Undefined Fantastic Object: Enemy Unknown (Let's Play X-COM!)

[Kasu]

PLEASE tell me we have the resources needed for a base raid.

[Hanzo K.]

Agreed, we gotta take out their base, ASAP.
We take out the base, and the US will go back to paying us.

And if that's no good, call in an airstrike.
BOMB THOSE GUYS!
SHOOT AND BOMB! SHOOT AND BOMB!

[mad]

Can we air- strike it before we enter or is it ground only?

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Can we air- strike it before we enter or is it ground only?

It looks like the base is subterranean and sheltered against air attacks; additionally, we do not have any aircraft with air-to-ground capability, and it's unlikely we're going to be able to obtain the assistance of other nations for such an attack.

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Research division has just finished work on one of our most significant projects, the vehicle-mounted laser cannon.



The laser cannon doesn't require ammunition like conventional armor-piercing cannons. However, its limited range makes it a poor weapon in air-to-air combat, meaning it will not replace the Avalanche.



In ground combat, however, the new weapon excels. The laser cannon is more powerful than either the armor-piercing cannon or the rocket launcher used by our HWPs, without the need for expensive and space-consuming ammunition and the risk of collateral damage.



Plans for both the interceptor-based and HWP-based laser systems have been given to manufacturing division. They are currently occupied, but work will begin on at least one laser-based HWP as soon as possible.



Research division believes they can make one more variation of the laser weapon to create an anti-air defense for our bases. This is not being pursued right now; right now, we need to be on the offensive, and this requires us to reverse-engineer alien equipment and develop new weapons.

[Kasu]

HELL YEAH.

You got yer wish Hanzo.

*high-fives*

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

An alien craft was detected by radar over the Atlantic. Multiple interceptors were scrambled, bringing it down on the shores of Brazil.




Another small craft was spotted over the Atlantic. It was too small to pose any threat, so rather than shoot it down, it was decided to pursue it with the Skyranger and wait for it to land. However, we lost tracking west of South America.





Manufacturing division was able to start on the new laser-based HWPs, and completed them in a surprising four days.





Research division has also been busy, reverse-engineering one of the alien weapons. From their summary, it appears to propel superheated matter using an Elerium-powered antigravity field. However, we will not be able to use or manufacture these for ourselves until we finish analyzing the ammunition system.




Radar picked up a large craft at both of the alien bases; they seem to provide supplies. If we are able to time our raids based on these supply shipments, we may be able to obtain significant amounts of alien technology for ourselves.



What we had already assumed partway through the month was confirmed at the beginning of June; the United States had allied with the aliens and withdrawn their support from the project. However, the rest of the world is willing to continue assisting us.

With us now starting to understand the alien weapons and our own weapons becoming more advanced, everything is starting to fall into place for an assault on one or both of the alien bases. At long last, we will be able to strike a major blow against the invaders.

[Kasu]

Sweet.  Things seem to be going well.

In all honesty though, I think we should target the U.S. base first.

[ES-Anthy]

Sweet.  Things seem to be going well.

In all honesty though, I think we should target the U.S. base first.

I agree with this, also I'm renaming my tank to Gainger Zeta

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

The new HWPs (dubbed Alpha Striker and Gainger Zeta by our operators) have been sent on their first field operation.



Judging by these results, they seem to be doing very well.




Pacific Watch and Americom have received additional interceptors. We can now regularly patrol both the Atlantic and Pacific.



The new lab at Firstlight is complete. However, we do not have the money to procure new research staff.



To cover our funding shortfalls, we have decided to start the manufacture and sale of advanced weapons systems. As the aircraft-based laser cannon is otherwise useless to us, we are producing it for sale to interested parties.

[Kasu]

Wait...  Two aliens killed with three corpses recovered?

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Wait...  Two aliens killed with three corpses recovered?

One was killed by the crash of the craft. It tends to happen when our Interceptors blow up the engine.

[Kasu]

One was killed by the crash of the craft. It tends to happen when our Interceptors blow up the engine.

Oh.  I got a little confused there.   :3

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

We continue to recover crashed alien craft with little problem.





Research division has finished reverse-engineering another alien weapon. While the ?plasma pistol? is more powerful and accurate than the laser pistol we currently use, this does not outweigh the laser's extremely rapid rate of fire and the fact it does not require ammunition.



We encountered a new alien species, tentatively referred to as ?Jade?. We were able to capture the sole specimen we encountered alive, with no casualties other than a downed HWP. Manufacturing division has already prepared its replacement.

[Kasu]

Downed HWP?  What happened?

[Doll.S CUBE]

Hey what difficulty are you playing this on?

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Downed HWP?  What happened?

We were using it as cover to move agents in towards the Jade and it got shot at.

Hey what difficulty are you playing this on?

Due to a bug in the game, it defaults to the easiest difficulty regardless of which one you actually select.

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

We continue to detect, shoot down, and recover alien crafts without incident.

In addition, our research division has made two significant accomplishments.





While it's referred to by the ?heavy plasma? due to its relative size in comparison to the plasma pistol and rifle, this weapon is actually remarkably lightweight, weighing similarly to rifles of Earth origin. Its power, accuracy, lightweight size, and rate of fire means it will likely become our new primary weapon, replacing the laser rifle.





Research division has also finished replicating the design of alien spacecraft. They plan to develop a new interceptor craft from this design.

With us gaining a greater knowledge of the alien weapons and technology, our advantage is growing larger. We should be ready to make an assault on one of the alien bases by the end of this month.

[Kasu]

HELL YEAH INTERCEPTORS!

I hope we get some of those clips for all the great weaponry we're researching.

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Our interceptors, field agents, and HWP operators continue to work reliably on bringing down and bringing in alien ships.




We've received two new batches of research staff, doubling the size of our research division.



Research division has compiled a report based on interrogation and observation of one of the aliens we have captured.



The aliens we know as ?Grays? refer to themselves as Sectoids. They operate in a hierarchy, with rank determined by one's psychic abilities; we can now confirm that higher-ranking ones are capable of mind control.



Using the intelligence we have obtained, research division hopes to find the source of the alien invasion.



A supply ship has landed at the alien base in the Phillipines. Despite the best work of our scientists, the reverse-engineered alien weapons are not yet ready for battlefield deployment and the month is almost over.



Even though our advantage is not as large as it could be, we are going after the aliens on their turf. We're sending the best personnel and the best equipment we have available.

[Kasu]

And so it begins.

[Doll.S CUBE]

Lets hope all goes well here.

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

The team from Firstlight arrived at the base shortly after the supply ship left, splitting into two groups.




KUSANAGI: I'm on the east side of the base with Zengar and Anthony's HWP. I take it everyone else is at the west entrance?



CHAORE: Correct.
HANZO: I'm moving out.
KUSANAGI: Confirmed.



HANZO: We've got an Indigo over here... damn, missed.



ANTHONY: What the HELL is with these caves?



HANZO: We've got a Bull here too, looks like it's far enough away that it's not a real threat.
CHAORE: Okay, Chaser and I are coming down.



CHAORE: Okay, Bull is down.

KUSANAGI: Anthony, are we clear on our end?
ANTHONY: Yeah, it's safe to move out.






CHAORE: I took care of that Indigo that got away for you, Hanzo.



HANZO: Are you sure it wasn't this one?





DOLL SOLDIER: Hey, what about this one?



CHAORE: Okay, looks like we're clear, prepare to advance.



HANZO: Damn, I think something snuck up on me. Turret and targeting system seem to be pretty messed up.



CHAORE: I think I found that ?something?.




HANZO: Careful, something almost snuck up on you there.



CHAORE: Okay, so this must be the control center. Proceed with caution.



ANTHONY: I've already fired so many rockets in this corridor I think I blew aliens up after they were already dead, so what's one more?



HANZO: Okay, I'm sending the HWP into the center. Who knows what's in here... aliens that make zombies, aliens with mind control, maybe aliens that make zombies that can mind control...



HANZO: Or maaaybe just aliens with a ton of explosives. What's plan B?
MADNESS CHASER: Kill them before they reload.



MADNESS CHASER: This one has the biggest gun, I'm taking it down first!



ACIDUS: To your right!





CHAORE: Okay, we're clear up here. Mop up any survivors and we'll get a team to blow the place up.



ANTHONY: I got your survivors riiiiight heeere...





DOLL SOLDIER: Damn, one of them's still alive!
CHAORE: Hold on. It's dropped it's weapon and it's too wounded to put up much resistance. Just wait for Zengar to get here with the stun rod and we'll take it into custody.



ANTHONY: Well, one of them just blew itself up. Way to kill my fun.



ZENGAR: Sorry to keep you waiting! There was so much smoke downstairs, it's like the whole place just blew up or something...

[END TRANSMISSION]



This mission was an unprecedented success. Not only have we shut down the alien base, we have recovered a significant amount of alien technology and captured another live alien.




We have also recovered what appears to be another alien weapon and its ammunition. Judging by its size, it looks to be incredibly powerful.



Needless to say, our backers are incredibly satisfied. While the United States is still committed to its pact with the aliens, everyone else has upped our funding. And in just in time too, since the research division takes a LOT of money to operate now.

[Kasu]

Heh.  Hell yeah.

I'm so glad we have the HWPs.

[ES-Anthy]

Yep, this is what those alien scumbags get for messing with EARTH. Also Gainger Zeta is awesome and needs a paintjob BV

[Doll.S CUBE]

Dibs on the Blaster Launcher.

[Hanzo K.]

Heh, I vanish from the site for a few days and things go swimmingly.

I'm glad that we got the HWP-mounted lasers. 
But that new weapon we found has me interested....I wnder if there's a way to use it to make our HWPs even more powerful?

And the lines I had in the last mission? Perfect.
" Who knows what's in here... aliens that make zombies, aliens with mind control, maybe aliens that make zombies that can mind control..."
*insert beat panel here*
" Or maaaybe just aliens with a ton of explosives. What's plan B?"

I'd say that perfectly showcases my personality, but we could do with more bizarre observations on my part though.
But whatever works folks.

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Even after our victory in the Philippines, we haven't had much time to relax.




Research division's produced an upgraded power suit. The enhanced Elerium core means we can make the armor slightly heavier with no loss in mobility, and incorporating bits of our knowledge of the alien craft means we've been able to add flight capability.




We've established a new base, this time in Africa. Savannah should provide coverage to the southern hemisphere, as well as reinforcing our intercept capability from Firstlight and other bases.



With plans for new interceptor in development, we've decided to retrofit one of our bases to produce them. A manufacturing division is being set up at Americom to produce new craft in-house.








The interception and recovery of alien craft has become effectively routine.]

We're waiting for research division to finish analyzing the alien weapons before going after the alien base in the United States.

[Kasu]

SWEET.  We can fly now! 

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Research division has finished reverse-engineering the power supply for the plasma rifle.



This means two things. First, we can use and produce our own plasma weaponry.



Secondly, now that we know how these weapons work, we can produce a vehicular variant for interceptors and HWPs.



Firstlight's manufacturing division has started production on the new armor.