him as triggerman in about a dozen murders from the '80s but he's long since graduated to the more civilized side of the house. Before you get comfortable his skills are still sharp; an attempt on his life in Indonesia last year cost the lives of a half-dozen would-be assassins. This man is
very dangerous. He's trading an alien artifact for international amnesty and the respectable life. It's fair to say his former employers will not be eager to let him go and the aliens may want their tech back as well."
"Sir, given our usual rules of engagement..."
"I am aware, Enoich. For the duration of this mission Standing Order One is rescinded. If you encounter anyone carrying a weapon besides Zhang, you have permission to drop them where they stand. If they are Chinese military or police then you should do it in a friendly manner, but they have been warned to stay out of the AO and this organization is not in the business of warning people twice."
"You had to chose a graveyard, man?"
"I had respects to pay. My parents would not be proud of the life I have lived, but I believe they would appreciate the choice I have made now. My associates wish to squabble over money and power while humanity fights for its very survival. They are fools. I have crossed many lines, but I have never been a fool."
"He's got you there, Euclid. Look after Zhang and the package. Ral and I have point. E, other E, rear point."
"Strike, PLAAF reports UFO inbound to your position. Expect company!"
"That is one awfully dead Thin Man."
Seriously, everyone fired reaction at him. It'd be funny if the MECs didn't have only enough rounds in a clip for two bursts."This is why HLPX-COM will always triumph, because evil doesn't understand how to overkill a target."
"Hey what the-flanker! Stunning!"
"Good move, Enoich. Ral, we're going around to the left."
"Copy. Target down."
"Strike, heads up, we've got something weird dropping in and another Thin Man."
"Once again: You came to the
wrong neighborhood, mother****er."
"Euclid, for all we know that's actually a thing Thin Men do."
"...thanks E.
Thanks."
"What the **** is that!?"
"Firing!"
"Oh god dammit stop skittering you bastard! Ral!"
"I'm okay...the thing tried to bite me. It seems confused it bounced off the chestplate."
"Say goodnight, bugman."
I told you, Chryssalids die horribly to MECs."They weren't kidding about what you punching things does."
"As the saying goes, don't force it. Get a Kinetic Strike Module."
"Strike, X-Ray dropping in!"
"I got this."
"Nice shot Euclid."
"Another wave, Strike."
"God, will you people never learn?"
"Well, the other one's not that dumb."
"The hell he's not. Learn
this gray gonadless."
"Zhang, go!"
"That was...quite impressive."
"It was a good mission. Well done people. And Zhang...Welcome to HLPX-COM."
"Not even a scratch. Promotions all around. Great day Wish we had more of these."
Admiral Ralwood, I'll need your favorite robot or AI name if possible so I can give you a less-silly nickname. 11 characters or less.