X-COM Enemy Unknown - Season 3 - JOURNALS

[Rocketbottle]

Journal 1

Rank:Rookie

Name:Samuel Wright

This is my first journal since joining xcom I don't understand why I have to write these but I will. Anyways I will be quick because I want to train. Where to begin oh when they offer me two men in professional suits came into my cell to offer me to join xcom i said yes and the next day the gaurds open my cell and escorted me outside I said good bye to friends in prison on my way up to the helipad. When I reached the helipad i saw somthing unbelievable a VTOL! I said to holy sit is that a VTOL and some of them smiled like i was a kid who saw a new toy. We entered the VTOL and flew away and the people in suits explained why they need me. They explained to me that xcom is a secret response team to Ailean attacks and that my skills would be needed to save man kind. And all I said to that is " so we're the men in black?" And they replied basically. Afther the conversation I finally had a chance to see outside and man time does change when you are in prison I never thought 5 years in prison the world would change anyways we finally reached a base and people were looking at me in a weird way because I arrived into xcom in a prison jumpsuit. I bet that would cause complaints about this base harboring a criminal anyways when i arrive a squad came back from a mission from Australia.
I finally got my room and there was a suitcase filled with clothes to change into and a journal to write in it was dark and I decied to drink some achool. I wonder if I could get a drinking buddy. The next day I woke up and shot targets with a sniper rifle I'm still good but not as good as I used to be so i will do my best to improve. Suddenly there was a siren and every one lined up there was a mission to kill Aileans that was abducting people I didn't get picked but other people did so i practice on my shot and other things and that's we're I end it.


OOC: if any one interested in interacting message me or reply to this post or whatever.

 

[Space Paddy]

Breaking the forth wall here I must admit that it was a hell of a lot of fun to write this. looking forward to next episode Chris. Also apparently my message is too long so I have to break it up, damn 300 characters too long.

New Name: Space Paddy
Rank: Squaddie
Status: Medical Leave
Total Kills since joining XCOM: 1
Total Outings:1

Journal Entry 001

Well out of the frying pan into the fryer literally. I managed to escapes from the doctors tests finally (shrapnel from the IED healed finally). And suddenly have black suits taking me to base. Apparently a new project has been set up called the “Xcom Project”, super classified stuff with all the hush hush. Finally they just gave me a piece of paper and told me to sign. Every one of the higher-ups is telling me to go for it, so why not? They don’t know what it is either but it seems to be big and I'm not one to complain when chosen for super secret projects. So with a tune in my heart and a pen in hand I signed it and handed it over to the suits. They didn’t tell me that I was going instantly though. So I was thrown into a plane I had never seen before (which they called the skyranger) and we were flown off to a “classified location” no time to pack anything not even my toothbrush.
Though the flight was only like 3 hours long. I was defiantly not in Europe or anywhere where I thought I was. Upon landing I was escorted to the engineering wing to be fitted with Armour and a weapon. Just with a quick glimpse of what I passed one could tell the high tech setup the project had running. What could have required an investment like this more importantly who was investing this project? The base was a maze of catacombs covered in polished metal. I would pity anyone that was claustrophobic while not cramped it was clear that we were underground. Engineering though was completely different. It was very open covered with tools and production robots and compared to the hallways that came before it, it was certainly a culture shock epically with the cut stone roof. The two suits handed me to an overly talkative engineer, God listening to him was worse than a dentist, thankfully he was quick with measuring me and finding a suit. Handing me a suit and strapping me in was relatively painless. According to the engineer it was Dragon Skin lased with aluminium-hydro carbons whatever that means. It felt solid though, so I was pretty happy, embroidered on the front was the X-Com Logo (which is a X covering a planet with 3 stars above it ) and the words “vigilo confido” which means to be vigilant or to watch.
Finally with all all the armour on and a nice snug fit I was given my rifle. I must admit I was impressed. The rifle was compact and its kick was stable just enough to keep you on edge but easy to aim in bursts. The reflex sight was the real star of the show; it held tactical information to the sides of the sight like ammo heart rate and squad information. Really fancy tech.
Not soon after I was getting my first debrief. The man giving the presentation was Central Officer Bradford. Things fell into place very quickly then. We were drafted into the Xcom project because we were dealing with an extra-terrestrial threat. Not long ago they dropped devices on major urban centers. The video footage was grizzly people getting trapped in a green aura in never moving again. We were told it plan and simply we were out gunned outnumbered and they tech they had was years ahead of anything we could even dream off. We were the first and last defense for earth and we would have to ensure our species survival. Over us was an enigma who they called Commander Odd. I have never met him but apparently he is the best of the best, and so are we. Then we were given the lowdown on our new mission a train station in Melbourne had been the latest site for an alien abduction. The basics was that we needed to take out the aliens load their corpses up and finally we needed to find their weapons and tech It seemed like a basic snatch and grab job but with et it would seem. Four people including me were chosen for the op I wonder why they chose me for the first mission. I met people in my travels that were better equipped and more skilled. That said I was not complaining. Had we known sooner I would have been the first to enlist. Finally I was introduced to the others in my group. The first that struck me was Booker Conan, typical scumbag that we had to deal with in the peace core. He struck me as a man that could handle himself in a fight but he would know nothing on formations, maintained or following orders. Then there is Presariov from what I gather he’s an assassin, not too sure why we needed one but he can shoot. Fairly well. I don’t think that he will be a combat ready person though. Finally there was Zain a hunter. I have to admit I was nervous being the only person that had any military training that I knew of on the group. For this reason I decided to get on the Skyranger last. So I would be off the ramp first. The flight passed without incident for the most part, little turbulence here and there the flight took only about an hour which shocked me when things went green. All four of us came up with a dismount plan from the get go.
The skyranger would drop the ramp. I would take front with Zain while the other two would check the flanks of the ship Zain would give the all clear while I provided cover in case of fire. Once everyone was off I would dismount and move up with the squad. All considered the disembark went without a hitch quite landing, no resistance. I decided to move up and be the spotter for the mission. Slowly I skulked up to some boxes and peaked my head around. Their were 3 aliens scurrying around. Instantly I called back “Go Hot” Unfortunately I projected my voice too far and one of the aliens caught its black eyes on me and chirped back to the group. They all ran for cover and were gone. Being prudent I checked the group to see if they had my six. Thankfully they were in motion fluidly moving to flank the aliens and watch my six. I prepared my rifle checking it was loaded and waited for one of the aliens to make a move. Out of the corner of my eye I seen one moving towards some boxes. It was a tight shot at the best of times and it failed to hit the bullets flew above its head and careened into the rail car behind them. Oddly the alien wasn’t fazed with metal death flying over its head, and climbed onto the rail car, and scurried away. Just then I noticed one of them squatting behind a metal abduction pod. Thankfully the alien was flanked but whoever was using the gun missed. The alien raised his gun towards his flank and time slowed for me. I could see what he was doing and I grabbed the grenade on my tactical belt and pulled the pin and threw. The grenade flew in a clean arc and connected with the alien’s foot, It looked down at the grenade and evaporated in a pile of alien body parts. With that I had killed my first alien but that was the last thing on my mind. Checking my right I seen two pairs of black eyes one fired at me just moving in time I felt a blinding wave of heat pass where my head had been moments before Green energy hit the box I was hiding behind and it shattered and began to smoulder. The second one fired the moment after, this time there was no dodging the blast. It fired.
White hot pain surged through my chest as the heat of the weapons projectile connected with my chest. Skin around the area charred and burned. The armour took most of the hit but that didn’t change the fact that I was burning. My eyes watered and my skin burned. Everyone knew what had happened. Quickly one began to distract the aliens while someone else threw a grenade and got the bastard that hit me. Vision blurring I managed to crawl to safety. With the sound of war around me eventually I propped myself up on a train carriage and checked the damage. The area that had been hit was square in the middle of my chest blackened and charred like over cooked meat. The heat of the impact had cauterized the wound. I wasn’t able to fight anymore so I sat down and tried to think. My head felt too heavy, my eyes drooped and I slapped the floor with a mighty crack.

 

[Space Paddy]

[Part 2]

My vision returned but now I wasn’t in a dusty train yard. Once again I was in the overly shiny and clean metal hallways. Surrounded by people in white overalls. Tubes were in both my arms pumping multi-coloured liquid into me. Instantly I knew where I was when I smelled the antiseptic and felt the overly dry air. I was in the medic bay. I must admit I had to chuckle at my misfortune I get out of hospitable to join Xcom and after the first mission I was back in again. My neck hurt but too the right of me was Zain he was hit in the stomach but was out cold. A doctor saw I was awake and came over to me. “Hello how are you feeling.” She asked in the overly nice tone I was used to with doctors. “Like shit” I replied “How long am I going to be in here”. The doctor looked at the burn and replied “About two weeks at most”. I couldn’t believe my ears two weeks what I had seen looked like a six month injury “How it’s all charred up?” once again the doctor smiled and said “we treat burns a little differently here”.
And boy was she right. The last few days I have been having this liquid poured onto my burns and getting some painful gel placed onto the burn. But despite the meds it’s been a quick virtually painless heal. They clearly have some of the best doctors money can buy here.
Zain went through the same treatment as me but his burn was what they called a glancing blow and he was out quickly. So for the first two weeks at X-Com I have slept alone in a quiet med bay with only the beep of the medbays heart monitors keeping me company. Despite the peace I have been having, I have been plagued with the most vicious nightmares about the aliens. Their big heads, the jet black eyes, their screams but most of all the green flash of light followed by searing pain. Last night I awoke in cold sweat. Doctors surrounding me their concerned eyes piercing into me. Apparently I was screaming in my sleep.
Today I have spent most of the day in a shrink’s office he was showing me blotting cards and asking me questions of my past. Then the other part of my day has been with the usual treatment. I don’t think I’m going mad. I was asked to write into a journal so that I could vent. Apparently It will help and all the other troops are doing it I just got mine late with the treatment and whatnot. So that’s what I’m doing now writing how I got here. How I my dreams plague me. Here’s hoping that their journal treatment works. Also I got a guest with me tonight another recruit here name is Anja Kjaer she isn’t awake yet apparently she got smashed up really bad on an outing. Hope my screams of terror don’t wake you.

Signing off
Sq. Space Paddy

 

[Gahlo]

Name: Derick "Voodoo 37" Lee
Current Rank: God of the Skies
NCL1

February 27th, 2015
Dear diary. Today, Gina told Becky that she likes Alex, but that slut knows he's mine. Do we have to write these things? Seriously? I thought we were saving the world, not dealing with middle school trivialities.

The Philippines are kicking my ass. Still not used to the time difference and it is -way- too damn hot. On the plus side, due to the urgency, the Docs are a more open on Go/No-Gos. Who cares about ethical and moral debates when survival is on the line. I can get a decent nights sleep now.

I hear we have another round of recruits shipping in soon. Think I'll give them a low altitude greeting. Nothing like creeping up on people faster than the speed of sound and making them shit their pants when you're long gone.

 

[Gahlo]

Name: Derick "Voodoo 37" Lee
Current Rank: God of the Skies
Mission Name: UFO-1
Mission Location: Japan
Mission Objective: Identify UFO & Proceed Accordingly
Payload: Avalanch AMRAAM
Hostile Downed This Mission: 1 Small Alien Craft(001) - Class Unidentified
Hostiles Downed since joining XCOM: 1 Saucer
Status: Pilot- Healthy, Raven 1- Minor Structural Damage

Raven 1- Black Box Recording,
Time-stamp 23:22 local, 13th of March, 2015:
Pilot is fencing in. In the background, hydraulics swivel the catapult skywards.

Voodoo 37: Voodoo 37, requesting go.

The Cat Officer gives the affirmative and the Raven 1 launches. The following 21 minutes are largely uneventful, only idle com chatter.

Voodoo 37: Bogey spotted, confirmed alien craft. Stereotypical saucer shape-

The pilot is cut off by the sound of a large plasma blast ripping through the air, clipping the craft.

Voodoo 37: (highly alert) Shots fired, confirmed Hostile! You want to lead? Lets dance then, Fox 3.

The following engagement is short, spanning roughly 4 seconds. Two more plasma discharges are audible, one connects. Another Fox 3 is called, 2 in total, both connecting.

Voodoo 37: (elated) Ha ha, suck it grays, get out of my sky! Welcome to Earth!

End of Recording,
Time stamp 23:49 local, 13th of March, 2015.

 

[AaronBryant]

Name: Aaron BryantRank: Rookie
Status: Healthy
Total Kills since joining XCOM: 0
Total Outings:0
Aaron-*akward cough* "Computer open audio diary file 001 begin recording"

I am praying, im praying so hard it almost hurts but i know the lord is with me. I asked my fiance to head to Canada She has some family there who can help take care of her. I pray for her to have strength, courage, and gods watchful eye on her. I pray to have those things for myself as well, it may be selfish but i simply want to do my best. When i got here i brought only a few things with me my personal revolver an authentic colt from 1873 with a full-fluted cylinder, my personally forged European longsword (gotta keep my skils sharp haha) a few pictures of Martriese, and finally my bible. It feels odd starting from the bottom of the rung once more i worked hard and had my ass whopped personally time and time again just to get to my first commando mission and then this invasion happened. I heard a loud bell a few hours ago it was for the active recruits the ones the Commander had looked over in the first place. Im anxious but in no hurry for my first shot of combat. After they got back the next bell rand i will watch the vids as soon as im done settling in. Ill include my fellow men and women at arms in my prayers tonight. ....... weird i thought i heard something. I also miss my old DND group they said they would miss there favorite DM when i told them i was leaving hopefully i can find a group willing to play while i am here. Ummmmm thats all i can think to say. I suppose ill put my prayer in the diary too. Now i lay me down to sleep i pray the lord my soul to keep the angels watch me through the night until i wake in morning light, please god watch over humanity in this dark time of need we pray for your strength and the safeguarding of the children who guard the kingdom you have made for man so many years ago that we have perverted and made it what we want. Defend us against all who would oppose your plan and bless the wicked for you yourself commanded us to love thy enemys.

Aaron-"Computer aud-..."
Computer-"hell-.. Command Input"
Aaron- "Computer audio diary file 001 end recording"

 

[Cheesypower]

Name: Big Farmer

Current Rank: Rookie
Status: Healthy
Kills since joining XCOM: 0
Total Missions: 0

If there's one thing about this XCOM project, it's that they spare no expense on anything. Our quarters are shinier and cleaner than anywhere else I've ever been dispatched, and the body armor is beyond anything I've ever seen from any military organization - and I've seen and used most of them. Of course, all the doorways are still the standard eighty inches in height. Meaning I still have to stoop down every time I enter or leave a room. At least they were able to get my armor in the right size. It's also pink. I like innocent little hazing rituals like that; all too easy to forget to laugh at the little things.

I miss the countryside. Not that I wasn't expecting this from a military installation, but... these hallways always feel so cramped. The doorways everywhere certainly don't help. The consistent temperature is a nice change from constant heat, but I miss the smell of fresh dirt and trees.

Aliens? ...I admit, it's a little jarring. I... need to take some time to myself, to compose myself before going out among the others. Need to be calm and collected when making my first impressions, try not to make any stupid mistakes.

One of the names on the roster is Daniel Oudwater... the name rings a bell. Not one of my Kids; I remember my Kids. Hmn... I think it was that operation in Egypt... Yeah, got some new Kids on that one; some Rangers had drawn heat and had to wait it out in my safehouse. The greenest, the one they all called Lil' Joe, was talking about a Daniel Oudwater from some Dutch unit stationed in Iraq. Something about him getting in trouble pretty often or something... The innocent, "run, it da po-po" kind of trouble. ...That sounds worse than it actually is. Anyway, might be a good way to start a conversation with him... or a bad way, depending on how he'd see a stranger asking about his service history.

That girl Anja Kjær took quite a beating. She's gonna be shook up when they let her out of the medbay. I'll have to find her and talk with her. Not that psycho-analysis stuff; they've got people they pay to do that, and she'll probably have to see them anyway. She'll probably be swarmed with people asking if she's all right; that never really makes them feel any better. What she'll need is a conversation; someone willing to sit down casually and just talk about normal things. It doesn't sound like much, but I've found it does wonders for people who've been through a rough patch. Helps them stay grounded, remember the things that matter.

Speaking of which, I am honestly impressed by the concern Commander Odd shows for the troops under his command. The world could use more men like him.

It's late; I should get some sleep. Will update this journal later. When I have something new to report.

Callsign Big Farmer, signing off.

 

[TheMiningNewb]

Journal entry: #1
Name: Zeke Kraven

Subject: A New Home

After signing up for the XCOM program I immediately head to my quarters to hopefully avoid other recruits. It hasn't been but ten minutes and I am already accompanied by the bad memories of all the other military bases. I understand why I haven't been chosen for the first missions already, I mean who would trust a guy who has been discharged from military bases all over the world. My wreckless behavior has killed many innocents in the hope of finding one man. I guess unforgiving chores will build some trust with the Commander. Maybe, just maybe, I can find friends here and hopefully stay alive against unknown threats.

 

[Emil B. Hansen]

Operation Hidden Giant.
Name: Toni Szanches
Rank: Pilot of the Skyranger (my babe)

Agentina. This time I had to fly the crew over the pacific ocean.
This time, four man again.
Conan, a sniper.
Presariov. The heavy. Damn that rocket launcher take up some space back there...
Kjear. A rookie. This is a first mission. A dane I think... I think I have relatives in Denmark.... I wonder if they are fine...
Rumbler. Another rookie. Do not know much about him.

I remember I hoped that Conan and Presariov would protect them both...

I had to put her down on a bridge this time. It was hard to find a place. But I thought, what the heck, the people do not need thier cars any more.... So who cares right? So we had to crush a few.

Presariov was the first that moved of what I could see. And damn, he spot some of those... Insectiod? Yeah... I that might have been the name. Still scary as fuck. Conon moved up beside him behind a car.
Not much else I saw really... I just hoped the best for all of them out there.

I think I went though two... Maybe more cans of coffee... I seen wars.. But this is not war.. This is survivel..

It was not long before I heard Kjears first screams over the vox. Was she hit? I was not sure at the moment. Then Presariov was over the vox.. Was he panicing too? Damn... I remember the sound of his weapon.

I understand them... I would too be out of my mind out there.

As the came back on I could see that Rumbler and Kjear was wounded. Kjear badly it seemed, I'm no medic. But the smell... When the smell of the wounds hit me in that enclosed room on Skyranger... I will NEVER get used to the smell...

Back on base, as Presariov and Kjear was taken to the medbay, I went for the cantina... I needed that coffee... Badly...

I did not really sleep that night... Just played chest whit myself all night...

-Toni

----------------------------------------------------

I saw Dr. Shen at the cantina today. Asked him about getting a mug holder in Skyranger. He said he would look into it. Yeah.. He might aswell have said "Not going to happend Lad".

*sigh*

Well, maybe I can find some scrap to make one myself. At the moment I'm just going to spend my time in the cantina.

*Toni can be found in the cantina, playing chest with himself and drinking coffee*

 

[Jesse Cooper]

Name: Jesse Cooper
Status: Healthy

-uck do I turn this piece of shit on? And what's this little green light mean? Oh, it's recording.

Got picked up from F.O.B Geronimo at 800 hours, and arrived at X-Com at 1300 hours. That damn VTOL thing is fast! The flyboys here seem pretty cool, guess I'll spend my free time hanging around the hangar. God, that sounded stupid. Hanging around the hangar? Uhg.

This place is crazy! I was expectin' a normal military base like my past deployments in the Philippines, but this whole thing is underground, all the walls are metal, and the doors are automatic. It's like something straight out of sci-fi. Anyways, I gotta take a shit. Hope they don't got some kind of weird space toilet or something. Later!

 

[Jhon Markith]

Journal Entry 2
Name: Stevie Steve
Location: Underground

So I am almost to this facility for whatever they need me for. Well I guess its not that bad, then again I cant think of a good thing yet.

Continued Journal Entry 2

Well after I arrived, they told me the rules and schedule and other stuff. They took me to a firing range and gave me a gun, then they said to shoot 1 round, then to shoot the rest of the clip.
I did as they said and then was directed to my bunk. they told me that I will receive extra training until my equipment is ready just like every one else. I un pack the little I could bring, a laptop, Ipod, knife, toothbrush, shampoo, body wash, and a tech kit for what ever I need to do with it.
I went to lunch and bumped into an Asian chick, went off on me about bumping into here, so naturally I say sorry, say my name and introduce myself, she simply says her name is Ayame Kasagi and says watch your step, I see her walk to other female soldiers, I ask someone what her problem, apparently she dose not trust men. So mental not: be careful around her and say little. I have had experience with women yelling at me, and I am not talking about my x-wife. In school I made a joke and told it to a girl, biggest mistake of my life, and a few minutes later another walks out and starts yelling at me, so I know to try to keep women calm.
Well, they tell me until a soldier is outfitted, they have jobs they have to work on until they are ready for the field. Well my job is to maintain the shit that keeps every thing live. and to work with the communication on the field when I am ready as well, so lucky me.

END OF JOURNAL ENTRY 2

 

[Sharkdragon96]

Name: Persephone
Date: 3/1/15
Current rank: Recruit
Status: Skeptical
Mission: Off duty

I bought this journal a while back in hopes that I'd be using it while overseas to write down my thoughts and keep my sanity in check, but seeing as though any day now I'll be headed off to take part in this new government program I was hired for I thought now would be as good a time as any to start writing entries just to build up the habit, I'm really unsure what kind of missions these people need me for but the fact that I've never even heard of this program before a few days ago tells me that this is super secretive stuff. I feel kind of excited knowing I might be working for something that lies beyond my current realm of understanding, I mean that kind of a plot is what some of the best sic-fi stories are made from, however I'm also a little bit on the skeptical side as well. This commander Odd person told me to give him a biographical synopsis (name, age, sex, hight, weight, reason for wanting to join and so on) as well as an oath to give myself unconditionally to the X-COM project knowing I could be sacrificing my own life in the process. You know the usual military oath, but what struck me as strange was this part:

"by taking this oath, I realize, I may ultimately lose something while defending the planetary systems. My life."

Defending the planetary systems? From what? I'm starting to think I may have bitten off more then I can chew by accepting the oath, but then I think back to what would happen if Rose got this kind of opportunity. Would she have accepted or declined? Whatever the case I sure as hell won't be able to honor her death by just standing around doing nothing, time for me to suck it up and just roll with the punches!

 

[Space Paddy]

New Name: Space Paddy
Rank: Squaddie
Status: Physically Healthy (Mentally not so much)
Total Kills since joining XCOM: 1
Total Outings:1

Journal 002
So I was released from the docs office today and with a clean bill of health I think that I may be able to go to out on another mission. But the doctors told me that I ranked 43 out of 100 per cent in my psychoanalysis test* (How the hell was I supposed to know whether that was a dog or a man it was a bloody blot of black ink.) and that I would need to take up some sort of relaxation hobby like gardening or some shit. I have always been interested in meditation I might give it a try and see if it helps clear my mind. Apparently people have been having mental breakdowns on the field of battle, the worst case being someone that shot at another operative in terror (no names were given); thankfully it was a missed shot but both were rattled up buy the encounter or so the shrink tells me. Seems even the best and brightest have issues being shot at by aliens, they call it ETS (ET Terror Syndrome) So I have to go back tomorrow and tell the doc what I am doing to get my stress under order.

The last two weeks unfortunately have lost me some bonding time with the other people at X-Com everyone is binding into clicks and it’s hard to break into the groups when you are the guy that could scream like a child at night. Hell I’d be more popular if I pissed myself at night at this moment. So mess hall was lonely Grabbed food and went to eat alone. I have passed a few glancing smiles at Zain and Booker but other than that both seem fine. Presariov though… he’s different I heard that the second outing was rough on him. Hes been dodging people it would seem (or maybe hes dodging me) . I can’t seem to ever get more than a darting glance at him. Something is going on there I would like to talk to the others about the mission after I blacked out but I haven’t gotten the time or the energy to do so. The drugs have crushed me physically. Once I’m off the drugs I’ll have reserves to spare on getting details.

Looking at the names of the operatives there is nobody that seems to be British or Irish. I have heard that Girl Anja the one that was mangled up when she showed up at the med- bay, spends a lot of time in the motherland (God what am I Russian?). Anyway might be nice to have a talk at some stage and get to know more people around here than doctors. Thankfully I have access to the internet on my tablet. Google News shows the world is in chaos at the moment, government’s denying alien activity. People rioting across the world even worse some people are worshiping these things. I wonder how many of them will worship when they start getting a green bolt of energy down their neck. I’m worried because clearly we are the only thing that’s holding the world in equilibrium. Commander Odd has a rough job; I certainly won’t like his responsibility’s to be placed on me.

that said we are relatively isolated from the larger planet just outside manila. It is too hot here though, I’m used to temperatures of 10-15 degrees and now I’m in the clammy heat of 30 degrees, The Irish countryside’s rain and grey skies are dearly missed. Not that It matters too much I think that the only real time I’ll be above ground is when I fight.
I hope that things go well from here on out, maybe if I’m lucky I can avoid the med bay on my next outing.
Signing off Space Paddy

​

*The results from my tests are directly related to my characters will.*

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Name: Ayame Kasagi
Rank: Trainee
Sex: Female
Age: 20
Place of Birth: Central China
Nationality: Chinese/Japanese
Height: 150 cm (4 ft, 11in)
Weight: 42 kg (94.5 lbs)
Hair Color: Black
Hair Length: To the small of her back
Eye Color: Heterochromia (One Dark Brown, One Hazel)
Known Relatives: None (All Deceased)
Place of Residence before joining X-COM: None

Status: Better, but still nervous

Audio Log [Translated from Mandarin]:

I'm starting to get used to this huge place.....but I'm still not entirely comfortable here. I can see a sparkle in Anna's eyes when she looks at the technology in engineering and the aliens in the lab through the view screens. I flash her a smile whenever she looks at me, and pretend I'm just as excited as she is. I'd hate to take away from her enjoyment with my meaningless worrying.

Maybe I should...should tell her.....I...no. No, not yet....

At any rate, I decided to give Anna some space and...how did that American put it? Grow, uh...grow a pair? I wish I could grow a pair, but...wait, he was talking to another guy. Why would a guy want to grow a pair? Only fat men have breasts. Maybe he meant pecks...

Anyway, I ventured out on my own, stopping in the mess-hall to sample the local cuisine. Unfortunately, all they had was a sampling of "healthy and nutritional" food. Not bad, by any means, but nothing special. I asked one of the chefs if he had any sushi, but he said no. I told him my father taught me how to make sushi myself as a child, and if he could get me the rice, the nori, and some ingredients, I'll make some for everyone, but he just rolled his eyes at me and walked away.

...rude...

I saw Anna on my way out, and was in such a hurry to catch up with her, I didn't notice some guy coming towards me until he bumped into me. I was a little harsh on him, and I think my lousy English made me come off a lot bitchier then I intended, but I...aw, whatever, I doubt he even cared, and probably forgot about it five minutes later.

Anyway, its almost time to head to the showers. I know its pathetic, but I just can't step foot in there without Anna watching my back the entire time. I've never worked for such a large organization, and I wish the showers weren't co-ed. I don't trust the men here, being a soldier doesn't stop those male urges. I doubt any of them would look at me like that, but my small body didn't stop those men in Russia, and if Anna hadn't been there to watch my back then.....

.....that reminds me. I better avoid any alcohol, assuming they even allow alcohol on base.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Name: Axton Van Dam
Status: healthy

Well, today was interesting.Today I went to the shooting range to manly have some fun.And while I was there there was this girl who looked like she was having trouble with her aim,and when I went over there to help she kinda snapped,and told me that she didn't need my help. So instead of saying ok fine ill leave you alone,I decided to reintroduce myself to her,and redo my sentence.


So I asked he what weapons was she good with,and she said she was good with. Sid arms,smgs,and sniper rifles,which made since given her size.But then I told her something my grand father told me when I was boy and that was (size doesn't matter).And then she chuckled a little and then I told her it 's not that size, he ment no matter how small the person you can handle any weapon some one twice your size can.



So I gave her an assault rifle and told her to show me what she can do,and then she showed what she had and it was terrible,so I told her to berry her feat in keep her hand steady and fire in burst.And then she asked why in burst,and I told her some one your size should not fire the rifle in the automatic but in burst,because in burst you still have control of the gun and you won't feal that much recoil,so she tried it and she improved by like ninety percent and she was shocked how good she was it.so we moved on to machen guns,and I new she was not gonna do well in this department,so I told her to wait there and give me a sec.


So I came back with my machen gun and let her us it,I tould her that this on is under gassed so there is barley has any recoil,and she used it and just mowed downed targets and I could tell that she was surprised at her self ,then she asked me why am I doing this,and then I said i'm doing this because when you go in to battle and if you make it back you may be assigned to a class you may not be good with,and that's why i'm doing this so that you don't spend weeks working on weapons you don't like,now will I continue helping her well she can ask me for help when ever she needs it.


How ever there were some problems,she was kinda shaken using the new weapons I was making her use,or she was uncomfortable with the hole situation,i'm not sure witch. I know using something out of you comfort zone is a pain, but some times you have to do some thing you don't like to do especially in this war.

 

[Majora098]

Mandatory Psych Evaluation Report: John Eddings
Therapist: Dr. Robert Macmillan

My first impression is that it is exceedingly obvious why this man was hired by X-COM, he is exceedingly intelligent, certainly on of the smartest people I have ever met, displaying superb critical thinking skills, and a near, if not a, photographic memory. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, he is extremely sociphobic, and finds it extremely difficult to open up to people. The session started out with him simply responding to my questions in the shortest way possible, sometimes even with just a nod or a shake of the head, and even at the end of the hour and a half he was only responding with a maximum of three sentence. When I asked him about why he was so nervous around people, he nervously responded that he was terrified of first impression, having apparently ruined many, at first by his heightened vocabulary and his tendency to bluntly observe his surroundings and later by his fear of messing them up, causing a vicious cycle that led to his current sociphobic tendencies.

As mentioned before, John has an extensive vocabulary, which became more and more apparent as he started to somewhat relax, surprisingly this seemed to come almost naturally, as opposed to the seemingly forced shortness of his earlier replies. It is obvious that he was bullied throughout his life, even dropping out of collage, despite his intelligence, his Sophomore year (It should be noted that he was the age of a typical High school Senior) because he wanted to escape it , because of this he has self-esteem issues and seems very lonely. He confined in me that he sees X-COM as a opportunity to try again with his social life, without the term "Freaky Genius Kid" hanging over his head. I prescribed anti-anxiety medication to him but he refused, saying that he wanted to have a breakthrough on his own

It should also be noted that he seems to have a strange attachment to his camera, which he actually brought into the session, filming no less. When I asked about it he dodged the question, instead putting into better detail the answer to my previous question. When pressed he simply responded that he filmed everything, and it was just habit now, however he seemed to dislike the notion of turning it off. It is possile that it is a sort of of "blankie" type object to him. I chose not to purse the matter.

Despite his sociphobic tendencies, he appears to mentally stable and thus I declare him fit for duty.

 

[BMPixy]

[In-universe, unless otherwised mentioned, these journal entries are in German]
March Eighth, Two Thousand and Fifteen
Dear Onkel,

It has been six days since I wrote you last. I suppose you would have figured that out by now, but as I have told you countless times, it helps put the days in order. Fair warning, I have a feeling I shall be writing you quite a bit more often than usual, as I have a feeling that due to the fact that I have high priority for being put on the combat squad, I shall be undergoing quite a few events in these coming days. And that brings me to what I originally wrote this letter for, telling you about a few of the various personalities I have encountered, or heard about, here at X-COM headquarters.

To answer your question before you ask it, yes there are children on the Fatherland here. And no, I do not know if they serve the Plagues of the Monarchy. But, from my brief, censored look at the recruitment files, there are two who may have ties to the second Plague. A Russian and a half-Chinese, both of the deadliest gender. I have not encountered them personally, though in the confines of this base it is only a matter of time. Then there is the curiosities that are ‘Big Farmer’ and ‘Space Paddy’. I can only hope those are nicknames of some sort, as if those are their real names, I would feel such great shame for them. Not that I would say so in front of them, especially the former. Let’s just say...he lives up to his name. And on the latter, he was injured on the mission to Australia a week ago. Nearly died, from what I heard. A bolt of green plasma to the chest, it frightens me that this is the technology our foes have at their disposal. They can strike anywhere they please with overwhelming force, especially if this is just the first of several probing attacks. It makes sense from a military standpoint. Send in some weak scouts, find out our capabilities, then strike where it would hurt the most.

Anywho, I have diverged from the topic I was originally on. After those two oddities, there are two of our non-wounded specialized soldiers: Booker Conan, and Presariov Astaeri. Yet another odd name on the second one. The first is our combat sniper, the second is our heavy weapons specialist. Not sure why Conan was assigned a sniper rifle, considering his first two kills were with a grenade. But, I suppose it takes a bit of aim to lob a grenade into the right spot.

Now, before I end this letter, there is one thing that I am quite excited about regarding this project. It is a true meritocracy. You kill the invaders, you get promoted, you receive more training, you get to kill things better. Ah, if only you had been alive to see this, it would be half of your dream. Well then, I suppose I should be ending this letter now. Seems that it is a requirement to know the stolen language of the third Scourge, and I am quite out of practice, considering I have not used it since I was a boy in school.

May we meet again as I pass the veil,
Leon

 

[sage harpuia]

Name Vash the Stampede
Rank Rookie
Status Off Duty
Class none

Journal entry

While inNigeriaI was going after local militia groups and after clearing out a hideout I walked out to find 4 suits waiting for me with a drop ship behind them. They came up to me and said "Vash the Stampede I believe? Your reputation precedes you. We have an offer for you. All we can tell you before you accept is that a top secret organization setup by the UN as become active due to the evidence of a possible external, extraterrestrial threat. We are willing to pay you a considerable amount for your service." I agreed and after working out some paper work in the drop ship we took of and I was told it was going to be a long trip since we were flying to thePhilippines. But I love long air trips, always have since my mother worked with an airline.

We arrived at the underground base and landed, I was quite amazed by the technology in the base. By the time I got there a skyranger was already being prepped for launch to on a mission. This was the first that I was really told why I was here and what XCOM's purpose was. To fight hostile aliens, huh... I think I weirded out some people in the monitoring room, I was crying and balling watching the aliens attacking people. I said: "why can't we all be friends? Isn't love and peace enough?" I suddenly changed my mood and declared "I have vowed to fight and protect this world for which I love. For LOVE AND PEACE!" I got some odd stares as I walked out.


I was directed to my room where I was told Presariov Astaeri is my bunk mate, but he was already on a mission. I watched the mission finish and I didn't get a chance to talk to any of the other soldiers yet. Not long after a second mission was scrambled together. The 2nd mission was successful despite a few injuries.

 

[Jhon Markith]

Dear Jeanine

I have missed you very much. I am sorry for what I have done, but I just want to know if you and the kids are safe. If you haven't herd about the news of aliens attacking you are now. I am safe and in a predicament, I am currently in line to fight these invaders. It seams that my gramps was right about aliens though. Write me back as soon as you get this. I wish we didn't fight that day, I miss you so much and I cant imagine a world without you in it, when I get on the field, I will be thinking of you, fighting for you and the kids. I just want you to be safe, please, please stay safe.

Love,
Stevie

 

[Brycart]

Name: Joel Freeman
Current Rank: Recruit
Total kills since joining X-COM: 0
Status: Unsure

AUDIO LOG 02:

RECORDING STARTS:
"Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment. 'Fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession.' That's in the first sentence of the Ranger creed. Back then I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew what the 'hazards' were, but now... I'm not sure. I thought we were going to do the same thing everyone else did: protect our countries from HUMAN threats. I was wrong. I caught a glimpse of ... something, a corpse... being carried off of the Raven. Its shape was generally the same as mine, but the thing had a massive head and its chest almost seemed to be caved in. One thing's for sure: it wasn't from this world. Just when I'd thought I'd seen it all... aliens? *Laughs* UFO hunters are jumpin' and clicking their heels together right now."
RECORDING ENDS

-------------------------------------------------

Status: Angry

RECORDING STARTS:
"I overheard a couple of the other soldiers discussing what they had fought out their. 'Plasma' came up once or twice. Thought that was just in the movies. Then again, I just saw an extraterrestrial life form being carried away by a bunch of men in lab coats, so I suppose anything's possible. Apparently the pencil pushers have taken to calling the things our soldiers have been fighting 'sectoids'. Not a fan of that."
...
"Glowies. That's a good name for 'em. Those things anger me. Sure I didn't care for the men I fought before, but I had respect for them.
They were soldiers serving their country, same as me. But this time it's different. Our ancestors built these nations with their blood as the foundation, and now a bunch of glowies swoop in and try to claim our lands for themselves. Not while I'm still breathing. Rangers lead the way. Damn right. Give me a gun and something to shoot at... so long as it bleeds, I'll kill it."
RECORDING ENDS