Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: NGTM-1R on November 14, 2013, 02:45:22 am
-
We're doing something more narrative. See if it holds up. Signup now, but I cannot promise you gene augs or MEC-ing unless it's for story reasons. Yet, anyways.
Contact lost with GSG-9 team in Hannover. Trajectory plotting indicates origination of objects from beyond plane of the ecliptic. Braking maneuvers in orbit indicate objects were under power. Regular army reports damage, no trace of activity. Recommend activation of the project.
Skywatch reports objects inbound. Trajectory and braking suggests South Africa, Johannesburg. Local government has requested assistance. Stand-to Strike One.
"Central, we are down and locked. No sign of civilians. Sky reports no infrared traces-what the Christ is that!?"
"Those bodies....what the hell are they covered with? This green goopy stuff is-"
"Don't touch it! Irina, that thing, what can you tell us?"
"Seems pretty solid. Has some nozzles on it...think we found our delivery mechanism for the goop."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00001_zps6f6ddea9.jpg)
"Keep moving. Stay in cover. No loud noises. I don't want to do anything that might make these active again."
"Signs of strugg-CONTACT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00002_zps470c3f4b.jpg)
"More of them, what the hell are they?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00003_zpsc652f3e6.jpg)
"Doesn't matter! Bjrane, Irina, cover the store! Anish, with me, up the street!"
"X-ray bagged!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00004_zpsa04be598.jpg)
"**** ****-**** that stuff burns!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00005_zps88b5c9ba.jpg)
"Keep your heads down, dammit, heads down! Anish, talk to me!"
"My vest is glowing but I'm okay."
"The door just stopped it. Straight stopped it. That was glass, it wouldn't have stopped a bullet!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00006_zps5c2de00f.jpg)
"Christ, you alright!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-13_00007_zps03f8af59.jpg)
"I'm fine, but glass doesn't stop this stuff! Get THEM!"
"Bjarne, flank left, I'll take right!"
"Target down! Irina, get down!"
"Christ, they just took out their own stuff!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00001_zps58df4faf.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00002_zps8597e97a.jpg)
"Irina, get the last-"
"It just dropped dead."
"What?"
"It dropped dead. I had it lined up. Never touched the trigger, it just fell over dead. I don't see his gun."
"Find their weapons. Sweep the area."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00003_zps502cb072.jpg)
Of course, we only found bits of their weapons. Scopecams revealed they self-destructed when the operator hit the ground. Seems awkward to me, means they can't go prone, but the short little bastards probably don't need to anyway. Anish and I are out of action for seven days while they patch us up. The ceramic inserts in our vests worked against what I'm told was a plasma; high vaporization temp. The stuff does burn, but mostly it triggers a vapor explosion. Incredible at demolishing most objects, but penetrating power is by guess and by god, which was why a glass door stopped one. The Kevlar in the armor, though...that's not going to do a bit of good.
-
Sign me up! :D
-
/me signs up. Again.
-
/me tentatively signs up this time
-
Do you even need to ask?
Reporting for duty...again.
-
And so my watch begins
Make sure it ends in glory!
I like the narrative thing actually
-
Private Enioch, reporting for duty, SIR!
-
Since I was doing pretty good the last attempt before the file corrupted I'd like to finish the fight.
-
I want in! Let's kick some x-ray a**! :pimp:
-
Good first mission!
Count me in if you are recruiting.
-
And me.
-
I too, am interested in being in on this.
-
Count me in Nightman! :D
-
It's not an HLPX-COM without a Scotty at the helm of the Interceptor.
-
Throw me in as well, please.
-
And I'm always ready to defend Earth. Count me in as well!
-
Sign me up!
-
Ready to go.
-
Whenever you call me, I'll be there!
Whenever you want--uh I mean reporting for duty.
-
Might as well add my meat for the grinder. Sign me up.
-
YOU MADE PROMISES NGTM
-
I MAY NOT REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE, SO PLEASE REMIND ME!
Decided to keep Irina too, this way I have a spare viewpoint character when one gets shot or dies.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00004_zpsedb07d36.jpg)
Operation Defiant Mist; 12:37 AM, Cologne, Germany.
Deployed: The E (assault, mission commander), Admiral Ralwood, Trashman, Irina Ignatyeva
"Sky says negative for infrared signatures."
"Just like last time. Okay rookies, spread out and grab cover. If you see an alien, shoot it and holler, preferably in that order. If you see a glowy orange thing, holler; the science types are real interested in those. You all remember the shutdown procedures? Good. Ral, you're with me. Trash, you're with Irina. You two better be in black armor and not bodybags at the end of the day or I'm kicking your asses. Move out."
"I got this one, take the other Ralwood."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00006_zpsfcae69c0.jpg)
"Contact, I got two in the back room of the place!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00007_zps4318deb9.jpg)
"What the hell, they're ALL here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00008_zps0fc0f7c5.jpg)
"Pull back, pull back. Trash, Irina, get over here!"
“One down, got him in the side when he moved up!”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00010_zpsfdc0fa53.jpg)
“Trash, dammit, do not try to flank them, there are way too many. Pull back.”
“I can do it, I-**** flanking! Got one!” this one came around the back and got shot through the window since it's not really obvious
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00011_zpsb67f3f08.jpg)
“Trash, pull back now or I swear to Carl you're riding back on top of the Skyranger if you live!”
“OW!”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00012_zpsef9d2de5.jpg)
“Ral!”
“I'm all right, just winged me-****!”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00013_zps3b81936c.jpg)
“Ral, get back, way back.”
"Copy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00014_zps1ead2745.jpg)
“Got another one!”
“Well dammit if you're going to be like that, make yourself useful. Irina, with me, move in.”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00015_zps1d11d1b1.jpg)
“He missed me-****, flank! Son of a *****!”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00017_zps62994ef0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00019_zpsd3803035.jpg)
“Frag out!” It's hard to see, but it's passing the transparent truck.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00020_zps4fd8a283.jpg)
“Okay, good one Irina, moving in.”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00021_zps5bad7f2c.jpg)
“Scratch one. Trash, can you get the last one?”
“Sure thing. Frag out!”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00022_zpsd0044072.jpg)
“That wasn't what I had in mind, Trash, but okay.”
Ralwood came off the Skyranger on a stretcher. We learn about the reactions of our vests to plasma fire, as so much else in life, by doing. The first hit will not penetrate the vest. It will almost certainly break a rib or three, and we have learned to wear gloves to protect our hands from flashburns. The second hit, as Ralwood has taught us, technically will not penetrate the vest either. It will definitely break ribs and shatter the vest into several large sharp fragments.
Ralwood ran 20 meters with a ceramic knife in the guts, did not appear to even notice it until Trash pointed it out. Remarkable. I pressure-taped the wound without removing it, as there was no way to know what it might have cut. Nine days in sickbay, I am told.
The E's wounds did not appear serious, no worse than Micheal's in our first mission, and he walked off the Skyranger under his own power. He lifted off his vest and suddenly there was blood everywhere and the medical team was doing a very good impression of us in a firefight. His vest was faulty, there was internal layering in the ceramic. It spalled. The E did not even seem to know until nearly bleeding out between the hanger and medical. Stabilized now, but fourteen days in sickbay.
The commander was furious. He had our entire stock examined with the gear in the science lab and they found four other defective ones. I know the vests are South African, because I could hear the commander screaming at the South African attache from four rooms away. He threatened to load a team onto the Skyranger and raid the company, as he knows that politically there would be nothing they could do about it. The next batch of vests, they say, will come from America.
-
Ow. At least I didn't die like a redshirt on my first mission.
-
(OOC: Are you running with any Second Wave options active?)
-
(OOC: Are you running with any Second Wave options active?)
Two, actually. Save Scum, which I don't think I'll ever be using, but if I ever need to save a viewpoint character or something I wanted the option, Aiming Angles which is essentially "partial flanking", and both sets of extra missions.
-
I MAY NOT REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE, SO PLEASE REMIND ME!
I get to be robopilot! I very definitely asked for this.
-
I get to be robopilot! I very definitely asked for this.
Would you like to be robopilot combat robot or robopilot airplane?
-
robopilot airplane!
-
Sign me up as someone who can punch alliens through walls :D
-
Sign me up as someone who can punch alliens through walls :D
I can't promise a MEC suit, yet anyways, though ironically I have a post to intro MECs written up already. I can guarantee that they will play a big role in the campaign; I'm a great believer in the Mechanized Exoskeleton Cybersuit, but have little experience with gene augs of yet.
-
Killing alines.
(http://deansomerset.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Like-a-boss.jpg)
EDIT:
To MEC or not to MEC. That is the question.
I don't particualy like their looks..but miniguns. MINIGUNS.
-
Actually, if it would fit within the narrative, could I be a support person of some sort? Doctor, scientist, engineer, etc- I don't usually see people clamoring for those roles, and it might put a nice spin on things.
-
I will take a MEC suit when I make it into the XCOM roster. :D
-
Actually, if it would fit within the narrative, could I be a support person of some sort? Doctor, scientist, engineer, etc- I don't usually see people clamoring for those roles, and it might put a nice spin on things.
Done. You're now the MEC Project Lead.
Contact, single fast-mover, Nigerian airspace. He's not squawking and he's not responding to the locals, and outran a pair of local jets with ease including a burst at hypersonic. Scramble Scotty.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00001_zps4ec02ca7.jpg)
Base, Scotty, radar lock, engaging.
Base, target is down, repeat, the UFO is down. Two Avalanches expended.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00002_zpse82dfe71.jpg)
Gratuitous reaction shot of HQ!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00003_zps6daceece.jpg)
Settle down people. Retask the recon sat, I want imagery of that crash site. Prep the Skyranger.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00004_zps3ebd3fbb.jpg)
Too much smoke. Go infra and magnify. Jesus, is that it? It looks intact. Scramble the Skyranger now!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00005_zps631fbf06.jpg)
Operation Soaring Skull, Nigerian interior, 6:17pm
Deployed: Micheal Sanderson (sniper, mission commander), Deathfun (support), Starslayer, Enoich
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00006_zps3b4abcef.jpg)
"Christ, what were you listening to?"
"Hey, I'm the mission commander, it's what were you listening to sir. No appreciation for good movie music here. Rookies! We've not lost anyone yet and if you die on us we lose our perfect record. Stay close to your buddy and if you're taking a lot of fire pull back."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00007_zps511a3d66.jpg)
"Contact! Count two-no four! Frag out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00009_zps7d4df654.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00010_zpsf76fd662.jpg)
"Jesus Star, make the rest of us pointless why don't you? Move up, support StarSlayer!"
"That...won't be necessary."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00012_zps2983aed9.jpg)
"Last one just ran into the ship."
"All right, deathfun, get that door open."
"What the hell, it just beamed in! Materialized! Whatever!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00013_zpsee9faae0.jpg)
"So shoot it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00014_zps933f255b.jpg)
"Got one!"
"Oww, you little *****! Die!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00016_zps23fdbaaa.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00017_zps63a707ef.jpg)
"Not good, there."
"I got him that time."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00018_zps34dcf47b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00019_zps1acf322f.jpg)
"Fair 'nuff. Let's go home."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00020_zps7962bf18.jpg)
Five days in sickbay for Enoich. Not a bad mission, really. Only one causality and that less serious than some of the others. The new thing's still a mystery, it didn't leave a proper corpse, just a crystal of the alien stuff they're calling Elerium, and deathfun had damaged it with gunfire. Ralwood's one day out of leaving sickbay and both The E and Enoich are five. Things don't look bad at the moment.
-
They call it Meld.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00023_zps621de4e8.jpg)
It's a crystalline suspension for nanotech robots designed to interact with biological tissue on a molecular scale. Want to rewrite your DNA? Meld can do that. Want to seamlessly mesh electronics and biological tissue? Meld can do that too. This is the stuff of dreams and nightmares. The posthuman revolution has arrived, ladies and gentlemen, and it was brought to Earth by little gray bastards I'm paid to shoot.
We can't replicate it. The science and engineering staff have gone around to research and production facilities around the world tearfully begging for help on that, but everyone else is as confused as we are. So far the only Meld we're gonna get is stuff we're gonna capture.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00024_zpsd54caaf1.jpg)
The science staff has laid out two options for the commander, and he can chose both, neither, or one. The first is that, using what we've learned from studying the obviously altered genetics of dead aliens, we can incorporate some of their abilities into our soldiers or possibly even graft whole organs from other creatures. The second is that Meld can be used to allow the creation of efficient enhancement cybernetics, which can be easily swapped and replaced and upgraded, in effect creating modular soldiers.
The commander is...uneasy, with the genetics option. If we had more time, if we could test fully...but we can't. There's a war on. “Second best tomorrow” is the motto of science and engineering. Meld would make the process safe but it might not make it fully controllable. We talk about adapting alien abilities and grafting alien parts because we can study aliens to see how they did it; developing our own methods from scratch would just take too long. And the problem as the commander sees it is that a soldier grafted with more and more alien parts might become subject to problems we can't hope to anticipate, from alien control to special dietary needs.
So some joker posted the announcement up on the corkboard in the mess, with a note that said “Will Adam Jensen please stand up?” stapled onto it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-14_00025_zps31a2a3ee.jpg)
Somebody had to volunteer first.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00021_zps9f82e697.jpg)
“Lay it out for me IronBeer.”
“We amputate your arms and legs. We perform radical, experimental surgery on your spine, shoulders, and pelvis. We have a basic, minimally augmented set of limbs worked out that will allow you normal human interaction during the day-to-day, but your old bodyparts are gone forever. Meld performs man-made miracles, not divine ones. You'll gain around seventy-five pounds from the weight of the new parts. Your head will not be altered, and because you'll ask, you'll still be able to perform during romantic encounters.”
“And if it doesn't work?”
“The best case is that you'll be a quadriplegic, though given what Meld lets us do irreparable nerve damage is probably a thing of the past. It's a couple of orders of magnitude more likely that a failure will result in your death...And if any of us are left alive when the war is over, your sacrifice will be remembered as vital to the development of successful combat cybernetics.”
“And if it does work?”
“We had a heavy combat exoskeleton design in testing before the balloon went up. We couldn't get it self-sustaining in power for field use and there were issues with the control system. The aliens were nice enough to solve both problems for us. We're modifying the chassis now. After the procedure it will be a simple matter of detaching the everyday limbs and slotting your torso into the chassis. The entire process would take a couple of minutes at most and no equipment more complex than a human hand. A crane would help, but two or three people can do it just as well.”
“Then let's get started.”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00022_zpsf965c051.jpg)
-
Muy excelente! Hand me a DMR, its time to spread 7.62mm love.
-
Damn, I want one of these suits^^
-
I will reiterate: I cannot promise you a MEC.
There are two cognizant reasons for this. The first is that I'm doing really crappy at recovering Meld. The second is that not every class makes a good MEC.
-
I'm assuming that this is still a thing that you can do/want to do NGTM so I figured I'd remind everyone about it
Also, for my Support Character
Perks as they come:
Covering Fire
Field Medic
Revive - Hoping I'll never have to use that
Dense Smoke
Sentinel
Race - 1
Voice - 4
Head- 4
Skin Colour - 1
Hair/Helmet - 22
Hair Colour - 3
Facial Hair - 14
Armour Deco - 3
Armour Tint - 25
And huzzah, solid take down Scotty. That suit... hodamn
-
I'm going to mandate armor decos for now, simply as a class distingusher, and if you're a rookie you get the standard armor, but otherwise go crazy there.
-
I will reiterate: I cannot promise you a MEC.
There are two cognizant reasons for this. The first is that I'm doing really crappy at recovering Meld. The second is that not every class makes a good MEC.
My bad, sorry^^
-
Can you list the current roster together with their respective classes?
-
I'm actually at a mission right at this moment so I can't. Later, however.
-
I'm going to mandate armor decos for now, simply as a class distingusher, and if you're a rookie you get the standard armor, but otherwise go crazy there.
Sounds good
Looking forward to seeing the medic run around in bright pink!
-
I'm going to mandate armor decos for now, simply as a class distingusher, and if you're a rookie you get the standard armor, but otherwise go crazy there.
Sounds good
Looking forward to seeing the medic run around in bright pink!
It's not pink. It's light red!
-
I will reiterate: I cannot promise you a MEC.
There are two cognizant reasons for this. The first is that I'm doing really crappy at recovering Meld. The second is that not every class makes a good MEC.
It will be a bit before I can do a play through myself but I think for narrative purposes I'll only opt to 'augment' troopers after they receive grievous injuries in the field. The idea of salvaging ruined operatives Adam Jensen style seems more palatable to me then chopping up a perfectly good body.
-
Anyone else who wants a customized look, please speak up. Also, I should point out that if you'd like to speak a different language, just to confuse me, your options are currently English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.
Commander, we have a mission for you. A Council facility in Durban has gone off the air. One of our best researchers, Doctor Hongou Marazuki, was there doing work on UFO trajectories to attempt to establish point of origin. This implies a security leak of some sort. Go to Durban. Recover Doctor Marazuki. Establish how information leaked if possible.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00023_zps2835cb05.jpg)
Strike One, saddle up! I'll want OpEval reports on the new S.C.O.P.E. gear after the mission, but if it's causing problems don't hesitate to discard them. Your mission is to secure and extract a VIP, Doctor Hongou Marazuki, and any possible data from the mission site. Opposition is expected.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00025_zpsf26707c0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-15_00024_zps1e001da8.jpg)
They gave us the S.C.O.P.E. before we deployed. An enhanced...scope, really, using alien tech to be smaller and lighter than what we have, yet more full-featured. Testing on the range has gotten us comfortable with the device and we do think it will help, but only combat can truly prove it. At the same time, Micheal is still in recovery. Brave of him to be the first volunteer, but we could have used him. Or his cybersuit.
Ralwood took my place on the Skyranger in a last-minute substitution. I find it hard to believe Ral would go out again the same day as the release from sickbay from his last mission. Either exceptional bravery or a grudge nursed well enough to be nearly Russian.
Operation Defiant Star, 3:10pm, Durban, South Africa
Deployed: The E (assault, mission commander), StarSlayer (sniper), deathfun (support), Admiral Ralwood
"Doc, stay close to Ralwood. Ralwood, StarSlayer, you take care of him. Deathfun, we'll sweep and clear. ET is out there according to Sky, who has movement."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00001_zpse3ae9bec.jpg)
"Contact! Looks kinda human, should check. Got no shot, Ral, can you get him?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00002_zps1fd9cb45.jpg)
"On it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00003_zps227f5211.jpg)
"Target down!"
"Did your life flash before your eyes there, Ral?"
"No. Definitely not human. Contact!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00004_zpsbc0597c7.jpg)
"Contact! Jesus, Ral get down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00005_zps35419605.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00006_zpsa7abcbbe.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00007_zpsbb77de5d.jpg)
"Strike One, Sky, hostiles entering the area."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00008_zps3cfa4018.jpg)
"Dropped into the wrong neighborhood, my friend. Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00009_zpsd37ef284.jpg)
"Moving up, firing...Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00011_zpsf08d4373.jpg)
"Dammit, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00013_zps3e324ffe.jpg)
"Ral-****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00012_zps257a1740.jpg)
"I'm all right! Bastards really have a hate-on for me. Star, got no shot, do you?"
"Firing-miss, dammit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00013_zps3e324ffe.jpg)
"He moved. I'll get him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00014_zps45d1ded0.jpg)
"Damn Ral, you have a grudge or something?"
"I've been shot, stabbed, and burned by these things, damn right I have a grudge!"
"Recovering the data the commander asked for."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00015_zpscf8e3754.jpg)
"Contact!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00016_zpsb63b19ff.jpg)
"Enemy down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00017_zpsf8b43ea0.jpg)
"Nice shot E."
"Strike One, Sky, X-rays inbound."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00018_zps8da64919.jpg)
"Not anymore. Sky, we need you on the ground, approaching LZ."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00019_zps6d6453f1.jpg)
"Copy. Sky is waiting for pickup."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00020_zps28869f87.jpg)
"Okay, deathfun, got the data?"
"Confirm."
"Then let's get out of here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00021_zpsfd4969c5.jpg)
A solid mission. Ralwood continues to intercept a great deal of plasma, but it can be said revenge was had this time. The SCOPE gear performed well, overall, though StarSlayer turned in a negative report about the enhanced accuracy after missing two shots, the others gave it good reviews. Examination of StarSlayer's weapon revealed a barrel improperly mated to the receiver; engineering's mistake. The SCOPE is due for general service now it seems.
Deathfun is now fabulous
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00022_zps626eed76.jpg)
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00023_zpsa3a4f18d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00024_zpsa3f7f4a3.jpg)
The hell of it all was that when I woke up, I didn't feel different. It took me a few seconds to realize my left arm wasn't there. My right felt perfectly normal. So did my legs.
They weren't normal at all, of course. Walking...walking was oddly easy, despite the new knees. Damn fools stuck my left arm on after I was awake and on my feet. I'm pretty sure that was a risk somehow, but they did it. It just slid right in, no problem, secured, and it worked instantly. I guess I no longer have to worry about breaking an arm or a leg. They replace real easily.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00025_zpscb50f0a8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00026_zpsaecf40b9.jpg)
The Mechanized Exoskeletal Cybersuit, as they're calling it now, was just across the room, undergoing final touches. It's...you can see exactly where I'd...slot in. IronBeer was there to see whether his babies were doing well. I really should have felt considerably more weird about this than I actually did. They were just getting to attaching the arms to the MEC. Flamethrower or the rocket punch.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00027_zps658c627d.jpg)
Heh. Rocket punch.
Think I'll go with that.
Basic augmentations for a MEC soldier
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00028_zps816982c3.jpg)
Kinetic Strike Module Demo
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00029_zps65baa042.jpg)
MEC suited up and ready for action; I had to select the helmet, mind.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00030_zps0180e302.jpg)
At IronBeer's insistence, I'm slated for immediate deployment to test the suit in combat. I might have wanted to get used to the MEC a bit first. He's insisted on designating it MEC-I Warden, but I'll be really if pleasantly surprised if something better than this comes along. This is already amazing.
Storyline:
Micheal Sanderson, MEC Trooper, Squaddie
Irina Ignatyeva, Heavy, Squaddie
Active Soldier Roster:
The E, Assault, Squaddie
Deathfun, Support, Squaddie (and fabulous)
StarSlayer, Sniper, Squaddie
Trashman, Sniper, Squaddie
Enioch, Assault, Squaddie
Admiral Ralwood, Assault, Squaddie (in sickbay, seven days)
Pilots:
Scotty, Interceptor One
Phantoom Hoover, Interceptor Two
Support Staff:
IronBeer (MEC Project Lead)
In the queue:
EuclidanGeometry
Rodo
MP-Ryan
Polpolion
Patriot
Scotty
SpardaSon21
Scourge of Ages
The Force
Swashmebuckle
BLARGHER
-
Actually, on second thought, I'll take a support role as well. Technician guy what gets to build stuff?
-
I'd like my soldier to speak Polish. That'd be cool.
Also, I seem to have been missed in the queue, even though I got first reply to the OP. :(
-
I'd like my soldier to speak Polish. That'd be cool.
Also, I seem to have been missed in the queue, even though I got first reply to the OP. :(
I have no excuse, sir. Consider yourself at the top of the list.
-
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
March 29, 2015 - Entry #3
_____________________________________________________________
It all seems so surreal even now. These last few months have been such a whirlwind. First finding out that UFOs ARE real, to being inducted into the shadow world of HLPX-COM, and now working with the greatest scientists of our time. For the past four years, I was under the assumption that the work at CyberLife and its contemporaries was bleeding-edge. I wasn't wrong, but it turns out there's something even more advanced than "bleeding-edge", and now I'm in the thick of it. I can't say I'm 100% comfortable with the augmentation scheme that's been devised, but so long as all the candidates volunteer on their own and I'm up-front with what the procedure entails, I suppose my conscience can rest easy.
Michael Sanderson was the first to volunteer. The Commander told me to be serious when detailing the procedure, but also to not be too grim- I may have come off a little snarky, but apparently the military types appreciate some wit and dark humor. Whatever helps them cope, I suppose. It's funny- I'm apparently the in-house "expert" on cybernetics, but I myself would be a little uneasy with willingly giving up a limb. Or four. And then some. Amputation of both arms; amputation of both legs; major restructuring of pelvic muscles and bone; major restructuring of pectoral girdle/shoulder structures; tons of implants. It seems like lunacy, but yet, when I look up from my computer screen and see Michael walking around, using his personal tablet, just generally LIVING with quadruple cybernetic limbs, the gravity of what we've accomplished here strikes home. Of course, Drs. Shen and Vahlen had access to the systems I helped develop at CyberLife - off-the-shelf Series 4 nerve relays are the best we could get on short notice - but the one thing nobody in the "normal" world could ever have foreseen is Meld.
Meld. The name really says it all, and yet there's so much it misses. I suppose first off, on the technical level, is just how we're handling MEC augments. We did it directly. I know how insane that must sound to any other cyberneticist, but there it is. There's no other way to really describe it- the Meld just "knew" somehow what we were trying to do, and formed an inorganic electrical interface with the nerve endings. A bit more Meld around the limb stumps, and we have perfectly biocompatible sockets for the "daily" limbs, and the control trunks for the armor suit.
The MEC suit itself is a major point of pride for Dr. Shen and his team- I won't lie, it is an impressive machine, especially as it's effectively the first working version of a full-body prosthesis. At first I was somewhat opposed to the digitigrade feet due to concerns about potential adaptation difficulty, but Michael tells me it's no trouble at all. I've since changed my tune- it's almost elegant how the thousand-kilo machine can lope about. Also, though not elegant in the least, watching Michael demolish practice walls and dummies with the rocketfist module is endlessly entertaining.
Back to Meld. It's funny- various think tanks and universities have long speculated that nanomachinery would be used for augmentation, but I don't think anybody thought it would happen so soon. Using Meld as a ...liaison of sorts for bulk cybernetics is all fine and good, and has some real potential to help people if when we win this war, but what I can't stop thinking about is the other use that Dr. Vahlen has theorized about- genetic manipulation. We haven't actually done any real work on it, but the blue-sky theorizing suggests a very real method of inserting xenogenic DNA strands to grant subjects some alien-derived abilities. Naturally, nobody's really comfortable with the idea, but what surprises me is that we don't have any potential Earth-derived DNA that could be integrated. When Dr. Vahlen gets a spare second, I'll have to grill her over that question, but I may want to brush up on my biochemistry first...
Actually, the more I think about it, the less "right" it seems for me to be so dramatically altering our soldiers (even if it is by their choice) when I have no real idea of what they're going through. Pending the Commander's approval, I will give up my left arm and have the stump modified to the same standards as our MEC troopers. I'll also see if I can get Dr. Shen or one of his engineers to build a custom lightweight replacement- nothing wrong with the MEC cybernetics, but adding an unbalanced 20 pounds can't be smart. It feels so wierd to be actually writing this, but my mind is indeed now made up.
Addendum: Yes on both- I'll be going under the knife tomorrow at 0900, and the engineers already have a ready-to-go "replacement" limb line. HLPX-COM doesn't **** around. I figured my request would take longer to go through- this is happening so fast I'm not even nervous yet.
Addendum 2: WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO SLEEP ANYWAYS. I'm off to medbay eight hours early. It'll be a few days before I can update. Guess I'd better wish myself luck, and for a good surgery....
-
I'm a sniper?
Oh well....begars can't be choosers.
-
March 28th to March 30th would be a decent date. Glad to have you onboard with the self-inflicted writing projects.
Operation Spectral Fall, Beijing, China, 11:00pm, March 31st)
Deployed: Micheal Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), StarSlayer (sniper), Deathfun (support), CommanderDJ
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00031_zpsa1a52ee9.jpg)
"Let me get this straight, on my first deployment I'm with a guy in a giant robot and somebody in fabulous pink armor."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00032_zps98b62ad1.jpg)
"You knew there would be days like this when you signed up, DJ. I hear they recommended cyanide for them. This is probably the standard alien abduction attempt, so we're going to do the standard smash them all to pieces. DJ and StarSlayer, you're fire buddies. Deathfun, you're weird enough to be with me. We'll see whether the aliens prioritize bright colors or loud noises for fire."
"You're actually a lot quieter than I would have-CONTACT! X-ray down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00033_zps2d827f5f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00034_zps2c971138.jpg)
"Second set! Third set!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00035_zpsdd2514fc.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00036_zps697c5d60.jpg)
"You're bad luck, rookie."
"The hell I am, why are you standing in the open?"
"You see anything here that'll hide a a MEC? No? Didn't think so. Star, go wide and clear that flanking high ground to the left."
"Scratch one. Ironbeer will be happy to know it all works."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00037_zps40ff15e4.jpg)
"Fourth set! God, maybe I am bad luck."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00038_zps1781555d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00039_zps21db1ac3.jpg)
"Don't know, that one you just shot seems pretty dead to me."
"Son of a *****, pistol wasn't gutsy enough to take that one down. Watch your left flank!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00040_zpsad3420d6.jpg)
"Got another one. They haven't even returned fire yet. Could there be a reason boss?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00041_zps7ecfef11.jpg)
"Yeah, we're kicking their ass."
"Scratch two. Crap, ammo box depleted. This thing uses it up fast."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00042_zps4d577203.jpg)
"...how the hell did he miss me?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00043_zps8177b6be.jpg)
"Don't knock it, man."
"CQC time. Let's see if this thing works the way Ironbeer said it would."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00044_zps3f5a6e98.jpg)
"...holy ****, you just punched him so hard he flew ten feet and through a goddamn wall."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00045_zps2def166f.jpg)
"And doesn't it feel good!"
"Enemy killed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00046_zps6da6f968.jpg)
"You okay?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00047_zps2dc7ee88.jpg)
"Minor armor damage, good to go. More facepunching time."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00049_zps750d40e6.jpg)
"This guy just didn't fly as well. Wall actually stopped him."
"Figures. I don't get more than one chance to fire."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00050_zps6926d455.jpg)
"Knock it off, Star. You chased two of them into the rocket punch. Besides...we just pulled off our first perfect mission."
"He's right."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-16_00051_zps5d9ad3fd.jpg)
The MEC...it's hard to describe it. I took a plasma burst to the chest, right? I didn't feel a thing. Suit didn't even rock. The high-temperature ceramics in the chestplate vaporized, there's a crater about the size of a fist in the chestplate, but there was still at least that thickness of armor left. It took thirty seconds to replace with a new one at base, too. Performance wasn't noticeably affected. The real test will be a limb hit, but I have lot more confidence in the suit right now. Supposedly one of the GSG-9 guys in Hamburg bought it trying to CQC a Sectoid because of their hands-free guns. For the Warden, it was simple. Granted Doc Vahlen was less than thrilled about the condition of the bodies, as apparently the only unbroken bones were in the legs and I even managed to break the eardrums with those hits.
The aliens clearly prioritized me as a target, I was the only one they fired at even though they had a good flank shot at DJ a couple times. Given the size of the suit and its positioning it's impossible to say if they realized the threat level or were simply going for the most obvious and nearest target. I'm okay with having a fire magnet on my forehead since I can take it a lot better than the others, but it could have been an issue if they'd gotten off more rounds.
Maybe a little too much confidence in the suit. I'm reminded of a quote: "I have fought as a god fights, you will not frighten me little man." Have to remember I'm not invincible, just very hard to kill. Need to bring up these issues with IronBeer; possibilities of addiction, maybe even psychosis. We didn't think about the psych issues of making someone Superman with a chaingun.
-
Oh the painful early grind of a Designated Marksman. Well so long as I survive once they start leveling up the DMs really start rocking.
Customization:
4/5/1/2/14/12
Armor Scheme works for me.
-
Well done NGTM with that narrative. Gave me a solid laugh
I like being fabulous
-
Uh... are there actually any augmentations available for pilots in Enemy Within?
-
Uh... are there actually any augmentations available for pilots in Enemy Within?
Technically, no.
Narratively, I can say whatever **** I want.
-
wooooooo
-
Damnit I missed the start just because of one slumber day.
Put me onto the queue list too, please. No real class preference, but on the last one I was a sniper so might aswell do that again if needed.
And good going so far lads.
-
Reporting for duty! Assault if possible. No other particular preferences. ;7
-
wow, nice colors there deathfun :lol:
I'd like to request my soldier to speak spanish, everything else up to you. Though I must say I like the super mec dude :yes:
-
I wanted in too :(
But it's ok, it is fun to read :lol:
-
I'll take a Russian speaking guy, and to be a bald guy if possible, else, short hair.
-
"You want us to take one alive."
"If possible. Too many things about this situation do not make sense. The aliens have clearly planned this operation for months if not years, undertaken extensive genetic and surgical alteration of infiltration operatives, developed informants and subverted information sources. But they refuse to engage in open warfare. Their goals and motivations and even their bases are a mystery. Wars are won by offensive action. Find me somebody who can give me targets to hit."
Operation Lost Thunder, Syndey, Australia, 5:30pm April 4th
Deployed: Deathfun (support, mission commander), The E (assault), Trashman (sniper), Micheal Sanderson (MEC)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00001_zps85c25b91.jpg)
How does a MEC fast-rope? It doesn't. It just jumps.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00003_zpsc789de1e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00004_zpsc7b503de.jpg)
"Move up through the store and find some aliens, people. You're not rookies, you know how to do this."
"Jesus, watch the crossfire people, let's not trigger the underground tanks okay?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00006_zps7910034a.jpg)
"****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00007_zpsa5cece7f.jpg)
"Trash, this is what happens when you're not aggressive-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00008_zps3dcff266.jpg)
"Holy ****! What the **** is-it's strangling him!"
"Get the **** off!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00009_zps49060d04.jpg)
"E, you okay?"
"He gave me a thumbs up but he's catching his breath, that thing just appeared out of nowhere."
"X-ray down. We've still got other stuff to fight, people."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00010_zps17ee5aa0.jpg)
"God, they shoot as bad as me when I was a rookie."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00011_zpsdc3fe92c.jpg)
"All the ones that have fought us are dead. He is a rookie."
"Well, this one's gonna live. In a cage."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00012_zps320d89bd.jpg)
"Contact!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00013_zps90a29ccd.jpg)
"Winged one!"
"He'll make a good second addition to the zoo. Move up!"
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00014_zps59b912c4.jpg)
"DEATHFUN, BEHIND YOU!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00015_zps61e95013.jpg)
"Christ, that was close. Thanks Mike."
"No prob. Killing the last one. We can cap others some other day."
"Agreed, those cloaky bastards make it too risky."
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00016_zpsfcbbd7b7.jpg)
"No movement, no targets, no IR. Think we're done here."
Gratuitous MEC pinup.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00017_zpsb43bdf90.jpg)
Deathfun is now a sergeant. His nickname is Axle.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00018_zpsaa35827d.jpg)
Like hell.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-17_00022_zpscc6f94fc.jpg)
The new Arc Throwers aren't exactly my idea of a good capture weapon, but their effect was as advertized against the little grey bastards. I pleaded with Doctor Shen to give me one, I can take some hits while I close to effective range, but there's too much metal in the Warden's chassis. I'm too good a conductor. Deathfun got it done clean. The man's a pro, it could have gone much worse.
The cloaking things, we're calling them Sentinels...they were a nasty surprise. We're not used to having to cover each other with guns and it's a hell of a thing to realize you need to do. It was pure luck Trash was able to shoot that one off The E, he was running on adrenaline and it wasn't really the best idea to try. If I hadn't seen a flicker of movement behind Deathfun god knows how we'd have gotten it off him. As it was the Warden chassis came through a made a shot I'm not sure I could have done reliably before enhancement.
In other news, a second MEC chassis is being prepped. Short list is apparently Ralwood...that grudge must run real deep. Docs want me to talk to Ral about it, acclimatization, and they're doing a psych workup this time as well. You must be this sane to become a cybernetic death machine. Doc Shen has been hanging around a lot...
I wonder if he's having second thoughts. I haven't yet. I keep wondering if I will.
-
Sentinels eh?
That's a truly new one.
I'm impressed at the luck I've been having. It is unusual, so I'm totally wondering where and when things are truly going to start going to well...
...where all LPs go on HLP
-
In other news, a second MEC chassis is being prepped. Short list is apparently Ralwood...
Oh hell yes.
-
Checking in. Would love to be dorf'd... I mean, rookie'd up.
-
Got a general question for everyone here
If I were to start shall we say the B-Team of the XCOM Project to run parallel to this one, would you guys be okay with that? I don't want to take any spotlight here, just give more people an opportunity to be involved
-
I wouldn't be opposed, but wouldn't that be tricky to organize?
-
Might as well. I've got a lot of room for pilots left and support stuff, but only a few infantry.
Some of them will be appearing now. Because do you guys feel like new content missions? I feel like new content missions.
Commander. The Council has been monitoring unusual reports about a hijack attempt on a French military convoy. The perpetrators were human, but the French relief effort was interdicted by aliens. This raises interesting questions about the convoy and cargo. The Council has invoked its authority to investigate alien incidents. We need to know what happened to that convoy and what it was carrying.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00003_zps732c8f79.jpg)
Operation Cryptic Paramour, Lille, France, 6:45pm, 11 March 2015
Deployed: Irina Ignatyeva (Heavy, mission commander), Admiral Ralwood (MEC), MP-Ryan, Rodo, EuclideanGeometry
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00004_zpsc107b402.jpg)
“Holy ****, what happened here?”
“Central, this is Strike Lead, somebody staged a serious firefight here. Severe structural damage to nearby buildings. Burned-out vehicles. I can see at least four obvious rocket launcher strikes from where we entered the AO and evidence of sustained machinegun fire. Central...there's no sign of alien weapons having inflicted any of this damage.”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00005_zpsce6d0d48.jpg)
“Strike, confirm negative on alien weapons.”
“Confirm negative on alien weapons, Central."
"Strike, this is the Commander. I will be personally supervising from now on. Move in carefully. Somebody had an awful lot of firepower and wasn't afraid to use it."
"Okay rookies, you heard the man. Let's take this nice and easy."
"What the hell are those? They're not VABs.”
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00006_zps15014737.jpg)
“AMCs. I didn't know the French actually had any in service. Those are AT4 tubes on the sides of the machinegun turrets, they packed a lot of firepower here...Commander, this is Strike Three, we have French AMC armored personnel carriers on the scene. One of them looks intact but the other has had its RWS station blown off, no sign of activity."
"The French report negative radio contact with their forces in the convoy, Strike. Identify yourself with code alpha three."
"No response. Commander, I can see bodies, but I can't make out if they're military or civilian."
"Continue on mission, Strike."
"CONTACT! Thin man! Contact down! Confirm aliens on-site Commander."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00007_zps8f378274.jpg)
"Command, Ralwood, third AMC, this one was taken out by a rocket or someth-CONTACT! Son of a ***** cratched my paint."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00009_zps572aaf91.jpg)
"Firing. Target down. Score one for second MEC."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00010_zpsa1f7da10.jpg)
"Ryan, what's that AMC look like?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00011_zps6b8036c5.jpg)
"Empty, Commander. Checking the other two-contact! Thin man. He just hid behind a truck."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00012_zps59c3b806.jpg)
"Enemy moving up! Firing! Missed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00014_zpsbe404dcd.jpg)
"Got him. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00015_zpse54bc7d9.jpg)
"Ryan, as you were saying."
"Other one is empty. Last one is definitely dead to a HEAT round, commander. Commander, there are bodies here, but they're not French military. A lot of them are wearing bandannas across their faces, orange armbands, civvies with some military bodyarmor over them. They've been killed with human weapons."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00016_zps994d7738.jpg)
"Those aren't French-issue weapons lying around either."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00017_zpsb70d6af2.jpg)
"Would have been a nice little place to dance, once. AT4 stopped that. "
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00018_zps698bfc8f.jpg)
"Commander! Contact, single human!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00019_zps5163b1bd.jpg)
"Get over there and find out who he is."
"Alien rolling up! We missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00020_zps8e00cd36.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00021_zps49293325.jpg)
"Minor damage. Chaingun empty, switching to flamethrower."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00022_zps37ad133e.jpg)
"Target is dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00023_zpsea4445db.jpg)
"Okay, let's do this right. Rodo, I want you on the roof of this building. Euclid, secure our backtrail. Ral and MP, secure the human."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00024_zpsda86900f.jpg)
Might as well leave me here, I've got nothing to say to you people.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00026_zps9432ae64.jpg)
"All that after Ral pointed a chaingun at him. Man's got guts. No brains, but guts."
"Unacceptable. He's the only living witness to this fight and he could have been one of the aggressors for all we know. He's coming in whether he likes it or not."
Pose as a team, because **** just got real!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00027_zps259b880c.jpg)
"Strike One, hostiles entering the AO."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00028_zps740f0a79.jpg)
"Dammit Rodo!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00029_zpse100c60b.jpg)
"He's lost it, ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00030_zps146b1e14.jpg)
"Ryan, bring that asshole down, you're the only chance Rodo's got!"
"He'll get poisoned either way!"
"If you don't kill it now it kills Rodo and flanks us from an elevated position!"
"Firing! X-ray down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00031_zps54b11cf3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00032_zpse9a137ef.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00033_zps7da5fd9d.jpg)
"Got one on an AMC in front of us, bringing it down. Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00035_zps63d25209.jpg)
"Not bad Euclid."
This is only the beginning, it's only a matter of-*coughing*
"Somebody under my command just died to save your life you prick, you don't get a voice."
You're nothing but a bunch of *cough* puppets.
"Ryan, if he talks again whack him."
"Strike, we have hostiles dropping on top of the building near your extraction point."
"I'll go."
"Euclid, you saw what happened to-"
"I'll go."
"...do it."
"Whoa! Pretty thick up here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00036_zps467b4728.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00037_zpsb0a6781a.jpg)
This is a waste of time.
"Goddammit, shut up! I am so having Vahlen fry your brain!"
"The bastard just spit poison all over me! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00038_zpsc8130093.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00039_zps4588f5ab.jpg)
What're you trying to prove?
"Ryan, hit him."
"With pleasure!"
"Strike, X-ray dropping in."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00040_zps37c3f0dc.jpg)
"I have had absolutely enough of this ****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00041_zps5f4bdcb4.jpg)
"Jesus Irina, chill."
Still not getting anything from me.
"Goddamn, you don't know when to quit man."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00042_zpsfc15281d.jpg)
We lost Rodo.
Bastards. It was all going...perhaps not well, but we were winning. We still are winning. It hardly feels it now.
There are many temptations when it comes to blame. Myself, the Commander, the people who inducted Rodo, those who elevated him. The Commander told me that the people to blame for Rodo's death are the ones who shot him, and there's no room for me in that equation. There is logic to what he says, but...logic has little to do with emotion. We are at the end so pitifully mortal.
Yet the system can work. We can produce miracles. EuclidanGeometry is one. On the rookie mission, four kills, the courage to climb that ladder and engage a pair of aliens at close quarters even after losing Rodo. That is one who has earned their black veteran's armor many times over.
-
Woohoo! First mission!
Sorry about Rodo, though :(
-
Wait what did rodo die of
-
Wait what did rodo die of
Took a hit. Panicked. Ran across an alien's field of fire. Took another hit. Stopped next to a Thin Man. Still panicking. Had the option of leaving it alone, in which case it kills Rodo and flanks everyone else, or kills someone else and Rodo's still panicking so it'll kill him then.
So I shot the Thin Man, Rodo got poisoned, and the poison killed him.
****ty options there.
-
No kidding
Definitely one of the more interesting first mission deaths though
-
nouuu damn bastards!
IARDEAD.
-
We have a UFO on the ground in the Sinai. Scramble Strike One.
Operation Rotting King, the Sinai, Egypt. April 12th, 11:30am.
Deployed: Headdie (support, mission commander), Polpolion (support), MP-Ryan (assault), Irina Ignatyeva (heavy), Admiral Ralwood (MEC)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00045_zps76b6f81b.jpg)
"I can't believe you're making me wear rookie armor on my first run. I've got more experience than most of this team!"
"Look, the SASR is nice, but frankly we don't know you and until you've been shot at with plasma fire I don't trust you. You're a rookie to me."
Ralwood in full armor, showing off the flamethrower module.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00046_zps8cb75184.jpg)
"Okay, nobody here is supposedly a rookie, there's a UFO, let's do this people. Commander would like a Thin Man, and anything else interesting, back alive.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00047_zps673333be.jpg)
"Got a bold one! X-Ray neutralized!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00048_zpsef4c1a22.jpg)
"Christ, are those things jetpacks with faces!?"
"Winged one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00049_zpsdf9c885d.jpg)
"Okay, now you're officially no longer a rookie Polpolion."
"Thin them out people, leave at least one alive!"
"X-ray down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00051_zpsa44ffe6d.jpg)
"Got Thin Men trying to get in the ship from the other side! One down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00058_zps0a0f3c88.jpg)
"God, that's not a view I ever want to see again. Plasma hell right there." Note from the future: Irony.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00053_zps9fe4764b.jpg)
"Stupid jetpack aliens! Popolion! Wound this one, DO NOT kill it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00054_zpsda684009.jpg)
"Aye-aye. Target injured."
"Sleep tight, face and jetpack."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00055_zps480c3290.jpg)
"God, can I just HIT SOMETHING today?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00056_zps2318cf42.jpg)
"I got this. Target down."
"Nice shooting MP."
"Got more coming in! Second down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00058_zps0a0f3c88.jpg)
"Tell Doctor Shen to have some armor plates ready."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00059_zps27659584.jpg)
"But not too many apparently, these guys suck at hitting moving targets."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00060_zps9dcc078a.jpg)
"Don't jinx it!"
"Solid kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00061_zps47e80611.jpg)
"Okay, maybe a little more armor."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00062_zpsb488ad95.jpg)
"One of the ones that materialize!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00063_zps5cc6c366.jpg)
"Take down that Thin Man behind the engine core but do not hit it! I like not glowing in the dark!"
"Copy! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00064_zps94c05717.jpg)
"Ralwood, soak some fire."
"Copy. Jesus, can't hit me-FRAK! Armor holding, returning fire!" Ralwood used the Collateral Damage ability native to all MECs, which like Suppression, costs two ammo. Unlike suppression it blows away any cover in a small radius around the target.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00065_zps68f453ea.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00066_zps6485b705.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00067_zpscfdd6e62.jpg)
"Attempting stun-oh ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00068_zpse845ba82.jpg)
"MP!"
"I'm all-oh ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00069_zpse2ad795d.jpg)
"Eat lightning you piece of ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00070_zps59b87644.jpg)
"Request permission to take down the last alien!"
"Negative. I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00071_zps9c456e02.jpg)
"Mission complete. Ryan, don't move."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00072_zps7cbf6c14.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00073_zpsb28191b0.jpg)
MP-Ryan came off the Skyranger on a stretcher. He insisted he could walk, but that was probably the painkillers we had him on. Serious burns after this vest failed, broken femur from when he bounced off the MEC after getting hit. He ran on that leg. I saw him do it. 14 days in sickbay. Amazing the miracles we perform under pressure, and those the doctors perform on us afterwards.
Deathfun makes captures look easy, but MP-Ryan...that was the nightmare we all feared captures could be. He was lucky to survive, but survive he did. The Commander has indicated a decoration is in order and I doubt anyone disagrees.
Doctor Shen was down there looking at our new hostiles. He seemed pretty troubled. I saw him and Micheal and the cybernetics doc looking pretty serious in the cantina late this evening. I think the possibilities of the misuse of Meld just...hit them in the face.
-
I'm tougher than I look. It would be nice, however, if the sensation of skin melting off my body would stop sometime soon.
Also, weapon and armour aside, the character model you've/XCOM assigned me actually bears an eerie physical resemblance to my actual appearance (stocky build, Caucasian, short black hair). How strange.
-
Ironically, he's Chinese. You and Rodo both picked up a pair of newbies from the PRC.
-
Ironically, he's Chinese. You and Rodo both picked up a pair of newbies from the PRC.
That's a Chinese character model, eh? Interesting.
-
(damnit NGTM, I appreciate being folded in as a fairly important "base-side" character, but now I've got to do a double update to complement the recent developments!)
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
April 5, 2015 - Entry #5
_____________________________________________________________
Skipping Entry #4, it was a mess of drug-induced garbage.
Surgery went well, though Dr. Vahlen still has me in medbay for the rest of the day. Missed Michael's first two live deployments, but I've been going over the guncam footage and suit data as well as I can on my personal tablet. The latter part isn't going too well, I'll need to run proper analytics through my workstation. It sounds like Michael's got some potential long-term concerns about his augmentations as well, so getting back to the MEC bay should help a lot. I've heard the medical guys saying the Commander wants another MEC augmentation- Ralwood's apparently stepped forward. Can't say he'd have been my first choice were it an involuntary program, but this time we've got people who've gone ahead of him and can help him prepare.
Speaking of which, I don't normally like discussing myself at length in my "pro" log, but I think my recent conversion counts as appropriate material. My new arm is a proprietary lightweight "medical" variation on the MEC cyberprosthetics, originally designed to work without Meld as a replacement limb for maimed HLPX-COM operatives. Obviously it works even better with a Meld-catalyzed interface; though my finger dexterity did take a hit, it should improve over time, in contrast to most conventional cyberprosthetics. "Skeletal" construction of composites, titanium alloys, servos, and surprisingly rugged circuitry, though it's less rugged than MEC limbs (intentionally- "medical" imbs aren't meant to withstand gunfire). Approximately 40% increase in "muscular" strength - though that is dependent on how heavily I can use the servos - massive increase in structural durability, a new ability to withstand contact/convective temperatures of around 500K, and a secondary CyberLife implant to convert blood sugar for electrical power.
Sensation-wise, the story is a little more complex. The hand itself is about as perceptive as before, (though a 360-degree wrist rotation will take some adaptation) elsewhere on the arm is less "sharp", like I'm wearing a long-sleeved shirt. This is, of course, colored by the fact that I basically have an exposed mech-radius/ulna, so some sensations are just plain new. I've only been awake with the arm for about a day, so of course it's still shocking to see it or touch it with my "natural" hand. But the strange thing is how quickly I've begun to think of the prosthetic as a part of me. Will need some more time to evaluate long-term impressions.
I've also begun thinking of some potential physical therapy avenues. Though my "baseline" post-surgery dexterity is very good, better than anything I've seen in the pre HLPX-COM world, it is noticeably less than before. I'm not just positing potential avenues for myself, though it would be oddly fitting to get back to my heavy metal shredding with a bionic limb. Improved dexterity and interface with the limbs is a big deciding factor for MEC trooper quality-of-life, and will have important battlefield applications in better aim and general improved usage of MEC hands. Before I start spitballing, it's worth noting that MEC troopers should double their cyberprosthetics PT, since they live and fight with two different sets of limbs. Off the top of my head, some activities that should speed adaptation: musical instruments (particularly piano and stringed instruments- may be troublesome to acquire), firearm customization/maintenance (can be scaled up for MECs), typing exercises, action-oriented video games (as much as Dr. Shen may protest), ball-oriented sports, martial arts.... and there have got to be more, but that should be a good starting place.
-
I somehow missed the difficulty you were working on.
Also, I would like to report in as a, scientist Joshua Vandenberg reporting in.
-
Sorry Ironbeer.
I somehow missed the difficulty you were working on.
Also, I would like to report in as a, scientist Joshua Vandenberg reporting in.
Easy, but the difficulty has been considerably raised by Enemy Within. The game plays a lot more like Normal now, and interceptions are much more difficult. Phantom did the impossible or close to it with the interception that's in the queue by taking down a Large Scout alone.
-
Hold on a tick, you can scramble multiple birds on a single sortie? I've always been sending them up in singletons.
-
Kinda. You have to scramble them one at a time, and unless you want to lose a couple on the larger craft you have to disengage before they take critical damage. Against something like a battleship? Prepare to go through three or four Interceptors if you're still using early tech.
-
Essentially as Scotty says. This was the first time in EW that I've not had to pull the Interceptor and send another.
-
Sorry Ironbeer.
Not actually an issue- I was just being facetious. I'll do what I can to keep up.
-
Sorry Ironbeer.
I somehow missed the difficulty you were working on.
Also, I would like to report in as a, scientist Joshua Vandenberg reporting in.
Easy, but the difficulty has been considerably raised by Enemy Within. The game plays a lot more like Normal now, and interceptions are much more difficult. Phantom did the impossible or close to it with the interception that's in the queue by taking down a Large Scout alone.
Ah.
Upping the difficulty might just deal with that odd problem of XCOM having waay to many enlistees :P.
You can actually change the difficulty level in-game.
-
Huh, in EU I always got by just using single birds, even against the big ships, I didn't even know you could send up multiple. Are intercepts substantially more difficult in EW or did my EU playthrough just get the cream of the fighter corps?
-
Huh, in EU I always got by just using single birds, even against the big ships, I didn't even know you could send up multiple. Are intercepts substantially more difficult in EW or did my EU playthrough just get the cream of the fighter corps?
The latter, the standard Avalanche missile has lost effectiveness, meaning it's actually worth considering laser cannon now at the least.
-
Huh, in EU I always got by just using single birds, even against the big ships, I didn't even know you could send up multiple. Are intercepts substantially more difficult in EW or did my EU playthrough just get the cream of the fighter corps?
The latter, the standard Avalanche missile has lost effectiveness, meaning it's actually worth considering laser cannon now at the least.
I think you meant "the former."
-
Ah.
Upping the difficulty might just deal with that odd problem of XCOM having waay to many enlistees :P.
You can actually change the difficulty level in-game.
I'll fix that in about a days time
NGTM, what's the current list looking like by the way? For enlistees
-
I would like to request (if possible) a white armor tint. I like white.
-
Raymond, how much can we trust this thing?
My first name! It must be serious.
I'm not asking for your professional analysis, I have that on my desk. You're the conscience of this project, Shen, and everyone knows it. Give me your personal feelings on this.
We've run through it in simulations dozens of times, Phantom and I. It could be a consummate liar or genuine. There is no way to tell. But as a practical matter...our Interceptors are exceptional aircraft, but they are not unstoppable. It cannot fly forever, and the loadout of 12 Avalanches means the damage possible is limited. If it works, we gain much. If it does not work, if Phantom goes berserk even, then the results will be regrettable but no worse than anything a UFO might accomplish on its own. This is not the godlike AI the breathless proselytizers of the singularity predicted, Commander. Phantom has limits.
All right. Hook it up. God help us all if we made the wrong choice.
How often do you say that, Commander?
You have no idea, Raymond. No idea.
UFO over South Africa. Scramble the prototype. Squad One stand-to.
Phantom is in the air. Closing the target.
Central, Phantom. Request permission to engage.
Granted, Phantom. Bring it down.
Central, five Avalanches expended. Serious damage sustained. Inform Engineering the aircraft will require repairs. There are unidentified military aircraft approaching from the direction of the border with Zimbabwe. Request reinforcement, permission to remain on station while operations are conducted.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00074_zpsfd8d484c.jpg)
Commander?
Phantom, this is the Commander. Request granted. Bradford, scramble the Skyranger and Scotty. Coordinate with the SANDF. I'm going to remind Mister Mugabe that we know where he lives.
Operation Dark Sword, South African border with Zimbabwe, April 19th, 5:30pm
Deployed: Deathfun (support, mission commander), Micheal Sanderson (MEC), Admiral Ralwood (MEC), Irina Ignatyeva (heavy), Starslayer
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00075_zps84b8fe14.jpg)
"Both MECs, three of the original squad...we're pretty heavy this time."
"All right, you all know how this is done. We still need a Thin Man alive and the Commander has expressed interest in any spares we can pick up, mainly for their weapons."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00076_zpsbfd348a1.jpg)
"Squids! Overwatch!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00077_zps2720714a.jpg)
"Christ, Irina!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00078_zps6571dc3e.jpg)
"No hits, no hits, ****, what do we do?"
"Ral, got a shot?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00079_zpsd41060c2.jpg)
"Negative!"
"I do."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00081_zps02028af7.jpg)
"Jesus Mike! That thing's in shreds, what the hell were you thinking?"
"We know it works and I don't feel like playing tug of war with Irina's head. Irina, you okay?"
"Da, just...give me a moment Micheal."
"There's still one more out there. MECs, you're on overwatch. I don't want to see any more hugs on this mission."
"Contact, Floaters!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00082_zpsa503b727.jpg)
"Lotta heat here!" Aliens used suppression on Deathfun.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00083_zps120dfef4.jpg)
"Star! DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00084_zps3d380107.jpg)
"Frak! Scared the hell out of me!"
"The man says no hugs. There are no hugs."
"Scratch floater."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00085_zps614d3c67.jpg)
"No hitters. Great."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00086_zps63ee501e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00088_zpsaf268876.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00087_zps76878d3c.jpg)
"DF!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00089_zpse3f84c5a.jpg)
"I'm all right."
"Got a flanker, stupid jetpack aliens! Firing-X-Ray down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00090_zps2ea5ba97.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00091_zpsea9d08bb.jpg)
"Taking down another. Confirmed kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00092_zps02f8371c.jpg)
"Scratch the last Floater."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00093_zpsaf561ed7.jpg)
"Move into the ship."
"Got a materializer! Winged it."
"Stunning."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00094_zps1402ee4c.jpg)
"No further contacts, DF. Think we're clear."
"Sweep the site and confirm."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00095_zpse031adfb.jpg)
The squids again. Using the MECs for overwatch has helped reduce the threat, but Irina still got grabbed. No excuses, train harder on snapshots. Doc Shen is looking into upgrades to the targeting integration for the Warden, ways to reduce reaction time. This is what Science and Engineering does: we find a threat, they study it, they come up with ways to make it null and void, we implement them.
Had a late night with IronBeer and Shen in the cantina a couple nights ago. The Floaters...they got to us all, I guess. Here we have a sentient creature that has been so completely modified it's not even capable of meeting the conventional definition of life since it's incapable of reproduction. Even Sectoids can technically reproduce, they don't because they're all clones, but the equipment is still there. A Floater is a head and a jetpack integrated directly into what's left of the torso and some arms.
Shen worries that there will be a line in the sand, and we will not stop; that we will charge over it in pursuit of victory at any cost. As for me, I wonder...I gave my limbs to this job and Rodo reminded us all that we have offered our lives as well, and that offer might be accepted. If the cost is becoming like a Floater...if the cost is damnation, that the world may sleep safely...
Do I care? Should I care? Does my damnation even matter, set against the safety of humanity? If the description I've used jokingly about being a cybernetic killing machine comes to truly apply, does that make me a martyr or a monster?
The List
Storyline
Micheal Sanderson
Irina Ignatyeva
Active Troopers
The E
AdmiralRalwood
TrashMan
deathfun
Enioch
StarSlayer
CommanderDJ
EuclidanGeometry
Rodo (spanish)
MP-Ryan
Polpolion
Support Staff
IronBeer (MEC Project Lead)
-Joshua- (science staff; probably going to make him Biology Section Lead)
Waiting For A Turn
Patriot
Scotty
SpardaSon21
Scourge of Ages
The Force
Swashmebuckle
BLARGHER
Gortef
TwentyPercentCooler
Hobbie
Deceased
Rodo
-
This one is even more awesome than the last, NGTM-1R! Thanks for working to entertain us. :D
-
*sigh* I'm still not in the list :(
Guess I have to buy this^^
-
:banghead: I need squad sight
-
:banghead: I need squad sight
Yeah. For the Chryssalids.
...spoilers!
-
Don't I know it. Actually I'd be curious to know what Crysallids do when faced with a MEC.
-
Don't I know it. Actually I'd be curious to know what Crysallids do when faced with a MEC.
Die horribly, mostly.
-
What kind of robopilot am i
-
What kind of robopilot am i
(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120205003427/disney/images/8/82/Max_(Flight_of_the_Nanigator).jpg)
-
Not a terrible answer.
Full AI. Exactly how bright I am undecided. There's a backstory of sorts. It's possible you'll end up composing most of the Interceptor force in time.
-
Operation Fading Shield Lille, France, 6:58 AM, April 19th
Deployed: Popolion (support), Micheal Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), Admiral Ralwood (MEC), Starslayer (sniper), Trashman (sniper)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00001_zpsb93934ad.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00002_zpsb4f04a98.jpg)
“I'm a Sergeant. I'm being commanded by a corporal. You guys are just ****ing with me now.”
“You want to argue with the Commander, argue with the Commander. Not with me! Ralwood and I have point. StarSlayer, Trashman, take the middle. Popolion, bring up the rear. We're clearing this rooftop. The Foreign Legion's got issues with it, they'll handle the rest.”
"Oh christ really? I mean really?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00003_zps5f680a2e.jpg)
"Star, come on!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00004_zps4442e8c7.jpg)
"Like this, man."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00005_zps56452bde.jpg)
"Quiet, Trash.
"Enemy fire, incoming. Their aim's not great."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00006_zps7f96bfee.jpg)
"Floaters!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00008_zps602af36f.jpg)
"Scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00009_zps077224d8.jpg)
"Dammit, come ON!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00010_zpse21de33b.jpg)
"Minor damage. Miss and-****!"'
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00011_zps12d23818.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00012_zpsfd3e6237.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00013_zpsbab32af2.jpg)
"There, that's one down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00014_zpsc3f1bd73.jpg)
"No like-aww, come on!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00015_zps51773916.jpg)
"Turnabout is hilarious, isn't it Trash? Off the roof you go, grey man."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00016_zpsc26dda8e.jpg)
"Oh come on, you can't get a shot at the other one so now it's me? Cowards."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00017_zpsb7d9b560.jpg)
"They're alien bastards. They don't even understand you. You can't shame them, Ral. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00018_zpsde5f1e8f.jpg)
"Fine! Moving around to the other par-CONTACT! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00019_zps73f5b2cf.jpg)
"Ow! Crap!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00020_zpsa92e6b7f.jpg)
"Keep your damn head down, Trash."
"X-Ray down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00021_zps39cb8c59.jpg)
"Damn. Swing and a miss."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00022_zpse7847e8e.jpg)
"Both of us. Crap."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00023_zps9d137b10.jpg)
"Cloak noise-STAR!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00024_zpsc8d8de90.jpg)
"On it! X-Ray down! StarSlayer!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00025_zps0d7a4bd4.jpg)
"I'm fine! Taking the-dammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00026_zps60a27e7a.jpg)
"I got it. X-Ray down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00027_zps1e1debb7.jpg)
"POLLY!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00028_zpsf30a7868.jpg)
"No hit, no hit!"
"****!"
"Star, take it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00029_zpsafd6c67f.jpg)
"No hit!"
"Trash!"
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00030_zps9ac7931b.jpg)
"Polly, talk to me."
"If you ever make the obvious joke about that nickname, you're going to need a cybernetic face too."
"Fair. Think we're done here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00031_zps4456d760.jpg)
So the Commander mentioned medals.
...he apparently wasn't kidding.
This is the awards screen. You can rename your medals and give them powers here. Medals are conferred post-mission based on mission events; the game is too new and opinions conflict on what exactly makes it work. I have made the Urban Combat Badge into the Marksman's Cross, for example; it confers a +5 Aim bonus against targets in full cover. The Wound Badge is the Defender's Medal, and is set up to allow improved healing of its recipients. Hope you're okay soaking a lot of fire, Ral and MP.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00043_zpsf5a50d41.jpg)
Three of us received decorations. MP-Ryan and Ralwood, for their continued service despite serious injuries, plus Ralwood and I received Marksman's honors for our collective snapshotting of cloaking squids off people's heads.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00032_zps5f2308da.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00033_zpsd19bd6b5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-18_00044_zpsc5eec4b8.jpg)
-
Medal system? I'm getting even more excited about this whole thing
By the way to these four fellows:
Patriot
SpardaSon21
Scourge of Ages
The Force
(Didn't take Scotty because he's an Interceptor Pilot)
You're now part of X-Com Bravo Team, update coming soon
-
Thank God I made Corporal, time to get some Squadsight. Now if only I can make John Buford proud and get damn good ground.
-
Reporting in line - I mean queue - of duty. Either pilot or infantry, whichever becomes available first... :)
-
Given that I apprently can't keep my head down, can I request a cool helmet?
And 3 missions but 8 kills? Damn, that's a great kill/mission ratio!
-
Halls of cold and dark metal. A low humming sound, indicating the reactors are working. The strange flows and heatpatterns of the aircon trying to keep this subterrenean base rather cool.
This is really not where I thought I would end up after becoming a fully fledged stem cell research scientist.
Yet here I am, working under the rather enthusiastic dr. Vahlen, although... perhaps that is not a good way to describe her. She is rather cold cunning personified, which is both praise and damnation. Yet, perhaps, she is not as bad as some of the other members of the research team I have seen, some of them indicating an entirely ruthless stance on what this newly found "meld" technology allows.
Perhaps that is why there's rumours that I am to be selected for the more... biological side of this project, as I am, if I may, the more carefull man. To be honest, I do find it hard to contain myself looking at these technologies. Although the aptly named "Iron Beer" (the name is well chosen - the drinks that man can stomach whilst off duty!)'s method is, in itself, very... invasive, it is not what I would call ... ruthless. It is,quite simply,a very advanced version of the prosthetic limbs the medical world has craved for for so long. One becomes a different human, but still... one is. The personality and such is still there.
Our method is more subtle, but as such can actually be more dangerous. We can literally make someone more then a man, as we can subtly modify areas which the cybernetic division can not. We can give someone the regeneration abilities some reptiles have, or we can give them the eyes some predatory birds have. But most importantly we can directly modify the brain.
The implications of this scare me. As a famous book has once said: We are our brain. Yet some of the scientists here seem to think that is the right course of man: Enhancing our brains by the virtue of the technology and modifactions given by the Aliens. And perhaps, this is true. Perhaps, beceause our biomodification department does not have any percieved drawbacks to the modications, this seems true. Yet... I am unsure. Scared. The look some of these people have in their eyes...
What does not help is that dr. Vahlen has found traces of this kind of technology being used in the 1960's. This scares me even more. Not the fact that the research has taken place, but the fact that only traces were found. Ponder on that a moment.
Why would we find only traces? We are the last, best hope for humanity's survival, yet information is hidden from us? That does not make any sense at all. All governments are in complete support, and we have full access to the (over-)extensive databases of all sorts of intelligence services. But why this? Why has this... forerunner thingy been scrapped from all records? Is there a government hiding things of us? Or has something been hidden from the government? But how can something like that (be allowed to) happen?
Or perhaps I am just a little bit paranoid. It's probably the walls and the living underground thing. Here I go on and on about all the scary bits, whilst this technology could make my original stem-cell field so much easier!
But then again, I am not normally paranoid.
- Joshua Vandenberg
-
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.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-19_00034_zps4bb692c8.jpg)
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?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00003_zpsf894cd2d.jpg)
"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!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00004_zps1102141b.jpg)
"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.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00005_zps16b6955c.jpg)
"This is why HLPX-COM will always triumph, because evil doesn't understand how to overkill a target."
"Hey what the-flanker! Stunning!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00007_zpsc703b434.jpg)
"Good move, Enoich. Ral, we're going around to the left."
"Copy. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00008_zpsfed93a9f.jpg)
"Strike, heads up, we've got something weird dropping in and another Thin Man."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00009_zpsad1ba790.jpg)
"Once again: You came to the wrong neighborhood, mother****er."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00011_zps550fa8d8.jpg)
"Euclid, for all we know that's actually a thing Thin Men do."
"...thanks E. Thanks."
"What the **** is that!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00012_zps3a90ddef.jpg)
"Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00013_zps1d5ef2ff.jpg)
"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.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00015_zpsc0bcafb4.jpg)
"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!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00016_zpsdeba46ca.jpg)
"I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00017_zps6da95f77.jpg)
"Nice shot Euclid."
"Another wave, Strike."
"God, will you people never learn?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00018_zpsebc89755.jpg)
"Well, the other one's not that dumb."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00019_zpsd15a9375.jpg)
"The hell he's not. Learn this gray gonadless."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00021_zps13cd466c.jpg)
"Zhang, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00022_zps20a24565.jpg)
"That was...quite impressive."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00023_zps58602b4d.jpg)
"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."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-20_00024_zps99c0e752.jpg)
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.
-
MEC's are really powerfull, especially early in the game.
Of a few Let's Plays I've seen, it seems people tend to pack their teams with MEC's. No wonder, given the sheer health/armor and firepower.
-
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.
Given the amount of time I've been spending playing MW4:Mercs recently, I can think of no more appropriate nickname than "Marauder" (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Marauder).
-
But Molly the MEC has a nice ring to it!
-
Yeah, I think Molly is funny, considering he is a fully augmented steal beast^^
-
Given the amount of time I've been spending playing MW4:Mercs recently, I can think of no more appropriate nickname than "Marauder" (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Marauder).
The irony is it actually works out for a pretty nice character bit where two people can bicker over whether it's a Starship Troopers or a BattleTech reference.
-
Given he's a Japanese woman piloting a big robot I was half expecting "Mako"
-
Given he's a Japanese woman piloting a big robot I was half expecting "Mako"
I will confess, it is a rare time I have a game with a MEC that isn't named Gipsy D.
-
Commander! We have reports of aliens attacking a major city in India!
An abduction attempt. Scramble the Skyranger.
No sir.
...****. Scramble Hobbie and find me somebody to put in the other Asian interceptor! Get the Skyranger there now! Scramble Scotty and Phantom and find out if we can get tanker support from anyone in the area, or failing that inform Diego Garcia to have fuel trucks ready.
Operation Spectral Fog, Delhi, 4:00am, April 27th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC), Herra Tohtori, Trashman (sniper), Euclidan Geometry (assault)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00001_zps7d08c869.jpg)
"When the alien thing started the Indian Army set up encampments outside major cities to reassure the populace. The aliens hit the one outside Delhi hard with infantry and tactical air. Their last transmission was ten minutes ago and they were being overrun before they'd even gotten most of the AFVs active. Based on the alien rate of advance we're going to drop in the tank park. We do not expect there to be effective resistance by the Indian Army guys at that point, but there will likely be civilian refugees from towns and villages in the area. If we can secure the tanks the Indian Army can helicopter crews in to man them, our interceptors can clear the sky, and we might be able to turn this mess around."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00002_zpsd044b93c.jpg)
Sky, Hobbie, just downed BVR two small fast-movers closing on you. I have at least a dozen more UFOs in the area. Get on the ground fast.
Central, this is Phantom. I am four minutes from the battle area. Please convey my appreciation to Gajraj flight for the tanker service.
Central, Scotty, tanking from Gajraj flight.
"Strike, Sky, LZ is a mess. Go!"
"Herra, stay close. I mean it, stay close and stay behind the MECs, we're for real now. Move people!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00003_zps6504fd62.jpg)
"Christ on a crutch."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00004_zps8fcf84b5.jpg)
"Panic later, kill now! Move!"
"Stupid jetpack alien! Herra, take him!"
"Copy-X-Ray down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00005_zps9da1a5af.jpg)
"Trash, I've got movement up ahead. Can you see it?"
"Got it. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00006_zpscc7aa94e.jpg)
"****, was that a scream? Move in!"
"BUGS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00008_zps9c878403.jpg)
"****, that one's still up! Took a full burst!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00009_zpse0a155da.jpg)
"Missed that one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00010_zpse224c91f.jpg)
Strike, Phantom, you have alien tactical air inbound on your position. Attempting to intercept.
"****! I've still got green lights but those things pack a wallop!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00012_zpse95feef7.jpg)
"Mother of god."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00013_zps51b635cd.jpg)
Strike, Phantom. Alien tac air neutralized. Continue on mission.
"Flamethrower active." Yes, Chryssalids panic when set on fire. It is a thing of great beauty, is it not?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00014_zpsa4f08035.jpg)
"Target down! Herra, can you get the other one?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00015_zps67acda02.jpg)
"Bug exterminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00016_zps0487b9c6.jpg)
"Is that a..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00017_zpsa3b9a172.jpg)
"No using the Z word! ****, he took the full clip!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00018_zps52793d8b.jpg)
"Set. Serve!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00019_zpsdfded436.jpg)
"Herra, stay close, we're going in. Ral, flank the building, Trash, cover. Euclid, get these civilians to the Skyranger."
"****, flank!"
"I got you, take it easy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00020_zps7fae8d04.jpg)
"Missed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00021_zps57c5133f.jpg)
"I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00022_zps1a54286f.jpg)
"Area secured. Get those choppers in here, we've got at least four good tanks."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00023_zps9d44a6de.jpg)
Strike, Scotty, you have alien tac air inbound.
"Everyone down!"
"Oh god, this is not what I signed up for!"
Scratch one, scratch one! Strike, report!
"Strike Lead. We're good. Keep them off us will you?"
Affirmative Strike. Indian helos entering the battle area. Mark your position with white smoke.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00024_zps3a12e260.jpg)
We've unfortunately proved Doctor Shen's suspicion: if the aliens fought us straight up, they would probably win. The Indian Army turned it around with our help, but there aren't that many Interceptors in the world and the alien CAS shredded everything the IAF threw at them. We won, so things calmed down, but the Commander is looking pretty sleepless. We all are.
Herra did well. After Rodo, we've been very concerned about taking the rookies out, but he was as good as any of the veterans. The Bugs...and their zombie...we haven't really taken them serious so far, they have a habit of picking fights with the MECs and we tend to wreck everyone's **** at close quarters, but if some of the stuff coming out of Bio is true, we should. We really, really should.
-
Hurray I'm a flyboy!
-
Vahlen, are you sure of this?
Ja, Commander. There is no doubt. The Chryssalid...zombies, contain an immature Chryssalid. We have confirmed they do not need humans for this process; any sufficiently large animal will do.
So it could be...cows, elephants, horses. Deer.
Most deer lack the bodyweight to sustain a Chryssalid, but yes Commander, it could. We have also discovered they cannot be stunned with our Arc Thrower technology; something about a bioeletric potential of their own.
Mother of god. All right, Chryssalids are priority targets from now on. How is the laser project progressing?
Quite well! I have already turned over preliminary work to Doctor Shen.
We have a UFO on the ground in the Sinai. Scramble the Skyranger.
Operation Red Calm, Egypt, the Sinai, 11:00am, May 8th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC), Trashman (sniper), MP-Ryan (assault), Herra Tohtori (heavy)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00026_zpsee6a321f.jpg)
"It's large scout, you've all done this before but Herra, stick together, cover each other, we'll get through this. Go."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00027_zps8bb144e5.jpg)
"SQUIDS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00028_zps11bf4d43.jpg)
"Cover each other!"
"Got Floaters rolling up from the other side!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00029_zps752b4461.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00030_zps893bb63e.jpg)
"Nice shooting Mike."
"Oh for the love of-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00031_zps18939500.jpg)
"Everybody's got an off day Trash, relax, we're getting lasers in soon. If you miss with those, then we'll ***** at you."
"A lot."
"So are you Battletech or Starship Troopers anyways Ral? I think it's Starship Troopers but-"
"Battletech. Fight the threat dammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00032_zps367771ef.jpg)
"Cloak noi-TRASH!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00033_zpsf6f5e8d0.jpg)
"We got it, we got it. Trash, you good?"
"I'm fine."
"Getting the last Floater."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00034_zps401d3520.jpg)
"Cloak noises...what the hell's he doing? Doesn't matter, he's dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00035_zpsb92c2f64.jpg)
"Okay, set up to breach. Move in."
"Got noises behind this door-HOLY ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00036_zps113de41d.jpg)
"Get the **** over here folks we got problems!"
"Son of a-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00037_zps0e1f06c9.jpg)
"Rocket out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00038_zps529e634a.jpg)
"Jesus, Herra!"
"Scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00040_zps339e5f36.jpg)
"KO."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00041_zps9d757842.jpg)
"Got the last one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00042_zps708a7568.jpg)
"Ow! Sectoids!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00043_zps8015afd4.jpg)
"Figures-dammit, minor damage."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00044_zpsb58f9471.jpg)
"One down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00045_zps4f364787.jpg)
"Oh come on!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00046_zpsc203a714.jpg)
"Hmm, not going to clear the four-yard mark. Shame."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00047_zps4d2abb20.jpg)
"Got a materializer!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00048_zps76b6d023.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00049_zpsef6f7037.jpg)
"Trash!"
"I'm okay, he missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00050_zps60573c11.jpg)
"Are you seri-these sights are worthless!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00051_zps96eb2d5c.jpg)
"Say goodnight."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00052_zps4991a304.jpg)
"I think we're clear, folks. Sweep the UFO and check. And Herra: that was good thinking with the rocket, but next time don't give me the heart attack."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-21_00053_zpsed27d6dc.jpg)
-
What are the MEC troopers' perks, if I may ask? I've not played, so what they're running with eludes me.
-
What are the MEC troopers' perks, if I may ask? I've not played, so what they're running with eludes me.
They actually have an inherent perk plus two trees.
First, inherent; the class the MEC trooper is augmented from from gives them a particular quirk. Heavies get Body Shield, which gives a -20 Aim at and inability to crit the MEC to the nearest enemy to the MEC. Assaults get Shock-Absorbant Armor, which reduces damage caused by stuff within 4 tiles by 33%. Supports get Distortion Field, which gives a +10 to the defense of allies in cover within a three-tile radius. And Snipers get Platform Stability; any shot taken without having first moved gets +10 Aim and +10% critical chance.
Second, chassis; you build a MEC-I but it can be upgraded twice and will acquire a set of abilities, one for each tier it's been through. MEC-Is chose between a Flamethrower and the Kinetic Strike Module rocket punch. MEC-IIs can add a Grenade Launcher (which benefits from the alien grenade research as well) or the Restorative Mist healing ability, and MEC-IIIs get to add either a Proximity Mine Launcher or an Electro Pulse that deals damage in a radius centered on the MEC (both can friendly-fire).
Finally, the inherent skill tree has the starting ability Collateral Damage which I've talked about (does small damage in a small radius, empties the clip, but destroys cover), Corporal abilites Automated Threat Assessment (+15 defense on Overwatch) or Advanced Fire Control (removes Overwatch aim penalty), Sergeant abilities Vital-Point Targeting (adds 2 damage to any attack on an alien you've autopsied) or Damage Control (reduces damage taken by by 2 for two turns after you take a hit), Lieutenant abilities Jet Boot Module (allows the MEC to jump to building roofs or other places it normally couldn't) or One For All (turns the MEC into high cover until it moves or shoots), Captain abilities Repair Servos (regen up to 2 health every turn you're damaged, to a maximum of 6 health a mission) or Expanded Storage (additional use of Restorative Mist/Grenade Launcher/Proximity Mine per mission and main weapon carries 50% more ammo per reload), Major ability Overdrive (firing as the first action of the turn does not end the turn), and Colonel abilities Absorption Fields (any hit that does more than 33% damage to the MEC is reduced to only 33% damage) and Reactive Targeting Sensors (first person who fires on the MEC that turn triggers free reaction shot, if the MEC has ammo to take it).
-
Sanderson is a mosnter...22 kills. DAYUM. Wait, he's been on every mission so far, right?
Also, my callsign is "Walker"?
(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/048/6/6/chuck__s_epic_sniper_by_dogman93-d39r9be.gif)
Hell yea. Set me up with any gene-mods or medals that add acccuracy. And gimme a helmet.
-
Sanderson is a mosnter...22 kills. DAYUM. Wait, he's been on every mission so far, right?
Ironically, no.
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00001_zpsf9d53536.jpg)
So we had a mission, Ralwood commanded, and aside from deploying the laser weapons and MEC railguns...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00002_zps434bd775.jpg)
...it was all pretty normal until...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00008_zps9e1afe98.jpg)
"Irina's down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00011_zpsb4d48f8d.jpg)
"Son of a-RAL! I want those hostiles at the far end dead or running! Clear them out people, she's still breathing and we can stabilize her.
"Understood. Killing them with fire."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00010_zps2d3b0b72.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00014_zps7a930427.jpg)
"Oh christ, the stun didn't work!"
"I got you, take it easy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00017_zpsd4276b08.jpg)
"On your feet, Irina."
"Deathfun...what happened?"
"You took a few too many plasma rounds. Take it easy for now, we'll patch you up. MP, you too."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00021_zps9e3622fb.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00020_zpscc78a1a0.jpg)
"Squids!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00018_zpsc9434ca1.jpg)
"I have them."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00023_zps9549ecf2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00024_zpsc7b2d478.jpg)
"Christ Irina, you just got critically wounded, got up, and killed a pair of aliens."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"No, I'm frankly scared ****less of you."
"Thanks...I think."
"If you two are done with the kissy-kissy let's sweep the area and see if we're done."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00025_zps3e8f4bac.jpg)
So apparently we have a Terminator on the team, and she really doesn't look half-bad in that beret. However, the Commander is looking worried, and says we need to stage a counterstrike.
Here's why.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00026_zpsce8a7b1c.jpg)
-
Also, we may have broken the DLCs again, or it may be there was a blargh and Site Recon didn't pop (which is a shame). We'll find out soon enough. The next mission is Council, so I promise that we'll get at least one rookie onto the team. TwentyPercentCooler will hopefully live up to his name rather than explosively vaporizing.
-
Hooray, we didn't lose anyone on my first op in command!
-
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
April 29, 2015 - Entry #9
_____________________________________________________________
So busy, there's barely been time to dash off even "token" entries. But I've finally caught a break tonight. Between Floater examinations and the late-night philosophising with Michael and Raymond [that is Dr. Shen's first name, right?], there isn't much that isn't already covered in my research logs. However, there's also plenty of room for commentary on our findings and speculations.
By now it's apparent that the Floaters and the "Mutons", as our troopers are calling them, are members of the same species. Or it might be more accurate to say that they were. Biological comparisons of the two phenotypes suggest that pre-mutilation Floaters should be the "baseline" form for the ....let's call it the Muton race. By now I'm able to properly think about the Floaters without my stomach turning, and the consensus between Ralwood, Michael, Raymond, and me is that the Floaters are likely a population of Mutons that is being "punished" by whoever/whatever is leading the invasion. The aliens clearly demonstrate an incredible knack for cybernetics and genetic modification (creating the Thin Men likely ex nihilo) and often have an odd sort of grace in their augmentation. The Floaters clearly aren't being modified with the typical level of care. Ralwood hypothesizes that the Floaters may have been a Muton population that staged an uprising at some point during their enslavement.... maybe they were the Muton equivalent of HLPX-COM? Chilling stuff, never pleasant to think about those SoBs.
Pleasant or not, I keep poring over the Floater autopsy reports and tissue samples. Horrifying as they may be, the sadistic creativity used in their augments offers great insights into practical Meld application. The signature jetpack is, like all other Meld-facilitated augments, controlled neurally, as though it were a natural body part. Rather than re-appropriating existing nerves and motor pathways, the Floater's brain seems to have a section of motor cortex devoted solely to the jetpack. Interestingly, the new section was simply "crammed" into existing brain tissue. Motor cortex sections for legs and the lower body are still in place, which could lend some credence to Ralwood's theory of quickly-conceived punitive "augmentation". The Floater autopsy also allowed those of us with Meld-facilitated augments to rest a little easier- our estimates of in-situ time for the specimen's augments is roughly 10-20 years, there is no evidence of Meld nanoparticle replication, and no evidence of scar tissue or rejection at the site of machine-tissue interfaces. As we found with our initial "mad science" trials on Michael, Meld just simply becomes a part of the patient's body.
Without knowledge of the Floaters, one might be forgiven for thinking that the Mutons are the masterminds of the invasion. But of course, with their unfortunate cousins in the picture, things get less clear. An average Muton trooper could quite literally eat a Sectoid for breakfast- clearly physical power isn't what's holding this alien collective together. But of course that begs the question of "what is?" Let's re-cap the "species" that our field squads have faced thus far. Sectoids, Thin Men, "Sentinels", Chryssalids, Floaters, and Mutons- something's missing here. I'm not seeing what could be holding such a disparate collection of creatures and robots together. There have got to be other alien species out there, but that naturally provokes the twin questions of "how many?" and "what?"
Sweet dreams, me!
-
"Strike, a UN team in Mexico was near Guadalajara when it was hit by a plasma bomb, followed by alien tac air. General Peter Van Dorne, a major ally of the Council, was with the convoy. The locals managed to clear the sky with US help, but they can't get near the convoy on the ground. Go in. Rescue any survivors. Find out what happened to Van Dorne."
Operation Glass Paramour, Guadalajara, Mexico, 5:55am, May 16th
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC, mission commander), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support), Popolion "Polly" (support), StarSlayer (sniper), TwentyPercentCooler.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00027_zpsece94a34.jpg)
"Area is hot!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00029_zps922be406.jpg)
"Okay folks, we have Thin Men. Take them down."
"Ow! Son of a *****, you ruined my armor coating!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00030_zpsaec494f8.jpg)
"Why the hell does he have pink armor anyways?"
"Because the aliens are colorblind, Rookie."
"...are you serious?"
"Nah, I'm messing with you. Dammit, that was a new coat of paint too!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00031_zpseaf8ea5f.jpg)
"Got one! That'll be my first!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00032_zps663a3cae.jpg)
"Welcome to the club, Twenty. Don't die on us."
"And that's for my fabulous pink armor, you jerk!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00033_zps9fdc40a9.jpg)
"Found Van Dorne, he's alive!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00034_zps1a0906e0.jpg)
"Star, Twenty, overwatch with me! Polly, Deathfun, go get him!"
"Got more of them!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00035_zpsf8274805.jpg)
"****, that stuff hurts!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00036_zps627c4c44.jpg)
"Knock it off, you've been hurt before."
"Fine. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00037_zps79fb0bde.jpg)
"...did you just shoot him in the crotch?"
"No, the gut. Big difference. Besides, you DID shoot yours in the crotch."
"Oh, yeah."
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00038_zpscdeef40d.jpg)
"Got more on the far lip! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00039_zps6f402504.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00040_zpseee7efa2.jpg)
I don't know what outfit you're with, but I've never seen gear like that before.
"What, the giant robot? Totally normal, I assure you General."
"Swing and-missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00041_zpseeb913ab.jpg)
"Armor holding. These jokers never learn."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00042_zpsa365a4ff.jpg)
"We got more dropping behind us!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00043_zps001a7385.jpg)
"Star, deal with idiot who jumped into the pit. Deathfun, Polly, stay with the General. Rookie, you and me will clear the path to the Skyranger."
"Copy. He's dealt with."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00044_zps71cdf812.jpg)
"That was SO in the crotch!"
"Rookie, you've got an obsession."
"Target down. Sorry Twenty, move faster."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00046_zps8d7485b6.jpg)
"Fine, fine."
"Missed him, god damn it..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00047_zpsca4c46d9.jpg)
"Got it. No worries, Rookie, that's why there are two of us."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00048_zpsbc109b94.jpg)
"We're clear to the Skyranger. General, we'll get you out of here, please come with us."
I owe you one. Seriously, things looked pretty bad. I just wish you could have saved those of my men who died before you got here, too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00049_zpsae1713a6.jpg)
"Us too General. Us too."
Commander. The Secretary General extends his personal gratitude to you for the success of the operation to rescue Peter Van Dorne.
We haven't broken the Slingshot sequence. Confounding Light is next.
We're told there's a major alien ship inbound to China. Satellite coverage there is only days old, and even with both Interceptors we probably can't shoot it down. Doc Shen says he has a plan, however...we'll see.
Talked with one of the new science types today. He's looking kind of rattled about all this. I don't blame him. Joshua will make it, I think but the Bio team is short on things to do short of poking aliens at the moment...ah well. They've said they're going to attempt some gene augments soon, they hope before we hit the alien base, but...we'll see. Cash has been a little tight for the project, but the laser-based scatterguns and sniper rifles were just issued.
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00051_zps1d91d7dc.jpg)
How does this work, Shen?
The transponder will disrupt guidance systems on alien craft, in this case the battleship, and force them to "chase" it. We plan to install it on one of the city's light rail networks, and lead the battleship in circles. While the aliens try to fix their ship, Strike will board the the ship, deactivate its power systems, and seize control.
They can build spacecraft. If they can build spacecraft, they're not fools. How do we know this will work?
We do not, Commander. However! If they attempt to disrupt our planting of the beacons, we can assume it will work.
All right. We have a go-mission on this one. Bradford, have Sanderson assemble a team. Ralwood will lead the battleship op.
Operation Banished Justice (Confounding Light), Hong Kong, China, 8:45am, May 18th
Deployed: Shaojie Zhang (heavy), Micheal Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), Trashman "Walker" (sniper), Gortef, The E (assault), Enioch (assault).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00052_zps2ec7abb2.jpg)
"You heard the briefing, we've got ten minutes to do this. Trash, I want you on top of the train. Gortef, take the far side. Enoich, place the transponders. Everyone else, with me, up this side."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00053_zpsab2b2a67.jpg)
"I was supposed to have a helmet."
"You'll get over it, Trash."
"Visual on the transponder sites."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00054_zpsffc4d493.jpg)
"Thin Men! Area is hot!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00055_zps30326c46.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00056_zpsdffb1b15.jpg)
"Bastards ran. Trash, drop one!"
"Got it. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00057_zpsf7a32c0d.jpg)
"Got the other one. Target down. Keep moving Enoich."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00058_zpsfd87b9e1.jpg)
"You okay man?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00059_zps1e95fb1f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00060_zps40a61ed8.jpg)
"They're screwing up my paintwork, I'm used to it."
"I have a shot."
"Don't tell me Gortef, just take it."
"Firing! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00061_zps9c6a35cc.jpg)
"Nice work. Live and you get the black armor, so you better damn well live Rook. CQCing the last one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00062_zpsa425d330.jpg)
"You got some good distance that time."
"No flattery. Keep moving."
"Roger, got the next one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00063_zps59b2099c.jpg)
"Strike, Sky, you have hostiles dropping in!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00064_zpsee0d5e31.jpg)
"Mutons!"
"Good, maybe we can stun one this time. Zhang, gimmie a rocket on the one near you!"
"Copy!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00065_zps624b7eeb.jpg)
"He's injured, going for the stun-****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00066_zps8da6e066.jpg)
"Gortef, drop the other one, we've gotta save this!"
"Roger! Target is toast!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00067_zpsbcb670fd.jpg)
"Missed me...and I missed! Trash you're it, hit him or The E is dead!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00068_zps66bf1f98.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00069_zps3ed45fcb.jpg)
"I've got it. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00070_zps67c0f44b.jpg)
"Thanks."
"We've got some Thin Men still. Trash, take 'em."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00071_zpsfa9ffbec.jpg)
"Got him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00072_zps177ed172.jpg)
"Got a lot of heat on me here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00073_zpsa82bf04e.jpg)
"Another Muton! I have him-still standing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00074_zpsa4cff018.jpg)
"Mike, I can stun."
"Are you crazy? He'll fry you."
"We still haven't gotten one alive. I can do it."
"...Go."
"****, E!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00075_zps49e38961.jpg)
"Stunning!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00076_zps708c11ab.jpg)
"E, don't move. I mean it, don't even move or your damn guts will spill out. Thin Man down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00077_zps382d6ac0.jpg)
"Last transmitter in place. Activating the train's drive."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00078_zpsdf55910c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00079_zps23d98232.jpg)
"Battleship's arriving overhead...it's chasing the train! We did it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00080_zps127362a6.jpg)
"Saddle up people, we've got an appointment back at base. Commander, have the med team ready and I want to recommend The E for a decoration."
"Acknowledged, Strike Lead. Concur. Hurry home."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-22_00081_zps356e5df1.jpg)
-
Woohoo, I didn't die!
Yet.
-
I've never actually seen the Slingshot play out yet, I'm quite curious as to how this'll go
-
Yay my first mission was a success. But the everyone has done a good job so far so I was in a pro Company anyway.
(btw. if my avatar is a female then you can rename her Gortina :P It suits a bit better I think.)
-
Officially, this mission never happened, because it makes no narrative sense.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00003_zpsd3d6a680.jpg)
However, it did cause Enoich to become a Sergeant, so I felt I should preserve some record of it.
We will discuss Gangplank this evening, assuming I'm not trapped in HAHAHAHAHA THIS IS AWESOME about Doctor Who. For now, contemplate what will be assaulted.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00006_zps951a0ca0.jpg)
Ominous fellow, ain't he?
-
Officially, this mission never happened, because it makes no narrative sense.
Don't get lazy now. :p
-
Ominous fellow, ain't he?
am i going to shoot that mother****er down
-
Don't get lazy now. :p
I'm not.
The problem is that at the end of Confounding Light it literally pans up and shows the battleship arriving plus the whole reason you have ten turns to do it is that the alien battleship will arrive and you have to get this stuff done before it does. Yet in the geoscape there's actually a gap of several days between finishing Confounding Light and getting Gangplank.
This gap makes zero sense narratively.
Even worse a UFO or abduction mission can turn up between Confounding Light and Gangplank. Such was the case here, where Hobbie and Phantom (who now has every continent's second interceptor) shot down a Supply Barge over Japan, so I deployed a squad to assault the crash site.
-
I took around 56 images to cover this mission. I think I've actually used most of them. I'll save the post-mission reflections for a post tomorrow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00004_zps3b054ac7.jpg)
"Mike, Trash, Enoich, you're wanted for the battleship mission. We've got too many out injured and we need good people."
"I need replating on this MEC."
"We've got them ready, Interceptor Bay Three. Enoich, Trash, fresh weapons are by the entrance. I don't want your laser lenses melting in mid-mission. Ten minutes from now I want you at the Skyranger."
Operation Gangplank, Hong Kong, China, 4am, 18th May.
Deployed: Captain “Marauder” Admiral Ralwood (MEC, Mission Commander), Captain “Gipsy D” Micheal Sanderson (MEC), Lieutenant “Walker” Trashman (sniper), Lieutenant “Polly” Popolion (support), Sergeant “Viper” StarSlayer (sniper), Sergeant “Chops” Enioch (assault)
Sky, Phantom. Weapons appear inactive. Tracking emplacements for suppression if needed. Clear to approach.
Sky, Hobbie, found you a landing site on the back. Transmitting location.
Sky is on approach.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00007_zpsb7d87744.jpg)
Launch, launch, tracking alien tactical fighters launching! Interceptors engaging!
Central, Sky, we are on the battleship. Strike is deploying.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00008_zpse82b9406.jpg)
"Central, this is Strike Lead. We are in position on the battleship. Beginning search and destroy ops."
"Strike, this is the Commander. Go for the power nodes."
"Copy. Move in people! MECs on point!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00009_zps09da5517.jpg)
"Stupid, all these elevated positions and they stand in a well. Mike, take the right one."
"Right target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00011_zps637af253.jpg)
"Left target down. Push up people!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00010_zps08340e8f.jpg)
"Strike, Sky, aliens deploying to stop your advance."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00012_zps55963c2a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00013_zps83287444.jpg)
"This is Star, I have the near one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00014_zps92f8db3a.jpg)
"He missed me! Trash, you saw the shots?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00015_zps986196ec.jpg)
"I did. Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00016_zps425f8202.jpg)
"Node deactivated, keep moving."
"Far lip is partially secure."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00017_zpsd4fc2548.jpg)
"Thin Men on the other side of the towers! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00018_zps2130e955.jpg)
"Trash!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00019_zps13c1ec5e.jpg)
"I'm okay!"
"One went up that tower! I missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00020_zps04eef751.jpg)
"Ow! ****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00021_zps5cb08958.jpg)
"Suck it up Trash."
"Minor armor damage. They're pushing back. Got Sectoids dropping in!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00022_zpsfe8a4a97.jpg)
"Well, one of them's dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00023_zps3356c17e.jpg)
"Jesus, you took out that power node too."
"Yeah, yea-dammit, should have learned not to talk and target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00024_zpsba5108ca.jpg)
"Sectoid down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00025_zps112babf1.jpg)
"This is for my damaged vest, dick."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00026_zps23b94c69.jpg)
"I think he got the point, Trash."
"No cigar, tall and ugly."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00028_zps885e7cab.jpg)
"Clean 'em up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00027_zps66aa31b2.jpg)
"Chryssalid! Priority target!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00029_zpsc07e56b5.jpg)
"Firing. Hit, still up. Taking a second shot. Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00030_zps84950cf8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00031_zpsdd335a56.jpg)
"Hey, don't look down guys."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00032_zpsc79504c8.jpg)
"Don't be a dick, Trash."
"Stack up on the doors. Polly, patch Sanderson if you can."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00033_zps99aea516.jpg)
"Wha-" A Cyberdisc, actually; our first charged us through a door into a clump of people. FRAK
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00034_zpsb0f04159.jpg)
"Firing!"
"Dammit, target is still active, target is active-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00035_zps697f73ca.jpg)
"Enioch!"
"Dammit right team move in! Somebody drop that Thin Man!"
"No hits, no hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00036_zpsee5ccb51.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00037_zpsd945e263.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00038_zps36bdcf6b.jpg)
"Got him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00039_zpsa8931a5e.jpg)
"Roger, dropping the new thing-frak it blew up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00040_zpscb32bb9a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00041_zps2bd98fd7.jpg)
"Nice work, Star, Trash. Polly, Enioch's gonna need a medkit before we push up too much."
"We got our own problems here-dammit, Trash?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00042_zps9f54d125.jpg)
"I'm all right-watch it, we've got more dropping in!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00043_zps4be9b950.jpg)
"One down. We've still got that Thin Man-take him-Polly! Christ, that door was useful to keep the firelane constrained!"
"Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00044_zps828afff9.jpg)
"Hostiles dropping in-they've got a Muton!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00046_zps8ffed507.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00047_zpsbbafe89c.jpg)
"Polly, go, I've got this. Sectoid down." I think the shot trail is broken here suddenly...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00048_zpsce132a1e.jpg)
"Not well enough! Dammit! Spending a charge."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00049_zps83deeafc.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00050_zps6e091fb1.jpg)
"Muton came after me. His aim's ****ty. Trash, let's take 'em."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00051_zps706e0c9e.jpg)
"Roger!"
"Thin Man down, take the Muton!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00052_zps55862492.jpg)
"I missed!"
"Oh, this is gonna suck."
"Hostiles dropping in over here-Enioch? That shot was way off."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00053_zpsab6c8b70.jpg)
"I'm...not feeling real good, boss..."
"Polly, get the **** over here!"
"Can't, we got hostiles dropping this side too! Mike, your flank is clear!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00055_zpse3c14ac9.jpg)
"Dammit, missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00054_zps1e0df3a4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00056_zps324ed405.jpg)
"Frak frak-and you! Frak you too!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00057_zps738f4dd5.jpg)
"Jesus, Starslayer."
"I'm hit-armor holding but another one's going to **** me up real bad. Returning fire-target down!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00058_zps55653928.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00059_zpsc19a3da3.jpg)
"Does it hurt, Pol?"
"Oh yeah, it hurts."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00060_zpsc6bad125.jpg)
"You ****, I didn't feel a thing!"
"Deactivating nodes...nodes deactivated. Sky, we need pickup."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00061_zpsc6227ec1.jpg)
"Negative Strike, hostile ship is making a controlled, gentle descent. It seems to be on automatic. Crew is eliminated, weapons read as cold. This is gonna look really nice in the hanger."
"Hey Ral, do we get prize money?"
"What does this look like, the Age of Sail? The Commander's gonna be handing out promotions like candy, settle for that."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00062_zps227e8eb7.jpg)
-
So we took down a battleship.
I think we envisioned a tougher fight than that, odd as it may sound. We nearly lost Enioch to that mini-UFO and after that the mission started to feel...
I should back up. This requires some explanation. When we started, while things rarely went according to plan there was always a sense we were making progress when we were on a mission; victory might not be easy but it was inevitable.
It's gotten more uneven. There are missions where we are unstoppable, where we simply roll over the opposition. The plan spits in Clauswitz's eye and survives not only first contact but all contact. And there there are those that it all goes wrong and you feel like you're scrambling to keep some traction for the rest of the mission. Irina going down in mid-mission feels like that, watching tapes; getting mobbed by Mutons who just ran through a door; when the Cyberdisc, which is what I think they're calling it, popped out and almost fried Enioch.
Even the MECs are starting to feel fragile. We'll see.
Commander! Someone just hit the Council's bank accounts, made off with about half of what we'd banked.
Well, that's going to cost-the Council seems to want to speak to me. I'll get back to you.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00063_zps2bf48e6a.jpg)
Commander. The man you recovered from the convoy raid in France has turned out to be from a shadow group, an opposing Council similar to our own. They are called EXALT, and they are actively cooperating with the aliens. Standing Order One, the preservation of all possible human life, is revoked. You are to use any and all possible resources to track down these traitors and destroy them. We have located the cell that conducted the hacking. Deploy an operative.
Star. Our pistol specialist is in the hospital with injuries from the battleship raid. You're the best we've got at fieldcraft and staying covert. Can you do this?
"Eager to try."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-23_00064_zps2388b044.jpg)
-
DLC missions don't have to be played out all in one chunk now - they can be interspersed by other council missions.
For instance, you'll likely have Portent, the first mission of Progeny, in the very early game, and then it'll be a very long time before the other missions show up.
-
AAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shiiiiiiiiiit
Things are about the get very, very interesting
-
I figured that, but I really wish we drew Site Recon, though. At this point it'll be...less impressive.
IN OTHER NEWS
I have two more infantry slots open so technically Blargher and Swashmebuckle are in, I haven't deployed them yet however.
-
I was unwittingly recruited into the b-thread as a blond Russian fellow who can't shoot straight, so I would not object to my spot going to someone else. I don't know if this planet is big enough for two swashmebuckles, though you could always recruit his German cousin boschmeswuckle.
-
Up to the fellas involved in B-Company if they want the switch. I can always rename
-
Well then it's up to you, Swash.
Or if somebody not on the list on either site is reading this thread, speak up! We've got openings as interceptor pilots and infantry here!
-
Make me into a mook plz.
-
I think I'll stick with B-site for now, please hand my slot to someone else if it comes up :)
-
Might as well throw me in as cannon fodder on whichever list.
-
OK, I'll stick it out with team B and hope my aim improves before the really nasty aliens show up. Good luck to everyone (except the really nasty aliens).
-
If you have empty slots down the road, throw me in, this looks interesting, as always! :)
-
Alloy armor, same stuff the aliens make their ships out of. It's lighter than the existing Kevlar and cermaic vests, but also stronger. It should keep us from the constant sickbay times we've had before.
And shinier.
You've seen what deathfun wears, Commander. I don't think the aliens prioritize targets the same way we do.
Operation Cursed Pyre, Lyon, France, 10:45am, May 21st
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC, mission commander), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support), Trashman "Walker" (sniper), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Shaojie "Chilong" Zhang (heavy)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00001_zps4eee7d32.jpg)
"And here they told me I'd have to wear rookie armor my first mission. But I didn't get a laser rifle."
"You are, Droid. It's in the color, not the type. You get to wear the black, or whatever color it is you decide you want, if you live. And...****, you didn't get a laser rifle? Goddammit! I'm going to smack the quartermaster around for that. Everyone should have them by now. Okay people, tactical spacing, take cover, we've got a site to clear."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00002_zpsbef82dc1.jpg)
"Where the hell are they? We've secured a Meld canister and swept half the site and they're not even here!"
"Cloak noises!"
"Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00003_zps14c7b0c4.jpg)
"Holy ****, did you just blow one away while it tried to cloak?"
"A life misspent in back alleys and darkness, Captain. I find it almost easier to hit targets I can barely see."
"Floaters in the garage!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00004_zps72d30471.jpg)
"Engaging. Target destroyed. Droid, see if you can get the other."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00005_zpsf15d43e0.jpg)
"Solid hit-no kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00006_zps9f69e40c.jpg)
"Dammit, this is why you should have had a laser rifle. Somebody screwed up!"
"I have him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00007_zps3b8462c9.jpg)
"Nice work Zhang-Floaters in the waiting area!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00008_zpsd01a7fc7.jpg)
"Watch it, Fab! We kind of need our heads!"
"Firing! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00009_zpsf97dc382.jpg)
"POLLY! NOT HELPING! Where'd the last one go!?"
"He's outside, out front."
"Roger, bringing him down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00010_zpsec79285b.jpg)
"Cloa-TRASH GET DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00011_zps8503ba76.jpg)
"We done here?"
"Sky reports no movement. We're done. Weird there were so few of 'em."
Meanwhile, in South American, Very Special Agent StarSlayer calls for extraction. IT'S TIME FOR SOME EXALT CONTENT.
-
"Apparently StarSlayer uncovered a major EXALT presence in Brazil, but got rumbled and needs extraction. We're going in to get our person out and get the intel. Don't think it'll be easy; Star reported significant genetic modification was evident in EXALT's operatives."
"This isn't exactly what I signed on for, Sanderson."
"I hear you Gortef, but they've decided the best answer is to fight us and deliver everyone into the hands of the aliens. We've got to stop them if we're going to stop the aliens as well. The Council has other ways to wage war, but we're soldiers, we use the tools and skills we have. They killed those French airborne without a thought, they'll try to kill you too. Don't hesitate."
"Death to the xenos, death to those who consort with the xenos."
"I heard that. Just because you have a laser rifle doesn't mean you're in the Imperial Guard. We have a much better survival rate, for starters."
Operation Demon's Vengeance, Brazilian coast, 9:00pm, May 18th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC, mission commander), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Gortef (support), TwentyPercentCooler (sniper)
On-site: StarSlayer "Viper" (sniper, covert operative)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00013_zps9e90073d.jpg)
"Star, Strike Lead, we are moving north from the LZ to meet you. How copy?"
"Strike, am I glad to see you! Area is very hot, Exalt operatives with gene mods, projectile weapons, explosives. Am trying to reach you!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00014_zps7076c9f5.jpg)
"We have movement ahead. Star, is that you?"
"Negative, negative, I'm pinned down by an Exalt comm relay." Hacking EXALT Comm Relays forces them to reload their weapons before they can fire, in effect causing them to waste a turn doing so, though they can still move somewhat
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00016_zpsa582065a.jpg)
"Roger. Target is spatter."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00015_zpsbba81387.jpg)
"Just saved my bacon, Sandy, moving out!"
"We've got Exalt ops moving up under cover of smoke...jesus, look at their faces..." EXALT troops come in the same classes as your own, and have abilities like your troops; their Supports have smoke grenades like yours do, and medikits like yours.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00017_zps56f71ce2.jpg)
"Gene mods. They weren't subtle or careful about them. Shame if something happened to his cover, like a railgun." Collateral Damage ability native to all MECs used to destroy the cover. Probably needless, but the smoke made me paranoid.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00018_zps1061aa15.jpg)
"Gortef, drop him."
"Copy. Target down. Only one?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00019_zpsb9abcb3a.jpg)
"No way, I saw at least a half-dozen."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00020_zps40d93625.jpg)
"Welcome in from the cold Star. Stay safe, you're not in armor."
"Don't suppose you brought a spare suit?"
"No such luck."
"Hostiles moving up! No hit, but he ain't happy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00021_zps35889cc2.jpg)
"Eyes on two of them." Unlike the alien voices you get for the alien turn, the EXALT turn gives you scrambled radio transmissions.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00022_zps5ddf3d03.jpg)
"Strike, Sky, hostiles entering the AO in number." One of them didn't even make it that far, Irina is explosively vaporizing his face in the last shot.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00023_zpsc1eca225.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00024_zpsc9e16c55.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00025_zpsaedb1fe5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00026_zps5cb459f5.jpg)
"Get the **** out of my personal space!" An EXALT Support dropped next to Droid. And directly on top of Star.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00027_zpsa23cec2c.jpg)
"Only winged him, going for stun-he just stabbed himself in the neck with a syringe. He's gone."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00028_zpsd054727a.jpg)
"Crazy bastards. Guess we knew that though. Dropped one." Exalt have grenades like yours, too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00029_zps18701b02.jpg)
"Solid hit...my god, he took a full-auto heavy laser burst and he's still alive!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00030_zps3228eaa1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00031_zps1a1f515c.jpg)
"I told you they were aug'd up the wazoo, Mongoose-wait, did he just use a medikit? Like one of our medikits? That's proprietary tech! How the hell did they get that!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00032_zps723375d3.jpg)
"Got more moving up, firing! No hit!" I put TwentyPercentCooler on the roof of a large building for overwatch. It didn't work as well as it could have, lack of squadsight. Still, he got his back later.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00033_zps24851ced.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00034_zps8a3b46cc.jpg)
"Damn, likewise. Adjusting aim-firing-target down!" The Major ability for MECs is Overdrive; firing a regular shot as the first action of the turn acts just like a short move; you can still fire another shot or move or reload.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00035_zpsfcf1b49d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00036_zps5f78c7ca.jpg)
"You just blew through a cargo container to kill him!"
"I have a railgun. Velocitas eradico, your cover is irrelevant."
"Dammit, missed the one with the LMG. Hit a truck."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00037_zps98a0001d.jpg)
"Maybe you'll get-damn, nope."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00038_zps52675c3c.jpg)
"Got more moving, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00039_zps3af413af.jpg)
"Pfft, amateurs."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00040_zps22482a47.jpg)
"Says the one with the pistol."
"Hey, I hit the target at a greater range than you missed."
"Strike, Sky, more dropping in."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00041_zpse3aace35.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00042_zps363e6999.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00046_zpsba2135f7.jpg)
"There's just no end to them."
"Dammit, another one survive a laser hit! These guns just aren't killing them reliably!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00043_zps8a674b8e.jpg)
"Can it people, we're HLPX-COM and these bastards aren't nearly as impressive as an alien battleship. We can do this."
"Taking fire, not accurate."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00044_zps509a6771.jpg)
"I have a fix on his position, taking him down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00045_zpsa592b3cb.jpg)
"Nice shooting Mongoose."
"Got more moving on the other side of the warehouse between us and the LZ!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00046_zpsba2135f7.jpg)
"Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00047_zpscb7ae635.jpg)
"What was that, pistolero?"
"Not bad Gortef, perhaps you should have been a Sniper too."
"Hmm, so he thinks the edge of the building will protect him. Didn't learn from the death of his buddy. Firing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00048_zps818a7f78.jpg)
"Backing you up, Mike-target, firing! Damn, he's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00049_zps55e3bfc1.jpg)
"Got another group!" EXALT rookies and a Heavy.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00050_zpsd25d1462.jpg)
"I have a shot from the roof, firing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00051_zps1697250f.jpg)
"What the hell, you used your pistol?"
"Didn't have time to set up the bipod!"
"Confirm they've got medikits, that one just used one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00052_zpsde355af0.jpg)
"It's not going to help. Target is high-velocity spatter."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00053_zps5598a517.jpg)
"Got one back on the other side trying to sneak around; missed him!" Heavies can get Bullet Swarm, which works essentially the same way as Overdrive I described above; but for them it's a Sergeant ability.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00054_zps676f6b66.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00055_zps0d73bb49.jpg)
"Scratch one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00057_zpsc51b1532.jpg)
"Target is running-target is down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00058_zpsa50b75b0.jpg)
"****, frag incoming!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00059_zps9caa3bd9.jpg)
"Star! Talk to me."
"Cut up. Think I've got shrapnel in my thigh. Can walk, it's not bad."
"Right. Minor armor damage here."
"And another new one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00060_zpsfc4c7faf.jpg)
"...did we do that with our lasers, Irina?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00061_zps4f8c295c.jpg)
"I think we did, Mongoose."
"Winged him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00062_zps40d1f5ca.jpg)
"Surprise mother****er!" TwentyPercentCooler drops from the roof like Spiderman and pistol-kills this EXALT guy. DYNAMIC ENTRY
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00063_zpsbde238cd.jpg)
(http://[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00064_zpsd88082e9.jpg)[/img]
"He's running-missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00065_zps269c0591.jpg)
"His aim is rather poor."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00066_zps683138d0.jpg)
"Frankly with all the lasers we've blasted at these guys, the fact their hands aren't shaking so bad they can't hold a gun is amazing."
"Target is down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00067_zps99d3cd72.jpg)
"Strike, Sky. No movement and no IR in the area. Coming in to pick you up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00068_zpsa85286e8.jpg)
"You ready to go home, Star?"
"Yeah."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00069_zps871cbbf6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00070_zpsf13fceb0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00071_zpse2c189be.jpg)
First combat mission against EXALT. They fight hard; as hard or harder than we do. Pure fanatics, kill themselves to avoid capture, whole nine yards. I suppose in some ways that's not so different from us. Still, the bodies we brought back...
Doc Shen was brought in as the conscience of the project mainly because nobody trusted Doctor Vahlen to recognize when the bounds were being overstepped. She's not crazy, mind, but she's pretty gung-ho FOR SCIENCE at times, and having watched the lady interrogate a Thin Man once, I know she can appear to be quite lacking in basic morality. I've killed those things and they've tried to kill me and I still think it was a bit disturbing. Vahlen has no such excuse.
She was autopsying one of the EXALT operatives we brought back and she threw up.
Doctor Vahlen had to turn it over to somebody else from Biology. Her commentary in the base lounge wasn't just offended; it was disgusted. She called what was done to him gross butchery and perverse and a whole horde of German expletives that I'm honestly not sure I want translated. Not just augmentation and grafts, too. Combat drugs. One of the reasons they were so hard to down was they were high as kites on painkiller and stimulant mixes that would kill normal people. At the same time their adrenaline levels were so high the biology guys can't tell if they were just injecting it straight or if their adrenal glands were hyped to hell or even both. These guys took laser shots to the stomach, with no body armor, and kept fighting with half their guts blown away. Madness. And I worried I was throwing away my soul to fight for humanity. Well, that's in perspective now.
We did find out one other thing though. The EXALT ops...they were all civvies in their real lives. Worked regular jobs, banks and offices and stuff, the call came and they put on their bandannas and armbands and picked a fight with a squad of HLPX-COM troopers. Last thing they ever did. We think we wiped out the whole cell.
-
I've enjoyed following this so far. If you're still adding people then I wouldn't mind volunteering myself for the cause. Also if I survive long enough (and am in the right role) to be allowed coloured armour can I get a lime/bright green if that colour is there please? :P
-
Did we just toast a Leo 2A4 with a laser rifle? I don't know if I should be impressed about how powerful our weaponry is or concerned about how tough our enemies are that they can get hit by that stuff and survive...
Glad to know the UEI counter insurgency training from before XCOM was put to good use. After staking out these asshats for a while I'm pretty convinced they are seriously no bueno. Commander, I'd like to volunteer for any covert ops we need to run against Exalt in the future. It might be a slow road to promotion taking on these missions but I think figuring out what they are up to might be critical to XCOM.
Also can I get a call sign change to Tiradora?
-
"Surprise, mother****er!"
That is awesome. And I really need to get this game, combat against EXALT seems like a hell of a lot of fun.
-
I realize I'm a few pages late, but apparently I'm trying to set a record for most number of kills by a guy who spends more time in sickbay than actively running missions.
-
Joshua Vandenberg's autopsy report.
A voice echoes down the hall. The voice is very familiar, yet the utilization is very far from such. Being Dutch from origin, I am rather familiar with the german language, but I shall save anyone the details of the language that Dr. Vahlen directed in everyone's general direction. I have never seen her so angry... It's... exhilarating and terrifying, at the same time. With considerable fear, I took over the autopsy of this man's body.
Subject: "Johann Faust"
Auburn caucasian male.
Age estimated to be in mid thirties.
Cause of death: Extremely severe heart failure.
Additional notes:
I can see why dr. Vahlen felt... uneasy. Especially considering her method of 'taking it all in' when it comes to science. This body must be observed with caution, taking in detail by detail, for one quickly gets consumed by it's horrifying aspects if one goes too quickly.
The biggest shock is probably the considerable crudeness that went into the modifications. All organs show signs of having grown considerably in a very short time, as does the bone structure. This rapid growth must have caused considerable growth pains, which might explain the heavy use of anesthetics. I am amazed at the ability of the EXALT operatives to hide this in public.
The heart has been subject to incredible growth, coming in at a size that is atleast 50% bigger then even our most healthy XCOM operative. This process seems to have taken place in an incredibly short time. It shows the same signs that, say, one of the famous "plofkippen" has, chickens which have been grown for the slaughter and are ready in as little as six weeks - as a result, the meat is suprisingly weak and very easy to rip apart.
The same was true for this subject's heart. The subject's entire blood system seems to emphasize quantity over quality - every vein and the heart have been increased in size to accomodate ridicilous amounts of blood, which, alongside changes to the bone marrow which seem to facilitate an heavily increased blood production, all in support of all the other organs which have similarily increased and require more blood to work at full capacity. However, the net result does seem to be that the subject will not bleed out as easily.
The problem with this particular subject, however, is that the heart and the veins (And indeed, all the organs) have increased in size in such a manner that they seem to have lost some of it's structural integrity. This leads to this subjects cause of death:
The last hit by an XCOM operative caused this subject's adrenaline to spike. This, in turn, caused the heart rate to go into overdrive.
The rapid and very significant change in heart beat has caused the subject's vascular system to be fractured by the increased pressure, killing him in a very painfull manner by matter of several internal bleedings. The picture is extremily horrifying, as a lot of traces of dried blood below the skin are visible, especially near the temples. I can not, and do not, want to imagine how the subject felt when his veins started bursting one by one, obviously leading to an even more accelerated heart rate as his body died around him.
The pain must have been agonizing.
Even with all the stims.
-
Did we just toast a Leo 2A4 with a laser rifle?
Also can I get a call sign change to Tiradora?
Heavy Laser, technically, going full auto, but yeah.
And as for the second, consider it done. I'm actually reluctant to send you on more missions, however, as you lack the pistol specialization that I'd normally want to send on these missions. Then again, we have only one other sniper and since I can't guarantee Trash will be available, we'll see.
-
Savegame edit the special spez in :P.
-
Savegame edit the special spez in :P.
He asked for the other one! It's Gunslinger or Damn Good Ground, and he asked for Damn Good Ground.
-
Savegame edit the special spez in :P.
He asked for the other one! It's Gunslinger or Damn Good Ground, and he asked for Damn Good Ground.
Fair enough :).
-
We have a UFO over South America; scramble jr2 and have Phantom back him up.
Central, jr2, scratch one down in flames. Three Avalanches expended. Remaining on-station for Skyranger.
Bradford, have Ralwood take a team. Less-experienced preferably, it's a small, be good to get them some combat experience. And make sure he takes the MEC-2 Sentinel chassis, I want a combat evaluation of it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-25_00072_zps3eb7745e.jpg)
Operation Dark Apollo, Brazilian interior, June 2nd, 3:25am
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC, mission commander), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), MP-Ryan (assault), Gortef (support), TwentyPercentCooler (sniper
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00002_zps7012234d.jpg)
"Got a truck here, no sign of whoever drove it. Dead...something, in the back."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00004_zps0897e783.jpg)
"You don't recognize it?"
"No, dammit, I'm a soldier, not an expert in Brazilian wildlife. I hear stuff to the north."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00005_zps2fc7f97e.jpg)
"Found the skid mark the UFO made as it went in."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00006_zps11fee6b5.jpg)
"And eyes on the target. Move in folks."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00007_zps8b9e276c.jpg)
"Contact! Mutons!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00008_zpsc95f6cce.jpg)
"Target down." Ralwood doesn't care it's your spot-move, Ralwood has a railgun.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00009_zps92c6c566.jpg)
"Got an Outsider on the flank!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00010_zps8d1b2043.jpg)
"Oh frak! Lot of fire here-SON OF A *****!" And Twenty gets shot because I wasn't expecting an Outsider, forgetting I've actually not yet hit the alien base. Derp.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00011_zps1a7218f5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00012_zps275db32d.jpg)
"Flanking the target-oh ****, he's still up!" 70% crit chance and it doesn't happen, curses.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00013_zpsfb5fcdbe.jpg)
"Dammit, he just backhanded MP off his feet!"
"Muton down. You okay MP?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00016_zps0a53f46b.jpg)
"He hit armor. Think it hurt his hand, actually. I'm good."
"Missed the Outsider."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00015_zps8d944eec.jpg)
"Firing-missed. Oh this is gonna suc-" I should have gone for cover rather than fired here. Derp.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00014_zpsa97fb6d1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00017_zpse84e6f12.jpg)
"TWENTY'S DOWN!"
"Still breathing! Outsider down! Droid, we need you over here now!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00018_zpsea45f90b.jpg)
"Floaters rolling up. They missed me."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00019_zpsad32a685.jpg)
"I've got Twenty stabilized! Take down those Floaters so we can get back to the Skyranger!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00020_zps51a446ac.jpg)
"Scratch two. Move people! Central, Strike Lead, medical evac priority one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00021_zps7e615c4e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00022_zpsc642f3f3.jpg)
Strange. Now I know how everyone felt when I went down. Droid is not as skilled as Deathfun, so we could not get Twenty upright again, but still. That moment of panic. It's not as Micheal described it, where you feel as though you are suddenly clawing for ground where previously you strode confidently forward, but a sense that one terrible mistake has been made and now everything rests on fixing it. Perhaps the relative weakness of our enemies helped, we were not forced to struggle forward just to reach the fallen.
-
I don't mind being re purposed to straight up Designated Marksman/Covert Operative. I'm curious how this works though, I have an operative I'd like to do something similar to.
-
Yay I was useful.
-
I don't mind being re purposed to straight up Designated Marksman/Covert Operative. I'm curious how this works though, I have an operative I'd like to do something similar to.
Basically, it's your regular Sniper build, only you substitute Gunslinger for Damn Good Ground, kit them out with a Plasma or Laser Pistol and secondary items of choice. (Gene Augs to get to high ground are also useful, since you can hide on a roof and the Exalt types won't look for you though they can actually get to you.) Gunslinger+Plasma Pistol is as powerful as a standard plasma rifle most of the time.
-
Man, you've been busy there NGTM
Helluva update binge!
Quite the few missions to boot. I'm impressed on how many EXALT soldiers you had to take out that mission though. I hardly recall seeing those high of numbers even against aliens
-
Given my flag, I'm just going to assume that I'm spouting off Spy lines at every given opportunity. I guess a Russian Heavy would have been too obvious though. :D
-
Commander, we have a report of alien activity in Germany, on the outskirts of Berlin. The appear to be interfering with a cargo shipment. This raises some questions we'd like answered
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00023_zps7f77a3cd.jpg)
Ralwood, Mike! Assemble a squad, we're going heavy on this one! The aliens are trying to hijack a cargo truck near Berlin, and we don't know what they're after but if they want it this bad we're not letting them have it!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00025_zps1f663ead.jpg)
Operation Lone Heat, Germany, Berlin, 5:50pm, June 6th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-2, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-2), Trashman "Walker" (sniper), Popolion "Polly" (support), Mongoose "Strobe (heavy), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00026_zps6bbdd8c4.jpg)
"Move out people."
"Sectoids! Lots of them!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00028_zpsba5a592d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00027_zpsc280d3b3.jpg)
"We should have given this mission to the rookies."
"Can it."
"Firing. Target down." Damn fools, why do you always try to trigger Polpolion's Covering Fire which lets him reaction-fire you before you shoot?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00029_zps6f118fb6.jpg)
"Their accuracy leaves something to be desired."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00030_zps977ca5d9.jpg)
"Ow! Son of a-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00031_zps9639ab95.jpg)
"Your armor stopped it, don't get shot again, you'll be fine." He should have been too, but for some reason got sickbay time.
"Miss. Gah, the targeting gear on the MEC-2. I need more time on the range to get used to this stuff."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00032_zps8971412e.jpg)
"I got it." Why yes, Trash just oneshot a Sectoid with a basic pistol; if only I'd known I'd have brought Arc Throwers so it'd be plasma pistols for all. Whoops.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00033_zps9be26a47.jpg)
"Target down." Actually a really good shot Mongoose made here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00034_zpsd78424b4.jpg)
"Swing and a miss. You're right Ral, bit of information overload going on."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00035_zpsc689a79d.jpg)
"Jesus, watch it will you Polly!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00036_zpse14cd5a1.jpg)
"Minor damage."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00037_zps337b4be6.jpg)
"There, got one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00039_zps55dce89d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00038_zpsf909e54c.jpg)
"Target down. Two targets actually. We're clear." If you hear Pistolero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZqNUo6y52Q) playing in the background, it's only because it should be.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00040_zps58d25fb5.jpg)
"More Sectoids!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00041_zps2439a59e.jpg)
Trashman doesn't care it's your spot-move, Trashman has squadsight.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00043_zps2ac9055a.jpg)
"Missed again! Dammit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00044_zps2d21655b.jpg)
"Incoming-oh man..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00045_zpse79bf57b.jpg)
"Relax, there are safety systems. It's just a pump."
"At least they suck as bad as I do!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00046_zps21782367.jpg)
"Target is toasty."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00047_zps966c6ef8.jpg)
"Other target is down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00048_zps547172e0.jpg)
"Nice shooting, Trash."
"More, in the back end of the store!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00049_zps085a5e5c.jpg)
"Frak, missed him!" Sadly, even Squadsight and Opportunist don't always get a hit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00050_zps4e88d252.jpg)
"Missed as well."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00051_zps0aeb7efa.jpg)
"When are they going to learn that their pistols don't stop MECs?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00052_zpsdbf54a51.jpg)
"Missed! Reloading!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00053_zpsce3c6f71.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00054_zpseaea12f9.jpg)
"Nice shot Polly. We're done here. We should have given this one to the less-experienced crew."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00055_zpsa5f2b59d.jpg)
I mistook this for a different mission, alas. Whoops!
Meanwhile...
"StarSlayer, you volunteered, and Trash is again in the hospital. We've confirmed there's an EXALT cell active in France; they went after a Council member and failed. We need you to go in."
-
Bradford, have Ralwood take a team. Less-experienced preferably, it's a small, be good to get them some combat experience. And make sure he takes the MEC-2 Sentinel chassis, I want a combat evaluation of it.
There are few things I enjoy as much as evaulating 'Mechs MEC chassis.
Ralwood doesn't care it's your spot-move, Ralwood has a railgun.
Firing railguns is one of those things.
And another post while I was typing this? Wow.
...Wait, when did I get promoted to Major?
EDIT: Oh, last mission, apparently.
-
Mongoose's callsign is Strobe? Eerie. That's what I go by pretty much everywhere that's not HLP (or the BT forums).
-
TrashMans log.
I got shot. Again. I'm a like a plasma magnet for aliens, so I end up skiping every second mission (and despite that I got the second highest kill-count. Go me!). This is why I keep asking for a helmet.
XCOM has a budget to field MECs and Gene-mods and laser rifles, but aquireing a simple helment is aparently too problematic.
Doesn't matter. Just minor wounds, like usual.
As the old saying goes, you can't keep a good man down.
Word of those Exhalt celsl got around. Can't say I'm thrilled about fighting humans.
-
I'm glad to see everyone writing up stuff. \o/
Abduction attempt in Mexico. Ready team, saddle up.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00057_zps98eb5a30.jpg)
Operation Blind Engine, Leon, Mexico, June 15th, 2:00am
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-2, mission commander), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00058_zpsa07508bc.jpg)
"What the hell is that?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00059_zps188cf39f.jpg)
"It looks like a MEC with a Sectoid in it."
"Okay, let's see how well the aliens build 'em then. Firing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00060_zps5dd4a648.jpg)
"Damn, good armor! Never seen something soak a railgun slug that well."
"I got this-woah!" Lightning Reflexes is god-tier for this sort of situation. Never leave your assaults without it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00061_zps8b9ad1b5.jpg)
"Firing! He's leaking stuff, but I can't tell if it's blood or coolant or lubricants."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00062_zps20a59f10.jpg)
"Polly! He's gotta be on the ropes, drop him!"
"Copy! One to the head!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00063_zpsdf874e7d.jpg)
"He's stumbling...got some discharges-target down! Good shooting Polly!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00064_zpsef9f62ae.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00065_zpsa229e27b.jpg)
"Cloaky ****s!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00066_zpse63bda57.jpg)
"Sectoid moving-he's down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00067_zps260bc5da.jpg)
"Second Sectoid moving-also down!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00068_zps61dcc47f.jpg)
"DEATHFUN, HIT THE DECK!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00069_zps6db557ca.jpg)
"Christ Irina!"
"Hey, if you like tentacle monsters that's your problem."
"Well, one's grabbed Enoich! Got it!"
"Cyberdisc moving-oh god! Missed me, thank god."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00070_zps1c597329.jpg)
"Those little things sting!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00071_zps2720974a.jpg)
"Yeah? Sting this." This is rank cruelty, really; a railgun is a 6-to-8 with a crit 8-to-12, being used on a pair of things that have a max of three health.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00072_zpscfebec2c.jpg)
"Cyberdisc is hit and not happy, it folded up again. Cyberdisc is down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00073_zps4a402b41.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00074_zpsdeb72a86.jpg)
"Mutons in the last building-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00075_zps77463667.jpg)
"Christ Irina, having fun with that rocket launcher?"
"Stun that one. I'll kill the other. We can go home."
"Fine, fine."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00076_zps8f1cf852.jpg)
Ultimately it was the drones that actually injured Enioch enough to get a sickbay stay. Weird his armor worked when Trash's didn't.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00077_zpseacc6ae7.jpg)
The Mectoid, as we're calling it, has been turned over to the science team. As efforts to get more mileage out of a Sectoid go it worked pretty well, absorbing nearly six times the firepower it would normally take to kill a single Sectoid.
But the design seems poorly optimized. Using both arms for fixed heavy weapons systems seems a limiting decision in terms of CQC options, ability to manipulate the environment, and even stability and getting back up after falling over. The weapons have a different form factor from other alien designs, and it seems to use both of them in its attacks every time. Possibly to make up for an insufficient rate of fire?
They also don't protect the pilot as well as our MECs do. Admittedly we originally adopted the helmets as an almost stylistic choice, but the MEC-2 Sentinel design added improvements in head and chest protection for the MEC wearer. It will be interesting to hear the science team's conclusions, particularly whether IronBeer thinks the Mectoid is reactionary or whether we've developed our own suits in parallel to theirs.
-
To COMMAND
From Joshua Vandenberg
Subject: Potential of genetic modifications
After researching the bone marrow modifications found on EXALT operatives, and after testing this in on animal subjects, it seems that this technology can be applied to our XCOM soldiers without much issue. The bone marrow modifications increase the blood regeneration abilities of the body, but do not cause any harmfull side effects. As such, I believe that this sort of technology will help to mitigate the effects of blood loss in our operatives, which is very usefull for a lot of purposes. Aside from that, the body's inert ability to heal bleeding wounds seems to be much improved as well, which can be of an effect even within the field.
As "Trashman" has often expressed regret about how often he is down in sickbay, he might want to volunteer for this kind of modification.
Of another note are genetic modifications which are of a less intrusive kind. I am talking about eye modifications. EXALT operatives seem to have used the same eye modifications as we have theorized about in the past.
Some EXALT operatives seem to have the eyes of an hawk, having a much better depth perception. Applying this technology to our own operatives can make them more accurate whilst on higher ground. I highly recommend every sharpshooter in our unit to be equipped with this modification. It is suprisingly non-intrusive to boot, a far cry from the other gene mods I have witnessed thus far.
Another modification I have seen seems to involve modifications to the pupil muscles, which are much more... athletic. This could help operatives eyes' adept better to changing circumstances, which is especially usefull when trying to correct their aim. I highly recommend that just about everyone else is outfitted with this gene mod. It is very non-intrusive.
Both eye modifications require very little resources on our end. If Command would like to test this technology, I highly recommend we start with these.
Our tests have revealed one caveat, however: The gene mods can only be applied by stimulating growth a bit. As a result, the bodies of operatives may not be entirely the same when they come out as opposed when they come in. Although this should not be a significant problem for the operatives themselves (heck, I am sure Deathfun would love it), their armor might have to be refitted to accomodate.
Since this growth can not be readily controlled, it is very likely that it will override changes made to accommodate the body for cybernetic augmentations. Although this can not be ascertained for sure, I highly suspect that MEC troopers will suffer from extreme side effects when we try to genitically augment them in another way.
--- Message ends.
-
Is this an attempt to justify why genemodded troops don't have sleeves joshua
-
Ooh promotions, and I got to be useful again. All is well.
That one UFO mission seemed rather worrysome though, but we all got home more or less alive at least.
(hehe and tanks for the sniper remark as I mentioned being one in the previous LP's, intentional or not)
-
Is this an attempt to justify why genemodded troops don't have sleeves joshua
Yes.
It's also to explain to the layman the current gene mods we have available.
-
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
June 16, 2015 - Entry #14
_____________________________________________________________
Busy busy busy. Everybody's under stress by now, but obviously it would be petty to complain about my lot in comparison to the field operatives. Yesterday was the third night in a row I'd passed out at my MEC Bay workstation in the wee hours- so much to do, but so little time. Between examining the tissue samples of aliens and EXALT operatives, and now the new alien "Mechtoid" exosuit, I need to remember to be outraged at EXALT and disgusted by the invaders. Or was it the other way around? Of course by now everybody's head the story about Dr. Vahlen's autopsy of the EXALT operative. Steely, unflappable Vahlen, who had borne up-close witness to the aliens' biotechnological nightmares, vomiting at the realization of EXALT's modifications. Yeah, that rattled us all a bit. I wouldn't say we're "scared" per se, we're HLPX-COM after all, but a lot of people, especially support people like myself, are nervous. We can only RESPOND to EXALT actions, we can't really take the fight to them, and we're all wondering when their next act of sabotage will happen.
Focusing on "business" is about the only thing keeping me functional right now. The Commander specifically asked for my opinions/impressions about the Mechtoid suit, so I best deliver. I'll need to wait on some comments until Dr. Vahlen's team has completed their autopsy/disassembly, but I do have some preliminary notes ready based on combat footage and external observations. The long, folded digitigrade legs should afford a Mechtoid considerable mobility, though what little footage I've seen hasn't really demonstrated such. The smaller torso is obviously smaller due to the diminutive size of the Sectoid pilot, but likely also smaller due to more efficient/powerful power generation. Obvious use of "alien alloys" in the machine's construction results in a lighter overall frame and generally more graceful locomotion and bearing. Now, about the plasma cannons. Without seeing a Mechtoid's internals, I have no hard conjecture on exactly why the aliens went with a twin gun-arm setup. Perhaps by taking hands out of the equation and directly linking the guns to the operator's mind, the aliens are able to address the years-old problem of akimbo accuracy.
Long story short, I'm going to need to wait on the autopsy results before I can offer "backed-up" conjectures. On the topic of design parallel-ness, I really can't say. Sectoids already come with some pretty heavy implants, so it might be easier or even trivial for a Sectoid operative to hop into a Mechtoid suit. But again, until the cutters have opened up the suit and counted the pilot's limbs, the previous statement is raw spitballing. I do suppose though, if somebody held a gun up to my head and demanded I decide if the Mechtoid suit is "parallel" or "convergent" design, I'd say "convergent". The aliens generally seem to have a better grasp on robotics than we do, which does raise the question of why they'd bother with a pilot at all, but an exosuit seems to be a fairly natural derivation from their other robots. I re-iterate, however, that I don't know. Perhaps if we could interview a compliant captive, we'd know for certain...
-
Welp, I need to try and capture some more Sectoids. And find out if Mechtoid is capturable.
Alien terror attack on Canada. Scramble all the Intercepors. Inform the appropriate governments we're requisitioning tanker support. Heavy strike team on the Skyranger, now.
Operation Morbid Pyre, Montreal, Canada, 6:58am, June 18th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-2, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-2), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), Irinia "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-26_00078_zps247514a3.jpg)
"We got bugs!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00001_zps4db952bc.jpg)
"Dammit there's a civvie over there! Target down, get the others!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00002_zps9f946a9c.jpg)
"Dammit, no shots!"
"They're charging, open fire!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00003_zps96cdd66d.jpg)
"Oh you chitinous bastards you're going to regret that, you're going to regret that so much."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00004_zps821fb463.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00005_zps4942056c.jpg)
"Stay out of Euclid's personal space!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00006_zpsbc191eba.jpg)
"Moving up! You, get the hell out of here, go for the plane, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00007_zpscc6ad582.jpg)
"Firing! Chryssalid down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00008_zpsaa049096.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00009_zpsdeea255b.jpg)
"Firing! Target's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00010_zpse4c2a298.jpg)
"You can thank me later Mike."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00011_zps3ca149b4.jpg)
"Dammit, missed the bastard!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00012_zps7b65246e.jpg)
"...the civvie, they just got back-not using the z-word?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00013_zps143b884d.jpg)
"Zombie. Damn, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00014_zpsf11020f3.jpg)
"Bad luck, Irinia!...jesus, did you see that thing jump!?
"Oh you piece of-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00015_zpsc5951134.jpg)
"Die, you vermin."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00016_zpscc3a8d00.jpg)
"Zombie again."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00017_zps16902316.jpg)
"...he just fell off the roof. Onto his head. It's...visibly compressed...and he's moving."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00018_zps3d40b16e.jpg)
"Not for long, Polly, we're taking this thing down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00019_zps0153a63b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00020_zps062ff115.jpg)
"Cyberdisc!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00021_zps5c0f1491.jpg)
"Suckers!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00022_zps8ecf7da0.jpg)
"I wouldn't get too enthusiastic about that, Euclid. One of these days they're gonna hit you."
"Fat chance."
"No hit, damn!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00023_zps77d0d8c9.jpg)
"Ralwood!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00024_zps842e9813.jpg)
"I'm all right, MEC-2's giving me some warning lights, but nothing I need."
"Drone just shot a civilian...they're still alive!" I have honestly never seen that happen before. I'm pretty surprised.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00024_zps842e9813.jpg)
"You, get out of here, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00027_zpscebda149.jpg)
"Firing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00028_zps22d7aa65.jpg)
"...did I just see some of those limbs go flying?"
"Doesn't matter, still up! Ralwood!"
"Copy. Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00029_zps10d5f666.jpg)
"Anyone have a shot on the Drone?"
"Negative!"
"You little-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00033_zps1e36a0dc.jpg)
"X-Ray terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00034_zps85e33cc4.jpg)
Strike, this is Phantom. Alien tactical fighters are down, and the Canadians are reporting that the remaining aliens have disengaged and bugged out. We have a UFO retreating from local airspace, heading for the Atlantic at low-hypersonic.
Phantom, this is the Commander. No survivors. Drop him in the water. Scotty, assist. Hobbie, jr2, stay with Strike.
Complying. Phantom is outbound.
Central, Scotty. UFO is down over the Grand Banks. He wasn't maneuvering well; must have been overloaded. Phantom and I are Winchester, request permission to rearm at the North American field and then return to base.
Permission granted. Strike, status.
"Armor damage to both MECs, but no injuries. Remaining on station to provide assistance to the civilians, Commander."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-11-27_00035_zps09eed2ff.jpg)
-
Welp, I need to try and capture some more Sectoids. And find out if Mechtoid is capturable.
I don't believe you can. I mind hacked one with a Psi Trooper and had it whittled down and in position to zap when it came to. Unfortunately it didn't show up as targetable so I had to put it down. Still I mind hacked it out from under a SecCom's Psi Shield. I then forced it to plasma incinerate said commander, I tend to believe that must have been quite horrifying for the little bastard.
-
HQ, StarSlayer, requesting extraction.
Bradford, scramble the ready team and tell them it's Exalt.
Operation Silent Hunter, Caen, France, 4:30 am, 19 June
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-2, mission commander), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry" (assault), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00036_zps0910412d.jpg)
"What are they like?"
"Aggresive. They're still using projectile weapons, though, so your armor offers pretty good protection. Watch out for grenades or rockets. Tough, too, moreso than most aliens you'll have fought MP. You may not be able to stop them with one shot."
Strike, the contact area is a mess. It looks like somebody hit it with multiple car bombs or something similar. Still have a beacon from StarSlayer, though.
"We're going in as long as there's a beacon."
In position, Strike.
"Go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00038_zpsa6038eb7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00039_zpsc1d3864d.jpg)
"Star! You called?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00041_zps8602c26e.jpg)
"Yeah! They didn't like me uploading the data, and bombed the place, but I set up the transmitter and encoder in spots they couldn't get at. Their next step will probably be to try and get to them physically and hack them."
"Got it. Defense in depth people."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00043_zpsc389c432.jpg)
"Here they come! One down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00042_zpsd632bae0.jpg)
"I know you said they were aggressive, but closing into CQC range with a MEC? These guys are crazy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00044_zpsa1ef193f.jpg)
"That is entirely possible, MP. Armor scratched only."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00045_zpsa1af68a3.jpg)
"Target negated." You know, these screenshots make fighting EXALT a lot more brutal than it seems in the game, because you can actually see the gore effects...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00046_zpsab2eae8f.jpg)
"Missed him-no, scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00047_zpsa98cdedd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00048_zps69da63fc.jpg)
"Kill. They're not even firing as they close..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00050_zpsbb5c26aa.jpg)
"The hell they aren't!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00051_zpsbe3db4aa.jpg)
"Winged one!" I think you said something about a Russian heavy, Mongoose?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00052_zps374b6353.jpg)
"This is getting kinda hairy here!" See the desk Deathfun's at? It'll burn away in a moment, when the turn flips. Wish I'd know that.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00053_zpsf4d4005a.jpg)
Strike, Sky, radar contact moving over the site-squawking civilian.
"Sky, negative, negative, contact is not civilian, it's dropping EXALT."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00054_zpsee3630e1.jpg)
"Surprise! Damn, he's still up!" I was terrified this heavy would fire his rocket launcher at us, but instead he just charged ahead to try and hack.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00055_zpsd0def169.jpg)
"Deathfun!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00056_zps65dbbff4.jpg)
"Vest stopped most of it! Gah, I need to move!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00057_zps19327935.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00058_zps434d9883.jpg)
"We got a bunch dropping out front, I could use some help!"
"Mongoose, hold this down, I'm gonna go help Star."
"Copy."
"Kill." The movement range on a high-level MEC is amazing; he ran from the back of the building to the front and killed a guy.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00059_zpse0d987d2.jpg)
"EXALT popping smoke! Firing-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00060_zpsf0ae6b33.jpg)
"Second target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00061_zpsb15ef39f.jpg)
"EXALT down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00062_zps81e0439e.jpg)
"Heavy is down. Think they popped smoke to try and disrupt our lasers?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00063_zpsfee454ea.jpg)
"Got some moving through the building!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00064_zps93ba58f1.jpg)
"That one's not going to make it in."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00065_zpsfc9b03f3.jpg)
"Exalt trooper down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00066_zpsf9a79bd9.jpg)
"Last one at the back is down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00067_zpsf20701c0.jpg)
Strike, Sky, we have Exalt dropping in from a helicopter, they're on the roof. Will attempt to interfere.
"Star, get inside. I'm going to the roof. Mongoose, cover the front door!" Jetboot Module. Normally a little bit superfluous, but occasionally a must have, like now; there's no normal way to get the to roof here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00068_zps1aa8a3a2.jpg)
"Target is spatter."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00069_zps620626c9.jpg)
"Sky, if you're going to do something about that helo it's dropping more so do it! Scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00070_zps15d5e538.jpg)
Wait one-helo down! He just hit a warehouse!
"More moving through the building! He's hurt bad, but not down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00071_zps62d9ff68.jpg)
"I got one running for the edge of the roof! He's gonna break his legs-" This guy decided the correct response to a MEC-2 was to take the quickest route out of its LOS. Which is actually pretty rational.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00072_zps8190157f.jpg)
"No, he's still on his feet, moving! Firing-target down!" Unfortunately, he dropped in front of Irina. Whoops!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00073_zps7b162d04.jpg)
"Last one is history. These guys push hard, but they weren't very smart."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00073_zps7b162d04.jpg)
"Considering what they do to themselves squicks me right the hell out and I gave up my limbs for this job, are you surprised?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00077_zps5b48043d.jpg)
"Yes, dammit, even the aliens have some basic self-preservation instinct!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r001/2013-11-27_00078_zps7ca0d957.jpg)
Star got a promotion too; apparently it IS a fast route to promotion
Sky got an air-to-air kill; he hit the helicopter EXALT was using with a close supersonic pass and knocked it out of control, and it went in. Frankly, I'm not sure how to take that one; it was always believed that the Skyranger would have an escort in any situation where there would be any kind of air opposition. We're going to have start deploying Interceptors for cover; if they can get a helicopter and a sufficiently large set of bombs to do the damage we saw, then we need to consider the possibility they'll try to interfere with Sky.
They pushed hard...it was like the Chryssalids, in the previous mission. They just charged, straight at you, straight into your fire. Not a hint of hesitation. It's stupid; not as if they can win charging into our prepared kill zones. There weren't enough of them for that. I guess on some level, if this group was civvies in real life like the last one...they might not have known
But the fact they had an EH101 Merlin...that's a military helicopter. And it's not in French service, either. They had to bring it in from the UK or Denmark, maybe Italy or Portugal. Any of the other operators is far too unlikely. The French haven't been able to determine where it came from, but they were quite insistent it was a military version.
That said, we did uncover another cell, active in Russia. Proactive approach, this time. The Commander sent Trash, but there's also a UFO over Argentina...no rest for the weary.
-
So much for "great, challenging Exalt AI".
-
So much for "great, challenging Exalt AI".
It can be, but that particular mission was a combination of a good defensive position and the fact that it evaluates its objectives and realizes what it needs to do to win is hack the terminals, so it tries to do that instead of other things unless you provide it really really tempting targets.
Also we're extremely powerful comparatively at this point, to make a fair fight of it they'd need laser weapons and upgraded versions of the Exalt Operatives. (Who can duke it out with you fairly well into the Plasma era.)
-
One of my saves in XCOM right now has my troops armed with Plasma and the Exalt soldiers have just come around. Two encounters with them, and I'm armed to the teeth with plasma already
Just how long before these upgraded guys roll out?
-
One of my saves in XCOM right now has my troops armed with Plasma and the Exalt soldiers have just come around. Two encounters with them, and I'm armed to the teeth with plasma already
Just how long before these upgraded guys roll out?
Not sure what triggers it, honestly.
-
They showed up on my third EXALT mission, and I'm still running lasers all round.
-
Not sure what triggers it, honestly.
Looks like it'll be an unpleasant surprise...
Not to draw much attention away, but I've picked up a spare Assault Class if anyone is interested in the slot
And the best part is his original name is "Ramirez"
-
And the best part is his original name is "Ramirez"
RAMIREZ, DO EVERYTHING.
-
And the best part is his original name is "Ramirez"
Was his first name Tomas (http://honorverse.wikia.com/wiki/Tomas_Ramirez)?
-
Central, Phantom. Engaging UFO.
Central, Phantom, breaking off-wait one-target is going down. Interceptor has sustained extreme damage. Have a crash team ready. Eight Avalanches expended. Jettisoning remaining ammunition as an explosion hazard.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00081_zpsf476620e.jpg)
Understood Phantom. Crash team is ready. Informing nearby airstrips to clear their runways in case you need an alternate. Bradford, who's on deck?
Both the MECs are down with maintenance issues. Nothing serious, but...
Then we'll deploy the team without them. I know it goes against our usual practice, but it's an informal one. We've done without them before. Inform Mongoose to assemble a team.
Operation Cold Palace, Argentinian Andes, 5:17am, June 19
Deployed: Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy, mission commander), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), The E (assault)
Just now I realize I forgot to put The E in Carapace Armor. Crap.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00082_zps16b6a210.jpg)
"Okay, nobody here is new to this, move in. We've got dawn at our backs so you can be a little less careful closing the UFO."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00083_zps8f8fc361.jpg)
"Damn, Phantom did a number on this one. What do you think, six hits?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00084_zpscbb91b9d.jpg)
"Most of it's surface damage. I count three hits, but there were some nearby safety detonations. Got to remember, the Avalanche is normally a kinetic kill hypersonic weapon; it only blows up if it misses."
"Mutons to the north!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00085_zps7042d431.jpg)
"MP, get your ass out of there, I'll cover!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00086_zps6d824920.jpg)
"Got Thin Men rolling up-****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00087_zps51a8e76f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00088_zpsd3f7ffeb.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00089_zps4f37838b.jpg)
"MP, MOVE! Star, drop 'em!"
"Copy. Firing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00090_zps40b05c65.jpg)
"Contact with the main force, firing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00091_zps5344449e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00092_zps6a53d261.jpg)
"I guess they don't think this thing will ever fly again. They don't seem to care about it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00095_zpsf1e62b83.jpg)
"They're moving up, more of them!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00093_zps6ec8a143.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00094_zps6733ba87.jpg)
"Thin Man down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00096_zps89d9bacc.jpg)
"Muton hurt, Thin Man down." Mongoose and Irina basically turned this whole thing around because they had Bullet Swarm and could take two shots a turn. For some reason the aliens managed to find positions StarSlayer couldn't see them from despite Squadsight very rapidly.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00097_zpsc3de0427.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00098_zps28406819.jpg)
"Moving up-firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00099_zps2793c0cd.jpg)
"They're...they're running! I missed the Muton! They're running!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00100_zpsd3ca767b.jpg)
"Have the aliens ever run before?!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00101_zps494adeb0.jpg)
"First time for everything! Up and at 'em X-COM!"
"Muton injured, E-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00102_zps3a701ae2.jpg)
"Copy. Thinks he's awesome beating his chest. Stunning target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00103_zpsab903b39.jpg)
"Target stunned."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00104_zps0342e16f.jpg)
"Found the Thin Man-dammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00105_zpscedc0a39.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00106_zps208f7189.jpg)
"I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00107_zps74eecbf1.jpg)
"Nice work Euclid. Okay, let's sweep the ship. We're probably looking for an Outsider."
"Found it!-****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00108_zps4e9a0850.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00110_zpsfededc37.jpg)
"X-Ray terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00111_zps1795e66c.jpg)
"Central, site secure. Please inform all personnel: the aliens ran. Repeat, the aliens ran from contact."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00112_zpsd99f82dd.jpg)
"Strike, Central, we copy. Wait one for the Commander."
"Strike, this is the Commander. Come on home. The bar's open."
"E? You remember what happened last time you stunned a Muton?"
"Yes."
"You're crazy."
"Yes."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r002/2013-11-27_00113_zps329022cd.jpg)
They ran from us. Oh, some of them, the Chryssalids, they've run away before. We had to set them on fire first, and if the bugs did not react to being set on fire I think we'd be barely surprised. They've demonstrated little wit.
A Thin Man running...honestly, having seen them interrogated, it would not be a surprise. They are...not human enough, but rational enough by human standards, to understand when they face enemies they cannot hope to defeat. They will usually attempt to sill their lives dearly. Even aliens can have courage. But they are also capable of fear. I have seen the panic in their eyes when Doctor Vahlen enters the room.
But today, a Muton ran from us. It tried to flee rather than face our guns, and we chased it down like a dog. A Muton. We did not even know they were capable of feeling fear. I have seen Mutons charge MECs, run down the barrels of massed rifle and LMG fire, take a rocket and then shrug off an Arc Thrower hit. The best the aliens had broke and fled before an HLPX-COM strike team.
-
And the best part is his original name is "Ramirez"
Was his first name Tomas (http://honorverse.wikia.com/wiki/Tomas_Ramirez)?
No, he's Rodo Ramirez, back from the grave!
-
Trashman's requested extraction.
Heavy team. Sanderson in command.
Operation Devil's Fog, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 12:05pm June 21
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-2, Mission Commander), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-2), Starslayer "Tiradora" (sniper), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), The "Psycho" E (assault)
"Okay, Trashman needs extraction. He was about to complete his objective by hacking EXALT comms when enemy forces moved in, so we need to cover him while he does that, then extract him safely. Preferably the rest of us too. You can get shot all you want but you die on me and I'm going to be very cross, people."
Strike, Sky, dropsite reached.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00115_zps59f9a6fb.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00116_zps80b81a6f.jpg)
"We got hostiles!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00117_zps9152eef6.jpg)
"Get rid of them."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00118_zps4024ae14.jpg)
"Woah!" Exalt Supports have the Covering Fire ability like your own do; this one, on overwatch, fired on StarSlayer when StarSlayer was trying to fire on him.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00119_zpse3dff81c.jpg)
"Dammit, flinched, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00120_zpsbe2f9b98.jpg)
"Moving in-SUCKERS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00121_zps0fb12963.jpg)
"Firing-miss, hit! Target is toasted!" We have pump-action shotguns. Pump-action laser shotguns. Because it's awesome.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00122_zps22f985e9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00123_zpsbb1a154c.jpg)
"More hostiles moving in, look sharp people!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00124_zpsa8cd9dba.jpg)
"Returning fire. Target negated." This is the MEC's Colonel-level Reactive Targeting Sensors ability in action; if you have ammo, the first person to shoot at you gets Overwatch'd, over and above any overwatch you might be doing.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00125_zps97a6550e.jpg)
"Target down!" StarSlayer was shooting at Exalt here, the guy on the roof. Killed them too, but the shot apparently had to burn through Ralwood's Restorative Mist canister to do it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00126_zpse88e61c6.jpg)
"You mind not singing my suit to do it, Jesus!"
"That's not my name!"
" Moving-Got another one." First rule of urban fights: get as many angles on the targets as possible.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00127_zps340e533d.jpg)
"Mike, be careful where you point that thing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00128_zps25db5864.jpg)
"Crap, sorry."
"Lotta fire her-ow!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00129_zpsfd91b922.jpg)
"You okay?"
"Vest stopped it. Bringing him down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00130_zps2c5aa9b6.jpg)
"We got hostiles moving from the alley! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00131_zpsbd268c94.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00132_zpsa24d95cc.jpg)
"I got this one-" I think Euclid basically pressed the lense array on his gun against the target, here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00133_zpseca37b45.jpg)
"Dammit, missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00134_zpsd0afaac9.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00135_zps2fc70f52.jpg)
"Nice work E. MECs, move up, we're going to clear in the opposite direction. Where the hell is Trash?"
"Right here. Was waiting for you to clear the street before I opened the door. First comms hacked, by the way."
"There's the second comm array. Trash, do your thin-Incoming! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00136_zps6b17485d.jpg)
"Second target! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00137_zps2c3dd0a4.jpg)
"I need earplugs if you guys are going to keep firing Railguns next to my head."
"Probably. I hear Doctor Vahlen has a gene aug for that in the works, though."
"Move back. We're out of here."
"More hostiles moving in from the direction of the LZ. Got one on the roof, too."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00138_zps7bb04ef6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00139_zpsc39ac6be.jpg)
"Ralwood. Deal with the sniper."
"Copy. Jetboots active."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00140_zpsaf93bce7.jpg)
"I got this one-dammit, no I don't!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00141_zpsbad141b7.jpg)
"Sniper's jumping from the roof!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00142_zpsb407d93b.jpg)
Everyone fires; only Trash actually hit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00143_zpsa4439d69.jpg)
"In pursuit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00145_zpsd388d59e.jpg)
"He missed, he missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00144_zps57c3396c.jpg)
"Target is crispy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00146_zps210bf700.jpg)
"More moving in! Firing-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00147_zps1b2f733c.jpg)
"We got another on the roof."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00148_zps3f5feff0.jpg)
"Jetboots online. Killing him with fire."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00149_zps005c2a4f.jpg)
Strike, Sky, in position for pickup.
"Trash, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r004/2013-11-27_00150_zps324a449c.jpg)
A perfect op. No hostiles survived, no team members were injured. Doesn't feel...entirely right, to be doing it against EXALT, but having seen them up close... I don't know, it's like they're trying to look shady with those outfits they wear. There's got to be better methods of concealing their face than looking like Old West bandits or modern gangbangers.
-
I said it before, I'll say it again - I am totally setting a new record for greatest kills per number of missions and most hours spent in sickbay.
-
Slayer needs more MOLLE :D Could I get Deco 3 Color 9?
-
So I finally got a foundry built (because yes I hadn't yet) and did about fifteen projects. You will notice a definite improvement in, well, everything in the next mission.
I'll give a complete list of the completed projects sometime soon, but at the moment the ones you're most likely to notice are the Shaped Armor/Servomotors upgrades to Ralwood's MEC based on our successful autospy of the Mechtoid and the fact we've got the Tactical Harness and thus everyone gets a second item in combat. We'll deal with the mission tomorrow.
-
Quite nice
Tactical Harness in my opinion, is probably one of the best things ever
Question though: Has anyone encountered a glitch where your Operative on an EXALT mission just... dies? I lost a soldier early during one of the cell missions, but when I had finished up and extracted the operative via the Skyranger... she showed up as KIA when we all returned to base
The operative was never shot once and survived the mission, only to turn up dead when we got back to base
-
Nope can't say I have. Sorry people, we've had a family emergency here. My updates will be erratic for this week. Also, we had our second casualty, though not in this mission.
UFO on the ground near Chelyabinsk. It's a heavy, Abductor-class, so we're going in hard. Ready team saddle up. Star, Deathfun, we've got some new stuff for you. Grab the plasmas. Arc Throwers and grenades people. We've got a
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00002_zpsc561ae05.jpg)
Operation Black Grave, Russian Interior, 5:45pm, June 23rd
Deployed: Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy, mission commander), Deathfun "Fabulous"(support), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-2), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), The "Psycho" E (assault)
Strike, Sky, we're down! Go go go!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00003_zps8a31b6a0.jpg)
"Mechtoid and friends at the aft hatch!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00004_zps972ccea2.jpg)
"These guys even design their transports like we do."
"It's aerodynamics and structural engineering. Math doesn't change by species, genius, there's only a few good ways."
"Mechtoid's moving up! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00005_zps89184593.jpg)
"Taking some heat."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00006_zpsbd0fbbe2.jpg)
"Firing-plasma pistol's got a kick. He's hurting!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00007_zpsea92b725.jpg)
"Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00008_zps9ff23e32.jpg)
"Contact on a Sectoid. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00009_zps24127fb8.jpg)
"These guys can't hit ****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00010_zps9a93dfcb.jpg)
"There was a time where the little grey bastards were the scariest thing they had, you realize?"
"For real? Shame it didn't stay that way."
"Dammit, stun failed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00011_zps1c2bcc55.jpg)
"Mutons on the right flank, moving up! Got a weird one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00012_zpse74409a8.jpg)
"Fir-god DAMN it! No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00013_zps310d5645.jpg)
"Target hit, still up. He doesn't even look hurt much-**** he's coming straight at me!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00014_zpsa2610a59.jpg)
"Firing-he's hurt but he's still moving!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00015_zpse4df4273.jpg)
"Miss-HIT! Target's still up, still up! Jesus, he's right on top of us!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00016_zps98616944.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00017_zpse9a30ed8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00018_zps83ab1c37.jpg)
"X-ray terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00019_zps18ce8ec5.jpg)
"Trying to crawl up-Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00020_zpsc3e59395.jpg)
"Dammit we wanted the little buggers alive, cheaper than building new pistols."
"I'm not getting plasma'd for that. I think the Commander will understand."
"Fir-Oh come ON!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00021_zpsff948d04.jpg)
"Moving up! Missed me, suckers!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00022_zps3b233cfc.jpg)
"Euclid, seriously, you've got a deathwish."
"No contact with the target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00023_zpse0ae2427.jpg)
"Winged him-WOAH!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00024_zpsb2729f7e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00025_zps12aea953.jpg)
"No hit-****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00026_zpsdaaf312c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00027_zps25a7858f.jpg)
"Euclid's hit bad! Vest's flat gone!"
"These guys pack the big guns, be careful people."
"Oh come on goddammit! I'm going to kick the ass of whoever set up these sights!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00028_zpsfd25fb70.jpg)
"Take it easy trooper, you'll be fine."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00029_zpsf7aa4a36.jpg)
"Target hit, still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00030_zps34e520bb.jpg)
"I'm hit, still good-****! I've got red lights across the board!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00031_zps382e3ca2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00032_zps9dec2a2b.jpg)
"Flanking-Target terminated!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00033_zps6fa2ee2f.jpg)
"Missed the target!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00034_zps0559c60d.jpg)
"Firing-YEAH! Target is history!" 18 damage crit? Why yes, you can oneshot most enemies with the Plasma Sniper Rifle!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00036_zps528ecc52.jpg)
"Second Mechtoid and friends."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00037_zpseba4b972.jpg)
"He's charging-what the hell is that!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00038_zpsd3ddd7c8.jpg)
"Taking heat."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00039_zps5896b004.jpg)
"Likewise!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00040_zps5a993bfa.jpg)
"Third Mechtoid!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00041_zps5d208a24.jpg)
"Firing-hit! Target is still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00042_zps148f6110.jpg)
"Closing in-firing!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00044_zps8482a58b.jpg)
"Ow! Son of a *****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00045_zps24dc6f57.jpg)
"Firing-he's hurt bad but he's still moving!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00046_zpsb3e1b9b1.jpg)
"Smoke out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00047_zpscf0777c3.jpg)
"Firing!" That's the second time the "get within four tiles and get reaction-fired" of Close Combat Specialist has saved Euclid from plasmaface syndrome.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00048_zpse53e413c.jpg)
"Woah! I'm hit, but not bad!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00049_zps1c119a70.jpg)
"Deathfun, hit me."
"Literally?"
"Don't be a dick."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00050_zps75fbe1ff.jpg)
"Target stunned. That ought to make the Commander happy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00051_zps89287f9c.jpg)
"Killing the other one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00052_zpsbe256550.jpg)
"Firing! Target hit! Shield down!" The shield is incredibly resilient, very high natural resists. Unfortunately, when it comes to raw alpha we've already seen that the Plasma Sniper Rifle rolling a crit will tear faces off.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00053_zpsd29f5f2a.jpg)
"Popping mist." Restorative Mist subsystem for the MEC-2; it basically acts like an AoE version of the Medikit, but can't stabilize a soldier who's bleeding out.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00054_zps96e219f9.jpg)
"Firing! He's hurting, leaking stuff."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00055_zps5cd390f1.jpg)
"All right, let's see if this HEAT round IronBeer suggested does what it should. ROCKET OUT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00056_zps40928dd7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00057_zpsd409963b.jpg)
"Holy ****. It blew a whole straight through his midsection. He's going over."
"Sectoid moving up! Firing! Target is toast. Going to pop my other round of Mist."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00058_zps32fea0a8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00059_zpsf47d4bdc.jpg)
"And here's the last one. X-Ray down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00060_zps9d4d0ffc.jpg)
"Okay people, sweep the ship, we're probably looking for an Outsider."
"GOT TWO!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00061_zps41f5376b.jpg)
"Kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00062_zpsdbac78de.jpg)
"Moving in! Kill!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00063_zps6f3b6094.jpg)
Strike, Central. Sky confirms negative movement. Think you're done.
"Central, Strike, inform IronBeer and Doc Shen the MEC-2 is going to need some serious repairs and have medical standing by."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00064_zps86e52be0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r005/2013-11-30_00065_zps34eeef8c.jpg)
The Medikits and Mist Cans work. We should have had people out of action for weeks, frankly, but patching them up right away reduced their total downtime. It's still only the second time we've ever had a MEC pilot out of action in sickbay, but it could have been much worse. We took a lot of fire this time, and the Commander's talking about reevaluating procedures.
-
Major(ly) "Fabulous" Deathfun's Log:
Took me a while, but I guess now is a good as time as any to start with these things. I didn't expect myself to have made it this far to honest. Afterall, I was one of the first to have been sent in with technology so inferior it amazes me that there weren't more deaths. But now look at the team, completely badass.
It also feels really good to have a plasma rifle in my hands. This thing is light as all hell! Basically makes anything we've ever had feel so unwieldy and useless. Seeing the plasma sniper in action though... hodamn that thing is killer. You can feel the power from meters away, and see how targets fly when they get taken down by it.
On that note, this most recent UFO landing was something else. We came up against resistance in the form of strength, and not as much in terms of numbers. Sure, they're were still quite a few of them for our sniper to pick off (or more accurately, keep missing but redeem by pulling off the top section of a Muton) but it's different now. It would appear that Mechtoids are more common and are starting to capitalize on the shielding abilities from the suit. Not only that, but there was this strange looking Muton who simply ignored lasers and plasma alike. It took a good beating before finally going down, but if we were to come across something like this in an urban scenario...
I suppose this is why I'm on the field. I do my job as a medic, and I do it well
-
Dammit i'm good ;7
On the other hand, what is The_E's armor? I don't remember assault's armor being that bulky. I've only played EU though.
-
On the other hand, what is The_E's armor? I don't remember assault's armor being that bulky. I've only played EU though.
I'm actually using armor deco to denote class, kind of. Supports and Snipers have the default. Assaults get a 2 (I think? I'd have to check and the game is saved mid-mission currently; it's the version of Carapace that has a combat knife on one shoulder) and heavies get 3. I did something similar with the original vests, giving the assaults the high-collared one.
-
****ing irony man. **** that stuff.
Abduction attempt in the US. Have Polpolion assemble a team.
Operation Fading Throne, Houston, United States, June 24th
Deployed: Polpolion "Polly" (support, mission commander), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), Deathfun "Fabulous" (support), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), The "Psycho" E (assault), MP-Ryan "Spike"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00066_zps6394c6a5.jpg)
Strike, Sky, at drop point.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00067_zps9ab3f58c.jpg)
"None of you are new at this, move out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00068_zps888663be.jpg)
"TV store is empty."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00069_zpsa6d7af56.jpg)
"Mechtoid and a buddy on the side street!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00070_zpsb29985cf.jpg)
"Moving in-woah!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00071_zps0e2eb14f.jpg)
"Rapid firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00073_zps620871cb.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00074_zps35880e48.jpg)
"We got you covered MP-here it comes! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00075_zps5886766d.jpg)
"He's looking lonely, isn't he? Stun 'em."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00076_zpsd69ba764.jpg)
"Done."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00077_zps70fc9eb5.jpg)
"We got stuff in the alley or across it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00078_zps5d5d2869.jpg)
"Thin Men-taking them down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00079_zpsc9db2e90.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00080_zps3a7a5cb6.jpg)
"****! Mutons! Both sides!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00081_zps81616553.jpg)
"He's coming over the damn counter! Need help here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00082_zpse7d3aa21.jpg)
"****, he's still-"
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00083_zps66709546.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00084_zps627ef4f5.jpg)
"Thanks MP."
"****-Deathfun, the wall-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00085_zps3d60257e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00086_zps6db16d10.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00087_zps6e0353d5.jpg)
"****!"
"DEATHFUN IS DOWN! DEATHFUN IS DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00088_zpsa4183368.jpg)
Strike, Central. How bad?
"The worst."
"Damn. You ****s are going to pay for this! DIE!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00089_zpse8de947c.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00090_zpsddcb9690.jpg)
"Polly!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00091_zps3d87d656.jpg)
"I'm fine. Kill these bastards."
"They missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00092_zpsaa9a4438.jpg)
"Rapid firing-dammit, target's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00093_zpsf7d31e83.jpg)
"Same with mine!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00094_zps555d9237.jpg)
"Not long. Rocket out."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00095_zps72bae778.jpg)
"Die you ****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00096_zps6c1958fb.jpg)
"Central, Strike, we're done here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00097_zps48086813.jpg)
Understood Strike. Wait one for the Commander.
Strike, this is the Commander. Come home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r006/2013-11-30_00098_zpsd36dee3a.jpg)
For the curious, Bjarne and Anish from the first mission morphed into The E and Deathfun; hence the reference.
They had a gurney for him, at the Skyranger.
We didn't use it.
Me and Irina and E. We carried him. We had to. It was just us, the four of us, the first time we deployed. Now he's gone. Rodo was bad, yeah, but...it's not the same losing a rookie. You don't really know them, you don't know how good they are, how many missions they've survived, how many aliens they've dealt with. You can always tell yourself a rookie just didn't have what it takes to make it through.
You can't say that about someone as veteran as Deathfun was. Yes, his luck was ****, yes, he got screwed by circumstances, but...****, haven't we all? We were all this close to dying each time it happened? God damn it these aren't thoughts I should be thinking, but it's not like I have a choice anymore.
Irina, our Terminator, she won't stop crying. Never seen her shed a tear before. She was standing right there and she couldn't do a damn thing about it. Polly was in charge and the Commander won't let Polly out of his sight now, afraid something stupid will be done. I've got somebody from base security tailing me discreetly and I'm pretty sure E does too. It's all ****ed up.
You feel sorry for them at times, the Sectoids, Thin Men...even the Floaters. They get in over their heads and die or worse get turned over to Doc Vahlen. Sympathy for the grey devils, just a little. Not anymore. Not any goddamn more. If we can lose Deathfun, we can lose anybody. There's gonna be a lot of heavy drinking tonight. To remember and to forget both.
I've got to check on Irina.
-
Personal Log "The E" (No known real name)
****ing hell.
Funny thing about being in combat for so long: Statistics ****s you up good. You spend enough time out there where the bullets fly, you start to think "it ain't so bad, just gotta keep your head down, keep your cool, everything's gonna be juuuust fine". You look at a guy like Deathfun, going out there in his big pink "**** you" armor, daring anyone with functioning eyes to shoot him, coming back every time with another few x-rays under his belt and another successful op, you even believe some of that luck's spilling over, protecting you too.
And then one of those blasted thin men just casually lines up a shot, pulls the trigger, and bam. All that karma coming back to bite you right in the balls.
Base psych tells me that this is just survivor's guilt; that there was nothing we could have done that we didn't do, and that we're still gonna be needed out there before long. That the last thing Pinky would want is for us to just quit, that he would want us to kill this menace for good.
Sure.
Dude's probably right. Not that I care right now.
You know what I'm gonna do? Grab me a pink spraycan. Decorate the armor some. Yeah, a dash of the good stuff on the shoulders, that's right. And then? Gonna ditch that damn weenie the Commander set on me to make sure I don't get in trouble, head down to the firing range, and blast a few paper targets away.
And after that? We'll see. One foot in front of the other, as they say in basic. Just keep marching on.
-
request that interceptor be painted pink in remembrance
-
Recorded message taken shortly after Rodo's death
To be released upon death to "Elise Starr":
So I just speak into this? Yeah? Okay, seems about right. What to say, what to say...
Well, uh, hello I guess. If you're listening to this, that would mean I've been killed on the battlefield love. I know there wasn't much explanation given when I was called off by the folks in the suits so long ago, but know that you were always there with me even when you weren't. Now I don't know whether or not you were still alive to be able to receive this since contact with anyone outside of here is prohibited. I'm probably one of the few with an attachment like this outside of the place I'm at, but I wouldn't doubt it. We're only human and despite our suggestions to keep away from having normal lives in case of an alien invasion, sometimes things happen.
I never did forget the first time we met. I was sitting in the park, enjoying a nice sunset and enjoying a cigar when you came up to me asking me for directions. I never told you this, but my first thoughts were "Ah bloody tourists!" when you came up to me. Of course, I decided to be a gent and helped you out. As you walked away, you did so slowly, almost as though you were confused by what I just told you.
I was surprised when you came back and sat down beside me. Even more so when you asked if I'd like to just take you there. Such a benign situation turned into something more as we started talking as we walked over to the cafe. I hardly even noticed the fact that we both ended up sitting down together... it was just so natural between us.
From there, it was the best five years of my life with you by my side. Though I am sorry I had to leave without really telling you why, I never went out on the battlefield without your favourite colour. It was my way of keeping you close to me, even when I was on the other side of the planet.
Perhaps they guys who give you this will explain everything I've done for this planet... but I doubt that.
I love you Elise. I wish this wasn't goodbye... and I hope you never need to hear this...
-
Bradford.
Sir?
What's the status on the project I talked to you about?
The dependents one? E and Sanderson already spoke to Miss Starr. She's settling in. We're moving all the dependents onto the base like you said, and the non-dependent ones you specified. The Council's made some noise about it, sir.
We should have done this the moment we found out about EXALT. As for the Council, they told me to defend this planet however I damn well see fit, and so far they haven't had much cause to complain, so they can just deal with it.
Sir, we've also just received an extraction request from Trashman.
Get Sanderson, assemble a team.
Uhhh...sir...
He's a soldier and we need him. Until the world actually ends we all have jobs to do. Do yours. Sanderson will do his.
Sir.
"E. Irina. You can do this?"
"Da."
"Yeah. Target therapy."
"Okay. MP, Star, Enioch, you're up. Grab your gear. We've got a mission."
Operation Burning Hawk, United States, Kansas City, 7:05pm
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-2, mission commander), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), The "Psycho" E (assault), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), Enioch "Chops" (assault)
Strike, Sky, down and locked.
"Move people!"'
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-11-30_00100_zps26fc1479.jpg)
"Trash, where are you?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00003_zps77aae416.jpg)
"On a roof to the west of your position."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00004_zps20af4caa.jpg)
"Stay put, we'll come to you."
"Roger. I hear something..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00005_zps1fd10a92.jpg)
"Contact! EXALT in-****, they've got Carapace armor!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00006_zpsb8acbcd0.jpg)
"Son of a *****. Bring 'em down."
"Plasma outbound-target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00007_zpsdd17bf73.jpg)
"****, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00008_zps207a6952.jpg)
"Winged one. What the hell, they weren't this tough before."
"That's easily fixed. Elerium charge out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00009_zps833234a9.jpg)
"Jesus Trash, those things aren't replaceable yet you know!"
"Rapid firing. Miss. Hit! Target is terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00010_zps6c506f17.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00011_zps82d214ca.jpg)
"We got something out back here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00012_zps301835b4.jpg)
"What the hell is with his skin-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00013_zpsd0e8fed3.jpg)
"Forget that! Look at the damn guns, remind you of something!?"
"Those are...holy ****, they have laser weapons. Where the **** did they get laser weapons?"
"Got more moving in! ****, he's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00014_zps714d0ad3.jpg)
"Scratch one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00015_zpsbf029cab.jpg)
"Got another! Star!"
"Target's head is vapor. I've got your back."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00016_zps2e5c39fe.jpg)
"They ran..."
"Find them. Lasers and carapace armor is too much capability to leave them alone and alive."
"Got them in the open. Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00017_zpsb8c60a84.jpg)
"Holy ****, he survived a railgun round to the chest!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00018_zpsab525436.jpg)
"Negative hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00020_zps7e743c4b.jpg)
"They're running again!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00021_zpsa208ecc0.jpg)
"Doesn't matter! Scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00022_zps22d40027.jpg)
"Second target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00023_zpsf3ab4203.jpg)
"We got hostiles moving in! ****, his armor soaked most of the laser shot!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00024_zps526e2410.jpg)
"Another one got through!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00025_zpsbaf7708c.jpg)
"The **** they did. Targets are history."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00026_zps35480093.jpg)
"Jesus E."
"These are definitely laser weapons."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00027_zps5b7a190f.jpg)
"We got more out front!"
"Eat plasma, you son of a *****." Pistolero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZqNUo6y52Q) playing intensifies. Trash crit somebody for 8 damage with his pistol, and I don't even have all the pistol upgrades yet.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00028_zpsa14a26eb.jpg)
"He's hurt but still alive."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00029_zps68d4d94e.jpg)
"I'm stunning this one, we need to know where they got this stuff."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00030_zpsd5fa0926.jpg)
"MP! He's going for a-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00031_zps686399e8.jpg)
"****! He just stabbed himself with a syringe."
"They do that. Damn. We've got a leak at base somewhere. And look at this, these guys don't even bleed the right color anymore..."
"It's red."
"It's not red like blood, though."
"He's right. What the hell did they do to themselves?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00032_zps71137541.jpg)
"No idea. We'll have to have to let -Joshua- sort it out."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r007/2013-12-03_00034_zpsde907003.jpg)
What EXALT had, did...Vahlen confirmed they have to have Meld access and a lab setup at least as good as ours. We've confirmed at least they had massively overdeveloped adrenal systems, some kind of biolelectric skin grafting, plus the usual EXALT stuff. There was something grafted to their ocular nerves and eyes too, but the bio guys are still sorting that out.
The Commander is furious they had lasers and carapace gear. We're the only source in the world and he's demanded a full inventory three times, but it's all there. We can account for every bit of alien alloy and elerium and Meld that's come in. All our lasers are accounted for too, even the prototypes. They still had to get the tech from us and Base Security is tearing the lives of the tech staff apart.
I've seen the inside of an Abductor, I know exactly what these things do to people. I have to work at not being physically sick every time I watch a tape of the time they found a guy inside an alien surgical unit. He was a twenty-year-old kid, Russian. He was begging Mongoose for help, in tears, right? But his chest is open. You can see his heart beating, literally, his lungs inflate and deflate, and he doesn't even have a lower torso anymore. There's not a damn thing we can do, if we unplug him he dies, we can't hope to treat what the aliens did to him. All Mongoose can do is reassure the kid everything is going to be all right, tell him to close his eyes and he'll wake up in a better place, get Deathfun to give the kid a sedative, then put a laser pistol against the kid's head and pull the trigger. That was our second Abductor raid...back when Deathfun was with us...
And EXALT deals with the aliens directly. I mean...I don't believe in souls and stuff, I'm an atheist, but there are days where I think the best argument for the soul is the fact some people seem to demonstrably lack them. EXALT has to be in direct contact with the aliens. There's no way they got the materials and the Meld except direct. We found Elerium-charge grenades on them too. It's only a matter of time before they get plasma weapons. We've got to stop them.
Sneak preview. Meet the new outfit, MEC-3, Titan armor. You can request a helmet type if you like; they're mandatory since narratively Titan armor is environmentally sealed.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/2013-12-03_00037_zpsf9dba26e.jpg)
-
Reading Deathfuns post while listening to Aura is...touching^^
-
I wonder, do EXALT actually get Plasma weaponry?
-
As far as I know they don't, nor do they get Titan armour. I wasn't really paying attention to the Exalt intel during my first play through and was running counter espionage missions against them long after I probably could have assaulted their HQ and they never progressed past lasers and carapace.
-
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
June 30, 2015 - Entry #18
_____________________________________________________________
Houston. I still can't shake that. Fading Throne actually wasn't that far from my old neighborhood- I really shouldn't think about what might have happened if HLPX-COM hadn't pressed me into service. Nor should I dwell on my old friends and their families there. It's just been too real as of late. All the missions our operatives had been running so smoothly, you'd start to think that death wasn't really a risk of the profession. You'd be wrong, of course. So wrong. I had shared more than a few cigars with Deathfun during some late nights. All I can say is we're diminished in several ways with his loss. Deathfun, rest in peace you fabulous magnificent bastard- if I could kill an alien for you, I would.
EXALT's getting to be a serious problem too. They're upgraded from "alien-loving thugs who think SWAG is still a thing" to "lasgun-toting near-matches for our operatives who still think SWAG is a thing". Security did my "interview" this morning. They didn't ride me too hard, since I barely work with laser tech or alien alloys and the fact that we apply Meld so infrequently. Poor Raymond though- at least 90% of all our engineers really got raked over the coals. Thing that's got us even more concerned is the fact that there are no moles in the organization near as we can tell, so EXALT must be getting their toys from the aliens direct. I dread the day these spliced-up thugs figure out how to build plasguns or the aliens open the floodgates on new toys for them.
Speaking of new toys, Ray's engineers and I just put the finishing touches on a few new things. But before that, I gotta say we really knocked the ball out of the park on our Mechtoid analysis. Adding an alternate-pulsed firemode for our lasers and tweaking some explosives has dramatically upped armor penetration against "Xenalloy" plating. Or, you know, our troopers could just shoot the Sectoid pilot in the face- that usually works pretty well. At any rate, an off-duty brainstorming session with a Mr. Daniels as consultant saw us pulling several ideas from the Mechtoid design, chief of which was an elerium power core setup. Couple days of revisions later, and with some input from Dr. Vahlen's team, we managed to come up with a suit of powered armor that unaugmented troopers can use- Master Chief eat your heart out! Now if only we could figure out how Mechtoids generate that "energy shield". We've identified the module responsible, but nobody's been able to make it work- there's something just plain ....missing from our analyses. Additionally, we've translated the work on the "Titan" armorsuit to the MEC design, this iteration codenamed "Paladin". The Commander hasn't approved my request for some Xenalloy to try and make a more alien-inspired design, so we might be stuck for the time being.
The Commander isn't a total grinch, though- he did approve my request for a confiscated EXALT laspistol sidearm. Some of Raymond's engineers tweaked the pistols to accept HLPX-COM power cells, and the cache is open to any base personnel who may want one. Durability problems prevent them from seeing "real" field use, but everybody who's claimed one reports feeling markedly safer. On my off-time I'll see if there's any ruggedizations I can do myself- maybe I can snag one of Raymond's guys for a hand. For the moment, I'm off to get a little trigger time, see if I can learn any marksmanship tips from some of the operatives.
-
I head down to the armoury and take one of the old designated marksman rifles out of her rack. The new plasma and laser based weaponry is powerful, but they lack the feel, the art of using kinetics. I break her down, inspect and clean her then reassemble. With DMR, headphones and a bottle in hand I head up topside, the base range is too small for the kind of shooting I need. I settle into the nest and power up my personal music device. Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Op 36 slowly begins to build in my ears. The strings layering on top of one another in a relentless vanguard for the coming soprano. I send round after round down range at the targets I had setup a month ago. The crack of the rifle adding a sad percussion to a song without. After expending the ammunition I brought I take a few swigs from the bottle, not my taste really, but it was his favorite. As the music slowly, mournfully recedes I pack up and head back to base to check in on my comrades.
We happy few...
-
I write one log entry. One log entry about finally getting around to doing log entries!
And then that happens!
D:
Least it opens up for new narrative
As for Plasma weaponry, I checked google and there is no indication that we'll be encountering EXALT using such tech. Shame really... I would've liked to have seen EXALT continue to match our gear until you take them out
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shuffling noises are heard
Hey, is this thing working? Looks like it's working... lights are on and whatnot. **** it, whatever
So uh... not entirely sure what I'm supposed to be doing. Some Psych or therapist or whatever the hell he's called had me sit down with him shortly after arriving here at this... place. Figured it'd do me some good to keep logs or something bull**** like that. How the hell is that going to help me? I just lost the person I love, aliens are invading my country and now I've been taken to this base where apparently he... he was working from...
I... I can't believe that this is happening right now. It's got to be a dream, right? I'm really just sleeping away having a terrible nightmare about to wake up with my love holding me tight, whispering that everything is okay and that he's here... because he should be here... he has to be here...
...But he's not
I could see it in the eyes of the two soldiers that came up to me. Deathfun was very important to them, more so than just him doing his job...
Where can I get a drink around here...
-
I've seen the inside of an Abductor, I know exactly what these things do to people. I have to work at not being physically sick every time I watch a tape of the time they found a guy inside an alien surgical unit. He was a twenty-year-old kid, Russian. He was begging Mongoose for help, in tears, right? But his chest is open. You can see his heart beating, literally, his lungs inflate and deflate, and he doesn't even have a lower torso anymore. There's not a damn thing we can do, if we unplug him he dies, we can't hope to treat what the aliens did to him. All Mongoose can do is reassure the kid everything is going to be all right, tell him to close his eyes and he'll wake up in a better place, get Deathfun to give the kid a sedative, then put a laser pistol against the kid's head and pull the trigger. That was our second Abductor raid...back when Deathfun was with us...
how were his lungs inflating if his chest was open
-
how were his lungs inflating if his chest was open
Alien magic.
-
I'd come up with a suitable Heavy line for a response, but all I can think of is, "Don't worry, ribs grow back!"
-
Councilor. Again? Understood.
Bradford. Titans and the Paladin, boots and saddles. The aliens have gone after Doctor Marazuki again.
You're certain, sir? That's probably massive overkill.
Perfect for the test run we wanted before assaulting the base, then.
Agreed, sir. I'll make the call.
Operation Fallen Crone, Novgorod, Russia, June 26th, 5:00am
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3 Paladin, mission commander), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), The "Psycho" E (assault), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), Enioch "Chops" (assault)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00037_zps77255cb4.jpg)
"Doctor. Been awhile."
"You...appear to have come a long way, these last few months."
"And you must have too, if the aliens want you dead again."
"Considering I might be on the verge of cracking how their FTL propulsion works from watching it do so..."
"Yeah, I'm just a dumb grunt and even I realize how important that is. Stick close Doc, we'll get you out alive."
"We got hostiles dropping to the rear!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00039_zps0a8f3698.jpg)
"I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00040_zps254277c1.jpg)
"Lurkers out front, too."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00041_zps37518133.jpg)
"Suckers run into the building occupied their enemies."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00042_zps67d892b2.jpg)
"Stupid enemies are better than smart ones, because they're easier to kill."
"True enough."
"X-Ray negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00043_zps93d25fed.jpg)
"Incoming!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00044_zps45d0d549.jpg)
"Enoich?"
"Armor held. It's just got a scorch mark. Even the Carapace vests had a crater!"
"Welcome to the new age."
"We got a lot more of 'em rolling up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00046_zps8c10aceb.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00045_zps7c081619.jpg)
"Going after one in the shed-miss, HIT! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00047_zps77393a4a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00048_zps0cf47a10.jpg)
"Hey, you remember how this stuff's supposedly environmentally sealed?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00049_zpsfc2a69bc.jpg)
"Yeah?"
"It works. I'm standing in a cloud of Thin Man toxins. I don't even have a tickle in my throat."
"Surprise mother****er!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00050_zps27224d86.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00051_zps08180b2e.jpg)
"Scratch one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00052_zps609e1297.jpg)
"Damn E, missed your calling there. Elevated distant target on the first round? You should have been a rifleman like me."
"Incoming-got a crater now, warning light for the helmet seal...Mike? I'm not hurt. Not even a little. The suit stopped a headshot."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00053_zpse1607ede.jpg)
"Don't get cocky about it."
"Still got one lurking in the shed, dropping him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00054_zps095006d7.jpg)
"Dropping the lurker outside."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00055_zps51e1f5b8.jpg)
"Rapid fire-miss, hit! Target is toasted!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00056_zps6f7e5381.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00057_zps0c441c3e.jpg)
"All right, let's see if the nanobot pack that Vahlen cooked up actually patches that hole in your suit or just grey goos us all."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00058_zps46ce72a6.jpg)
"Star, I've got a green on the helmet seal again. What's the damage look like?"
"They fixed it. I don't think I would have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Your armor looks like you never took the hit to the helmet."
"Got another pair, they're trying to sneak onto the Skyranger!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00059_zps5f26887f.jpg)
"Drop 'em!"
"X-ray down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00060_zps25d3c96a.jpg)
"Same."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00061_zpsa5643af1.jpg)
"E's right, the suit seals really work."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00062_zps918060c6.jpg)
Strike, Sky, X-Ray dropping in.
"Elevated. In the open. Now you're dumb AND dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00063_zpsa8da973a.jpg)
Enioch was the only one in position to NOT reaction-fire the guy. You came to the wrong neighborhood, etc.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00064_zps2c0abbf6.jpg)
"Doc, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00065_zps7c5a2062.jpg)
Central, Sky, the kids are in the back. Everyone's safe and sound. Coming home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r008/2013-12-03_00066_zpsaca9702e.jpg)
"Commander! You don't normally show up until the actual debriefing."
"No, I don't do I? I watched the mission and I want your evaluation while it's fresh. Are these things ready for the prime time?"
"Yes sir."
"All right. Get some sleep. Talk to medical if you need tranqs to do it, too, because we're hitting the alien base tomorrow."
-
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/774791_10153510311845167_720695835_o.jpg)
Thin Men are stretchy little bastards!
-
Personal Log, Major Jason "Marauder" Ralwood
Someone, I don't remember who, told me that the waiting is the worst. Joke's on them; the worst is knowing you weren't around to do a damned thing about it while your friend was dying.
Not that being there would've helped a damned thing when all the bad luck in the world comes crashing down on your head... but rational thought is a cold comfort.
Just watched the trial of the new MEC-3 armor and the Titan suits. Good luck getting that lucky again, you bastards...
-
Okay folks, this is it. We've been doing recon and working with the Russians to watch this base for months. This has been on my initiative; the Council wanted it assaulted the moment we found it and we've had the means for about two months, but I was not going to send you in until I felt you were sufficiently well-equipped to undertake this operation. I am now convinced you are.
We're hitting the base. Ralwood, you've cross-trained on the MEC-3 and the KSM. Sanderson has a cold; you're taking the Paladin in. Star, since Trashman is waging his one-man war on EXALT pretty effectively you're sniper-on-the-spot. E, Ryan, grab your scatter lasers. Polpolion, you're making sure I get live soldiers back. Irina, you're backing up the Paladin with a Heavy Plasma.
I have the utmost confidence in you all. You have bested the invaders in every engagement and made them bleed for every step they have taken upon the soil of Earth. What you do today will be legend. Make it a good one.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-03_00088_zpsd7a42d58.jpg)
----------
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-03_00090_zps73c0f7bf.jpg)
Sky, this is Phantom. We have alien craft lifting off from the base. Interceptors and PAK FAs engaging.
Dammit, the FAs are getting slaughtered here! Central, this is Scotty, tell the Russians to pull them out!
Target down, target down!
Good kill, good kill-Hobbie watch your six!
Interceptor Flight, this is Birch. The FAs are retreating.
Phantom, deep six, four klicks!
I see-whoever got that fighter, thank you very much.
You are welcome, Interceptor Flight. Friendlies entering the battle area.
****, are those Foxhounds?
The Interceptor design owes them a lot. Respect the Foxhound.
Central, Sky, we are on the ground. Strike is going for the breach.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-03_00091_zps6b7364f2.jpg)
Operation Glass Serpent, June 27th, 7:30pm (local) Siberia wilderness, Russia
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood" (MEC-3, Mission Commander), Starslayer "Tiradora" (sniper), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), The "Psycho" E (assault)
"For Deathfun."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-03_00092_zps0131b2ef.jpg)
"No resistance Central. You receiving the cam feeds?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-03_00094_zps220316d8.jpg)
"Strike, this is the Commander. Confirm. God knows what they're doing to those folks. One more reason."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-03_00095_zps6f0a7d7d.jpg)
"Agreed, Commander. Strike is moving out."
"Mechtoid and friends."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00003_zps3a2cb2cb.jpg)
"I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00004_zpsb83d5ccc.jpg)
"Sectoid down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00005_zpsb676c0a2.jpg)
"The other ran for it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00006_zps6ffb0e27.jpg)
"Hostiles! Mutons and a Berserker!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00007_zps6bec983b.jpg)
"Winged him, he's still coming-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00008_zpsd3b4c87e.jpg)
"Firing. Hit. Miss! Damn it, here he-TARGET DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00009_zps463682a8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00010_zpsa7f36586.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00011_zps01e580e9.jpg)
"Hostile terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00012_zps46bef0e2.jpg)
"Other one also ran for it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00013_zps1d99e8c6.jpg)
"It's like being a room full of sphincters..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00014_zpscd2c6f89.jpg)
"Now you know why the armor's environmentally sealed."
"Breaching-target located. Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00015_zpsfc762c0e.jpg)
"We got a lot of chatterboxes up ahead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00016_zpsd9ceaef6.jpg)
"Taking a look-Mechtoid and friends-Muton fireteam."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00017_zps0d40b4be.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00018_zps06daec29.jpg)
"Coming bac-woah!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00019_zps25a12a91.jpg)
"Dammit, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00020_zps2c318b5c.jpg)
"No hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00021_zps669dbed1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00022_zps5b6f8bc0.jpg)
"Two rounds off, just dropped his shield."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00024_zps96151bc6.jpg)
"He's mad!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00025_zpsf887f491.jpg)
"I got this one, take the Mechtoid."
"Firing! Oh, you're not happy now are you?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00026_zps980d528c.jpg)
"Engaging KS-woah! Get the **** off! And STAY down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00027_zpsdf9815b8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00028_zps7861f070.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00029_zpsa476fd80.jpg)
"Damn, negative hit on the Mechtoid. Berserker screwed up the targeting module, rebooting!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00030_zpsaa966d91.jpg)
"Target is hit, but he's still moving-oh ****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00031_zps0dba6479.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00033_zpsb41557b3.jpg)
"Polly!"
"I'm all right."
"Armor is holding."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00035_zps88a6ce11.jpg)
"Dammit, didn't crack his shield!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00036_zps50517c77.jpg)
"Star?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00037_zps0d47ab57.jpg)
"Just a scorch mark. Taking down the Muton."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00038_zps6110c0ef.jpg)
"Flanking the other-damn, he's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00039_zpsa910f647.jpg)
"KSM-oh come on! I'm going to stuff this right up your-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00040_zps1fbc8766.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00041_zps482d750b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00042_zpsa19775be.jpg)
"Was that really necessary, Ralwood?"
"No, but it made me feel better."
"Fair call."
"Dropping the last Muton."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00043_zpsce92c448.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00044_zps96265792.jpg)
"Firing! Miss-hit! Sectoid down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00045_zps0a1dd0de.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00046_zpsb9143dcf.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00047_zps8f0bf7e6.jpg)
"One of them ran for-oh my god."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00048_zpsef96ad33.jpg)
"Not again..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00049_zps7174105c.jpg)
"We're blowing this place to hell. If I have to steal a Russian nuke myself."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00052_zpsddf51d2f.jpg)
"Pull close folks; popping Mist. Okay, everyone's patched up, let's keep moving."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00051_zps936fa34c.jpg)
"Targets ahead. I have infrared traces and noise."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00053_zpsf6409365.jpg)
"Aliens are never going to learn about their damn sound and light discipline."
"Drones!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00054_zps4cad31a4.jpg)
"That's it? Come on."
"Nope, got a Sectoid too! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00055_zps9bd1f38c.jpg)
"Drone down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00057_zps363cea36.jpg)
"These little buggers are bouncing around a lot-Second drone down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00058_zpsca24ba72.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00059_zps3703ca95.jpg)
"I'm...feeling kinda woozy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00060_zps21088227.jpg)
"It's that console, double or nothing. Block it out, man."
"Got noise, sounds like a Cyberdisc."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00061_zpsad85f562.jpg)
"Contact-red-colored Sectoid, Mutons."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00062_zps9fa30213.jpg)
"Cyberdisc and drones! His aim's not very good!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00063_zpsbe2c24ee.jpg)
"Damn, missed-woah! Got him that time."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00064_zps5b63bc43.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00066_zps166ec06b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00065_zps048d9673.jpg)
"Drones are repairing him, dammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00067_zps2849bb1d.jpg)
"No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00068_zpse6b9cffa.jpg)
"Targeting the new Sectoid; I don't feel like finding out what makes him special. Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00069_zps04338fa1.jpg)
"Hit! Hit! Cyberdisc is down! Took one of the drones with him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00070_zpsbee2c010.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00071_zpsa0beefb4.jpg)
"Dammit, missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00071_zpsa0beefb4.jpg)
"Likewise! Irina!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00074_zpsc103b385.jpg)
"Rocket-****! MP!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00075_zps479f360f.jpg)
"I'm all right-woah! ****! I got red lights all over and my arm's not working so good!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00076_zpsff2d604a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00077_zps69321382.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00078_zpsa5a6a43e.jpg)
"Stay calm. We got your back. Muton down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00079_zpsdf050194.jpg)
"Drone negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00080_zps07269306.jpg)
"Stunning the Muton. He's sleeping."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00081_zps371bef43.jpg)
"Commander, this is Strike Leader. Mission successful, repeat, mission successful. MP-Ryan is injured. Equipment damage to others. Request update on Sky."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00082_zps427f0e00.jpg)
Strike, this is the Commander. Sky was strafed but reports still operational. The Interceptors have cleared the skies. Cleanup crews and the VDV troops are deploying to your position. Remain in place until the VDV arrives and then return home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00083_zpsefe58c1f.jpg)
Central, we have a couple of bent birds here, Phantom's going to be in the shop a bit. Please convey our thanks to the Russian tankers. Hobbie and I are remaining on-station to escort Sky home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00086_zps4413a1d3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r009/2013-12-04_00087_zps90a7364c.jpg)
It was funny. When I was a child, I wanted nothing more than the blue beret the VDV wear. Instead I ended up here. Today, the Blue Berets looked like frightened children when they saw us in our Titan armor and Ralwood in the Paladin. An odd feeling to surpass one's dreams.
The operation went remarkably smoothly. The rocket going off-course was troublesome, but MP made it safely. I had one moment of horrible visions of Deathfun...but the Titan armor kept MP safe, at least for those few moments. He seemed philosophical about it, claiming he was setting a record for kills despite time in the infirmary.
Must check in on Micheal. He looked terrible this morning, the flu or something. Shame, I was hoping for a night on the town this evening.
---------
You want to go public, Commander?
Not totally. However we have total coverage on the satellite constellation now, and total Interceptor coverage. Part of the problem has always been that people don't feel they are protected. We should let them know they are.
The plan has merit. We will be in touch, Commander.
-
Nice touch with the 31s.
-
Really, it's just that I enjoy spending time with the base nurses Those gals are pretty impressed how I manage a competitive kill-count while spending weeks on end in an infirmary bed. Broken leg, smashed arms, disintegrated armour... really, it's all just clever plot to get...
...oww, watch where you put those goddamned needles!
-
Personal log, Colonel Jason "Marauder" Ralwood.
Scratch one.
-
I find myself odly missing from real action lately.
Infiltration sucks.
-
Star will eventually take that over, once I manage to dig out the spare Meld to give him some augs.
-
Trash needs extraction again.
All right. What's the status on the second Paladin?
Ready to go. We also have SHIVs ready if wanted.
And the particle beam prototype?
Doctor Shen says that's still not ready.
All right. Send both Paladins. Tell them I want a field test of the Plasma Rifle we recovered during the base raid, too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00088_zpse2a11009.jpg)
Operation Purple Spark, Northern France,
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3, Mission Commander), Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3), The "Psycho" E (assault), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Droid803 "Scotch" (support)
On-site Personnel: Trashman "Walker"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00089_zps084ccdf0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00090_zpse5ca8d8c.jpg)
"Trash, this is Strike, we're on the ground south of your position. Say status."
"I'm safe where I'm at now, but there's Exalt troops on the road."
"Roger. Coming to you."
"Contact! Six Exalt on the road!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00091_zps80bb8ab5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00092_zps3c1ee56e.jpg)
"Firing-damn, he's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00093_zps2a20439e.jpg)
"He's hurting though, more than my guy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00095_zps53fcf546.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00094_zps6e868753.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00096_zps46740f2f.jpg)
"Damn! Missed the target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00097_zpsf04caea8.jpg)
"No hit-oh-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00098_zpsf9b0a9a1.jpg)
"ROCKET INCOMING!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00099_zpsec1633bf.jpg)
Reactive Targeting Sensors counterfire. It failed.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00096_zps46740f2f.jpg)
"Assaults and MECs, sound off!"
"Gipsy D is damaged but able to continue."
"Marauder is good to go."
"Spitfire, armor held, barely."
"Psycho, paintjob only. No meaningful impairment of armor."
"Woah!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00101_zpsfaa70904.jpg)
"Plasma fire ahead-Trash, was that you?"
"Affirm. I have a good shot at their back silhouettes from the work lights when they move, but once they hunker down again I lose them."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00102_zps638f0af0.jpg)
"Armor holding, minor damage."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00103_zps7b298ba2.jpg)
"Ht him, he's still up. Damn light rifles just don't have the punch anymore."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00105_zps156d8754.jpg)
"Swing and a miss, genius."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00106_zpsca5a063a.jpg)
"No complaints about the heavy though!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00107_zpsef5fb374.jpg)
"Yes, because hiding behind an explosive vehicle will do you such good. Firing." Collateral Damage causes cars and the like to blow up in the same turn it's used on them, making for hilarity.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00108_zps485d18ca.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00109_zpsc5f51503.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00110_zps34c33bb7.jpg)
"Kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00111_zps1f06b485.jpg)
"All right, folks, you know the drill. Gather round. Popping Mist."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00112_zpsfe912074.jpg)
"Welcome in from the cold, Trash."
"Can we just do this crap and go home? I'm going to catch a cold in this damn rain."
"Contact! Two Exalt!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00113_zps5d1417d4.jpg)
"Firing." Collateral Damage again
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00114_zps06d81259.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00115_zps45e75fc3.jpg)
"This is for all the hours I've been sitting in the damn rain!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00116_zps5ae1308c.jpg)
"Got another pair moving in!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00117_zps9840574b.jpg)
"A sudden case of PLASMA FACE got you down?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00118_zpsa6482664.jpg)
"Closing in-target is history."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00119_zpsd41a70c1.jpg)
"Got another pair flanking the exit area."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00120_zpsfeb4998f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00121_zps3ffc93ab.jpg)
"Trash!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00122_zps211195ba.jpg)
"You goddamn maniac, firing suppressive!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00123_zps48691ec9.jpg)
"Poor aim. Target is negated." Pump Action Laser SHOTGUNS!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00124_zps2c18913c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00125_zps83c49b76.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00126_zps9540bef6.jpg)
"Firing on hostile-damn! He soaked it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00128_zpsfa722d5a.jpg)
"AND THIS IS FOR THE COLD I'M GETTING!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00127_zps792ae53d.jpg)
"Jesus, Trash. Get on the Skyranger and change if it bugs you this much."
"We got one left. Move out and find him."
"Found him. He's down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r010/2013-12-04_00129_zps5da77310.jpg)
Trash, having killed three people this mission, meant that we got the "Remington...Max Remington" achievement for killing three people with the infiltrator and their pistol. And I still haven't even gotten the pistol damage upgrade. At this point a nickname change seems pretty appropriate. Trash, pick one, something to do with pistols!
All that, and Trash didn't even get the cold he thought he would. He's been temporarily withdrawn from infiltration duty at his own request; Exalt is by all accounts badly damaged and there's only one cell left that we know of. StarSlayer has volunteered to pick up the slack, but also volunteered for the first Gene Aug attempt, so resumption of operations against Exalt is waiting on that.
-
UFO over the United States; scramble Hobbie and tell him to pack the Plasma Beams.
Central, Hobbie, splash one. Plasma beams worked a charm. Bird is pretty beat up. Inform LAX I need a runway. UFO looked pretty big, didn't recognize it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-04_00134_zps5759e4ba.jpg)
Scramble Sky and the ready team. Ralwood has the Particle Beam?
Shen cleared it for field use, he does.
Operation Cold Stallion, Angeles National Forest, United States, 9:30pm, July 4th
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3, Mission Commander), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), The "Psycho" E (assault), Polpolion "Polly" (support), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Droid803 "Scotch" (support)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-04_00135_zps17f0163b.jpg)
"That's an EXALT gun, Mongoose."
"They're lighter than ours. The only Heavy Plasma we have is being repaired, and the Commander's been curious for a combat report on the Exalt weapons."
"This is a big one. Big engines, rear ramp."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-04_00137_zpsc4529064.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-04_00138_zpsc91b721d.jpg)
"Mechtoid and-Red Sectoid!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00001_zps08d7ab23.jpg)
"Firing! Hit! Hit! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00002_zpsf078e79f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00003_zps4446d483.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00004_zps40fda56e.jpg)
"The other alien-what the hell is it doing?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00005_zps0422dd44.jpg)
Strike, Central, warning, warning, Euclid's vitals just went wonky.
"Euclid-WOAH!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00006_zps5f969652.jpg)
"We got another set on the outside!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00007_zps105a65f3.jpg)
"Take down that red bastard!"
"MISSED!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00008_zps1aa8d460.jpg)
"Dammit, Paladin's still working. Permission to fire on the alien power core Central!" I didn't even realize that Close Combat Specialist conferred multiple reaction shots. Now I know.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00009_zpsad588ac4.jpg)
Permission granted Ralwood.
"Firing. Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00010_zpsb582235d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00011_zps3afecbe5.jpg)
"What...what happened?"
"You shot us. Alien did something to you."
"Ow! Dammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00012_zps9f23c2c4.jpg)
"Mechtoid incoming! He's hurt but still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00014_zps129c2b86.jpg)
"Mutons rolling up! No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00015_zpse78b7515.jpg)
"Firing! Berserker is still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00016_zps5912d68c.jpg)
"Sectoid down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00017_zpsbd5b39f2.jpg)
"Firing particle beam!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00018_zps6fb6557c.jpg)
"You...you blew a hole straight through him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00019_zps214be315.jpg)
"Firing rapid-two hits, target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00020_zpsdccb63d2.jpg)
"We got trouble-firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00021_zps1e71f154.jpg)
"Ralwood!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00022_zpsebcd89c0.jpg)
"MEC is okay. Got some yellow lights. Returning fire! Damn, miss!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00023_zpsf8eecc3c.jpg)
"He missed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00024_zpse18bcac4.jpg)
"Got something new! Look like fully cybered-up Floaters!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00025_zps46c62bdd.jpg)
"Missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00027_zpsed867742.jpg)
"Likewise!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00028_zpsd3e217c3.jpg)
"Target hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00029_zps7be3b5f9.jpg)
"He's still up, but he's hurting!" The Droid derped his Intimidate resist roll. Panicked. Shot a different target, took it down. So much for Intimidate working out well!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00030_zps4d806883.jpg)
"Target stunned!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00032_zpsbff9b2db.jpg)
"Floaters incoming!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00033_zps17e5c4b1.jpg)
"Missed me-Damn! Armor holding!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00034_zpseb91eeda.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00035_zpsa518cdf8.jpg)
"He's hurt, but he's still fighting!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00036_zps6742bcdf.jpg)
"Winged him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00037_zpscc42e148.jpg)
"Negative stun, negative stun!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00038_zps2eaae696.jpg)
"Rapid firing! Hit! Hit! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00039_zps040ffcf3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00040_zps881b03df.jpg)
"Damn! I got a red light on my armor seals, but I'm still okay!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00041_zpseaf2b411.jpg)
"Positive stun! He's sleeping!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00042_zps1823a86e.jpg)
"Popping Mist."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00043_zpsdfd52212.jpg)
"Sec Commanders!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00044_zps562f383f.jpg)
"Dammit, missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00045_zps1f8165fe.jpg)
"Ralwood!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00046_zps7fbabbf2.jpg)
"I'm fine."
Strike, Central, confirm. Ralwood's vitals are normal.
"Negative hit! Both of them! Dammit, that might have screwed with my electronics."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00047_zps88b956c1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00048_zpsc146c715.jpg)
"Rapid firing. Hit. Hit! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00049_zpsadc7ecac.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00050_zps892198f2.jpg)
"Negative stun!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00051_zps747fc8b2.jpg)
"I got you. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00052_zpsd1807006.jpg)
"Got this. Firing-damn missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00053_zpsc0a01e77.jpg)
"Rapid firing-dammit! Second shot was a miss!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00055_zps6f70cc5d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00056_zps4e0b949d.jpg)
"Firing particle beam."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00057_zps33d61a18.jpg)
"Jesus christ, guess he didn't need his lower body."
"CLOAKERS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00058_zps3c6f4bb2.jpg)
"Take it easy people, they can't strangle you through your Titan armor."
"Decloaking-he shot me!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00059_zps3288a5f8.jpg)
"Status?"
"Pistol strength plasma blast. Armor is holding."
"Cloaker down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00060_zps47693958.jpg)
"Move up to the command center-CLOAKER! FIRING!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00061_zps9c88df86.jpg)
"Command center is empty. We got them all."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00062_zps9665054d.jpg)
"Anybody hurt? Polly, check everyone."
"No. Some of the Titan suits are pretty beat up, but we're good."
Strike, Central, you took a lot of fire. Confirm no injuries.
"Confirm, Central."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r011/2013-12-07_00063_zps29cc2446.jpg)
Perfect mission. Almost everyone takes a hit, Euclid shoots friendlies, plasma everywhere. Nobody gets hurt. Amazing.That sensation of winning is always a risky one to trust, but still. We really do seem to be winning.
The new "Heavy" Floaters didn't trigger quite the same soul-searching the original ones did among us, but there's probably stuff we can learn from them.
There will be a non-story post for the reference of IronBeer or anyone else who wants to write stuff about the MEC program and the alien cybernetics. StarSlayer is getting the Depth Perception and Muscle Fiber Density gene mods to complement the Damn Good Ground perk.
-
Autopsies
Mechtoid File
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00066_zps8c67b16d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00065_zpse1efeacb.jpg)
Floater File
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00067_zps116d8a65.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00072_zpsbce33850.jpg)
Heavy Floater File
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00064_zps7f49761d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00071_zps499d49a8.jpg)
Seeker File
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00068_zps73cb9a7f.jpg)
Cyberdisc File
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00070_zps8d48ae62.jpg)
--------------
Should be done...Star, nod if you can hear me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00073_zps3950d0c2.jpg)
Good. Draining the tube of Meld. Star, how do you feel?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00074_zps7b9f9aaf.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r012/2013-12-07_00075_zps4e36d026.jpg)
-
OOC: If the "sleeveless gene-aug armor" is irritating, there is a mod available that puts those troopers back into normal armor. Just a thought.
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
July 5, 2015 - Entry #20
_____________________________________________________________
Still poring over the intel and artifacts our operatives recovered from the Alien base in Russia. Much of the recovered technology is the stuff of dreams- robot parts, blueprints, alien genetic catalogs.... But even more of the technology is the stuff of nightmares- I can't believe they tried the infamous "open chest" experiment again, and I am NOT going to repeat the litany of horrors that's so well-documented in our other research logs.
Barely had time to get majorly cracking on anything new, and HLPX-COM's field operatives go and drag in a supply ship. By now it's been well-established that the MEC-3 exosuit performs spectacularly, and once again Dr. Shen has outdone himself with the Particle Cannon. The MEC project team is still working to integrate some design cues from the Mechtoid suit. Even within our current design paradigms of ceramic, titanium, and composites, Raymond and his engineers are very confident that they can improve armor strength and improve the exosuit's mobility. I *still* think we could push the program even further if the Commander would authorize our use of Xenalloys, but he just won't budge, citing "resource requirements". No point in really hiding my thoughts on THAT reasoning since I've seen the proposed designs for an alien-inspired superfighter- the amount of Xenalloy used in an AEROSPACE FIGHTER is tiny! How could a simple exosuit be so demanding? Whatever. I'll drive myself nuts or into a shallow unmarked grave if I keep making a stir around here- camaraderie or not, this is a Superblack operation.
Against my intuition, the Commander did go ahead and authorize the genemodding project. While I'm not at the head of it, I'm double-dipping as a Meld consultant. Need I even point out the absurdity of having a human "expert" on alien nanomachinery? Well, for what it's worth, we're pretty much certain the material is "safe", and gene splicing is conceptually not that far removed from what we've done with nerve interfaces and tissue sealing. The challenge, of course, is in the scale of application and in convincing the xenogenic DNA to propagate throughout the patient's targeted tissues. StarSlayer stepped forward as the first volunteer. She's getting some fairly "tame" genemods: superdense leg muscle fibers, and enhanced visual acuity and depth perception. Star's ....augmentation should be completed soon- need to go over the latest round of tests with the GeneAug team again.
Now for a couple of personal notes/comments.
First, and I alluded to this earlier: why has nobody stopped to think about just how ****ing WEIRD it is that the aliens' biochemistry is based on DNA? I really hope the answer is "parallel", like my answer to the Mechtoid design question. The alternatives are just about unconscionable. Most gallingly, pretty much any of them would mean that one weird guy with the crazy hair from a few years back would have been right, if for totally wrong reasons.
Secondly, the EXALT laspistol performs quite nicely. I'll even give those over-swagged thugs some credit for the revolver-styled design. Their lasing elements run hotter than ours, but obviously rotating them enhances heat dissipation, much like our own gatling lasers. One of Dr. Shen's engineers even spared a couple of hours to swap out any obviously frail components for me- I could easily smack somebody around with the gun and not throw anything out of alignment. Also learned a few tricks about laser marksmanship from Trashman. Biggest thing I had to adapt to was the need for a laser pulse to "charge" for a bit before it actually fires. I just need to make a more conscious effort to stay on target- my cybernetic arm has been an incredible boon for my firing stability. Though I do still want to cauterize some sectoids for Deathfun, the more rational part of my brain hopes that never does come to pass.
-
I didn't even realize that Close Combat Specialist conferred multiple reaction shots. Now I know.[/sub]
fundamental theorem of the assault class: if they can shoot more times in a turn, they will
-
Good. Draining the tube of Meld. Star, how do you feel?
Like I want to exercise my Right to Bare Arms...
Sorry, I had something suitably historic lined up about "casting aside humanity to defeat monsters" but I just looked down and realized I must look like I was decanted from a vat of Original Listerine and historic went out the ejection port. Seriously Commander, I think I need some Type III shoulder and thigh armour, otherwise the sight of my deltoids might make ET **** his pants.
Doc Vahlen please remind me what augs I received? I'm a little fuzzy after floating in the bacta tank for so long.
-
Depth Perception and Muscle Fibre Density. Here I am, brain the size of a
planet cockpit, and they leave me to remember what bits of the aliens they glued to you.
-
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and sniper vision? Muy Bueno. Sign me up for Mimetic Skin when it becomes available, I want to treat every piece of cover as an excuse to disappear.
-
It's on The ListTM, although at this point I'm starting agree with Ironbeer about the need to mod the armor type out. It really does bug me.
I'll be running the Base Defense sometime tomorrow, then Deluge where we meet our guaranteed psyker.
-
The Commander's Geneva trip is going pretty well, he said last communication...the hologlobe just flickered.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00078_zps919351e7.jpg)
What the hell's going on? Somebody get me a status report on the base systems.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00079_zpsa6c2a791.jpg)
Sir! I have multiple reports of sabotage!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00080_zps965915a6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00082_zps28731df5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00081_zpsd9dcd723.jpg)
Base security is going down! All personnel, security status red-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00083_zps13077b84.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00084_zps8aad1034.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00085_zpse48e394b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00086_zps93a0bf95.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00087_zpsad51dfa9.jpg)
What the hell did you do?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00088_zpsd13a1d7e.jpg)
Answer me! Dammit!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00089_zps586ab954.jpg)
Sir! We have multiple traces, motion and heat, approaching the base on the ground!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00090_zps7bce558e.jpg)
Lock everything down!
Locking down-Delta section is not responding! Main door is open!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00091_zps6956b9d4.jpg)
Dammit, get me internal comms! Delta, can you hear me?
"Central! This is Sanderson."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00093_zps2a1e5351.jpg)
Sanderson, thank god. Whoever's going to hit us, they're coming your way. They've sealed the internal doors; base security is fighting them on the surface but some of them got past. We have signals in the air ducts and fliers coming through the south entrance. You've got to hold them there or we could lose the whole base. We're trying to get the doors open so we can send you reinforcements.
"Copy. Talk to me people, who's here?"
"I got my Paladin and the Particle Beam. Where's your P-beam?"
"Other side of the damn base. I had to suit up and grab what was handy. Irina, that you?"
"Da."
"I have a Base Security fire team."
"Okay. Stay down. We've got the heavy armor, we'll take the hits. Clean up what we wound."
"CHRYSSALID!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00094_zps68dacfb6.jpg)
"Target down! We got Sectoids and Mechtoids dropping in!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00095_zps9a33d90b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00096_zps4753d46a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00097_zps23e6ba98.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00098_zpse81cc3dd.jpg)
"Cavalry's arrived! I picked up a couple of Base Security guys, but Central says they'll need time to reroute the power and get the doors open again."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00099_zps592d612d.jpg)
"Star! Deal with that Mechtoid on our flank."
"Copy. Target terminated. Engaging second-damn, he's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00100_zps3ff81f71.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00101_zps598b46d2.jpg)
"I have him. He's down, going for the other-damn, held on!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00102_zps841ed581.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00103_zps43b2fea0.jpg)
"That one's ours."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00104_zpsaed3f430.jpg)
"Good shooting soldier!"
"Sectoid down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00105_zpsa7cb1e06.jpg)
"Minor scorching. He's asking for it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00106_zpsda8a5679.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00107_zpsa1cbc58e.jpg)
"Boroto! Watch the equipment bay and make sure nobody sneaks up on us."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00108_zps4a804902.jpg)
"Sir!"
"Sectoid down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00109_zpsbbfbafb8.jpg)
"Jesus, there's nothing left..."
"Sectoid Commander!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00110_zpscb604bc6.jpg)
"Sanderson!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00111_zps655d6682.jpg)
"****, no response. Drop that red!"
"Target down. Mike, talk to me."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00112_zpsb4e2165b.jpg)
"I'm good. Red with the mind****ery?"
"Yeah."
"We got stuff dropping in the Bay! Chryssalid!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00113_zpsb1baf213.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00114_zpsb0100b1f.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00115_zpsab9aee5d.jpg)
"One on the second level, need help here!"
"Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00116_zpsf14d433b.jpg)
"Frag out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00117_zps14805151.jpg)
"Thanks guys." Base Security saved Star's ass.
"We'll back you up."
"Got a red-****! Who'd he-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00118_zpsdce7482d.jpg)
"One of the base security girls. Take him out."
"We got hostiles moving in from the rear guardpost. I hear jets and Cyberdisc agrav, nothing else. Probably fliers."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00119_zps044bd0c8.jpg)
"Killing the Sectoid Commander."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00120_zps80af098c.jpg)
"Firing line for secondary command center!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00121_zps2d409858.jpg)
"Cyberdisc-DUCK!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00122_zpsbfcf929d.jpg)
"Returning fire-No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00123_zpse681428d.jpg)
"Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00124_zps61e5a7d2.jpg)
"Second incoming-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00125_zpse7acc89f.jpg)
"No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00126_zps23906a30.jpg)
"Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00127_zps7c535c62.jpg)
"Miss!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00128_zpsc6152ddc.jpg)
"Sanderson!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00129_zps0b765859.jpg)
"Paladin functional, returning fire. Target hit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00130_zpscad1b1a7.jpg)
"Dropping the hostile."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00131_zpsd55efdfb.jpg)
"Drone down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00132_zpsedb62413.jpg)
"Popping Mist."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00133_zps11575af6.jpg)
"We have Mutons in the engineering area!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00134_zps34dd97d7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00135_zps9584db7a.jpg)
"Copy! Redeploy."
"Firing at a Berserker-damn, still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00136_zps58654f75.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00137_zpsdd9d4b27.jpg)
"Even the P-Beam has limits."
"Firing. He's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00138_zps2998ed1f.jpg)
"Dammit, I just patched that! Returning fire-no hit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00139_zpsed7648fe.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00140_zpsf44e0c11.jpg)
"I'm hit. Minor damage. Returning fire-no hit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00141_zps7d349d54.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00142_zps7c36b4e5.jpg)
"At least you missed me, careful Ral!"
"Damn! They're really mad about me."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00143_zpsad9726e2.jpg)
"Popping a mine-he just charged through it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00144_zps2faeaf81.jpg)
"Firing! Miss-HIT! Target is down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00145_zpsfc149203.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00146_zps0941afeb.jpg)
"Damn, no hit!'
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00147_zpsdc0372c0.jpg)
"Target down!" Base Security gets its fourth kill, qualifying us for the All Hands On Deck achievement. Much respect for these guys; with Kevlar, ballistics, and fraggers they still got enough kills two of them would have made Squaddie if they were actual soldiers.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00148_zpsbefe07ad.jpg)
"Firing-no hit. Micheal!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00149_zps7b2f72e8.jpg)
"No ammo; going CQC."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00150_zps63fca011.jpg)
"Leave me alone you green-suited bastards. Damn, missed him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00151_zps381505ff.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00152_zps11c206e9.jpg)
"Hostile cloakers! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00153_zpsce7006ff.jpg)
"Floater-firing! Good kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00154_zpsc8bfcfb2.jpg)
"Damn, miss. Security got two good hits."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00155_zpsc82bc66e.jpg)
"Three!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00156_zps02eff8c8.jpg)
"Armor holding."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00157_zps4133f079.jpg)
"Chryssalids!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00158_zpsdf420fea.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00159_zpse4ca5bcc.jpg)
"Stunning target; target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00160_zps47ee606f.jpg)
"Those Chryssalids are moving around-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00161_zps2cbe353b.jpg)
"Target negated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00162_zpsdd688fee.jpg)
"Second target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00163_zps7f4747ed.jpg)
"Movement, IR traces."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00164_zpse43413c0.jpg)
Sanderson, Bradford. The aliens just pushed through on the surface. We have a mixed squad in the main elevator, coming your way. We got the main blast doors working at your level, so they're not getting any lower.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00165_zpsce57aca3.jpg)
"Copy Central. We'll take 'em. Gather round, folks, popping Mist."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00166_zps2abd60d1.jpg)
"I hear movement...Chyrssalid, agrav units. Firing line at the ramp, people. Security take the left flank."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00167_zps125c7bc0.jpg)
"They're coming."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00170_zps6bd86a87.jpg)
"Yeah. We should mine the ramp."
"Hostile! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00168_zps2830f67f.jpg)
"Second target!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00171_zps54028b4a.jpg)
"Damn, I didn't even get the change to sight in on those."
"Firing-little bastard, stay still! GOT IT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00172_zpsb04a1c40.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00173_zpsc2e50836.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00174_zpsa2a1c6fb.jpg)
"Checking the top of the ramp-woah! Got two Reds and a cyberdisc!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00176_zps2420836e.jpg)
"Firing mines. Dammit Ral, get out of there!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00177_zps0141c1ee.jpg)
"Red down. You're welcome, Ral."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00178_zpsa28f64e2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00179_zps5023f795.jpg)
"He triggered a mine-damn! Returning fire! Miss."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00180_zps0ff7ff8e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00181_zpsff29f0b5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00187_zpsd2c8dc94.jpg)
"Get back here before they blow your face off!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00183_zpsb7c8ab02.jpg)
"Cyberdisc down. Get more mines out."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00184_zpsfd28d531.jpg)
"Done-MECHTOID! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00185_zpse8efe914.jpg)
"You get him?"
"I heard a shield hit. Laying mines."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00188_zps56f64edb.jpg)
"Jesus, you think we killed them all with that chain-reaction?"
"No way. Move up, careful."
"Cyberdisc. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00189_zps56040f2c.jpg)
"Got a Drone."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00190_zpse0e2dee0.jpg)
"I have him-target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00191_zpsa8fb553e.jpg)
"Jesus, watch where you point that thing!"
"I hear an agrav unit behind us..."
"Irina, Star, take the rookies. Secure the lift. Ral, let's go find that noisy bastard."
"Just a drone. He's history. Central, Ralwood, Delta section is secure. Requesting update."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r013/2013-12-07_00192_zpsdf3ff502.jpg)
Delta, this is Central. Phantom managed to override the hanger lockdowns and get airborne, the plasma beam close air support turned the surface battle around. Base security and some of the regulars have the surface buildings locked down tight. We read no hostiles remaining inside the base. The hangers are across from you and open; secure them and we'll get Scotty in his Interceptor as well and deal with the remaining hostiles.
"Confirm Central. Moving out to the hanger."
-
You're going to be all right, soldier. Hang in there.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00193_zps008ebbeb.jpg)
Doctor Vahlen, how is he?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00194_zpsf8b6b19f.jpg)
He will recover, and more importantly he seems free of alien control.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00195_zpsa38386ba.jpg)
Doctor, if they could do this once...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00196_zps4c0df128.jpg)
Yes, but it does not explain the lack of a nearby controlling alien. Nor have the aliens demonstrated the ability to control more than a single person at once.
If they could have done this earlier, they undoubtedly would have. Letting us build our forces this strong and make the technical advancements we have when they could have done this all along would be more foolish than their technology allows.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00197_zpseafbe981.jpg)
Sir! We have comms back up. The Commander is on the line!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00198_zpsda6b60a7.jpg)
Bradford! Report.
The aliens hit the base, sir. We held them off. Some casualties and damage but nothing to prevent operations. The strike teams are intact.
How's the Skyranger?
Just finishing repairs.
EXALT apparently openly attacked the aliens staging the assault on the base, and stole whatever made the attack possible. The aliens chased them down in France and attacked them back. Get a team out there and find out what they stole
Yes sir!
--------------
Operation Driving Calm (Deluge), Marseille, France, 5:50pm
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3), Trashman "Walker" (sniper), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), Irina "Casino" Ignatyeva (heavy), Polpolion "Polly" (support)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00201_zpsab67025f.jpg)
"Damn's up ahead...****, the aliens strafed it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00203_zpsc54f035b.jpg)
"Yeah...the structure doesn't look stable."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-07_00204_zpsa52683d2.jpg)
"Pucker factor."
Strike, Central, the floodgate valves are on the surface of the damn. If you can open them, it should buy you some time.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00001_zps57a5511c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00002_zpsdc7a42c2.jpg)
"Move out people, we need to find that truck."
Strike, we have aliens coming in!
"Firing. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00003_zpsb66d74af.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00005_zps8ede2d37.jpg)
"Opening the valves; should buy us some time."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00006_zpsa51dbc18.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00007_zps8df6eaf0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00008_zps5ff6f73c.jpg)
"Thin Men!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00009_zpsdf8f6369.jpg)
"Dropping the target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00010_zps27d98d05.jpg)
"Got a dead guy in a business suit, cartridge casings. Exalt was here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00011_zps4d04563f.jpg)
"Other Thin Man down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00012_zpse1ebfe45.jpg)
"Stuff dropping! Sectoids and Mechtoids! Firing!" Awfully Dead Alien Syndrome ensues.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00013_zps0a155ca4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00014_zpsa34e6968.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00015_zpsa14c9294.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00016_zps918f1b1d.jpg)
"Pol, drop that Mechtoid."
"Firing-target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00017_zps740270a4.jpg)
"You know, these things are murderous overkill for Sectoids."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00018_zps792b2ec4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00019_zps30a78e63.jpg)
"Like plasma weapons on civilians?"
"Exactly like that."
"Got another valve open."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00020_zps4fd2054b.jpg)
"More of them! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00021_zpse30b1dc4.jpg)
"Prioritize, dammit! Sectoids are nothing! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00022_zpsd49b99e8.jpg)
"Finishing it off."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00023_zps09507914.jpg)
"Firing on last Sectoid."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00024_zpsbbb9135d.jpg)
"More Thin Men."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00025_zpsb8b0b512.jpg)
"Oh, are you serious? Returning fire."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00026_zpsda7dfa40.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00027_zpsdba7549a.jpg)
"I guess you ARE serious."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00028_zps2d3e2ee6.jpg)
"Mutons! Firing! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00029_zps01c8c28e.jpg)
"No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00030_zpsd71d8e3c.jpg)
"Enjoy the ride."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00031_zps0041ecfd.jpg)
"No hit-damn, this one is harder to kill than the Mutons. Firing again-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00032_zpse831d7bd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00033_zpse64cde2c.jpg)
"Keep moving people, we're against the clock!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00034_zps8dfc361c.jpg)
"Truck in sight!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00035_zpsae529fa3.jpg)
"Mechtoids and Sectoids! Firing on target!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00036_zpsecb82db5.jpg)
"Winged the Mechtoid while he dropped, but no shot!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00037_zps7901c8ff.jpg)
"Firing on far Mechtoid. Target down."
"Mechtoid down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00039_zps9bdf692f.jpg)
"Activating flamethrower. Sectoid is history."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00040_zps339dff4f.jpg)
"There's the truck, move in!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00041_zpsaf03067a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00042_zps7d3d157f.jpg)
"EXALT, dead-MOVEMENT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00043_zpsa37ffb0b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00044_zps756fa397.jpg)
"Human, guns down, guns-**** she's running for it!"
"Trash, she's headed your way! Fire and miss! YOU! STOP!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00045_zpsbf3a0af2.jpg)
"You don't understand, I have to get away! Leave me ALONE!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00046_zps271e60e9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00047_zps97392750.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00048_zpscc662d43.jpg)
"The **** was that? She's the freaking Black Canary!"
"Wait...you...you killed them? The aliens, you killed them!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00049_zps7d1e829e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00050_zpsdc10b389.jpg)
"It's what we do lady. There's nobody standing here who hasn't brought down at least twenty of 'em."
"Take me with you."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r015/2013-12-08_00051_zpsb87a4726.jpg)
-
Man Page 12 is turning into Homeric sized epic, takes like a minute to load :D
Funny story, when this mission popped on my play through I had an operative on a counter insurgency mission at the time. The particular trooper I had been using for these Ops looked early similar to Annette. So much so that when Durand jumped out of the truck at first I assumed it was my operative who had been made, captured by Exalt and they had turned into a Psyker.
-
Collateral Damage causes cars and the like to blow up in the same turn it's used on them, making for hilarity.
It's a beautiful thing isn't it
Now, for my tl;dr post which I felt inclined to write about the base assault. My bad about the length, couldn't stop writing
-------------------------
An explosion echoed throughout the hallway. I stopped immediately and turned around to see one of the security personnel form the same confused look I did. His hand shot towards his radio when the lights began to flicker after a second explosion sounded its way throughout the hallway.
It was closer than the first, the vibrations coursing their way past my body.
The base security fellow pulled out his sidearm from the holster on his right leg and yelled at me before running off towards the explosion. A third explosion rang out again causing the lights themselves to simply shut off shortly being replaced by the ominous red of the emergency lights. The base alarm pierced the air disorienting me as it bounced off the walls and into my eardrums.
Unsure of what to do, I started to run down the hall. Wasn't this the same direction that the guard went? No, that was the other way... wasn't it?
I reached the corner and peered around it. Nothing. My mind kept going back to the look on the guard's face, nearly white with fear. With the entire world that I know having been turned upside down, this was the last thing I needed. The base was told to me as being secure and completely secret. No way anyone could ever figure out where we were.
Sounds of gunfire were growing louder as I approached the next corner, still pushing towards it. Why was I pushing towards it? I should be running the complete opposite way.
Slowly, I walked down the hallway hugging the wall as best as possible. Just a few more feet...
The guard I saw earlier came into view walking backwards, his pistol firing rounds one after the other frantically. His eyes turned to meet my own, a distraction that ended up being fatal. Several green bolts ripped into his right side causing him to spin around. He fell down right in front of me, his torso torn apart. I wanted to yell out in terror, but I was speechless. His limp head was just staring back at me, blood staining most of it.
The sound of footsteps snapped me back to reality. I had to get out of here. Looking down again at the guard, I saw that his pistol was still clenched tightly in his hand.
"Sorry" It seemed like a silly thing to say to someone who was missing a great portion of his body, but it seemed like the right thing to do. His grip on the pistol was eventually freed with some effort. I've never fired one of these before let alone handled one.
I was about to make my way back down the hallway when the sound of footsteps had stopped. Like a curious child, I peered my head slowly around the corner.
There it was. This small, fragile grey creature with bronze eyes. It was inspecting one of the bodies, probably checking to see if it would suddenly jump up and kill it. Curious really, it seemed almost as though it was the first time it was so close to a human before.
Without warning, the little grey creature looked up down the hall. A bullet ripped through its skull, puke coloured blood spraying over the wall and pooling on the floor. One of the wounded soldiers still had a little fight in him yet. Instinctively, I came out from the corner and rushed past the now dead alien coming up to the soldier's side. His head moved to the side and a smirk formed on his face. I guess he wasn't expecting any of the civilians on the base to be going in the direction of the fight. I knelt down beside him only to realize that his abdomen had been mutilated as if by an animal. His head flopped down, blood trailing out from his mouth. No pulse... he was dead.
This can't be happening to me. Not now, not ever. Thoughts bombarded my mind, the emotions slowly becoming uncontrollable. I sat down beside the guard and looked up at the red lit ceiling of the hallway. Tears started to swell up in my eyes blurring my vision. Why was this happening to me?
My concentration was broken by one of the bodies. Did that thing just move? Wiping my eyes, I strained to see not far down the hall. Must've been my imagination.
It moved again. My hand grabbed the pistol I had placed on the ground and pointed it towards the corpse. The arm jerked to the side and his legs twitched a bit. His body shot up, head cocked to the side rolling around as he elevated himself. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of what I was seeing. How is this possible? The sudden thought of the dead guard directly beside me awaking from his own death brought me to my feet without hesitation. I started to back away slowly, aiming the pistol towards the dead man walking.
His head rolled towards me, the empty eyes attacking the very fiber of my being. The sudden pull of the trigger startled me, the bullet ripping through his shoulder. He kept approaching me hardly noticing that he had been shot. I pulled the trigger again, missing by a good foot. Concentrate Elise I told myself. My feet stopped and I tried to focus down the sights of the pistol. Again I fired another shot, this time hitting his arm. Another shot rang out from the barrel of the pistol striking him on the cheek causing the guard to stumble back a bit. The head, I need to focus on the head. More confidently, two shots in quick succession. The first missed, but the second struck his torso opening up his chest a little bit.
Something was moving inside of him. The thought of what had happened to this man started to creep inside my mind and it terrified me. I unloaded everything I could into the dead man, the clicking sound of an empty magazine creating panic. He just wouldn't die, his walking just never stopped! Fear invaded every synapse of my brain, rational thought was simply non-existent. I wanted to run, to get away, but all I could do is stare at the empty eyes of what was once a living person.
His feet shuffled towards me, driven by some primal urge. They stopped suddenly. I did too, though I can't say I know why. He dropped to his knees and almost looked a little pained as his head looked up at me. I wasn't prepared for the dead soldier to start vomiting all over the blood stained floor. His spine shot upwards as he began twitching violently, blood still flying around his body in all directions.
The soldier let out an inhuman cry unlike anything I've ever heard before two long blades burst out of his rib cage. I was taken aback at the sight of this. Never before have I seen something so... visceral, so vivid in my life. The creature continued to make its way out of the now completely mutilated husk of a man with what seemed only like blind rage.
I didn't stick around any longer. Bolting back past the guard I saw get shot not moments ago I rounded the corner nearly slipping on the floor. Another cry echoed throughout the hallway sending a shiver down my spine as I quickened my pace. I knew if I were to lose even a step, it could mean my life.
I wasn't wrong. The claws from the creature were rapid but growing louder behind me. Don't look back, keep running. That was the only thing I could think of right now. Keep running. My legs weren't used to the strain I was putting them through, but the adrenaline kept them from giving out. It wasn't long before I reached the second corner to the hallway I was in when this whole situation began. Hell, I hardly noticed the fact that the alarms were still blaring, the sound unable to drown out the ever increasing scratch of the claws behind me.
A sharp pain shot across my back sending me sprawling towards the ground. My face met the cold floor where terror completely took over my body. The creature that erupted from that man's chest had closed the distance with frightening speed. I laid there in shock trying to piece together the events. Time felt like it was frozen as death seemed inevitable at this point.
I mustered what strength I had to roll my body over so that I may see the grotesque being that was about to claim my life and use me as yet another husk for its own. It was standing over me, this bluish purple creature with four bladed legs. The spikes on his body ended in glowing orange tips which seemed to pulsate as the creature simply looked at me with its soulless yellow eyes. Two mandibles moved like antenna as it inspected my body from the head down, its two arms ending in hands with long vicious claws hovering above my torso. I noticed blood dripping from the one on the right... I guess that was what hit me in the back. Saliva dripped from its mouth; the warm liquid forming pools on my tattered clothes.
It was the face of death I was staring at. Pure terror in the form of some disgusting creature that seemed to act on instinct rather than any form of thought. My eyes closed as I thought about whether or not I'd still be a form of alive as I became the walking corpse I saw not a minute earlier.
Over the alarm I heard a similar sound being fired. Not that of the pistol I used, but of alien origin. Through my fading vision I could see green bolts flying above me tearing apart the creature. It went down with ease, a burnt pile of flesh twitching here and there. I strained my head to see what had saved me from a gruesome demise.
She was wearing black armour and carrying a large glowing rifle. Beside her was another man in similar dress rushing towards me holding a red device. I couldn't quite make out what he was trying to say to me as my mind began to wander and black took over my vision. There was however, a certain comforting bit to it. I felt as though I was going to be alright and that this mess was over.
I'm unsure of what happened after that. The poison had found its way through my bloodstream and my body couldn't keep itself going.
Images began to come to me, a man smoking a cigar on a bench enjoying the view. He turned to me and smiled as though he knew me and I knew him. My feet shuffled nervously towards the bench, the man still looking at me with his disarming smile. There was a certain amount of comfort that overwhelmed me as I got closer as though my body knew that everything was going to be okay. I was a mere few feet away from him when he spoke to me.
"It's not your time yet Elise". Without another word, he turned his head back towards the view and took another puff of his cigar.
Blackness overtook me again, but I could hear the distant sound of voices calling to me from afar.
My entire body shot upwards as the medic stabbed my heart with an adrenaline needle. I inhaled instinctively, filling my lungs with the stench of the creatures corpse before falling back down to the bloody floor. I could feel myself being lifted into the air and carried with purpose down the hallway. The lady nearby kept firing away with her rifle cursing the existence of anything that were struck by the green bolts it let loose.
Everything in my body told me that it was time to rest. Once again, I closed my eyes and thought about that man on the bench. Even in death, he was still with me, guiding me.
-
Gonna give people a chance to catch up/post for a day or two now.
-
Okay, I guess people LIKE long loading times!
So, what about Annette?
"She's coming along decent enough. Designated marksman, started her with the old ballistics. Laser doesn't kick but plasmas do. Trash says she's acceptable."
Deployable?
"Doctor Vahlen will throw a fit, she's our only known link to the psychic things."
Not what I asked, Ignatyeva. You three have been at this longer than anyone. Is she deployable?
"She's still pretty green. Discipline's not so great."
"In a Titan suit? We could take a civilian into battle and I give better than fifty-fifty they'd live if we're careful."
"She's eager for it, I will admit that much. We all have our reasons to be here but the amount of raw anger Annette can summon about the aliens is impressive even by our standards."
You really think you can take her out and bring her back, Sanderson?
"Yes sir."
All right. Give some of the less-experienced folks exercise too, and Trash; he's been itching for some field action. Assemble a ready team for the next op.
----------------
Operation Flying Savior, Manchester, United Kingdom, 3:43pm
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), Trashman "Walker" (sniper), Euclidean "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Annette Durand (sniper), Gortef (support)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-08_00055_zps43669009.jpg)
Terror attack in the UK, sir. Manchester.
Scramble the ready team and the Interceptors. Coordinate with MoD.
Central, this is Scotty. ETA on Sky?
Sky is five minutes out Scotty.
We think we've gotten them all Central. The plasma beams made a real difference. Number 8 Squadron's Sentries have no unknown contacts in UK airspace and neither do we. Can you confirm?
Central confirms no unknown contacts in UK airspace. Sky, you are clear all the way in. Main concentration of aliens is reported near Manchester Airport, but the Army is moving in with tanks to contain them. We've been asked to deal with a group hitting people trying to flee on one of the major highways.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-08_00056_zps8d36c389.jpg)
"Okay people, you've all practiced this. Annette, stick close to Trash, he's one of our best snipers so he knows what he's doing. I get it's personal for you and I respect that. But if you do anything crazy I am sticking the Paladin's boot right up your ass, and that ain't gonna be pretty considering the size."
"I understand, Colonel."
"Okay folks, move out!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-08_00057_zps6cb26a49.jpg)
"Got hostiles, Cyberdisc and drones!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00001_zpsbc301299.jpg)
"Damn, missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00002_zpsf8dee3e7.jpg)
"Merde! No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00003_zps5376f821.jpg)
"Target terminated. Engaging second. Target also terminated. Someday you'll grow up to be like me, Annette."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00004_zpsbd6f4b4e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00005_zpsdc3868a4.jpg)
"The Paladin boot up the ass is unisex, Trash. Don't make me consider using it."
"Heavy Floaters, two of them!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00006_zps4265ae28.jpg)
"Firing! Hit-target is still moving."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00007_zps90c6f3be.jpg)
"Finished the target for you."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00008_zps3be03775.jpg)
"Target is dead." Check the civilian hiding out next to Mike.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00009_zps3099d8c9.jpg)
"Hostiles moving in, Mutons!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00010_zps2c6ca85e.jpg)
"No Particle Beam hit."
"Winged one with the pistol."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00011_zps7148aea8.jpg)
"Firing! Target down! Take that you bastards."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00012_zpsd6870652.jpg)
"You don't have sound like you're getting off on it Annette."
"And what if I am, hmm?"
"I am never going to forgive you for starting this tangent, Droid. Ever."
"No hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00013_zps2905dec1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00014_zps2b0efb86.jpg)
"See, you even threw Trash off his game! Firing on target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00015_zpsc01a8bf6.jpg)
"I've got it."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00016_zps96e9dc40.jpg)
"Good shooting Gortef."
"Go for the ship, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00017_zpsb3c1a011.jpg)
"You heard the lady, get the **** out of here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00018_zps0e78856c.jpg)
"Hostile spotted, firing-damn he's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00019_zpsd6209168.jpg)
"Annette, if you'd care to do the honors?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00020_zps49a1918f.jpg)
"With pleasure, Colonel. Alien dead."
"You HAD to say that-"
"Droid, be quiet. Sky, Strike, give me a read. We have any active plasma weapons that ain't us around?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00021_zps71874a0e.jpg)
Negative Strike. You look clear.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r016/2013-12-09_00022_zps76c8a48b.jpg)
Annette's first mission went pretty well. Irina's right though, she's got a rage issue about the aliens. Takes orders well enough, her comms discipline is a little sloppy...Doctor Vahlen's coming this way.
I'm going to catch some hell here in a moment I expect. Back later.
-
So as a total n00b to the game, is Annette supposed to be someone who's a previous abductee? Or do we not know that yet?
-
So as a total n00b to the game, is Annette supposed to be someone who's a previous abductee? Or do we not know that yet?
She's kinda an abductee, or rather, you remember that military convoy, French, that got bushwhacked by EXALT?
They did it to get Annette.
-
Ohhhhhh, makes sense now.
-
Professional log: Dr. Vincent "IronBeer" Zokus
July 8, 2015 - Entry #21
_____________________________________________________________
Just..... holy ****. I'm still trying to get the MEC Bay back into a semblance of order after the attack. Fortunately everything truly critical still works, mainly the MEC cradles and computer systems, but the fighting in the area really tore the place up. Somehow, my workstation is still in operable condition, though the screen was destroyed by an errant plasma blast and I had to scavenge some replacement peripherals. My personal tablet is doing an admirable job as a backup screen, though I hope my requisition for replacement monitors goes through soon.
As for the attack itself.... I spent most of it holed up with MEC Project personnel and an assortment of rank-and-file scientists and technicians. We took cover in a less-used storage room with a couple of base security guys. They watched the jammed-open doorway, and us civies with sidearms backed them up. We got very lucky- even though we weren't far from the fierce fighting in Delta Section, not many aliens managed to infiltrate the storeroom or its vicinity. There were a few though: three curious Sectoids and a dumb Muton wandered by the door and got lit up. By some quirk of the hallway layout, we had a better firing line going out than they did coming in. The Sectoids never knew what hit them, but the Muton at least had enough time to "panic" a bit before going down. I am very glad the Commander forced any carrying civvies to undergo tactical combat drills- though we'd make rather miserable operatives, at least our aim and trigger discipline were good enough to prevent any friendly fire.
I'll go ahead and say I shot an alien for Deathfun, even if my memory of the attack itself is a fear- and adrenaline-soaked blur and I can't be certain of my hit(s). The bodies did carry thermal injuries in addition to ballistic trauma, though I can't necessarily claim those- Williams, Patel, and Domon had picked up some EXALT laspistols earlier as well.
Again, we got off lucky. A Chryssalid managed to infiltrate the base a bit deeper, and if one of our veteran agents hadn't happened by, we'd have been in a world of pain. Other alien commandos managed to off a few personnel in random places throughout the base, but of course that ****ing Chryssalid had the highest bodycount. Two base security guys, only shreds of kevlar and unidentifiable flesh were left. The aliens' genetic and cybernetic manipulations are hideous, but they have nothing on those goddamn Hell-spawned vermin.
In addition to Mike, Raymond, Ralwood, and a few others, I have been spitballing some plans for the post-Invasion world for a few weeks now. I've just now come up with something new to consider. When all this is over, when we somehow beat the aliens, we need to figure out how their FTL systems work and build some starships. Not because we have a universe to explore, but because we have a universe to bloody. When we finally get the ugly bastards off our necks, we're going to make them pay, starting with the Chryssalid homeworld. Hippies be damned, I can count AT LEAST that planet that needs to be bombed to a radioactive cinder. Mark my words- even after we thwart this invasion, the war is only just beginning.
-
Ladies and gentlemen...the Firestorm.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00023_zps7861068b.jpg)
How long on the Firestorm deployments?
We have to do the augments for some pilots. Phantom can already interface, of course. Construction is going to take at least a couple of weeks for the first pair and worldwide coverage is probably going to take a couple of months.
And the Fusion Lances?
Ten of them ready for mounting as the Firestorms come off the production line. The psionics testing lab is up as well. You're sure you want Annette in the first batch?
It's that or Doctor Vahlen autopsies me, so yes.
--------------
Scramble Scotty, we've got an UFO in the air over South Africa.
Central, Scotty, light damage to the bird. Target was a large scout. It's down. Remaining on station.
Scramble the ready team.
Operation Enduring Serpent, interior of South Africa,
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), The "Psycho" E (assault), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Gortef "Cargo"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00025_zps61309bd7.jpg)
"You sure about this E?"
"I can handle carrying a Scatter a little longer, until we build or capture some more plasmas."
"Okay then, move out."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00026_zps3051eb0a.jpg)
"We got a Mechtoid and Sectoid!"
"Firing. He's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00027_zps94932467.jpg)
"Christ! He missed me!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00028_zps5ecf1f4d.jpg)
"Dropping the target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00029_zpsb8d0ed6a.jpg)
"Good shooting. Where's the damn Sectoid?"
"Don't see him, move in and find the sneaky little bastard." Actually, I think I forgot to screenshot its death.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00030_zpsdc7210fb.jpg)
"Mutons!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00031_zps1bfdb3f3.jpg)
"Sectoid Comman-son of a *****, he just hijacked my Paladin!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00032_zps73ffc096.jpg)
"He what?"
"I've got no control, the little red bastard must have used his psionics somehow!"
TwentyPercentCooler fails his panic check in response. He also shot the Sectoid Commander, who he technically couldn't see. Oh well!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00033_zps05bbbc10.jpg)
"Engaging Sectoid Commander. Hit and down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00034_zps04187d55.jpg)
"Rapid firing-Miss, hit! He's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00035_zps29aca2ce.jpg)
"Got one trying to move around the side, firing! Damn, still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00036_zps4b467b3b.jpg)
"They're getting kind of mad!" Blood Call is an alien special ability; it works like Adrenaline Rush, and boosts accuracy and will briefly among Mutons near the one who pops it
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00037_zps1d6063b2.jpg)
Even failing his Panic check, TwentyPercentCooler is twenty percent too hardcore to mind control reliably.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00038_zps4e444fb5.jpg)
"Ow! Son of a ***** shot me!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00039_zps87b195f3.jpg)
"Firing-target hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00040_zps42b2d98f.jpg)
"Stunning target-target stunned! Plasma rifles for all!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00041_zps13b803fd.jpg)
"Firing-damn, missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00042_zps770d94f4.jpg)
"E!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00043_zpsc87fe7e8.jpg)
"I'm fine. Titan is holding."
"Droid, DUCK!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00044_zpse78d11a8.jpg)
"He missed me, I'm all right."
"Dammit, he's hiding behind the UFO's power core."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00045_zps16c0eda4.jpg)
"...hey, these work on the guy holding them?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00046_zps24b23f7f.jpg)
"Some reason they shouldn't?"
"Killing target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00047_zpsa873fbb5.jpg)
"Woah! Aren't you guys watching that flank or something!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00048_zps45800f0f.jpg)
"He's mad!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00049_zps53eed77b.jpg)
"Stun-**** didn't work!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00050_zps76433764.jpg)
"I got your back man, take it easy. Muton down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00051_zpsa1eaef9b.jpg)
"I was going to let you get stunned, but now you've annoyed me. Die."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00052_zpsf322c286.jpg)
"Central, Strike, we're done here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r017/2013-12-09_00053_zpsff47605c.jpg)
Nice, easy mission for the most part. Little dicey at moments, but the Titans have taken a lot of the danger out of small UFO recoveries. We wanted to take a couple of the aliens alive, but sometimes they connive at their own destruction, or we just don't feel like taking hits to do it. It happens. We still need a Sectoid Commander, and any more plasma weapons we can get our hands on, so captures are always good.
-
So I'm "Cargo" now... I just hope I'm not useless cargo.
-
So I'm "Cargo" now... I just hope I'm not useless cargo.
I've actually been meaning to change that. Should have done it at a particular point.
-
Sir!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00054_zpsd0b747bb.jpg)
Calm down, make a proper report.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00055_zps154c1794.jpg)
But, sir...the testing. A positive report.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00056_zpse1148386.jpg)
Annette?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00057_zps04c2c769.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00058_zpsf7fb0ba5.jpg)
Yes sir.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00059_zps7427a230.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00060_zps3fd03795.jpg)
Good news, then. Tell Bradford to add her to the ready team.
--------------------------
Operation Bleeding Night, Western United States, 6:08am; September 2nd
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Annette Durand (Sniper, Psy-Ops), Gortef "Cargo" (support), TwentyPercentCooler (sniper)
"Okay folks, you know what you're doing. Move in."
"CHRYSSALIDS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00064_zpsf4a966f6.jpg)
"MIKE! DUCK!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00065_zpsd577dd94.jpg)
"Christ, Twenty!"
"My thoughts to your thoughts. Merde, I need a better catchphrase."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00066_zpsc970ee19.jpg)
"Catchphrase later, kill Chryssalids now! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-09_00067_zpsdce32586.jpg)
"Command center is clear."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00001_zpsae92424f.jpg)
"Good, then you can help me with these! Missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00002_zps78a76e6a.jpg)
"Firing P-beam. Target terminated." Railing Kill!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00003_zpsf69534a3.jpg)
"Rapid firing-no hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00005_zps9d7defaf.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00005_zps9d7defaf.jpg)
"****! Armor held!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00006_zpsee1a81d4.jpg)
"Die, you son of a *****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00007_zps65c8ff85.jpg)
"Heavy Floaters on the other side!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00011_zps020649e5.jpg)
"I winged one but I need some help here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00012_zps198793c7.jpg)
"Mutons centerline. Coming."'
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00014_zps67bc10d4.jpg)
"Damn! Missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00015_zps5d14cc1e.jpg)
"Finite. One down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00016_zpsad923371.jpg)
"REALLY need help here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00017_zps92b26f56.jpg)
"Ow!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00017_zps92b26f56.jpg)
"****, armor breached!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00019_zps3b400c68.jpg)
"Oh, this is gonna suck-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00020_zpsd56ecd00.jpg)
"Suffer."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00021_zpsc1a4a985.jpg)
"Did Annette..."
"Kill it with her brain? Yes."
"Oh **** you a-"
"GORTEF IS DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00022_zps59e030bf.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00023_zps9c5128e7.jpg)
Strike, Central, Gortef's vitals are still registering.
"Copy. Droid, get your ass over here! Firing-no hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00024_zpse98b2739.jpg)
"That's for everything, bastard."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00025_zpsb8cee53d.jpg)
"Paladin is operational. Returning fire-damn, missed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00026_zps10481bd0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00027_zps941ddf33.jpg)
"Target is still up, but injured. Droid, where are you?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00028_zps32f78988.jpg)
"Coming!"
"Target is terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00029_zps721ea7f1.jpg)
"Good shooting, MP."
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Gortef."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00030_zpsb18d584f.jpg)
"Next time, run faster guys."
"Agreed. Popping Mist. Don't get shot again man, you've used up your quota, understand?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00031_zps62fb29b7.jpg)
"Armor's still a wreck, hold still a moment. There."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00032_zpsbda10bca.jpg)
"Found the Muton!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00033_zps7d25211a.jpg)
"Oh ****-damn! Armor holding."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00034_zps157f9455.jpg)
"Do you not learn? Suffer." That stasis tank outline is looking really phallic there...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00035_zps69364d45.jpg)
"He's bleeding out of his...everything. What the hell do you do to them, Annette?"
"Never mind! Cloak noises!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00036_zpsb3c8e2c0.jpg)
"Copy. Taking down the Muton."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00037_zpsa8f806e6.jpg)
"A pistol? A pistol! I am a Titan!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00038_zpsab1c16cf.jpg)
"And he's also flanked and dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00040_zps1490fa41.jpg)
"Target terminated. Perhaps Trash was right; the pistol really is powerful enough for us, but not them."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00041_zps6e1cb4cb.jpg)
"Something's down there. I hear movement. Popping a mine."
"Explosions. I heard a pair of secondaries...christ, listen to that..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00042_zps9841b19f.jpg)
"Something heavy." IT'S SECTOPOD TIME!
"Mutons-red suits, heavy weapons!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00043_zpsababd5ad.jpg)
"Your nightmare, it is just beginning."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00044_zpsdc293cf9.jpg)
"Firing. One hit, one miss, he's still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00045_zpscdc118d7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00046_zps5f272de9.jpg)
"Oh christ. What the hell is that?!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00047_zpsce1742c1.jpg)
"GET DOWN!"
"MP!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00048_zpsc0dc1265.jpg)
"I'm all right, no hit, but I need help here!"
"Damn, damn! I can't move up to support MP!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00049_zps5f83564f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00050_zps3808f6ad.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00051_zpsbae373f9.jpg)
"Copy. Engaging on flank. Miss. Hit-christ, it shrugged a P-Beam."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00052_zps697f60dc.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00053_zps3080a175.jpg)
"Moving-holy ****, he can do all that and he still has backup weapon?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00054_zps8366dca4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00055_zpsf43bac05.jpg)
"Firing-no hit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00056_zpsb73365c9.jpg)
"For Dimitri."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00057_zps775e9686.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00058_zps2d4d2118.jpg)
"Holy ****! Mike!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00059_zps0ca39656.jpg)
"Operational."
"Damn, it just soaked a plasma burst like it was nothing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00060_zps1d00a8f3.jpg)
"KSM activated...****, it's still functional!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00061_zps0c6bf2a5.jpg)
"It soaked a KSM?! No ****ing way."
"He's launching something-no hits. Oh shi-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00062_zpsfaaf6be3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00061_zps0c6bf2a5.jpg)
"MIKE!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00064_zps4bdaa715.jpg)
"Still operational, barely."
"Hostiles moving!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00065_zps7cbf3d06.jpg)
"I'm going to literally rip you apart-oh goddammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00066_zps04c8c651.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00067_zps2f0613ae.jpg)
"I've got red lights across the board. Paladin is nonfunctional."
"Get your ass over here. There. Now stop getting shot, because you've also used up your quota."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00069_zpsce24bcb1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00068_zps95200138.jpg)
"I get you. Popping Mist."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00070_zps75b0c056.jpg)
"Did you really need to kick the dead Sectopod?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00071_zpsa46e549b.jpg)
"No, but it made me feel better. Find that damn Muton in the red shirt."
"He's in the aft cargo bay. Dropping him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00072_zpse2c9fdcb.jpg)
"We kind of wanted that one alive, Annette."
"When you are charged by an alien, you may decide in what state you wish it."
"Sectoid commanders."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00073_zpsb25c834a.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00074_zpse0c8bd19.jpg)
"Sectoid is firing-trying to suppress! Missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00075_zps45f40e25.jpg)
"I'm all right."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00076_zps4c031746.jpg)
"Suffer. Merde!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00077_zpsa30fcaa2.jpg)
"Got your back, Annette."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00078_zps9585b907.jpg)
"When are you going to learn it doesn't work, jackass?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00079_zps6d4c61a5.jpg)
"Activating stun. Target is sleeping."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00080_zps3b6405a8.jpg)
"Nice work MP!"
"Central, Strike. We are finished here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00081_zps955d0af8.jpg)
Strike, Central, confirm. Bring your people home. We have docs standing by for your wounded.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r023/2013-12-12_00082_zpse9171a1f.jpg)
That was...kind of tense. IronBeer had some unkind things to say about the state of my Paladin and myself when I got back. In the condition I was in if somebody had thrown a rock at me really hard, the odds are fifty-fifty the Paladin would have keeled over and shut down, and the loss of the onboard life support assists would have killed me because I wasn't in very good shape either. The medics have me and Gortef both on bed rest.
Annette's been by, twice, apologizing profusely to Gortef and staring confusedly at my augments. Granted she's seen them before, but I guess when you're actually not wearing clothes it's different. Kinda makes a guy self-conscious. Irina and E have also both been by to threaten to kick my ass for trying to get killed.
Ironically, it seems Annette's rage issues are working for her. She says her basic psionic attack is just to bundle up all her feelings about the aliens from her captivity and throw them at a target. The autopsy team is having a field day cataloging the damage she does with that sort of thing.
I'm just hoping we don't run into any more Sectopods. They're way too hard to kill for us right now. They were just soaking even the P-beam fire. Maybe Plas DMR or Heavy Plas can do better, but I doubt it. And the next time someone tests a Titan to destruction, they need to make sure there's no one inside first.
-
Sectopod's are the bane of my existence.
Also, how the hell did you engage one in melee? I tried to see what happened once on a terror mission, and I was flat out unable to target it with the KSM.
-
Also, how the hell did you engage one in melee? I tried to see what happened once on a terror mission, and I was flat out unable to target it with the KSM.
I clicked it. No really, it just worked, so I don't know what to tell you.
Sectopods are one of the three units that have unique KSM use animations if you kill them, and I was kind of disappointed I didn't get a closeup of this one.
For the record, the special KSM Sync Kills that I could find decent video of; there's also one for the Mechtoid but people insist on recording it badly. Anyone who knows of a good vid of it gets...something. (We'll have more infantry slots when Furies drops.)
Berserker:
Sectopod:
-
Ahh... comfy sick bay beds. It's good that your medics are professionals.
-
I think I've made a destructive robot reference to almost everything. I actually ran out and ended up using the Daleks for one; if you can name them all, you're ten percent cooler.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00089_zps8971939d.jpg)
We've very rarely deployed a team without MEC support before.
While true, we need to test the Goliaths at some point. Raymond already has an improved design based on the Firestorm drive system and that would also be a useful test.
With respect sir, do you really think the Goliath can substitute for a MEC?
No. But EXALT will be easier than the aliens if it's not.
Operation Silent Serpent, Cheylabinsk, Russia, 5:13 PM, September 4th
Deployed: MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault, mission commander), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Enoich "Chops" (assault), Annette Durand (Sniper, Psy-Ops), CommanderDJ (assault), Goliath-1 (Spoonzer Heavy Infantry Vehicle Mark Two)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00090_zpsd79ab0c1.jpg)
"Okay, who wants to partner with Artoo here?"
"I'll do it. I can run top cover for it with the Archangel suit."
"All right, let's go people!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00092_zpsa51afce2.jpg)
"Checking the roof."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00093_zps90044d71.jpg)
"How's the Archangel handling?"
"The flight system is a little jerky, but it's intuitive enough."
"Well, hey guys. I saw your jump jets. Somebody get the Archangel working?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00094_zps031b69c7.jpg)
"Uh, Star...where are you?"
"Acting like a chameleon. Blame the bio guys, they gave me this before I left. It's dead handy, honestly."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00095_zps5f12fa1a.jpg)
"EXALT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00096_zpsf56b4753.jpg)
"Firing; still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00097_zpsb88fceaf.jpg)
"Damn, missed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00098_zps01237f10.jpg)
"Okay, let's see what the alloy cannon can do. Firing-kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00099_zpscf7e326c.jpg)
"Damn, damn, damn! These bastards are just too human."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00100_zpsf6c1b064.jpg)
Cower in fear meatbag.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00101_zps304b11a7.jpg)
"Do everything myself, I see how it is. He's wounded but not down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00102_zps0dc37caf.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00103_zps372e4eb0.jpg)
"Now he's done. Thanks for the cover Artoo."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00104_zps439fd67f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00105_zps4039ce04.jpg)
I am your serv-ant.
"Cloaking up and moving again."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00106_zps5768b83f.jpg)
"Moving on target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00107_zps3fb81e16.jpg)
"More Exalt! Firing! Artoo!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00108_zps5490012d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00109_zps91b08c85.jpg)
Human//animal bugthinkers. Hurt//Maim//Kill.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00110_zps0e07435a.jpg)
"Good work Artoo. Dropping the last one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00111_zps787f014f.jpg)
"That is one awfully dead Exalt Operative." Crit was Star, think the kill shot was MP-Ryan from the high damage number.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00112_zps2b0b8d7d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00113_zps10a360b0.jpg)
"Got another one. Alloy Cannon; firing a sabot."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00114_zps6fff83a4.jpg)
"He's in the building! Merde, not enough! Artoo!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00115_zps3f24ea13.jpg)
By your command, Imperious Leader!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00116_zps6f48803f.jpg)
Awfully dead EXALT mark 2; Star with the Crit, killshot went to Enioch
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00117_zps9a79da7d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00118_zpsc4de9036.jpg)
"Firing on target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00119_zps291672f3.jpg)
"Where the hell did his torso go? This Alloy Cannon flechette load is scary ****."
"Going to the roof. Artoo, move down the alley."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00120_zps54a73054.jpg)
"Moving along."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00121_zps305aeadd.jpg)
"Wish you'd stop fading out like that, man, it's creepy."
"Get used to it, I'm pretty sure in due course we'll all be doing it. Then we can make a much better Predator vs. Alien movie."
"More Exalt."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00122_zps765b4339.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00123_zpsfb6dced2.jpg)
A p-p-pathetic creature of meat and bone.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00124_zps591cae4b.jpg)
"Damnation! Still doesn't work."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00125_zps07970b14.jpg)
"Got your back, Anette." Railing Kill!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00126_zps7171e2ae.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00127_zpsffa2f3b7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00128_zpsb7be55c0.jpg)
H-h-how can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00129_zps86e4df5f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00130_zps0df617f4.jpg)
"Moving up to cover."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00131_zps1c6e5392.jpg)
Crush, kill, de-stroy.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00132_zpsaa8fd297.jpg)
"Got another on the roof. Dropping him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00133_zps579a8014.jpg)
"Star! Go for the Skyranger, go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00134_zps8ad2edc7.jpg)
"Moving!"
"Pull back to the Skyranger folks, we're done here."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00135_zps39ce2c67.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r024/2013-12-12_00136_zpsd76a29bb.jpg)
All right, give me your evaluation.
"It may lack the firepower of a MEC, but it shot well and it provided cover and covering fire MECs don't. Annette?"
"Merci. Artoo here was a good shadow and responded intelligently to commands. I would be happy to work with it again."
-
The best thing about MECs, IMO, is that they are expendable - the monetary cost of losing one is far less then the cost of losiing one of your soldiers.
Also, sentinel makes it very good.
-
The best thing about MECs, IMO, is that they are expendable - the monetary cost of losing one is far less then the cost of losiing one of your soldiers.
Also, sentinel makes it very good.
SHIVs you mean. MECs are pretty dang costly, being a soldier + lots of meld.
-
Yeah, I meant SHIVs, don't know how I got those two mixed up 0_o
-
Lay it out for me.
Annette has, or rather had, an ability to function as a Psionic booster. She made the attack on the base possible with it, but so far as we can tell, it burned her out as one. She very nearly died. However, via our raids on EXALT we have discovered the aliens have located other individuals with similar abilities and had EXALT...acquire them. There were at least three.
More than one. Great. Time to pump up security. Raymond, you said you were ready for production of plasma weapons? I want enough rifles for not just the deployment teams but base security. Anyone on staff who wants a plas pistol can have one if they're willing to do some range time with it weekly. What can we do proactively?
The handover will be made in Southern France. Relations between EXALT and the aliens have been quite strained, and an outbreak of violence or a betrayal would be almost expected.
Is that hint of deviousness I hear, Doctor Vahlen? I'm going to have to pay more attention to your budget. Bradford, I want the Firestorms to start buzzing around the area while the handover is going on, and a heavy team for the Skyranger to go in and recover the captives. Have them take Annette too; she might be able to help with this if they're ambulatory.
I'll set it up, sir.
---------------------
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-12_00144_zpsc08f64e3.jpg)
"Welcome to the big leagues, Annette. Keep up."
"With a chance to kill more of the bastards? Try to stop me."
Operation Defiant Apollo, French Alps, 11:06, September 5th
Deployed: Admiral Ralwood (MEC-3, mission commander), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-12_00146_zps9db0dd50.jpg)
Strike, Sky, dropping the ramp. Go!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-12_00147_zpsb2f487ae.jpg)
"I'm getting the feeling that the aliens decided to waste the Exalt guys the moment the Firestorms were spotted. This place is a mess."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00001_zps39242398.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00002_zps708dd8de.jpg)
"Thin Men. I think the Commander may have been a little paranoid about the need for the heavies."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00003_zps462e9ad5.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00004_zpsfa37a410.jpg)
"Do you hear that?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00005_zps0b6d3bba.jpg)
"An alarm. ****. MOVE PEOPLE, WE'RE ON THE CLOCK!"
"Scratch one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00006_zps18130e69.jpg)
"Oh, come on. You guys should know better now."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00007_zps56c8b2af.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00008_zps840065a8.jpg)
"Both of you."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00009_zps8e73b72c.jpg)
"More of 'em."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00010_zpsca023f5f.jpg)
"Boo. Target dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00012_zps9cc70aab.jpg)
"Crap! Armor holding."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00013_zpsbde68a3a.jpg)
"Oh ****! Berserker! He's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00014_zpsef58c12b.jpg)
"You didn't need that crotch for anything, did you?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00015_zps2c28b639.jpg)
"Annette...seriously. Even for these guys, there is a too far."
"Never."
"Damn damn damn-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00016_zps64bf6f69.jpg)
"More Thin Men!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00017_zpsd0b82661.jpg)
"How about no."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00018_zps266a214a.jpg)
"I haven't stunned anything important in a few days. Target sleeping."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00019_zps861c687d.jpg)
"Woah! Incoming!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00020_zps84046a6f.jpg)
"Surprise!" Jetboot Entry.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00021_zpsd6736611.jpg)
"Eyes on the objective! Killing the Thin Man!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00023_zps6cc36eb0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00024_zps3d06c55d.jpg)
Gratuitous shot of Annette and her Archangel.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00025_zps4ab51b68.jpg)
"They're like rats."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00026_zps4041e2bb.jpg)
"Another Berserker! Damn, missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00027_zps2c0032b5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00028_zpseb4d75bf.jpg)
"Winged him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00029_zpsdf3dca60.jpg)
"I should probably feel bad about this. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00030_zpsa0f10391.jpg)
"He's heartless alien scum Mongoose, you get used to it."
"Switching to pistol-merde!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00032_zps2e4bd9a6.jpg)
"DAMN! Son of a ***** can swing! I've got a breach warning!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00033_zps25759d36.jpg)
"Sit down and shut up." Railing Kill!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00034_zps6834c328.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00035_zps7b0c0ebe.jpg)
"Nice work MP."
"I have the controls. Deactivating the alarms and security systems. Central, this is Strike. Mission accomplished. The captives are safe. Three, as predicted."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r025/2013-12-13_00036_zps3f1b2a85.jpg)
Remain on-site and provide security for the cleanup crew. And Strike: Well done.
We now have three more infantry slots open with a guaranteed psyker component. Incidentally, I can also confirm we have at least two more psykers among the regular roster; MP-Ryan and StarSlayer both tested positive for The Gift.
-
Tested positive as a psionic badass. See fellas, I told you it wasn't just the nurses and luck getting me back from the dead - I can will myself to live through sheer force of brainpower.
These alien bastards got nothing on Homo sapiens ryan.
Yo, Annette... I was thinking... well, who am I kidding, I think you know what I thought you think and we both know what you thought and we both think we both know... am I right?
What, not even a smile? Tough crowd.
I'll be in the canteen. I'll order for any of you who care to join me - I already know what you'll have.
-
:rolleyes:
Least the rest of you guys only had to hear it once, Annette and I actually had to experience that joke twice. I must admit though practicing hand to hand with another psyker is a hoot.
-
That's a helluva amount of Psykers you got there now
-
Interfacing with the Firestorm. My compliments to Doctor Shen.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r026/2013-12-13_00038_zps036b8410.jpg)
Bringing the Firestorm into the hanger...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r026/2013-12-13_00039_zps6856d070.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r026/2013-12-13_00040_zps1e3e8249.jpg)
Activating the main agrav unit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r026/2013-12-13_00041_zps5b0632aa.jpg)
I think we just evened the odds, Raymond.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r026/2013-12-13_00042_zpscda89a09.jpg)
-----------------------
Terror attack in Canada, sir.
You know the drill. Get Hobby and jr2 in the air. Scramble Strike.
Operation Shattered Hero, Ottawa, Canada, 4:17 AM, September 6th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops), Gortef "Cargo" (support).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00046_zps915e7b1a.jpg)
"We're down, go! Go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00048_zps6bad1490.jpg)
"SECTOPOD! He was practically on top of us!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00049_zps44369fa5.jpg)
"Oh Jesus Christ on a pogo stick. TAKE THE DRONES, I DON'T WANT THEM PATCHING THIS THING UP! Target hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00051_zps7ffa35dc.jpg)
"Drone down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00050_zps7d3e584e.jpg)
"God, why can't we have better cover? ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00052_zpsbc8e4ae9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00053_zps06377e11.jpg)
"Suck it up, Droid!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00054_zps807c710e.jpg)
"Ow! Son of a ***** I'm not doing this again!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00056_zps0a54092f.jpg)
"Firing! Damn, damn, still up."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00055_zps489fa0b8.jpg)
"I think I just saw my life flash before my eyes."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00058_zps9b2204d6.jpg)
"At least he missed you."
"Cyberdisc coming in from the other side!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00059_zps1bcfc660.jpg)
"Firing! Got a drone!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00060_zpsa9d59554.jpg)
"GO DOWN YOU PIECE OF ****! DAMMIT-Got him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00061_zps4d515820.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00062_zps1eba0cfe.jpg)
"Firing! Cyberdisc hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00063_zps7d397016.jpg)
"Finishing the target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00064_zps00906222.jpg)
"Nice shooting Gortef."
"Get to the ship, go! Both of you!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00065_zpscfe2dfb5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00066_zpsc148b745.jpg)
"Scratch the other drone."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00067_zps5cad2f5d.jpg)
"Chryssalid! I hurt him, but he is still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00069_zpse4faf7d6.jpg)
"More than one! Damn, no hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00070_zps1dee77b8.jpg)
"Go! Move, this place isn't safe! All of you!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00071_zps8eb251ff.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00072_zps69dd3df3.jpg)
"Oh ****-wait! GOT HIM!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00073_zpsc77026ac.jpg)
"Got one. Enjoy the rush, folks." Combat Rush genemod; score a kill, everyone nearby procs a boost to aim, crit, and will.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00074_zps6cdc31eb.jpg)
"Checking the top of the building. Clear so far."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00075_zps27ea3533.jpg)
"Lemme patch some of that armor. Hold still, Mike."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00076_zpsd8765ebd.jpg)
"Found a Drone. Disposed of."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00077_zps027f2b88.jpg)
"Central, Strike Lead. We're clear here, provisionally. Evacing remaining civvies from the area."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00078_zpsa386ea7e.jpg)
Copy Strike.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r027/2013-12-13_00079_zpsdb7dac33.jpg)
So, another Sectopod. That whole life-flashing before your eyes...yeah. That's not fun. But this one went down easier, it was alone, and we had better positions, so we could concentrate fire on it better Star basically pistol'd the mission, as for some reason his plasrifle broke down just prior to deployment and he had to grab one of the old DMRs. It was still pretty effective to have somebody picking off the little stuff for us when the little stuff repairs others.
I'm not sure Enioch got the chance to fire, but he was in there running to the sound of screams getting civilians out, so it's not like he was just relaxing. Commander says that everybody lived in the area we went into. Alien terror attack. Everybody lived.
Damn that feels good.
-
Alien terror attack. Everybody lived.
Damn that feels good.
I wasn't even sure that was possible until now.
-
I wasn't even sure that was possible until now.
It's exceptionally rare and usually has to do more with enemy placement and low number than anything you can do, but yes, it's quite possible.
-
I think the highway map is probably one of the easier ones to do this, it's relatively small, has wide fields of fire and an advantageous starting position.
-
And if you've a couple snipers with jetpacks, things really start to get easy
-
Damn we're good... even though I missed a shot.
-
Seriously, nobody lurking out there want to sign on? I got three empty slots for anybody. We got a Sniper, a Support, and an Assault up for grabs, first come first serve!
-
I'll maintain my status as Interceptor pilot. The XCOM project needs a Scotty at the helm of a fighter.
-
I think I'll hop in and go for the Support. XCOM can always use more medics.
-
Okay then, time to move forward again while I'm sick as a dog.
We have a UFO over Nunavat headed for the US border, scramble Hobbie.
Central, Hobbie. Target has detected me and is going hypersonic for the US border.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00081_zps1a06809b.jpg)
Central, Hobbie. Minor damage to the bird. Target is down. He went in over downtown Winnipeg. Repeat, the UFO is down in a populated area.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00082_zps2f441970.jpg)
Remain on-station. Strike is inbound.
Now we have some of the lovingly detailed devastation of an Enemy Within urban map.
Operation Skynet, Winnipeg, Canada, 11:48pm, September 10th
Deployed: Micheal "Gispy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3), Lightning-1 (Spoonzer-3P), Lightning-2 (Spoonzer-3P), Lightning-3 (Spoonzer-3P), Lightning-4 (Spoonzer-3P)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00084_zps9b1e217a.jpg)
"Skynet? Seriously? Somebody was being cute about this."
"It's the rise of the machines, Ral. Annette said good things about the Goliaths."
EXTERMINATE. EX-TERM-IN-ATE.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00088_zps3948f685.jpg)
"Cloakies. Against us. This is not your day."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00089_zpsb71015fd.jpg)
You are superior in only one respect! You are better at dy-ing!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00090_zps18bafd10.jpg)
"Muton heavies! That's serious!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00091_zpsb3dba22a.jpg)
Danger, target is escaping!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00092_zps34db2ceb.jpg)
Muton//animal is deceased.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00093_zpsb6e3b08c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00094_zps128905c8.jpg)
ASSUME THE POSITION.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00095_zps741b48c5.jpg)
Love is shooting alien meatbags in the head at ten meters.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00096_zps08f4275c.jpg)
Floaters do not look up for danger. Just like humans.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00097_zpsd1ce5c5f.jpg)
EX-TERM-IN-ATE!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00098_zps091758b3.jpg)
SON-OF-A-THAL!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00099_zps44aee33b.jpg)
"Target down. The SHIVs clean house pretty good."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00100_zps125e0f8e.jpg)
HURT//MAIM//KILL
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00101_zpsac46125c.jpg)
Hostile decloaking. De-stroy!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00103_zps62dbe021.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00104_zps51c432fc.jpg)
"Sectoids, red ones. Today is still not your day."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00105_zps6554c03c.jpg)
My vis-ion is NOT imp-aired!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00106_zps17bd0a51.jpg)
Suffffffeeeerrrr The basic psionic attack, Mindfray, does damage and reduces Will and Aim. Late in the game the aliens are aware they don't have the moxie to try and mind-control your soldiers straight up and will usually attempt a Mindfray/MC combo.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00107_zpsd42ebbde.jpg)
"Oh come on, Annette hits harder than that when she has nightmares in the next room over!"
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00109_zps22dab52b.jpg)
"Surprise MEC, sucker."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00113_zps759428b9.jpg)
"Central, Strike. We're done here. I think we can call the Lightning a success."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r030/2013-12-13_00114_zps9fbb4e79.jpg)
I wouldn't really say a Lightning is a great replacement for a live soldier, but they're tougher than they look and they do offer flight capabilities in a more resilient package than our Archangel suits. Their plasma cannon are about equal to versions we've developed for soldiers, but aren't as powerful as a P-beam or an Alloy Cannon. Or for that matter a PlasDMR in the right hands.
And I'd rather work with Lightnings than rookies.
The UFO went down real late, so the buildings it hit were empty, but still...that could have been an amazingly ugly mess. As it is, nobody was hurt. Six or seven hours later, and it would have wiped out several companies.
-
That was an awesome choice for a mission crew
I've never actually used one of those units before
-
Yo, Commander? You mispelled 'Nunavut.' Just saying...
...no, no, I don't think I need latrine duty. This is not the psionic you're looking for...
/me runs.
-
Yo, Commander? You mispelled 'Nunavut.' Just saying...
...no, no, I don't think I need latrine duty. This is not the psionic you're looking for...
/me runs.
Sadly, I'm not actually a Canadian, and I can't always trust the maps on Wikipedia.
-
For future reference =) (http://goo.gl/maps/PvqVn)
-
At this point I'm expecting to never have to deploy to Canada again, too, just to spite us both.
-
Those are some angsty Tachickomas.
-
Operation Skynet, Winnipeg, Canada, 11:48pm, September 10th
Deployed: Micheal "Gispy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3), Lightning-1 (Spoonzer-3P), Lightning-2 (Spoonzer-3P), Lightning-3 (Spoonzer-3P), Lightning-4 (Spoonzer-3P)
Skynet? Seriously? Somebody's being cute.
"Skynet? Seriously? Somebody was being cute about this."
HEY, I JUST SAID THAT... ME! :nervous:
-
You can roll me from an Interceptor into one of the ground-pounders if you like. Ground-pounding seems more glorious anyway. :P
-
Because I'm soon going to be retiring them from service I've been checking the Interceptor kill totals.
I'm actually surprised, they've seen a fair bit of action. None of the individual airframes have more than four kills, but every single one of them appears to have shot down a UFO and more likely two.
-
There are significantly fewer UFOs in Enemy Unknown/Within than there are in UFO Defense. Not sure if I like that or not. I certainly miss my 50+ aerial victories.
-
I don't think you ever got quite that high.
Didn't Trash request no more of these?
Yes...but Star was out for further augmentation when the mission came up.
---------------------
Operation Crystal Whisper, Tver, Russia, 6:24pm, September 11th
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3, mission commander), Starslayer "Tiradora" (sniper, psy-ops), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault, psy-ops), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops)
On-Site: Trashman "Walker" (sniper)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00117_zpsebf179c8.jpg)
"Move! Trash, we're on the ground."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00119_zps886dd275.jpg)
"Good! We've got a lot **** here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00120_zpsce9f3b10.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00121_zps6b4120d7.jpg)
"Missed, damn...there!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00122_zps6b401dca.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00123_zps0c2245ff.jpg)
"Nope, that was mine."
"Fine, fine, have the damn kill."
PEW! But no hit. Actually to be honest it wasn't even clear who he fired at here. Could have been Annette or Trash.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00124_zps341fd03b.jpg)
"This is why your vest should come up to your neck, genius."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00125_zps513806ff.jpg)
"AND AS FOR YOU!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00126_zpsa90fcd6d.jpg)
"Target is toasty."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00127_zps2ebff3b1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00128_zpsa20da3f7.jpg)
"Damn." No playing Pistolero this mission.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00129_zps03fa5ac5.jpg)
"I have him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00130_zps7262ec18.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00131_zps17fd1a1b.jpg)
"Another! Winged him."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00132_zps86e68690.jpg)
"Target terminated. When will you all learn that you can't cope with the P-beam?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00133_zps28b3c8c3.jpg)
"Trash, you got one moving across your field of view! DAMN! Missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00134_zps427f3557.jpg)
"I have it-merde, he's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00135_zpsc4279c0e.jpg)
"Not anymore."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00136_zps248e4c5e.jpg)
"And the other one." While a covert operative snipers get to use their normally rifle-only skills like Double Tap. I'm not sure if that's intentional.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00137_zpsf6129e11.jpg)
"Target is history."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00138_zps3467fafe.jpg)
"There! Wait-MP, isn't your gun supposed to be a one-shot?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00139_zpse0a13a2c.jpg)
"At this distance the sabots don't fly true. I just nicked him."
"Missed."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00140_zps9d80a4dd.jpg)
"Okay, let's try this out...BURN."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00141_zps432e3270.jpg)
"Holy ****, is he bleeding from his-"
"Everything? Oui, Star, he is. Welcome to the combat psyker club."
"Woah! Get the hell down from there!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00142_zps39f37520.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00143_zpsa2b1ac0e.jpg)
"Your turn MP."
"Die."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00144_zps2dab2207.jpg)
"Not quite. Still, you did it."
"Central, request permission to field-test the weapon."
Kind of a crappy target, Mongoose. Permission is granted.
"Firing." Blaster launcher awaaaaaay!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00145_zpsaae8f543.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00146_zpsd647288e.jpg)
"Uh...where's the body?"
"Forget that, where's the damn car!"
"One left. Firing on the fuel tank."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00147_zpscc79b5f9.jpg)
"Central, Strike, data upload complete?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00148_zpsd6b013bf.jpg)
Confirm Strike. Pack up and come on home.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00149_zps31b58aa9.jpg)
-
I am Heavy Weapons Guy, and THIS...is my new weapon.
-
This was the first time I used my psyker gift offensively...
Prior to this I only dabbled with it frivolously, leveraging my extra awareness during hand to hand sparing sessions with Annette or goofing off with Ryan. I don't know what I expected, but it was distinctly bizarre torching that Exhalt bastard's cerebrum. Don't get me wrong, I've run enough covert ops against Exalt to question killing him, but the act itself and what it represents is little scary. I've already got souped up alien DNA and **** in my body. I have vision that puts apex predators to shame, can leap tall buildings and disappear like some damn specter from folk tales, but now I can reach out and snuff someone out with my damn mind. I recognize their is a tremendous amount of capability concentrated in my person and Doc Vahlen believes we are only just starting to unlock the potential of these powers.
Most of the members of our team where culled from military special forces but I was UEI back in the Guardia Civil. Perhaps because my roots are law enforcement I'm a little more worried about what comes after. We are leaping blindly into the realms of trans-humanism in order to save humanity, but what happens to humanity after we've won? Will we be mature enough to handle it?
-
I'm reasonably sure that over the course of three (now four) LPs as an interceptor pilot I've got to be getting close to 50. :P
-
"Woah! Get the hell down from there!"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00142_zps39f37520.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r031/2013-12-13_00142_zps39f37520.jpg
I spy with my little (cybernetically-enhanced?) eye a pair of identical URLs.
-
Derp. I'll fix it when I get the chance.
-
I'll take one of those spots if they're still free.
-
Indeed they are.
-
Aliens are setting a plasma bomb in Kano.
Gutsy of them, that's almost on our doorstep. Scramble Strike.
Operation Unceasing Summer (bomb disposal), Kano, Nigeria, 11:00pm
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3, mission commander), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper, psy-ops), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault, psy-ops), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-13_00150_zps35e420c9.jpg)
"We're clear to deploy! Go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-13_00152_zps26a6ff2a.jpg)
"Thin Men."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00001_zpsc901c16d.jpg)
"One is down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00003_zpsb5834aed.jpg)
"More."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00004_zps6d629f71.jpg)
"Christ!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00005_zps4a54efde.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00006_zps208edc3c.jpg)
"Oh come on, you can hit me but not Ral?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00007_zps484225c7.jpg)
"Suck it up, Mongoose. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00008_zps6e05100b.jpg)
"SUCK IT UP, RAL!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00009_zpsf4cdd3b7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00010_zps7be94a71.jpg)
"Children, please."
"Suffer."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00011_zpsba9e0cb2.jpg)
"All right, let's try this again-BURN."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00012_zpsca345828.jpg)
"Firing. Target is terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00013_zps4e4f669d.jpg)
"More of them."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00014_zpsf45ebdbe.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00015_zps60595670.jpg)
"Entering the crypt-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00016_zpsce84ece5.jpg)
"Oh **** off! DIE!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00017_zps77a63dae.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00018_zpsddff18b1.jpg)
"They really don't like you, Ral."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00019_zps3ed68d0d.jpg)
"They don't like you either!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00021_zps0df77ae3.jpg)
"Killing the one nearest."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00022_zpsdb669ac1.jpg)
"And the next."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00023_zps02505077.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00024_zps9dc71535.jpg)
"Screw off, buddy."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00025_zps0801dd4c.jpg)
"Bomb is disarmed-we've got more dropping in! Kill!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00026_zpsd15d39d3.jpg)
"Dammit, missed him! Central, request permission!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00028_zps46afd645.jpg)
Permission granted.
Blaster Launcher awaaaay!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00029_zps0bd5faa5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00030_zps3bf4b8df.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00031_zps8b8feca0.jpg)
"Kill."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00032_zps61e01f27.jpg)
"Oh come on!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00033_zpsf5b49de8.jpg)
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound~
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r032/2013-12-24_00034_zps49f25301.jpg)
"BURN!"
(//)
Strike, Central. Negative contacts. Cleanup crew is inbound.
-
So Phantom once asked if he was going to have to dogfight a battleship. Guess what: the answer is now yes.
We've got a really big contact over France.
We've also got really big guns now. Scramble Phantom with the Firestorm.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00037_zpsd78248e0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00038_zpsdf8b78d4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00039_zpsf83a7e9e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00040_zpscdf0ae71.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00041_zpsf0bcdd81.jpg)
Central, Phantom. Target is turning to engage.
Central, Phantom. Target is down. No damage to the bird. Two rounds expended. Remaining on-station.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00042_zps8f56aea5.jpg)
With help from the Aim and Dodge Matrixes, Phantom just went FRAWESS VICTORY over an alien battleship in about five seconds. Fusion Lances and Firestorms are an amazingly lethal combination.
-------------------------------------
Operation Sacred Pipe, Southern France, 9:00pm, September 17th
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3, mission commander), StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper, psy-ops), MP-Ryan "Spike" (assault, psy-ops), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00043_zps321bffe2.jpg)
"Okay, get that door open-BERSERKER!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00045_zps6c4f619b.jpg)
"Firing! ****, here they come-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00046_zps9e3f37b1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00047_zpsfb056971.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00048_zps32c27de4.jpg)
"Well done folks."
"No problem."
"Mechtoid and friend."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00049_zpsdf0a3309.jpg)
"Popping a mine."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00050_zpsf10fc902.jpg)
"CHRYSSALIDS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00051_zpsa07c5611.jpg)
"Crap! Just waltzed through it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00052_zps4b5d0afe.jpg)
"Mongoose!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00053_zps76e327a8.jpg)
"Armor held, just barely!"
"Central, request permission-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00054_zpsf5b912ed.jpg)
Do it!
"Firing Blaster Launcher!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00055_zps0f6d4718.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00056_zps04df18c2.jpg)
"Activating the jump jets, moving up. Launching a remote sensor... Contacts! Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00057_zps0b6d6b49.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00058_zps018c9865.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00059_zps72c2e829.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00060_zps35366983.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00061_zps09aa0166.jpg)
"From mid-air now?"
"Why not? Are we not the Angels of Death?"
"Annette, less boasting, watch your back! Burn!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00063_zps0eecc2bb.jpg)
"Think you scared him, here he-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00064_zpsde2e74ce.jpg)
"Okay, ready to breach? Go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00065_zps295d7160.jpg)
"Mechtoid and friends!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00066_zps4ff290d1.jpg)
"Damn, damn-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00067_zps6f90d336.jpg)
"I have him. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00068_zps95d161e9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00069_zps62c245ec.jpg)
"Enioch!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00070_zps856aa213.jpg)
Warning, warning Enioch's vitals have gone wonky.
"****! Pull back, pull back, get away from him!"
"Not quite far enough!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00071_zps14d2e4a5.jpg)
"Oh for ****'s sake-HEAVY FLOATERS!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00072_zps41468a18.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00073_zpsecbb9dbf.jpg)
"Dammit I wish I had a second damn blaster bomb right now!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00074_zpscca99d8f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00075_zps20d99c86.jpg)
"I have this one. Suffer!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00076_zps951e9f3c.jpg)
"MP! I need you to pull Enioch out and away from that door so StarSlayer can get in and kill the Sectoid! Star, stay down; that Chameleon augment means Enioch should just walk right past."
"Copy-whoa!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00077_zps377e648a.jpg)
"Oh this is all bull-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00078_zps16b55481.jpg)
"Returning fire!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00079_zpsb2f70d3e.jpg)
"Merde! Armor breached!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00081_zps37fc9cd9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00080_zpsb660089d.jpg)
"Ryan!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00082_zps96e104c4.jpg)
"I'm okay for now!"
"I have had ENOUGH OF YOU!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00083_zpsc1727656.jpg)
"Annette!"
"That Floater just fired on one of the others!"
"Engaging! Hit two, still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00084_zps80a082ed.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00085_zpsee4d0e01.jpg)
"Copy, I've got this. Activating flamethrower."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00086_zps3d80cb52.jpg)
"Not happy now are you?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00087_zps69e1dc1b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00088_zps7866d034.jpg)
"Christ Star, you better find that hostile!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00090_zps258a6048.jpg)
"Target negated thanks to the, uh, friendly Floater." Also Ralwood pinup.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00089_zps389f0472.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00091_zpsa2a97171.jpg)
"Sectoid located. Firing-terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00092_zpsa35e5bf9.jpg)
Enioch's vitals are returning to normal levels.
There is a second Sectoid.
"Did the Floater just TALK!?"
Engaging. I have missed.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00093_zps1ee09a5e.jpg)
"**** **** ****! Sorry guys, moving back to the fight!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00094_zps34d3e6f2.jpg)
"A pistol? Now? Way too late, punk. Returning fire, target dead."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00095_zps8e9d4993.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00096_zpse7bd1321.jpg)
"The Floater-I lost control of it! Ralwood!"
"You were actually mind-controlling the-****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00097_zps67e306d8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00098_zpsc8fe633d.jpg)
"Burn! Damn, this just isn't powerful enough."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00099_zps4ed2321b.jpg)
"Merde! I missed him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00100_zps87a3a65c.jpg)
"Target is terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00101_zps5dbf48c6.jpg)
"What the hell's that?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00102_zpsb539ef56.jpg)
A fusion reaction, Ryan. I would avoid shooting near it.
"Copy Doc."
"Okay, let's fix some of this crap."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00103_zps1d40eaea.jpg)
"Cloakers!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00104_zpsa8f1053e.jpg)
"Popping a mine...no explosions. Damn, they've moved."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00105_zps9250e292.jpg)
"THERE!" Awfully Dead Alien Syndrome: Revengeance.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00106_zps093d9853.jpg)
"GOT THE OTHER!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00108_zps82666c8d.jpg)
"Central, Strike. Mission complete. Send in the cleanup crew. Annette's going to-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00109_zps635c4055.jpg)
"Non!"
"Shush. Annette's going to need a medic. And another eval. She mind-controlled one of them."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00110_zpsc281a6c3.jpg)
So Annette can mind-control people.
I think it's time for another soul-searching session in the cantina at this point. Still...she was in very bad shape when she did it, which might have affected her ability...in either direction. We really don't understand psionics that well, and the field reports suffer from a trying-to-describe-yellow-to-the-blind problem. Star's seems to be best at explaining things, but only just.
-
We have a couple of missions before I start switching over to mostly rookie teams to train them up before testing for psykers.
And then there's a minor detour because Burning EXALT To The Ground.
But if your character hasn't appeared recently, expect them to do so before the end of the weekend. Unless they're a Colonel already.
Also, I can confirm that Site Recon dropped for our November Council mission, so if you feel this Let's Play has been lacking in Chryssalids...don't worry.
-
i am a sexy cybernetic god of war
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r033/2013-12-24_00091_zpsa2a97171.jpg)
Any chance I could get that in a higher resolution to use as a wallpaper? :P
-
Please see attached attachment, if this works.
[attachment deleted by an evil time traveler]
-
Please see attached attachment, if this works.
Awesome. Thank you!
-
At the moment we're kicking so much arse that it's hard to believe that anything can stop us.
Then again X-Com has the habit to smack to the face when you least expect it.
-
I came really, really close to having to field-court-martial Enioch last time, to be fair. If they'd mind-controlled someone from the other group, welp.
-
Then again X-Com has the habit to smack to the face when you least expect it.
Not as much as you'd think, nuXCOM has problems with snowballing towards victory in the late game.
-
"We are confident you will handle this matter with... discretion."
(http://www.annecoale.com/pics/xcommec)
-
Commander, I swung down to medical and brain stormed with Major Durand after the docs stopped fussing with her. We're pretty confident that all our psy troopers are capable of mind control if we focus the development of our gift that way. I think we intrinsically knew it was possible, but it hasn't been till now that Annie was bull**** enough to try it. Best part of all, in the future we won't even need to take a plasma round through the armor to do it. Seems like the gift opens up new paths of development the more we utilize it. Mind control is going to open up some rather interesting tactical options especially if we have multiple psy operatives...
-
Not as much as you'd think, nuXCOM has problems with snowballing towards victory in the late game.
True that
-
Terror attack in India.
Scramble the Firestorms and Strike. Inform India to keep the MKIs out of our hair, they probably can't tell the difference between a Firestorm and alien tac air.
Operation Lazy Star, Mumbai, India, 2:39 AM September 20th
Deployed: Micheal "Gipsy D" Sanderson (MEC-3, mission commander), Mongoose "Strobe" (heavy), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Droid803 "Scotch" (support), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops), TwentyPercentCooler
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00111_zpsbe1448a8.jpg)
"India again?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00112_zpse6a64448.jpg)
"Uh, I think you're the only one who was around for the first time, Mike."
"He's got a point, though. They really don't like the subcontinent."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00113_zps55284e53.jpg)
Strike, Sky, landing in 3, 2, 1-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00114_zps90d18822.jpg)
"Go!"
"Oh shi-SECTOPOD!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00115_zps3090863d.jpg)
"**** me. Firing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00116_zpsf4bc6bd0.jpg)
"Target is hit! Why do these bastards have to be so hard to kill!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00117_zps88337ce0.jpg)
"Dropped a drone! Christ, he's right next to a civvie!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00118_zps0e4b08a0.jpg)
"Son of a *****, I'm real sick of you robotic cockmonglers ruining my Paladin!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00119_zps1b18fe44.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00121_zps3e103a92.jpg)
"HE'S MARKING A TARGET! MOVE!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00122_zpsb969ce53.jpg)
"That way, GO! Damn, missed it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00123_zps537cd3d6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00124_zpsf5168d57.jpg)
"He's hurt, but not bad!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00125_zps84086137.jpg)
"Merde! Why must it always be Sectopods anyways?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00126_zps309fba55.jpg)
"Christ on a pogo stick! Enioch, you okay?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00127_zpsf95c383c.jpg)
"Armor held, just barely."
"Returning fire. Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00128_zpsa6cb2add.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00129_zps43785127.jpg)
"The damn car's on fire! Move!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00130_zps08661d41.jpg)
"Mutons...oh hell, they're right next to a civvie..."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00131_zps1ff31203.jpg)
"Firing! Winged him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00132_zps18ac9320.jpg)
"Target is negated. Firing on Berserker...damn, he soaked it! SECOND BERSERKER!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00133_zpsffa6fd39.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00134_zpsea8759fe.jpg)
"Firing-I missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00135_zps38656b81.jpg)
"I hit him, but he's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00136_zpsf0485656.jpg)
"Damn, we lost a civvie!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00138_zpsa1462d76.jpg)
"You stupid ****s don't even recognize the real threats."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00139_zpse9ef8ffc.jpg)
"Got the first one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00142_zpsd94632c4.jpg)
"Crap! Paladin functional!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00141_zps8e61c96f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00142_zpsd94632c4.jpg)
Insert Kaboom Here
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00143_zps216352f7.jpg)
"Target is severely injured."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00145_zps25f404b7.jpg)
"I've got him. Berserker stunned."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00146_zpsf352e5c4.jpg)
"Damn, missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00147_zpse2fa1610.jpg)
"I got this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00148_zpsc8fcd68b.jpg)
"You two mind watching where you put your plasma? You damn near killed the civvie."
"Oh come on! Did I bash my rifle against something?! Displease the gods of accuracy?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00149_zps35644af6.jpg)
"Lady, this is not a good place to be!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00150_zps2e44c213.jpg)
"X-ray down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00151_zpsae3ffdf7.jpg)
Strike, Central. We have no more contacts in the AO. Evac the civilians and prepare for possible redeployment.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00152_zps603d0aef.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r034/2013-12-24_00153_zpse080dd0b.jpg)
I am incredibly sick of Sectopods. Their armor is just too good; our weapons are half as effective against them as anything else. Plasrifles just scratch at them; Plas DMR or heavy weapons are necessary to make any kind of real impression, and even then it takes four or more hits.
-
Sectopods and Mind-Control are the only real late game threats. Even MC later becomes fairly trivial unless it's a bonafide Ethereal, and that becomes more of a problem of figuring out which attack he's going to redirect than it is a genuine threat. At least, in my experience that was the case.
-
They're a major pain in the ass but that made Cherno Alpha rocket punching them for the K.O. so much more satisfying.
(http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/720870441778079421/F214865BBCF6489144635D0E836DCB696A5FBE78/)
"До свидания мудак"
-
Ouch, I didn't notice Anette got critically wounded. That Will penalty is not going to do her psychic ability any good.
-
She was Gravely Wounded, she took some hits but didn't need to be stabilized.
-
There has been an incident.
While it didn't effect the savegame, it does mean I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to post probably. Stupid sinks.
-
Okay, so, my wife broke her arm, so I'm basically wiped. But I'm gonna try to keep up again.
"Has anybody considered the EXALT base is actually in Russia, because we keep playing whack-a-mole with Russian cells?"
"That only works if you think they're dumb enough to **** where they eat. Saddle up, people, Star needs us!"
Operation Brutal God, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 7:03 PM October 21st
Deployed: Admiral "Marauder" Ralwood (MEC-3, mission commander), Enioch "Chops" (asault), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops), Gortef "Fire Magnet" (support), Twenty "Alpha" PercentCooler (sniper), CommanderDJ (assault)
On-Site: StarSlayer "Tiradora" (sniper, psy-ops)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00154_zpse97c6ec1.jpg)
"Looks quiet out front."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00156_zps2854352a.jpg)
"The data transmitter's set up in that conference room. The window gives a good field of fire from outside...and to outside. Sorry guys, no perfect answers."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00157_zpse17f1602.jpg)
"Contact! Multiple Exalt!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00158_zps95caaf3c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00159_zpsa7b24cb7.jpg)
"LOTS of contact!"
"Dammit, are you serious!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00160_zps3fd9d581.jpg)
"DJ, down! Damn, no hit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00161_zps5605fdc5.jpg)
"Target is terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00162_zpsf32ae053.jpg)
"I have this one. Finite."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00163_zps445d1343.jpg)
"Hostile medic down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00164_zpsaf943bfa.jpg)
Submitted without comment, because none could make sense.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00165_zps319d1181.jpg)
"We just wasted five of his buddies in an instant, and he stands up?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00166_zpseba2ba4b.jpg)
"Nobody said they were smart, DJ."
"Swing and a miss, sucker. Die."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00167_zps91118271.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00169_zps4f0227c2.jpg)
"Oh I see how it is. Pick on the giant target!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00170_zps8d47c870.jpg)
"Watch your flanks!"
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00172_zpsc1abb90c.jpg)
DJ is doing a really good impersonation of the Master Chief here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00173_zpsb6d28a9d.jpg)
"More of them, coming in through the back!"
Only Gortef is good enough to hit. And Twenty.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00175_zps31c30c5a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00176_zps9ed52935.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00177_zps75b83e06.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00179_zpsb63d5cd6.jpg)
"You. Die."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00181_zps102cddab.jpg)
"They have to know by now, they can't win."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00182_zps299f4565.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00183_zps456f5990.jpg)
"Would that stop us?"
"He just popped smoke!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00184_zps15c898b6.jpg)
Awfully dead EXALT.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00185_zpsf41691c4.jpg)
"More! Jesus, how many are there!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00186_zpsa8b5165c.jpg)
"Does it matter?"
"Oh damn, damn!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00187_zps4ae4040b.jpg)
"Got this one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00188_zpsfc8a3e44.jpg)
"Another from this side!" That was a really weak crit, there...stupid Iron Skin genemod actually matters for once.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00189_zps2bfa4719.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00190_zps0d15088a.jpg)
"No hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00191_zps63f25bde.jpg)
"I got this." Twenty, like a proper ninja, swipes the kill with a pistol shot.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00193_zpsbf3e3176.jpg)
Random car explosion.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00194_zps659ad7dc.jpg)
"Winged him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00195_zps7c727e85.jpg)
"I got this. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00196_zps4feccb8f.jpg)
Strike, Sky, we are negative for contacts. Upload complete.
Strike, this is the Commander. Well done. Return home ASAP.
The Commander was happy. Handed out a lot of promotions.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r035/2013-12-24_00198_zpsd8a27c63.jpg)
Because, for EXALT at least...the end is in sight.
-
Damn that was a lot of fellas in one room. I think we got them right when they were having a tactical meeting or something. And that's when their tactics went down the drain in an instant.
-
This took me way too long. I apologize.
"Well then, are we sure?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00199_zps9c78806e.jpg)
Positive. We've tasked a recon sat to the site as well for the last six hours but I'm not particularly eager to play whack-a-mole much more. We have no idea how easily they could move base.
"Da. EXALT has been trouble long enough by now."
All right. Ignatyeva, assemble a team. Bradford, have the Skyranger prepped and announce training exercises for the Asian Firestorms. We're going to India.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00201_zpsffafa939.jpg)
Operation Fading Mist, Bangalore, India, 9:23pm, October 24th
Deployed: Admiral Ralwood "Maraduer" (MEC-3), Irina Ignatyeva "Casino"(heavy, mission commander), The E "Psycho" (assault), Enioch "Chops" (assault), Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops), Gortef "Fire Magnet" (support)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00200_zpsa2d0af5c.jpg)
Gortef is channeling ODST's Rookie here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00202_zpsf4e41c81.jpg)
Strike, Sky, at drop point.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00203_zps9134c271.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00204_zpsb4c5b90b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00205_zps112eea0c.jpg)
"Dark and stormy night."
"Quiet, Snoopy. Nice rugs, nice wallpaper, nice books...CONTACT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00206_zps4ac0b0d8.jpg)
"Take this you bastards!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00207_zps057c7bb0.jpg)
"How do we score that one?"
"I've got more than enough kills, let Annette have it."
Check out the whole ancient weapons and armor.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00208_zps9e820c60.jpg)
"Hi. Die."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00209_zpsfd879ae9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00210_zps0b1f7223.jpg)
"Target is terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00211_zpsfd800ba2.jpg)
"That furniture looks antique. The books look antique. I'm pretty sure I see a first folio edition of Marlowe over there, maybe the Bronte girls too. How much money did they spend on this place?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00212_zps821ceb9f.jpg)
"Wrong question. How long has EXALT existed?"
"Are you saying this is a raid on the ****ing Illuminati?"
"Fnord."
"Goddammit, E, I did not need to laugh right now!"
"More of them, opposite side!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00213_zpsd6ef9717.jpg)
"Firing-missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00214_zps67af3d9e.jpg)
"ROCKET INCOMING!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00215_zps6542285e.jpg)
"Sound off, damage and injuries!"
"Marauder here, MEC is still good to go."
"Gortef, no breach."
"Durand, no breach."
"Ralwood! GET DOWN! Target dead!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00216_zpsf7665a09.jpg)
"Gortef!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00217_zps498a5e45.jpg)
"Armor is breached, ****!"
"Dammit, stop living up to your name!"
"They must have missed me, they even have a pinup. Firing. Two down." Seriously, check out Annette's picture on the wall there in most of these shots.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00218_zps0aee4e56.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00219_zpsd5c83a22.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00220_zps72de3fbe.jpg)
"I've got more of them and...son of a *****, they even stole our hologlobe?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00221_zps94026486.jpg)
"And you, die too."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00222_zpsa2cdc419.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00223_zps212430a3.jpg)
"Scratch target."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00224_zps8d0df06d.jpg)
"One remaining."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00225_zps17243a2b.jpg)
"No, way more than one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00226_zps98584dce.jpg)
Told you they stole the hologlobe.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00227_zpscddc7903.jpg)
"Target hit. Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00228_zps646ddddd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00229_zpsd55a65eb.jpg)
"Scratch one."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00230_zpsae41704b.jpg)
"Gortef!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00231_zps2f0e34d2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00232_zps72f2a879.jpg)
"I'm all right, I'm all right."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00233_zpsc43a4b6e.jpg)
"More on the far side!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00234_zps642aeaa8.jpg)
"Target terminated. Also, jesus man, the internet is not for porn in that way. Firing on second target-no hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00235_zps1099b8f3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00236_zpsf27caac4.jpg)
"Kill!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00237_zpsf0834e12.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00238_zps5e338e91.jpg)
"Dammit Gortef!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00239_zps2e711fc2.jpg)
"Patching you up, Gortef."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00240_zps5df3b9f6.jpg)
"Firing! Merde, no hit. Resighting...target is down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00241_zps301cf9d0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00242_zps886c3d86.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00243_zps1dca3b62.jpg)
"Okay. Police the bodies and weapons, then the computer gear, then the art stuff. If it's actually worth money, we might as well save it."
"Forget money, some of this stuff is cultural-treasure-priceless."
Strike, this is the Commander. I'm authorizing anyone who wants a tigerskin rug to pick one up, just this once. Save one for me.
"...did he really just say that?"
"I think he did."
"I think I'm in love."
"One, the Commander's married. Two, you're not actually that crazy. Start packing, Durand."
"Command, we're done here. Placing charges. Alert local fire-rescue on my mark."
Awaiting your confirmation, Strike.
"Mark."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00244_zps64d00ee8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00245_zps2dbf3078.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00247_zps37d566f7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r037/2013-12-24_00248_zps33c6f5bc.jpg)
And that's it. We win. EXALT loses. We recovered a huge amount of expensive art and literature from the EXALT base. They weren't quite The Illuminati like was suggested, but they clearly predated the alien invasion by a century or two. We have no idea quite how deep their influence actually ran, yet, but we have their computer systems so we can probably start guessing.
Their problem seems to have been that they represented no one of governmental authority. Rich folks, corporations, I'm sure the Occupy movement would have loved this, but unfortunately when you back the government against the wall and force it to fight for its life, the whole corporatist state analogy falls apart. Everybody wants to live. We are the means and the mechanism by which humanity will do so, and so HLPX-COM can deputize every intelligence agency in the world on a whim and get results that even the richest couldn't hope for.
They still hid themselves remarkably well for all that. Just not well enough. The covert operations division of HLPX-COM was formally shut down the day after the mission. We're back to fighting aliens alone.
Was nice of them to donate all that stuff to our rec room on base, though. I gather the Commander is quietly arranging for museums to take possession of some of the more significant bits of cultural heritage, and putting the stuff that can actually be valued, as opposed to being beyond price, in a vault against the day we might need the cash.
-
Personal log, Colonel Jason "Marauder" Ralwood.
Scratch two.
callback (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=86067.msg1722901#msg1722901)
-
If I get a nickname Fire Magnet then it's up to me and only me to honor that merit.
I just wished honoring a name would not hurt this much.
-
Okay where the **** were we? Oh yeah.
UFO over the central US, scout-sized. Scramble Demon-2.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-24_00253_zps280149b8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-24_00254_zpsd70895a8.jpg)
Firing fusion lance. Target down in flames.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-24_00255_zps17093d70.jpg)
Anette, take some of the less-experienced troopers. It's a small and our reserves could use the exercise.
Operation Brutal Stroke, Kansas, United States, 9:00pm local time
Present: Colonel Annette Duran (sniper, psy-ops), Captain "Fire Magnet" Gortef (support), Lieutenant Shaojie "Chilong" Zhang (heavy), Sergeant Twenty "Alpha" PercentCooler (sniper), Corporal CommanderDJ (assault), Squaddie Herra Tohtori (heavy)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-24_00256_zps1880a479.jpg)
"Well, the giant skid mark probably matches their pants."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-24_00258_zpsd0f54a17.jpg)
"Most of them don't wear pants. Some of them don't even ****."
"I sincerely hope the second group and the first are the same."
"Floater! Contact down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00001_zps474154cf.jpg)
"Cloaky bastards!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00002_zpse23452c4.jpg)
"Cloak before you move, genius. One down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00003_zps3bc48deb.jpg)
"Scratch two!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00004_zps82653d26.jpg)
"Nice shot DJ."
"Sectoids in the ship, red ones!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00005_zps5d1c2239.jpg)
"Ouch!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00006_zps6035bce0.jpg)
Strike, warning, warning, Herra's vitals just went wonky.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00007_zps9322d618.jpg)
"One target down. Somebody get the other one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00008_zps0c177c49.jpg)
"No hit, no hit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00009_zps16d85d1e.jpg)
"Holy ****! We gotta-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00010_zps93cab483.jpg)
"DJ! GET IT TOGETHER!"
"Oh man, Herra's firing on me, this **** is for the birds."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00011_zpse82b2211.jpg)
"Dammit, missed!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00014_zps6bfd585c.jpg)
"Firing suppressive."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00013_zps7a979274.jpg)
"No hit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00012_zps29ab764f.jpg)
"Armor not breached. Still good to go."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00015_zps846c8387.jpg)
"Hit him, but he's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00016_zpsee8e48d9.jpg)
"Going closer-CHRIST! Somebody suppress Herra already!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00017_zps0eced1d0.jpg)
"Target terminated."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00018_zpsf5306e76.jpg)
"Welcome back to the right side, Herra."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00019_zps85f540be.jpg)
"Ah ****. Really?"
"Really. God knows why you get promoted for that."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r043/2013-12-28_00020_zpsc4c3b883.jpg)
-
Due to the risk of being turned into a charcoal briquette by wildfires burning in San Diego, updates may not happen at the pace I, or most people, would like. I will attempt to keep you informed of my in-flames/not-in-flames status.
-
Nice to see that this is alive again! :)
-
Hey it's a promotion for succesfully not killing any allies while being controlled. Perhaps HT kept it at least somewhat together.
-
First, some housekeeping matters.
Doctor Vahlen's new hyperwave decoder toy nearly blew up the base.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00001_zpsce3b6b3b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00002_zps4ea4ee58.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00003_zps1d5ad9b9.jpg)
Uh, Doctors-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00004_zpsc56fcc2d.jpg)
Just wait!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00005_zpse235c63f.jpg)
Stress on the main shaft is getting high, we're going to lose it-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00006_zpsb37ccc35.jpg)
That's it, I'm shutting it down-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00007_zps3161dfb6.jpg)
JUST WAIT!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00008_zps8e1d6fc0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00009_zps4359150c.jpg)
Vibration's dropping, it's within normal limits now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00010_zps4372a36e.jpg)
We're getting data, it's coming up in the main command center now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00011_zps5546092f.jpg)
Second, Japan asked us for some of our alien-specialized flashbangs. We don't use them; during the time periods we would have found them valuable, standard frag was more effective. However, they're cheap, and Japan was offering us more than they cost, so we sent them along.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r048/2013-12-31_00044_zpsf22bb3f6.jpg)
Apparently they've been quite successful.
And then, there was the last ride of the Interceptors.
We have a UFO over the central US/Canada border. Scramble Demon-3 and the Interceptors; we might as well fight them one last time.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r049/2013-12-31_00045_zps6b9f1542.jpg)
None of them, however, actually got close enough to the ship to engage; it outran them. Demon-3 had sole honors.
Central, Scotty. Scratch one. One round expended. Remaining on station. Interceptor pilots are requesting permission to strafe, since it's the last time they'll get to fire their guns.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r049/2013-12-31_00046_zps2525ecac.jpg)
Scotty, Central. Permission granted. Strike is outbound.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r049/2013-12-31_00047_zpsf95da107.jpg)
NEXT TIME:
Operation Lazy Father, US/Canada Border, 6:28pm
Present: Colonel Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops), Captain "Fire Magnet" Gortef (support), Lieutenant "Ravana" BritishShivans (support), Lieutenant Twenty "Alpha" PercentCooler (sniper), Sergeant "Twitch" CommanderDJ (assault), Corporal Herra Tohtori (heavy)
Someone whack me if I don't have it up by midnight.
-
Ooh, it's time to get back into action again, eh? Good, good.
I just hope that this vacation has not made us rusty.
-
Flashbangs are the single greatest thing on God's green, alien murdering earth. You should always use them, mostly because they totally **** with enemy move speed. They are the anti-'lid.
-
And with enemy move speed reduced so drastically, makes getting those low HP bastards arc'd
-
Operation Lazy Father, US/Canada Border, 6:28pm
Present: Colonel Annette Durand (sniper, psy-ops), Captain "Fire Magnet" Gortef (support), Lieutenant "Ravana" BritishShivans (support), Lieutenant Twenty "Alpha" PercentCooler (sniper), Sergeant "Twitch" CommanderDJ (assault), Corporal Herra Tohtori (heavy)
"Okay folks, we've done this before. Fifteen seconds."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00048_zps2dfa3420.jpg)
"Down and locked! Go!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00049_zps9bf6b6db.jpg)
"We got hostiles! Big red bastards!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00050_zps879bc496.jpg)
"****! No hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00051_zps474ec7a1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00052_zps8bedc0a6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00053_zpsbdc8bbca.jpg)
"Scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00054_zps327795cf.jpg)
"Still missing this other one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00055_zps83dfca65.jpg)
"TWENTY, GET YOUR DAMN-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00056_zps555d8699.jpg)
"****! Armor held, just barely!"
"Christ, patch yourself up! Suppressing fire!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00057_zps01ed6fa0.jpg)
"Suppressing!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00058_zps0a2512e7.jpg)
"I have had enough of this-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00059_zpsa65bb66d.jpg)
"-****, DO YOU HEAR ME?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00060_zpse9febd8e.jpg)
"He's dead, BritishShivans. I don't think he hears anything right now."
"Moving forward-we got us another one! He's headed your way!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00061_zps10fb38d4.jpg)
"Firing-merde! He's still up!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00062_zps131b099b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00063_zpscb1d7798.jpg)
"Miss! ****, Twenty-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00064_zps4775d812.jpg)
"Didn't even try for me. He was after Herra."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00065_zpsa12f4235.jpg)
"Oh I am so sick of this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00066_zps08ec160e.jpg)
"You use the heavy gun like this. Two hands!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2013-12-31_00067_zpsc2f7eb44.jpg)
"Move in on the ship. Clear the aft area."
"Well, we're clear, checking the other side-oh, ****."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00001_zpse566f236.jpg)
Understatement of the year award.
"Got the drone!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00002_zps05d394b4.jpg)
"THAT REALLY DOESN'T HELP WITH THE GIANT DEATH ROBOT!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00003_zpsbecaf52c.jpg)
"Oh shi-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00004_zps2484c60e.jpg)
"OW! Dammit, I felt that! Armor not breached but I'm pretty toasty here!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00005_zps1f78decd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00006_zps5e9086db.jpg)
"FOCUS FIRE!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00007_zpse027ff04.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00008_zps638d8d26.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00009_zpse9c5568a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00010_zps0d0e170d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00011_zps0f1c945d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00012_zps2e3e443d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00013_zps124fee6c.jpg)
"Herra, don't-"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00014_zps9370f153.jpg)
"I got it!"
"They blow up, Herra."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00015_zpsfac6a89c.jpg)
"Armor's not breached. Doesn't matter. Patchup time."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00016_zps7695d7ac.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00017_zpsf8207d17.jpg)
"Oh look, the SecMec crew. You guys are NOTHING."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00018_zps83986f69.jpg)
"Someday, I want them to play Pistolero for me dammit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00019_zpsdac4274c.jpg)
"Another time, perhaps, Twenty."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00020_zps29be7835.jpg)
"Incoming! Get down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00021_zpsbd3594ab.jpg)
"Mechtoid's hurt. DJ, you got this?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00022_zps6e7f22b8.jpg)
"I got this. Mechtoid down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00023_zpsc51a2bdb.jpg)
Strike, warning, warning, Twenty's vitals just went wonky!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00024_zps527a8a46.jpg)
"It ain't going to matter. Arc up! Sectoid stunned!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00025_zpsedec03fd.jpg)
"Two more, in the bridge!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00026_zps46482317.jpg)
"Oh come on, I can see his brains through his skull!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00027_zpsdbade903.jpg)
"I did not need to know that, Herra!"
"You little bastards, do you think that will stop me?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00028_zpsb2a59dc3.jpg)
"Scratch one!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00029_zps1b71727b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00030_zps3ca08e5c.jpg)
"Target down."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00031_zpsac74e5a6.jpg)
"Third target down. You missed one in the corner."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00032_zps97037f39.jpg)
Strike, Sky, no contacts remaining.
"Copy Sky."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00033_zps32407ba8.jpg)
"Returning to base, Control. No injuries. Armor's going to need a lot of work though."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r050/2014-01-03_00034_zps3abd86a9.jpg)
Next time: the overseer UFO. After that...one more mission until Site Recon. ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CHRYSSALIDS, GENTLEMEN!?
-
You have plasma and flying suits. Chryssalids are literally totally helpless against both of those things.
-
You have plasma and flying suits. Chryssalids are literally totally helpless against both of those things.
Well, that rather depends on how I play the mission, and I may have a horrible urge to watch the whale.
-
Actually, come to think of it... if your entire team has jetpacks, you could literally just float and build up an insane body count
-
So, there was a Sectopod literally in my face. And I survived.
Good.
-
You go to the SectoPod and give them the "Cold Stare". I lowers their morale and makes them more vulnerable.
Or not...
-
i gave them the ol' ravana stare
it confused the sectopod and made it stay nice and still so the squad could shoot it to death piecemeal
-
i gave them the ol' ravana stare
it confused the sectopod and made it stay nice and still so the squad could shoot it to death piecemeal
I'm now picturing that being a thing in JAD.
"RAVANA STARE!" and then someone copypastes the "IMMA FIRING MAH LASER" over the Ravana's beams firing.
-
Poke
Poke poke
Stop being such a tease dammit
-
Hold your horses. I had to sort out some graphics card issues. I should have at least two missions up over the weekened as I don't have Palomar commitments.
-
Here's one. We'll see if I finish playing Site Recon, but my guess is no.
Tracking a single target at very high speeds, I don't think the Interceptors can catch this one. Scramble Demon-3.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00035_zpsb98dd1d4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00036_zps9884b6fe.jpg)
Control Scotty, target is down. Minor damage to the bird.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00037_zps7ffb9248.jpg)
The decoder says something...new, sir. I think. May be a translator glitch?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00038_zps5a193660.jpg)
Doubt it. Scramble Strike. I want a heavy team on deck; we've never seen one of these Etherals before. Bring it back alive if they can.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00041_zps8c8631e8.jpg)
Strike outbound.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00042_zpsce888f64.jpg)
Operation Twisted Hammer, Southwestern United States, 5:45am local
Present: Colonel "Spike" MP-Ryan (assault, psy-ops), Colonel The "Psycho" E (assault), Colonel "Chops" Enioch (assault), Colonel Euclidian "Spitfire" Geometry (assault), Colonel "Walker" Trashman (sniper), Colonel "Polly" Polpolion (support).
"Okay folks, we know there are Sectopods and Muton Heavies on site, so this isn't going to be easy. If it's new and you don't recognize it, we'll try to stun it. Otherwise, put it down hard."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00043_zps4faece0a.jpg)
"You said something about Sectopods?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00044_zps5c7119ce.jpg)
"Christ! Grab cover and bring it down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00045_zpsd2047a0a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00046_zps537f1390.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00047_zps56095dfb.jpg)
"God, I hate these things! Somebody get the drones."
"On it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00048_zpsc9562b8c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00049_zpseaef7967.jpg)
"You've missed! What the hell, man? Do I have to do everything?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00050_zps6f82732e.jpg)
"GET DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00051_zps00bccc1e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00052_zpsf8689f05.jpg)
"Since when did they overdrive like a damn MEC!?"
"What, you think the aliens will stay forever dumb? No such luck."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00053_zps40ee3614.jpg)
"Heavy Floaters on the other flank!"'
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00054_zps345b6208.jpg)
"Getting the drones."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00055_zpsa51e35bc.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00056_zps816b1dd1.jpg)
"You know, at some point I expect them to give up at this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00057_zps189365cf.jpg)
"How many times have we shot at this thing?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00058_zpsdfe20737.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00059_zpsb054c5a9.jpg)
"You don't count with Sectopods, MP. Moving in! Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00060_zpsf05029fd.jpg)
"Could use some help with these Floaters now!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00062_zps027122d8.jpg)
"Not even close."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00065_zps28b1b029.jpg)
"Armor not breached-woah!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00066_zps7b830403.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00067_zps271c40c7.jpg)
"Nightie night."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00069_zpsc103647d.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00070_zpsc4e4ac3d.jpg)
"Muton heavies!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00071_zps0b80018b.jpg)
"Enioch, get DOWN!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00072_zps80b6ef13.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00073_zpsa394c2a2.jpg)
"Armor held!"
"No hits!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00074_zpsf4ea8bac.jpg)
"I hate this rifle. I want a better rifle, dammit."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00075_zps4ad30e70.jpg)
"At least you can hit something, damn sabots don't fly true!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00076_zps44cef275.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00077_zps050e95e7.jpg)
"No kill. Bah."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00078_zps11474e2e.jpg)
"Burn!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00079_zps1785d8ed.jpg)
"Other side's clear! They had a lot of power generation on this thing."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00082_zps69f2c165.jpg)
"Ow! ****!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00084_zpsa86289e9.jpg)
"Armor breached?"
"No."
"Target is sleeping."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00085_zps89c9bb6f.jpg)
"What is that?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00086_zps69d50df9.jpg)
"Never mind! What is that!?"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00087_zps1cf63d78.jpg)
"Something to stun! Move in!"
"Dammit!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00088_zpsa1e5a133.jpg)
"Target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00089_zpse74de08c.jpg)
"Target injured-target down!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00090_zps38110721.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00091_zps92247609.jpg)
"Hit him!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00092_zpsf94f0ee3.jpg)
"He's...uh, he doesn't have a gu-whoa!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00093_zpsf32a4731.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00094_zpsf769306e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00095_zps5f9d2ee8.jpg)
Strike, warning, warning, Trash's vitals have gone wonky.
"Polpolion! Give me one good hit!"
"Got it!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00096_zpsa31cee41.jpg)
"Target stunned!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00097_zps9a32a852.jpg)
"Central, Strike, the docs will want to see this."
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00098_zpsb1155cb2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00099_zpsf35ab0c2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00100_zpsa22e6ec8.jpg)
Ideas, Doctors?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00101_zps4855bd7e.jpg)
None at all, Commander.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00102_zpsb267f70c.jpg)
Commander, Doctors, we've got a situation up here!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00103_zps083d6f07.jpg)
What?
We've got massive tidal disruptions and reports of atmospheric disturbances near Brazil, and-satellites are...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00104_zpsb22873e2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00105_zpsaedd7c15.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00106_zps29b7844b.jpg)
I'm guessing that earthquake was related.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00107_zps3d38b7a9.jpg)
Sir. That ship's causing significant tidal forces, we're getting reports of massive disasters around South America.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00108_zpsa1b3b34c.jpg)
I don't think we have anything in the world's arsenal that could scratch that ship. It's larger than some of the Council nations.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00109_zps3819d761.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/ngtm1r/ngtm1r051/2014-01-03_00110_zps5e6b0aca.jpg)
-
We might actually see the completion of this one!
Long time coming NGTM, long time coming :P