Name: Madelei 'Maddie' Jones
Current Rank: N/A
Status: Psych. Healthy / Phys. Healthy
March --, 2015
Mer,
I just read that last letter you sent--congratulations!
You're an XCOM pilot, now! That's just... well, it's amazing. And, yes, I heard about the alien craft you shot down. Again, amazing. And, again, I can't even put into words how good it feels to have a friend in XCOM to talk you--and, yeah, that means I haven't made any lasting friendships yet. I know I promised you I'd get to know everyone, but I'm still settling in. And, you know me. Anxiety.
I did pass a few people in the halls, though. A suspicious-looking rogue named Riki, who, while well-mannered, looked like he had somewhere important to get to. I have no idea where, though--none of us are allowed leave yet, as far as I know. There's a drinker named Lerwick--I could smell it on him--and a great bear of a person named Jesse, too, mumbling something about missing real meat, and bacon. I agree.
I tried talking with another new recruit named Rick but he was busy eating and listening to recordings. I think he's a fan, though. I heard your voice on one of the tapes. It was during your flight. Along with him, I met someone named Trevor who didn't even look at me when he told me his name. But, it looked like he was worried, watching the tv. I hope his family's okay. I know we're all a little stressed and preoccupied with things.
There's someone named Zatch, too, who I think I could get used to. We didn't say much, just watched people walking by, until I had to use the washroom. When I came back, he was gone. Later, someone named Svenska. We bumped into each other, but he kept walking. I got a quick glance at him, though. I've seen those eyes before. He's definitely been put through the wringer.
And, surprisingly, there's even a farmer and someone whose name I don't think I'll ever be able to pronounce. He even spelled it out for me. Lid-ah-ran beet viewer. Something like that.
I wonder who my bunkmate is going to be, though...
Anyway, you've probably already heard this by now, but the craft you shot down was still intact when it landed. We sent a strike team in to investigate, and they had an encounter. Aliens. Well, 'Sectoids' as the medical staff around here are calling them--short for 'Insectoids'; it's the whole 'bug-eyed' thing. Large, black, compound eyes that stare into your soul... like us, with pupils. They even have arms and legs. It's funny how alike we are, isn't it?
I only got a glance at the corpses they brought in for autopsy, though. Apparently Dr. Valen thinks I'm a grunt, someone who couldn't understand physiology. I tried to give her my medical credentials, but she simply dismissed me and said she had work to get to. I guess that means I'll have to visit the labs when she's not around.
Probably the most interesting thing is the ship, though, and what they designated as the 'Outsider'. A being of pure energy? Imagine the implications--for medicine, clean energy... the possibilities are almost endless. And, with the materials we salvaged from the ship, we might even be able to plan out our own space construction and travel now. We might be able to use their weapons against them, mount a counter-attack on their own world, one day.
One of the other recruits even mentioned the aliens using some sort of mind-meld. Imagine what the world would be like if we developed powers like that. It's an inspiring thought, and a terrifying one as well.
Missing you. I'll have to come by the hangar once they give us some leave time.
Love,
Maddie
Current Rank: N/A
Status: Psych. Healthy / Phys. Healthy
March --, 2015
Mer,
I just read that last letter you sent--congratulations!
You're an XCOM pilot, now! That's just... well, it's amazing. And, yes, I heard about the alien craft you shot down. Again, amazing. And, again, I can't even put into words how good it feels to have a friend in XCOM to talk you--and, yeah, that means I haven't made any lasting friendships yet. I know I promised you I'd get to know everyone, but I'm still settling in. And, you know me. Anxiety.
I did pass a few people in the halls, though. A suspicious-looking rogue named Riki, who, while well-mannered, looked like he had somewhere important to get to. I have no idea where, though--none of us are allowed leave yet, as far as I know. There's a drinker named Lerwick--I could smell it on him--and a great bear of a person named Jesse, too, mumbling something about missing real meat, and bacon. I agree.
I tried talking with another new recruit named Rick but he was busy eating and listening to recordings. I think he's a fan, though. I heard your voice on one of the tapes. It was during your flight. Along with him, I met someone named Trevor who didn't even look at me when he told me his name. But, it looked like he was worried, watching the tv. I hope his family's okay. I know we're all a little stressed and preoccupied with things.
There's someone named Zatch, too, who I think I could get used to. We didn't say much, just watched people walking by, until I had to use the washroom. When I came back, he was gone. Later, someone named Svenska. We bumped into each other, but he kept walking. I got a quick glance at him, though. I've seen those eyes before. He's definitely been put through the wringer.
And, surprisingly, there's even a farmer and someone whose name I don't think I'll ever be able to pronounce. He even spelled it out for me. Lid-ah-ran beet viewer. Something like that.
I wonder who my bunkmate is going to be, though...
Anyway, you've probably already heard this by now, but the craft you shot down was still intact when it landed. We sent a strike team in to investigate, and they had an encounter. Aliens. Well, 'Sectoids' as the medical staff around here are calling them--short for 'Insectoids'; it's the whole 'bug-eyed' thing. Large, black, compound eyes that stare into your soul... like us, with pupils. They even have arms and legs. It's funny how alike we are, isn't it?
I only got a glance at the corpses they brought in for autopsy, though. Apparently Dr. Valen thinks I'm a grunt, someone who couldn't understand physiology. I tried to give her my medical credentials, but she simply dismissed me and said she had work to get to. I guess that means I'll have to visit the labs when she's not around.
Probably the most interesting thing is the ship, though, and what they designated as the 'Outsider'. A being of pure energy? Imagine the implications--for medicine, clean energy... the possibilities are almost endless. And, with the materials we salvaged from the ship, we might even be able to plan out our own space construction and travel now. We might be able to use their weapons against them, mount a counter-attack on their own world, one day.
One of the other recruits even mentioned the aliens using some sort of mind-meld. Imagine what the world would be like if we developed powers like that. It's an inspiring thought, and a terrifying one as well.
Missing you. I'll have to come by the hangar once they give us some leave time.
Love,
Maddie
