RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[ZombieSplitter53]

Not-so-secret Secrets: Part Two

Ayame bit her lip. I'm not a very good liar, that's the problem. "I'm... alright. Hey, um, Ammeilia, this might sound like it's a little out of no where, but, uh... I have this friend who was... was hiding something from me. Something about herself. I was annoyed when I found out about it, but it was something kinda personal, and she said people made fun of her for it in the past, and she said she'd lost friends before. She said she didn't want to lose me, and that's why she didn't tell me. Do... do you think I should still be mad at her?"

"Well, it's just a little thing right? Her bad experiences in the past are causing her to keep secrets from people she cares about. I would've been a little mad, understandably, but a true friend would find it in their heart to forgive, especially if it's just a little secret." Ammelia answered.

Ayame laughed nervously. "Yeah, um, that's a good... good point. So, about Alexia... I mean Jessica... well, both I guess. They're a sweet girl. Girls, I mean. I mean, Jessie is, Alexia is a bit more crass, but she's cool too. I... well, Jessie has probably talked about her how people bullied her as a kid. So if... if she was hiding... not that she is, but... you know what I'm... saying?"

"Uhm... No." Ammy said simply.

Ayame sighed. "God, she's gonna hate me." She cleared her throat. "Look, Ammelia, there is... is something Jessica has wanted to tell you. So much so, I... I thought she already had. But she was afraid to say it, because of those... reasons I mentioned. You know, bullies, and broken friendships and what not. A-and the only reason I know is by accident. In fact, only a few people here know about it, and most of them found out by accident. I think Modya is the only one she came out and told directly, and that was more Alexia's doing."

Ammy couldn't hold in a giggle, "Alright, what is it?"

"Well... The reason you haven't met them both at the same time is they're... kinda the same person. I mean, Alexia isn't some fake name Jessica uses, like some kind of alias. I'm not sure of all the details, I'm no psychologist. But from what I know, Alex is sort of a second person in Jessica's mind. It's like the movies where a person has two minds that are constantly fighting for control, except Jessie and Alex get along, so they don't fight over the body, but rather share it."

"Hey Ayame, can I let you in on something?" Ammelia asked, taking a few steps closer to her.

"Um... s-sure." Ayame smiled nervously.

Ammelia quickly looked to both sides before leaning close to Ayame's ear, "I've known about Alexia for months, I've just been messing with her!"

Ayame's eyes widened. "You... you have." The Asian woman let out a sigh of relief. "Well... that explains your quick answer. You don't know how much she'd be relieved to know that. She kept going back and forth between how you'd react if she did and didn't tell you. But... how did you find out?"

"I'm blind, not deaf." Ammy stated, "When you've been Blind and Mute for most of your life you get pretty good at hearing things."

"I see... you more then anyone would be able to pick up the that their voices are practically the same, even if they talk differently." Ayame scratched her head, suddenly feeling embarrassed that it had to be spelled out to her when this much younger woman so easily picked it up.

"I also heard a lot of gossip around base. When I heard someone talking about a scientist with split personality disorder, I kinda put two and two together... or one and one, in this case." Ammelia smiled.

Ayame smiled back, and laughed heartily, patting the young soldier on the back. "Well, rumors do travel, but you're still quicker then I am, that's for sure. But I do have to ask, why haven't you said anything to Jessica?"

"I guess I wanted her to work up the courage to tell me herself and then be pleasantly surprised that I knew and still accepted her." She shrugged, "Is that wrong of me?"

Ayame thought for a moment, then shrugged back. "I don't think so. You just want to give her a chance to do it herself. If you want, I won't tell her we talked about this."

"Thanks, Ayame. It's been wonderful talking to you! Maybe I could show you how to use a sniper rifle a bit more!" Ammy replied cheerfully.

"I'd love that," Ayame said. "And good luck with Jessie and Alex."

"Hopefully I'll actually get to meet Alexia soon." Ammelia added.

"Something tells me you definitely will." Ayame returned to her weapon, taking careful aim and using the advice she had been given."

Take your time, Steady your shot, and hold your breath before you fire..." Ammelia said trying to teach Ayame as calmly as Dorian had taught her.

Ayame held her breath, and tried to dig deep and be patient. She took longer then she probably should have, but Ammelia said nothing to discourage her. Finally, she pulled the trigger, and hit the target, a few cm to the right of the center. Not a bull's eye by any account, but enough to put a smile on Ayame's face. "Wow... it worked."

Ammelia smiled brightly, putting a hand on her shoulder. "See? Keep practicing with that and your accuracy with these weapons will greatly improve!" Ayame nodded and continued practicing in silence, all the while Ammelia watched and gave her the occasional words of advice.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

And the Results Are...

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
July 16th, 2018, 900 Hours
Psionic Laboratory

The pod slowly opened, and Sunny woozily opened her eyes. Slowly stepping forward, her legs almost immediately gave out. A gentle arm caught her, and she looked up at a familiar Asian face. "H-hey..."

"Easy, girl, easy." Ayame looked up, scowling at the French siblings standing next to them. "She better be okay."

"She's fine, Ms. Kasagi." Jean rubbed his arm. "She just hasn't moved in days, and the machine wasn't calibrated for such a small..."

Jeanne kicked the back of his leg to shut him up. "She'll be back to 100% after a good meal and a bit of exercise."

Sunny sighed. "Ayame, if you did something to these two..."

Jeanne smiled. "It's okay. She was just upset we didn't call her down here earlier then now." Jean started to say something, and Jeanne kicked him again. "Vous souhaitez obtenir votre botter le cul à nouveau?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ayame insisted, giving Sunny a pleading look. "Do you have any idea what I've been going through for the last few days? I get a note from Bradford saying you won't need me for a few days, but it doesn't say why. Engineering says you're taking a few days off, your roommates said they were told you were being tested in the infirmary to make sure you didn't pick anything up, the infirmary says they were told you were helping in the labs, and the labs are asking me why I'm looking for an engineer in the labs."

"Sorry, Ayame." Sunny weakly climbed to her feet. "I wasn't entirely sure it would work, and I know you would have tried to stop me."

"Well, I can see your point, because you're damn right I would have." Ayame scoffed. "You're too young to use these things, and you're definitely too young to try and get psychic powers."

"Don't worry, I'm not. Not exactly, anyway. I'm just trying to unlock one particular thing. I'll leave the battle-ready powers to the soldiers." Sunny looked up at the twins. "Speaking of which..."

Jeanne smiled. "It was a success, just as you expected it would."

"What was?" Ayame asked. "Please, stop leaving me in the dark. I'm getting tired of being left behind on these things."

Sunny nodded, and climbed onto Ayame's back. "Come on. Let's get some food, hit the gym for a bit, and then I'll show you."

Ayame grinned. "Sounds like a plan." She stood up and walked out with her young friend, grabbing the girl's clothes as they went.

Jean shook his head. "Les gens sont étranges..."

"You say that a lot," Jeanne said, going back to her computer. "That going to be your catch-phrase?"

"It's... not like it's taken... or any... shut up." Jean let out a huff, and walked over to the pod to make sure it was set for the soldiers he expected to come in at any time for testing.

 

[Adrammalech]

// DAYDREAM //
Emily Fischer
Home of the Fischers
New Moscow, Russian Federation
August 9, 2028 – 7:32 AM

I look out my window at the perfect summer day, thinking about how very normal it is. It was ten years ago the war ended, the first and only of its kind. We were now under protection of a respectable group, one that I was proud to know once upon a time. And with the Gift, the home I got in New Moscow was twice as comfy as I would ever have with my soldier’s wage. Indeed, our world was normal once more, the sun was shining, and the sky was as deep blue as ever – maybe even more so.

Domesticated life is simple but good. I never flashback as I once did, and I probably couldn’t if I tried. My years as a nomad and a soldier were stressful, and for what it gave, it wasn’t worth it. I sigh with contentment, a euphoric surge running through my body as I consider it. I hear the pancakes below my hands begin to sizzle and flip them one by one.

“Come on, Mommy. I’m so hungry,” my daughter says.

“I know, I know. They’re almost ready,” I reply. “How’s your exercises going?”

My daughter closes her eyes and focuses above the table, making a purple firecracker out of nothing and making it explode in a shower of violet sparks.

“Pretty cool, huh?” she boasted. “I think I’m as good as an adult now.”

“And did you have fun playing with the neighbors last night?”

“Mmhmm. But Chris doesn’t like me hanging out with Mrs. Atka’s son. He can be so jealous.”

“Well, today is the big day for you two,” I say happily.

“I know, I’m so excited!” my daughter giggles.

I scratch my head subconsciously, my hand recoiling from touching the implants. They were uncomfortable once, but I’ve grown to tolerate them. Maybe I even like them. The device leaks narcotics into my head as the thought crosses my mind, and I grin widely. I like them, of course I do. I place the dish of pancakes in front of my daughter, lowering it on a cloud of violet gently onto the table. She looks happily at me.

“Thanks, mommy! I need plenty of energy today.”

“You’re going straight to prom after school, right?”

“That’s right, my boyfriend will be with me all day,” she says with an excited giggle.

“Are we sure about this?” my wife says in her Russian accent as she sits at the table and looks at me. “This will be the last time we see our daughter like th—”

Nika suddenly cries out and falls against the table, wincing and shaking. My daughter looks at her worriedly.

“Mommy?” she asks.

“She’s okay, just give her a moment,” I say, grabbing another plate with my mind.

Nika’s eyes open back up and she pulls her head of the table, groaning in pain. As she composes herself, she lifts her utensils without using her hands, little purple orbs gripping the ends of them.

“It will be different, but we’ll still be a happy family, won’t we?” I add.

“Uh-huh!” my daughter says sincerely, “I’ll never forget you, even after prom.”

“See, nothing to worry about,” I say, kissing Nika’s cheek as I set her plate in front of her. My brain feels an even more pleasant tingle.

“Of course…I apologize for that. I’m happy for you, my daughter,” Nika says, almost in monotone. She gave an excited shudder as she finished.

Two bells rung throughout the walls, a lackluster knock from the door following up.

“That’s him! That’s him!” my daughter exclaimed.

I walked over to her and held her hand affectionately, like I did when she was much younger. As we walked to the door, she opened it up and ran into her boyfriend’s gangly arms.

“Thanks for picking me up, Chris,” she says happily.

He nods towards us, bowing his head respectfully. We give a similar gesture to give him leave. Our daughter takes his purple hand and walks away, her boyfriend giving her playful nibbles already as they walk to school.

“There she goes,” Nika says sadly.

“Yep. Another one, all grown up.”

“Should we sample out another?”

“I’m not really in the moo–” a small shock runs through my nerves, making me stumble momentarily. “Of course…we should right away.”

Nika takes my hand in hers. “Let’s go,” she says.


Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Barracks #4
Siberia, Russian Federation
4:12 AM

Emily popped up, shuddering and in a cold sweat, but not screaming. She quickly kicked the only thing on her bed onto the floor, a case of clothes and pads she hadn’t yet unpacked. She nervously looked up at Nika’s bunk beside her, seeing her awake with wide eyes as well. Emily gave her an inquisitive look, to which she nodded timidly. Emily slinked back beneath her sheets, whispering to herself.

“What the fuck is happening…”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Report from Overseer to Commander O'Brien of X-COM.
Commander's eyes only.

• Operations in India are resuming rapidly, using the skeleton of my previous network as a model. Thankfully, many of my operatives survived the occupation, although several are still not responding to me. Likely, they are deceased. Unfortunate, but better that than the whole network being out of commission.
• Impressive work detecting the source of your daughter's little "excursions". She was demonstrating a disturbing ability to avoid cameras and guards. I was almost considering hiring her.
• Pet stores are seeing a sudden influx of people wanting cats. Apparently my operatives in the Asia-Pacific region consider this important. Maybe they know something I don't. That won't last long.
  
• EXALT has been unnaturally quiet recently. I am unable to discern the reason for this, since attempting to infiltrate an organization that appears to be comprised completely of clones is rather difficult. Unless I could procure the original individual, however I somehow doubt that this could be accomplished. I will keep trying, but my reach only extends so far.
• Agent Cobra is insisting that hiding underneath cardboard boxes is an effective strategy to avoid detection by enemy units. Frankly, I do not believe him, however I will note it as an option on my handouts to operatives. Why he specified cardboard escapes me.
• Agent Ridley was found at the bottom of a generator shaft yesterday, bones broken and burns to the chest but still alive as per usual. I suspect the Iron Huntress may be taking out her anger on him again. I'll try infusing him with Elerium this time, since high-tech prosthetics don't appear to have worked.
• I will again ask you to not concern yourself with the "security breach" Cross Technologies registered in their main HQ. The culprit is known to me and was not seeking anything damaging, nor did he find anything worth worrying about. The situation is under control, no follow up is necessary.
• Agent Luma has seemingly lost his mind. He was demanding I feed him "star bits" (which I later discovered roughly translated to Sectoid livers. Apparently they're crunchy and sweet if barbequed) or else he'd go work for the "other" Overseer. His replacement, Agent Rosa, has been notified that if she so much as looks at a Sectoid funny, she will share his fate. So far her performance has been exemplary. I have yet to determine whether there is indeed another Overseer or if it was simply the ramblings of an insane man. If there is, there won't be for much longer.
  
• Commander, I would find it far less taxing on my stress levels if you would cease and desist tampering with the monitoring devices in your office. It irritates me that you continue to do so. Please, stop, you have no idea how much those things cost.
  
• Agent Mace has informed me that if he sees "another motherf-ing Thin Man on this motherf-ing plane", I can expect his resignation. I asked him what he was doing on the plane to begin with. Apparently, from the few conflicts that local armies and law enforcement tend to engage in with the aliens, they accrue a lot of alien cadavers. Some of those cadavers have gone missing in transit, and Mace was investigating. On that particular trip, it seems, the Thin Men bodies weren't always completely dead.
• I still have not located the source of your mysterious air assistance during the assault on the citadel. The drones disappeared before I could do a concrete analysis of their direction, however their models and make match the descriptions of those that went missing from U.S. airbases some time ago. The connection brings up some interesting theories regarding who stole them and why, but until I can come up with a concrete answer, I will hold off on committing to one.
• Alien activity across the globe has nigh ground to a halt in light of your little excursion into India. Minor sightings are still happening, but nothing major. The fact that both major opponents to X-COM have simultaneously gone quiet is concerning, to say the least. If the aliens have not been crippled by this blow, then you can expect them to be preparing for a counter. I have seen such a maneuver multiple times in both "street" war and international war - a decisive blow, if not powerful enough to fell the enemy, is typically met with an attack focused on revenge. I'd suggest upping base security, and preparing for a possible attack, but, as the Council was quick to remind me, you are in charge. I merely ask that you remember our arrangement.
• On a similar topic, I thought you should know I've directed a small amount of my operatives better suited to combat to be on standby in case something does happen. Call, and they shall come running. To the airport, anyway.

Be wary, Commander. I have a bad feeling about the coming days.
- The Overseer

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Updates on Soldiers, Updates on Toys

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
July 17th, 2018, 1230 Hours
Office/Room of Aya & Eve Brea

Aya opened the door with her hip, not really paying attention as she read over a few reports. She jumped slightly at a large spark out of the corner of her eye. Eve was fiddling with some strange device, one that seemed familiar, though Aya couldn't say from where. She sat in a chair next to Eve, simply watching her work as the young woman moved between one piece of equipment and another.

She waited for Eve to notice her and say something. Instead, she asked, "So how are the soldiers doing?"

"The soldiers?" Aya shrugged. "They're doing great. Training sessions are going smoother, the new recruits are doing well, and the new soldiers India gave us are as skilled as they promised."

"Morale?"

"High, actually. India gave a significant boost. As did missions to sabotage the aliens, prevent a terror attack, and strike a blow against EXALT." Aya frowned at the last one, the mission in Japan reminding her of what happened in America, and Morrigan's ex-husband.

Sensing her sister's dispear, Eve quickly tried to change the subject. "I've been asking around about our Commander, trying to get an assessment of any damage to her reputation and improving it the best I can, but it isn't as bad as she thinks it is. She just as to be sure and remind everyone why she's a great Commander. The blow to her own ego won't help with that, though."

Aya nodded. "It helps that the soldiers now know it was an alien infiltrator behind everything, and the reports from India are available for the soldiers, so they know these incubators specialize in mind games, amongst other things."

"I talked to one of the guards that was on brig duty when Morrigan interrogated Jessica. Nice guy, says he understood, and her got in trouble with his superior for arguing with him about Morrigan. Luckily, he's back to mostly guarding the refugee area. There was... something off about him, though. Of course, after the stupid cat, I don't know what is a few assessment and what is paranoia anymore."

Aya placed her chin in her palm and pouted a bit. "Too bad we couldn't capture that thing alive."

Eve shook her head. "No way. It took everything we had to put that thing down. Maybe it would have been easier if Morrigan was controlling her body, since she can actually fight, but then it would have read her thoughts. If we tried to capture it..."

"Then at least one of you would have probably died in the process." Aya sighed. "Still, so many unanswered questions. How did it get on base? How long has it been here? Atka said it claimed to be the only one to get in, but was that true? Why did it target Brigid? What exactly was it doing here? And what did it mean, we'd all be dead soon?"

Having no answers, Eve remained silent and continued with her work.

After a few more minutes, Aya finally smiled and said, "Fine, you win, I'll ask. What are you working on?"

Eve hid a grin, and pretending she wasn't even thinking about that, answered, "Oh, this? Just a silly little project I've been working on since the base assault. I'm not much of a builder, so I've had to ask the boys and girls in engineering to help me with it. This one in particular, a French guy working in the Psi Lab now, helped me a lot. As did Dr. Shen himself."

Lifting up some kind of headpiece, Aya examined it closely. "So what is it? What does it do? Something tells me it isn't some fancy headphones."

"And you'd be right." Eve took the headpiece, and placed it on her head. "Its taken me quite some time. If I had a whole mini lab like Desmond and a personal engineer, it might have gone faster. But it is just about done."

"So, what is it already?" Aya asked a bit anxiously.

"Well, this device was used in the alien base to transmit psionic energy. This one in particular connected to one of the sectopods, allowing it to be controlled remotely by someone with psionic energy."

"You hoping to help Sunny and Atka mother out with the SHIVs?"

Eve shook her head. "No. Are abilities don't work like everyone else's. So even if we used the parts of the sectopods to set up the SHIVs for the same kind of remote control, it wouldn't work for me. However, there is a feature for boosting energy in these. Atka discovered it when it started draining her. That's what I've been working on."

Aya frowned. "Eve, if this is about you not being able to help the infiltration team and me at the base..."

Eve held up a hand. "We already talked about that, I'm over it. Besides, if I'd been helping in the base while my body was above, you'd have probably been killed trying to protect me." She flipped a few switches on a small control board. "But back to my little gizmo. Despite my powers versatility, it still has such a limited range. With this, I could amplify that range, and send my consciousness from here to anywhere in the base, maybe even farther." She turned the switches back off, and took it off. "Still needs some calibration."

"What can I do to help?" Aya asked, now enraptured by Eve's device.

Eve frowned. "Not much, I'm afraid. It wouldn't really work with your abilities. Too offensive, no offense. And I considered asking Desmond, but he has the same problem. It wouldn't work with him, and even if it did, it would only make his powers more destructive. And I'm afraid to use it myself without calibration because of what could go wrong."

"Well, now that Atka's back, why not ask her?" Aya smiled. "Some of her abilities, like her ESP, aren't that offensive. And she's been developing them in India, so she has a good handle on them."

"Yeah, why not." Eve stood up a little more straight. "Or I could ask her sister! She mentioned wanting to develop her abilities and help out a bit, and because her powers are weaker, they'd be able to monitor better, and more changes based around."

Aya raised an eyebrow. "Don't go using Atka's family for some weird scheme of yours unless she knows."

"You know I wouldn't do that," Eve answered dismissively. She continued fiddling with her machine, and Aya watched in silence, happy to see Eve finding a niche of her own here.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

ZombieSplitter53 and DarkGemini24601: “Making Some Better Luck”

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1500 Hours, June 17th, 2018
Holographic Rec-Room, ‘St. Petersburg’

The simulation had reconstructed, to the best of its ability, a cafe Modya often had stopped by in St. Petersburg. He sat down at one of the tables for two, glancing over at the docks not so far in the distance, and then back at Jessica. “What do you think?”

“It’s wonderful,” Jessica answered, smiling brightly. “You came here often? Well, not here, but… you know what I mean.”

The Russian nodded. “It was a nice place to relax. Hear it still is, in spite of everything.”

Jessica sat across from Modya, smiling at him adoringly. “Well, this is nice. But I hope I can see the real thing one day. With… you know, with you.”

“I do as well...when this is all over.” He gazed off at the shore again, briefly. “Things have been quiet lately, at least.”

“They have. Eerily so.” Jessica watched Modya for a few moments, stirring uncomfortably. “M… Modya. I wanted you to know, I was… put off by your scars. I mean, I don’t mean for superficial reasons. I mean… I heard they… were almost the end of you.”

Modya looked down for a moment. “There wasn’t another way in that situation, Jess...if I could have avoided being shot by that cyberdisc, I would have…but that’s not how things went.”

“What do you mean?” Jessica reached forward. “What happened? I mean… I’m not saying I don’t trust what you’re saying is true. But why weren’t you in cover or something?”

“There wasn’t enough cover for everyone at the time,” Modya explained. “The disc had the jump on us, and would have been picking off the rest of the squad at its leisure if I had gone for cover. My rockets were the only thing that could have destroyed it...and if I hadn’t got unlucky with the drone in the way, I would have taken it down in that one shot, most likely…”

Jessica eyes lit up. “So… you’re saying you were injured saving others?”

The rocketeer sighed. “It’s not as noble as you make it out to be...if I had let more people die because of me...I wouldn’t be able to tolerate myself. I had to take that shot, even if it meant…” he hesitated.

“But don’t you see,” Jessica interjected, squeezing Modya’s hand. “The fact that you know you would hate it if you let people die, the decision to stand your ground so others might get to safety. That is noble. I… I’m proud of you. I don’t want to lose you. But to know that you would risk yourself so selflessly, whether you realize it or not, that is what I saw in you from the beginning.”

Modya nodded slowly, but seemed a little surprised. “You thought I was brave from the beginning? Even though…” He glanced at the packet of cigarettes in his coat pocket that had remained untouched for weeks now.

Jessica shrugged. “I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t at least once when a little… tiny, itsey-bitsy bit of doubt was present. But something about you shown through the rough exterior. I knew inside beat the heart of a warrior. It just… needed some help finding its way out.”

Modya smiled. “I have you to thank for that. And while you may not fight on the battlefield...you’re just as brave as I might be. I can’t imagine what you went through because of that damn cat…”

Jessica’s smile momentarily wavered. “It… it wasn’t fun. I’m still not sure what I did to become a target. But… it wasn’t that bad. At least Alex and I had time to talk.”

“I have to agree with Atka to an extent on all of that...it seems like if she leaves for too long, everything falls apart. And although she didn’t say it personally, I think she’s sort of our conscience.” The Russian frowned. “It worries me to see her and the Commander pushed to the limits of their mental endurance by all of this...hopefully this silence, eery or not, gives them time to recover.”

“I do too. I heard they were pretty friendly before this, but now…” Jessica shook her head. “I don’t blame the Commander, I really don’t. Anymore than I blame Desmond. It was that alien, pushing our buttons and pulling our strings from the background. What if this was its plan all along? To push us apart, and drive us to each other’s throats?”

“If that was the case,” Modya began, “it certainly got close to succeeding. Worrying that the aliens are becoming aware of human tendencies like that…” The Russian shook his head this time. “There is something I wanted to ask you about. I figured there wouldn’t be anyone better to ask this.”

Jessica nodded. “Of course. You can ask me about anything.”

“After what happened in India… I’m considering genetic modifications. They might minimize further risks, since I seem to have that sort of bad luck in getting into those situations.”

Jessica swallowed slowly, and considered her response. “Well… they certainly do help. What did you… have in mind, exactly?”

Modya thought for a moment. “I was considering either Muscle Fiber Density or Adaptive Bone Marrow. And perhaps Iron Skin or Magnified Bicep Structure, though I’m obviously a little hesitant about the Iron Skin…” he was taking note of Jessica’s reluctance. “Jessica...if you don’t want me to do this, I don’t have to...but…”

Jessica quickly shook her head. “Your safety is paramount over anything else. And I more than anyone know the gene mods are safe. I just… never thought about working on them with someone I was so close to. Um… but you’re probably right. And…” She smiled gently. “It isn’t like they could make me love you any less.”

Modya returned the smile. “I’m not thrilled about putting alien genetics into myself, but I can see the benefits they’d provide. I was just conflicted between the two leg enhancements...the first one would provide an elevated firing position, but the second would mean that I don’t have to depend on Chandra if I do get hit past the armor. Iron Skin would help in the same way...but…” He raised an eyebrow. “Not sure if Alex would be a fan of that.”

“N… n-neither would I, to be honest.” Jessica smiled sheepishly. “What about adaptive bone marrow to help with healing, and magnified bicep structure to assure your aim, and give you a wicked punch. And we’re just about ready to start using a new mod that protect you from psionic attacks.”

Modya nodded. “I probably wouldn’t be able to resist one of their mind control attempts, I’m guessing that’s something only one of our psions, or maybe Ayame, could pull off.”

“Maybe, though Ayame probably would think otherwise, despite her boasting. Not to say she… it doesn’t matter. Not like she would consider the mods. She’s a bit reckless.” Jessica shrugged. “I’m glad that you have a more cautious side. Please don’t let your new found bravery make you forget about that.”

The Dragomirov shook his head. “I won’t. The difference between me and Ayame, in another respect, is luck.” He chuckled. “Since I have bad luck, I have to be a lot more cautious. She can get away with dueling Incubators. Strategy or not, that still required fortune to shine on her.”

“No doubt.” Jessica smiled. “Though I’d like to think you were lucky about at least one thing.”

Modya leaned over to give Jessica a kiss. “I haven’t forgotten.”

Jessica accepted the kiss gratefully. She thought for a second, and said, “I wonder if Alex will be annoyed by the gene-mods, or start suggesting a bunch of crazy ideas, maybe even a few things that have little to do with combat. But either way, I doubt she’ll fuss. She and I see eye to eye on these important things. Well… except one thing, but… that doesn’t matter.”

“What would that be?” Modya asked.

“It… it isn’t important. Just something I’d like right now, and something she says we have no time for. Just… girl problems. Nothing you need to worry about.”

Modya thought for a moment, several things coming to mind, but he decided not to press the issue further. “In any case...I have vat of orange goo to float in for awhile, don’t I?”

Jessica nodded, and stood up, taking Modya by the hand. “Come on. The sooner we get to it, the sooner I get to welcome you back after your nap.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
July 18th, 2018, 2000 Hours
Psionic Laboratory

The pod slowly opened, and Ayame woozily opened her eyes. She carefully stepped out of the pod, and Jeanne stepped to her side. Helping to a chair, she asked, "How are you feeling, Ms. Kasagi?"

"Um... like I've overslept." Ayame slowly looked around, her eyes slowly adjusting to the dim light. She couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. She looked up at the woman examining, and her expression told her the same thing. "How long have I been out?"

"H-how long?" Jeanne scratched her chin, and muttered the answer under her breath.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Ayame asked, growing a bit nervous.

Jeanne sighed. "I said about forty-eight hours."

"Forty... what, two days?" Jeanne slowly nodded, and Ayame clenched her teeth. "What do you mean, two days? You said it would take ten days. Why am I..."

Jeanne let out another sigh. "Come now, Ayame, I warned you this might happen. Please don't shoot the messenger."

Ayame shook her head rapidly, looking a bit panicked. "No... no, come on. You... it's only been two days. You... I'm sure if you put me in for the full ten days..."

"I'm sorry, Ayame." Jeanne placed a gentle hand on the Asian woman's shoulder. "But it doesn't take the full ten days to test for potential. Most of that time is spent safety unlocking the abilities. I checked everything twice, just to make sure. But I'm afraid you... don't have it."

Ayame rubbed her forehead in frustration. "I... I can't..."

"Come on, Ayame." Jean said, rolling out from under another pod. "Don't take it so personally. It isn't like you did anything wrong."

"That's right." Jeanne give her an encouraging smile. "Based on the data we've been able to translate from the alien base, and the number of psionics they were able to make, we estimate only about two to three percent of people will have the potential, five percent at most."

"Yeah, besides, you were able to take out one of those incubators..."

"So WHAT!" Ayame shouted, then gave the siblings and apologetic look. "Sorry, I... I didn't... it wasn't that big of a deal, really. Once you know how to manipulate their egos and tempers, they're nothing. Of course, if I was a little stronger, I could have... I don't know, psionically thrown a knife into that thing, without getting injured and taking myself out of the battle. Then... I don't know, I would have been more helpful then 'no-at-all' at the end. Atka wouldn't have worn herself out then, I could have helped when they fought that... I... I have to do something."

"What are you going to do?" Jean asked.

"As cheesy as it might sound... something I should have done a while ago." Ayame gave the siblings a grateful smile, slipped her clothes on, and quickly took of. Not bothering to get anything to eat, rest a while, or even taking a minute to stretch, she walked into the gene-lab.

She stepped into the main section, and placed her hand on Jessica's shoulder, who was looking up at one of the pods, a familiar soldier floating within. "Ayame! What are you... I didn't miss a lunch date, did I?"

"If you did, you'd be about eight hours late." Ayame looked up, and noted the single empty pod. "We need to talk."

 

[Adrammalech]

This is a collaboration between Adrammalech and DarkGemini24601.
// SOLDIERS AND SPIES //
Nicolás Jiménez / Emma & A.V.A.N.I.X.
Cross Technologies Tower, 10th Floor
New York City, USA
June 19, 2018 - 2:00 PM

Subject 158 shook her head at the now-pathetic looking Sectoid Commander from a camera view, a Legion mechanical trooper standing guard over it like the unwavering sentinel it was. The amount of psionic data she had gleaned from it was encouraging, and the findings had been given to Subject 42 for his use, as well as their own.

Avanix stood beside Emma in her mechanical form, still getting used to the metallic limbs and being able to physically interact with the world. “We certainly are making progress. The alien’s silence is a cause for concern, perhaps, but if there is retaliation, it will not likely be against us.”

Emma nodded. “Which means that we can take some time to improve what we have before going after them again.”

“On another note, where has Mr. Jimenez been today?” Avanix inquired.

“I think he was in the armory last,” Emma responded.

Avanix nodded slightly, and walked off towards the armory to seek out the Colombian.

In the armory, Nico aimed down the futuristic sights of one of EXALT’s state of the art laser rifles, firing a volley of red beams towards a target standing in front of the opposite wall. The beams struck lower and lower on the target, ten years of practiced recoil suppression foiling his aim.

“Damn you, muscle memory,” he mumbled to himself, taking his hand away from the battery as it sizzled.

As the weapon cooled, Nico fired another burst of shots with near perfect accuracy, drilling a dozen short beams into the head and neck of the target. He smiled with satisfaction before hearing the opening of doors behind him.

Avanix took in the target for a moment, nodding in approval. “If an associate of mine were here, she would probably comment on something about ‘if you were ten years younger...’ or such. I am not that crude, however,” the A.I. said with a smile. “An ‘impressive’ shall suffice.”

“Thanks,” he said, turning towards the A.I., “there’s a lot to adjust to here, but guns are the one thing that’s always easy for me.”

“Understandable. It is different for us, since we have lived around advanced technology like this since our creation,” Avanix intoned. “Has anything else besides the weaponry caught your eye? I doubt you are interested in cybernetics, and we have no need, really, with robotic shells to interface with the M.E.S.H.A., but what about genetic modifications?”

“I know some of the...’troops’ have been getting them. I don’t know about me, wouldn’t messing with genetics interfere with the cloning or something?”

“Actually,” Avanix started, “the Tv6 doesn’t override the DNA. It seems to add to it, rather, and in such a way that the original DNA isn’t directly altered.” It is possible to have a ‘kill switch’, but you need not have that knowledge. “Thus, we could get new samples unadulterated,” Avanix finished, unaware that her discovery was shared by those of XCOM and a particular green-haired scientist. “In short, it doesn’t interfere with the cloning process.”

“Well, they certainly seem useful as far as combat is concerned,” he replied, “but I haven’t really been in combat. Is that likely to change?”

The A.I. shrugged her metallic shoulders. “Ultimately, that is up to you. If you wish to fight alongside your clones against the extraterrestrials, we could use another ‘officer’ in our ranks. However, you are by no means forced to risk your life. I would just expect one like yourself to grow tired of the monotony of everyday life.”

“I’d expect you want me to stay healthy, for more clones. At least, that’s what I understood of my ‘contract.’”

Avanix nodded. “That is true, but we do have the DNA samples at this point, and plenty of them. The reason why you remain is you are a valuable asset, and we can’t have the risk of a leak. Even if we have at least some form of mutual trust, caution is the best ally. Especially after that damned Overseer showed up.”

“I understand that,” he stated, “if you need me to fight, I can fight. And if I’m going to fight, I’ll take anything that helps...but if I’m going to stay inside, I’d rather not mess with my body more than necessary.”

Emma leaned in the doorway. “I would be happy to have you fighting with us, Nico. Like Avanix said, I could use another officer at my side. We can make the pay worth your trouble, and with the gene mods...you would not have to fear a normal human in single combat, ever.”

“I like the sound of that. Humans, though, not extraterrestrials? Are your plans coming together soon?”

Emma shrugged. “I meant in general...though when the time comes, I would enjoy having my Adam template to share in Elene’s revenge. As for XCOM...I believe the mission I encountered them on has set us on the right path towards respect and the hints of trust, if not yet an alliance.”

“I only ask to know who you plan to target me at,” he replied, “I don’t know what modifications would be good for whoever I’ll be fighting...or whatever I’ll be fighting.”

The clone of Elene nodded. “Apologies for being vague. You’ll be fighting the aliens alongside us, as well as eventually Viktor’s EXALT if needed. Unless things go wrong, you won’t be fighting XCOM. As for the gene mods...I can look for what fits your fighting style.”

“I trust you for that,” he said, “I’m certainly no expert. And I’m happy to fill a role, so long as our agreement is still in place.”

“About the woman you seek?” Emma sought to confirm. “There is a problem regarding that...the name you gave us, her alias...it doesn’t give us the information we need to find her.”

“And considering that I have access to just about any information that isn’t nuclear launch codes or XCOM data due to my skills, that is about all I can do without further information,” Avanix added. “However...should we get the Overseer on it...perhaps his field agents could do what I cannot. Do you know of anyone that knew the subject you wish to find?”

“No one that’s alive, that I know anyway. She had everyone fooled,” he said, trailing off and pausing for a moment. “The woman the card belonged to, though, she was a worker at some harbor in New Hampshire. Maybe there’s a connection there, something that wasn’t put together in the official records. I know I don’t have much, but there’s only so much a criminal from South America can learn in that area.”

“That is more than we had before. I’ll look into it,” Avanix responded. “We’ll do our best to help you find the woman that killed your brother. We understand the feeling of losing family.”

“I appreciate the help. I wish I had more information, but you’d be surprised how little I’ve been able to learn, even in my circles.”

Emma nodded, and turned to return to her work. Something about that seems off...I may have more digging to do than just on the woman you seek revenge on...

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Office of Jaymes Parker, Base Therapist
July 19th, 2018, 1100 Hours

Brigid stared down at the floor, as if she was ashamed to look anyone in the eye. Jaymes wrote down a few notes as he thought of the best way to approach the problem, psionics not exactly something he had experience. "So, Brigid," he said after awhile. He glanced at Morrigan, sitting next to her child. "Your mother tells me you've barely spoken to anyone. She says you barely talk to her. Are you... mad at your mother?"

Brigid slowly shook her head. Jaymes looked over a note, and continued, "It looks like the only one you've really talked to is Desmond, and a little bit to Atka. Why is that?" Brigid remained quiet. "Is it... because of their psionics? Because your powers don't work on them, or at least they don't work as well?"

Brigid slowly nodded, and Morrigan sighed. "Dear, you can't avoid talking to people. You can't..."

Jaymes held up a hand, and Morrigan quieted down. He then stood up, walked over to Brigid, and sat on the floor in front of Brigid. "You can talk to me, Brigid. I know you're afraid of your powers, and you don't want to use them on me. But I'll be okay. Your mommy will make sure of it. Only if you want, though. If not, we can do something else. It is all up to you. I just want you to know, I'm here to listen."

After several seconds of silence, Brigid finally looked up. She spoke in a slow, sad tone. "I... I don't want this power. I told Mr... I told the monster I did, but... I don't want to hurt anyone."

Jaymes smiled. "And that is very noble of you. And we're looking for a way to remove the powers. But just in case we can't, why don't we try to learn how to control them." Looking back up at Morrigan, he asked, "Your mommy said you like super heroes and comics." Brigid nodded. "Well, Brigid, a lot of superheroes were scarred of their powers at first. Superman was afriad of how different it made him. Spiderman only used them to wrestle at first. And have you ever read about the X-Men comics? There is someone in that I'm thinking of."

Brigid thought for a moment. "R... Rouge?"

"That's right. She can't control her powers, and she's hurt people because of that. But she still does what she can to learn about her powers and uses them to help others."

"But... but that's just pretend."

Jaymes smiled. "True. But you can still use it for inspiration. Besides, she can't control her powers, but you might be able to, with practice."

"I know it is secret, love, but we're here to help us." Morrigan took hold of one of Brigid's hands and smiled. "As long as you want our help."

Brigid didn't smile back, but she nodded in agreement. "Good," Jaymes said. "Then I have someone I'd like you to meet. You can come in now."

Morrigan watched the young security guard walk in with a skeptical look. "Mr. Wiewiora? What is he doing here, Jaymes?"

Jake raised his hand. "It isn't another ploy to get you to make me a soldier, I assure you. I just want to help your daughter."

"Jake here came to me because he was troubled by his secret psionic abilities," the therapist said, and Morrigan gave the two men an irritated look. "Even after the other psionics were exposed, he feared a negative reaction, and he wasn't willing to take the risk with his roommates relying on him. Other then them, I was the only one he told."

"Um... actually, I told Ms. Lockheart too. I felt I could help her, but she insisted I kept quiet so I wouldn't be accused of..." Jake trailed off at the sight of Morrigan's guilty look, and he quickly added, "I-It's okay, Commander, I understand! It was that thing messing with everyone, especially Brigid! And that... th-that's why I'm here to help."

Morrigan smiled softly, and Jaymes continued. "Jake has empathic abilities. He can sense the emotions of anyone with a short distance. They aren't very strong, but since they are psionics, then he would likely have the same resistance Atka and Desmond do."

Jake nodded. "And unlike them, I'm not a soldier, so I'd have more time available to help you. Plus, I have a few friends you can meet. They're not as close to your age as your other friend, but they're friendly, and I'm sure they'd love to meet you."

Brigid looked up at the young security guard. Her gaze moved to Jaymes, then to her mother, who both gave her a reassuring nod. Finally, she looked back at Jake, and smiled.

 

[Adrammalech]

// RUMOR HAS IT //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Supply Closet #4
Siberia, Russian Federation
5:26 AM

Emily rushed out of the room and through the halls, sneaking over to the supply closet near her room. Inside, Nika looked at her with a shiver, her hands running up the parts of her arms that weren’t covered in the paper-thin exercise clothes she snuck out with. If the dream didn’t rattle her enough, she was now having a midnight rendezvous in her underwear with her squadmate.

“This is the creepiest thing I’ve done here, Emily,” she growled.

“Well, unless you want Jack and Sven imagining us having sex, we need a private place to talk about this,” Emily replied.

“Sex? There was no sex, just…”

“’Procreation’…”

“How would that even work? Why am I even thinking about this?!”

Emily shushed Nika loudly, gesturing her to calm down.

“Obviously, something is going on. We’re both having the same nightmares, and neither of us think of anything like them, or even want them…well, I know I don’t at least,” Emily whispered, looking inquisitive.

“Ew, and I do?”

“What do you mean, ‘ew’? You should be so lucky!”

“Seriously?!”

“Sorry, sorry…”

“And what about the one where they turn you into a monster, before we went to India? I know it made you scream…”

“I didn’t scream, it was just…a little yelp,” Emily said sadly.

“The point is, these aren’t our dreams…what’s happening?”

“I-I don’t know. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.”

“What about the cat thing?”

“The alien cat thing getting sliced up in the base? What’s that got to do with dreams?”

“There’s a rumor going around that it was psychic somehow, and it was messing with people’s minds, giving powers and thoughts to the Commander’s little girl. What if it’s fucking with us too?”

“The one in the Citadel wasn't psychic, at least not that we saw,” Emily noted, “And that would be rather difficult for it, considering it’s julienned in the labs right now.”

“Maybe there’s more of them, or maybe it was being controlled,” Nika said nervously, “I don’t know.”

“I don’t think a dead cat is giving us weird dreams…”

“Well, what’s your idea, then?”

Emily thought quietly for a moment, coming up with nothing. Nika’s eyes went wide as she suddenly thought of something else, followed by a stern look of determination.

“I know how to get to the bottom of this,” Nika stated. “The new labs they built, the psychic testing thing that Ayame mentioned when she was looking for Sunny while she was in the infirmary. Well, I guess that's a rumor too, since she never came back here, and she wasn't in the infirmary…” Nika shook her head, not being able to connect truth and guesses in her exhausted state. “The point is, the labs.”

“Are you kidding? I’m not going anywhere near that place.”

“Why? You have some kind of puritanical thing against enhancements?”

“I poisoned my body once, it’s not happening again.”

“So that's why you don't drink…”

“What are you talking about?”

“Really? That virgin screwdriver thing, that wouldn’t fool a sixth grader!”

“Hey, fuck off! I do it so people don’t feel weird around me!”

The two sleep-deprived soldiers stared angrily at each other for a moment, the stand-off being broken by an involuntary yawn from Emily. Nika rubbed her eyes with irritation, relaxing a little.

“You do what you want,” Emily said sleepily, “I’m not going to the labs.”

“I’m going there tomorrow,” Nika resolved.

“If they tell you something important, you’ll share it with me?”

Nika nodded quietly.

“Thanks. Good luck with whatever they do there, I guess.”

Emily opened the door to the closet and both of them walked out, to the surprised stare of one of the base security soldiers on their floor, who was holding a coffee and a small piece of bread. He looked down at their nighttime clothes and then back up with a suppressed grin.

“Good evening, ladies,” he whispered giddily.

“Oh, fu–”

“It’s not what it looks like,” Emily explained. “We were just talking. Don’t tell anyone.”

“Of course,” he said happily.

The private rushed off, clutching his breakfast items and snickering excitedly.

“He’s going to tell everyone,” Nika said.

“I know…”

 

[MarineAvenger]

A Brief Look Into One's Mind Part 1 (MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53)

X-COM Headqaurters
Desmond Walker’s Private Lab
1500 Hours

“Well, I don’t see why he can’t come to us?” Eve complained, barely watching where she was walking as she looked at her computer pad.

“Be nice, Eve.” Aya rolled her eyes. “It isn’t like we need anything from him, or he’s in trouble. It’s just a social call. Besides, I figured you’d like a chance to get out. Maybe you’ll see something interesting while we’re here.”

“I guess.” The pair stopped before the door to the lab, and Eve asked, “So how do we get in?”

“I’d imagine we knock,” Aya answered, and did so.

Desmond looked towards the door with a raised eyebrow as he heard the clanking. “I am not expecting visitors, am I?” he muttered as he got up to investigate who was knocking. When he opened the door he was most surprised to see the Brea sisters at his door. “Hey guys, you need anything?”

“Just a social call,” Eve said in a mock voice, and Aya nudged her.

“I just wanted to check on everything, Desmond.” Aya smiled. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks, and I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

Desmond rubbed his neck and waved a hand for them to come in and he shut the door behind him. “You are right when saying it has been tough. That incubator incident still has me steamed but I am just glad he can no longer manipulate Brigid.” He pulled out a couple of chairs from one of the desks and he motioned for them to sit.

“I have to thank you,” Aya said, taking a seat. “I should have been more on top of things. Mor… The Commander and her daughter are important to me, and the thought that I just let this happen makes me feel like I failed at my job.”

Desmond began to take a panel off of his arm and looked up at Aya as he unscrewed the tiny screws. “Don’t. That was something out of your hands. The only thing we can do is think about how to better ourselves for the future instead of dwell on the mistakes of the past.”

Eve shrugged. “I told her the same thing. But Bradford seems to think otherwise. He thought, in a manner of speaking, that a security breach that escalated to the point of a guard disappearing should have led to the discovery of the alien within a day or two, and he would have done so if he had been here. I think he’s full of himself, and he should do things my sister doesn’t like me to say out loud. But that’s me. I have this thing about arrogant people.”

“I can see why you had reserves about coming here. I have to admit that I was the same way when we first met wasn’t I? Now that I look back I sounded like an arrogant prick. That must have ticked you off.” He popped the plate out of place and grabbed a smaller screwdriver and started to tinker with his arm. “I am sorry if I made you angry.”

Eve raised an eyebrow and started to respond, but Aya gave her a look that quieted her down. Instead of what she was going to say, she sighed and said, “I… I’m sorry too. I should have given you more of a chance. After what you did for Brigid, you’re obviously more than some blowhard.”

“And on your last mission,” Aya added. “I saw how you selflessly put yourself in harms way to protect you comrades. That was very noble.”

He stopped turning the screwdriver at the mention of the mission but went back to work. “They were my allies. If I had hesitated or waited for reason they would have died. If there is one thing I have learned from my time here it is that relationships do not hinder but seem to help. Soldiers are not tools to be disposed of. We are all living are we not?” He said in an impassive tone.

“You’d be surprised how quickly people forget that,” Eve responded, scooting closer to him and examining his arm. “When they get into it, devote their entire being into the fight, they start to look at themselves in the same way you look at your arm. Just another tool, one that could be replaced. And then they look at others the same way.”

“So never forget what you just said, Desmond,” Aya insisted. “We are living, breathing beings. Hold on to those relationships, because the moment we lose that connection to our humanity, we become the same as the monsters we are fighting.”

Desmond tried to move his fingers but they got got stuck up and with a little more adjustment he would find the sweet spot. “Then what do you feel about Exalt? Are they worth forgiveness?”

Aya thought for a moment, considering the question. “I’m… not sure. No one is beyond forgiveness, at least not to an extent. I do believe there is a point where you go too far. But if we could reach them before they reach that point, maybe open up a dialog and show them we are on the same side, or at least we should be, then yeah. I could see forgiveness for them.”

“That’s a big ‘if’,” Eve said, continuing to examine Desmond’s arm with great interest. “It isn’t easy to talk with people that try to blow your head off as soon as they see you.”

“A big ‘if’ indeed.” He sat in silence for a bit and looked at Eve. He said a command and the 3D model of the arm showed up next to him. “There it is Eve.”

Eve’s eyes darted towards the model, but she smiled and continued to look at his arm. “I prefer the real thing.”

Aya raised an eyebrow. “Um… so, how are your abilities coming along, Desmond.”

He smiled, somehow knowing this would come up. “Well. I have learned how to manipulate the orb’s properties so I can use it in a variety of different ways. Aside from that I have learned to create neural links with a person’s mind and create a ‘dreamscape’ of sorts, though without another psion on the other end it takes a lot out of you.”

“Really?” Aya rubbed her chin, genuinely interested. “What made you create this new ability? It sounds quite different from your offensive ability.”

“It may be something different but it has it’s uses. The idea is basically just telepathy communication but with an overhaul. Though it is still a bit of a mystery. When I used it on Jessica Lockheart she manifested her second personality and I could communicate with both in the same plane. It also allows for physical contact and even brings objects you may have on your person at the time.”

“I guess that beats showing up naked, huh?” Eve commented, her tone not sounding completely sure.

“Have you practiced with it over distance?” Aya asked. “What kind of range does it have?”

“So far only if I have physically touched the person at the time.” It was a simple lie but he gave no indication that he was being untruthful.

Aya nodded. “Well… if you’d like, we can try it without physical contact. You mentioned a burden if you do it with someone who isn’t psionic. I take it that means multiple psionics can share the burden, right?”

He sighed contemplatively and put a hand on his chin. “It could work though I have never tried with three psionics at once.”

“I’m game if you are,” Eve said excitedly, smiling brightly at the tall soldier. Aya nodded in agreement.

Desmond looked between the two of him and put the panel back in place as he finally made the right adjustment. “Worth a try.” Desmond stood up and grabbed an object off the table and sat in the middle of the room on his knees. He closed his eyes and reached out for the minds of the two other psions. It wasn’t that hard in reality, his mind being drawn by the presence of them. When he finally connected he opened up his mind and after a minute they were in. He opened his eyes in the foggy plane and saw Aya and Eve standing on the other side of him. “Welcome to my mind.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

A Brief Look Into One's Mind Part 2

“Not bad,” Eve said, looking around. “Lots of space. Guess that means an open mind, huh?” She looked at her sister, noting the faint, bluish-green aura around her, and looked at her own hands, which had the same glow. “Weird.”

“Maybe it has to do with our powers working differently. At any rate, were you right about multiple psionics making it easier?”

He moved his body around and he didn’t feel light headed at all which at any rate was a good sign. “It helps. For how long I can’t tell.” He put his hand in his pocket and fished out what he had put in there. “Have a look for yourself.” He threw the coin at Eve and looked at Aya. “You can touch your sister by the way. You won’t fall through.”

Eve caught the coin and looked it over. She handed it to Aya. The elder sister smiled. “Interesting. With this, you could show people things over a great distance. Like a mental digital phone. I can definitely see this being useful for a number of things.”

Eve casually walked over to Desmond, and touched his arm. “So, can you feel me touching you right now? Like I was really here?”

Desmond raised a hand and put it on her head. “You tell me.”

Eve placed her hand on his and nodded. “That’s really cool. Um… what about your other arm? I’ve heard of a kind of… sensory memory for people who have lost limbs.” She slowly moved her hand across his cybernetic arm. “Can you feel… anything?”

“I remember being asked that the first time I got it. Like I had stated before…” He held it up and stared at the matte colored metal. “Feels like the first time all over again.”

Eve nodded, and continued to smile at Desmond. Aya joined the two of them, and said, “Thank you for sharing this with us. I’m don’t have much skill with this kind of ability. I’m afraid most of what I do is destructive. But maybe Eve can learn to do this herself, based on what you’ve shown us here.”

He looked at Eve and returned the smile. Desmond laughed at loud and when he finally calmed down a little he said. “What do you know. It seems that I will actually be teaching you something after all.” He chuckled once more and looked at Aya. “Funny how this seemed to go full circle.”

Aya nodded. “You’re never too knowledgeable to learn something new, and you never know where you’ll learn things. Right, Eve?” She nudged her sister. “Eve?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, right?” Eve shook her head, and looked around. “So, uh… how do we get out of here. If I do try this, I’d hate to get stuck in my own head.” In a half whisper, she added, “You might be surprised what you’d find in there,” and gave Desmond a wink.

Desmond smirked. “Just end the connection as you would if you were closing a book, just close your mind.” He closed his eyes and the plane slowly dispersed and after a bit he opened his eyes, still kneeling in the middle of the room. “You two good?”

The sisters both nodded, Aya saying, “Feels like I just used one of my other abilities. Not bad.” She glanced at the clock, having lost track of time in their shared dream world. “I better head out. But keep up the good work. And… thank you, Desmond. I feel better than I did before I came here.”

Desmond nodded his head. “Anytime. I will be sure to add your prints to the scanner so you can get in anytime.”

Aya nodded, and took her leave. Eve followed behind, but stopped at the doorway. Turning to look back at Desmond, she asked, “Tell me, Desmond… how close are you and Atka?”

Desmond thought it an odd question but he shrugged his shoulders. “About as close as New York to California.” It was his turn to give her a wink.

“Really? Interesting.” Eve grinned. “Then maybe I…” She shrugged, and took off without another word.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

X-COM Headquarters
Room of Wiewiora, Takahashi, Tanaka, and Yoshida
1600 Hours

"Did it... take you a long time to learn?" Brigid asked cautiously while she doodled on a pad of paper.

"It took a while, yeah?" Jake answered. "Mostly because I avoided using them. You see, so few people know about them because I was afraid to tell anyone. Mostly because they were on almost all the time at first."

"Because people would be mad at you for using you power on them," Brigid said in an understanding voice.

"Yeah. Even after I learned to use them, I was afraid people would say, 'Hey, that's Jake. Don't talk to him, or he'll probe your mind'. But I've decided to stop hiding them. I'm not exactly singing about them on a mountain top, but whenever I see one of the people here who is really upset, crying or very angry, I help them, and they're usually appreciative to have someone who understands how they feel. Usually." Jake and Brigid looked up at the sound of chattering outside of the door. "Looks like the girls are here. Now, English isn't their first language but they're all pretty comfortable with it. Hey, girls."

The trio stopped short at the doorway, their gazes pointing towards Jake, then Brigid, then back to Jake. Rei sighed, and said, "Let's get the guards."

"Right," Hitomi agreed, and the two turned to leave.

"Hey!" Jake shouted angrily.

Keiko's eyes started to water. "Jake... y-you said I was too young, but was I in fact... to old?"

"Now wait one friggin' minute. This is Brigid, the Commander's daughter!"

Hitomi grinned mischievously. "Oh, the Commander's daughter, huh? Living extra dangerously, huh?"

"Now I'm warning you, I..."

Rei looked down at Brigid. "He hasn't asked you to call him 'Big Brother' or anything weird like that yet, has he?"

"That's it!" Jake sprang to his feet, trying to nab the nimble, giggling girls as they darted around the room and Brigid watched in confusion.

"Am... I supposed to call you big brother?" The young girl asked.

"No, Brigid," Jake answered as Hitomi darted out of his reach.

"Then... should I call you three Big Sister?"

The girls all stopped in their tracks, so suddenly Jake almost plowed into them. The three girls looked up at Jake, their eyes aglow. In the same loving tone, they simultaneously asked, "Can we keep her?!"

Jake rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "You three will be the death of me. Listen, we talked about me helping Mr. Parker with someone learning to use psionics. This is that someone."

"Oh, wow!" Hitomi dropped to the floor in front of Brigid and grasped the girl's hands. "So you can bend the will of man to your purposes? That is awesome!"

Brigid smiled nervously. "Um... but I want to learn how to control..."

"First, we should make them let us use the kitchen so we can cook a big cake. Or, heck, make them make the cake for us. Though, considering how they handle the other food..."

"I'm going to get us all something to eat," Jake interrupted. "Don't do anything irresponsible while I'm gone." His warning was to all of them, but he looked specifically at Hitomi as he stepped out.

"Why does he always look at me?' The teenager asked, then gave Brigid an evil grin. "When he gets back, can you force him to give us a bigger allowance?"

"He doesn't give us an allowance at all," Keiko corrected her friend.

"Well then we'll have him start giving us an allowance," Hitomi countered.

"I do not believe he is paid for his services," Rei said apathetically. "Our continued care is his payment."

Hitomi pouted. "Well, there must be something we can have someone do. Oh, I know! Let's have them build us our own OW!"

Rei tugged on Hitomi's ear. "I believe we should stop trying to think of ways for her to misuse her abilities. And by us, I mean you."

"It doesn't matter." Keiko dropped down and wrapped her arms around Brigid, squeezing her like a cute puppy. "Brigid wouldn't do those things anyway. She's a good girl. I can see it in her eyes."

Brigid smiled, both from the compliment, and from amusement from the the teenagers. Rei joined the rest of the group on the floor. "So tell me, Brigid, how does it work?"

Brigid shrugged. "I'm not sure. I just... ask for something, and people do what I ask."

"Fascinating." Rei rubbed her chin. "Are they resistant? Do they fight it, argue with it?"

Brigid shook her head. "I don't think so. The always just smiled. That's why I didn't notice it. And then they forget what they did."

"So, what, it makes them, like, want to do it or something?" Hitomi asked.

"Like hypnosis." Keiko nodded. "Then they forget, so the memory of wanting to do it... um..."

"Doesn't conflict with the chain of events leading to the being told to do it," Rei offered. "Otherwise, they'd realize they suddenly started think something completely different, which would draw attention to the power."

"And you can't control it?" Hitmoi asked. "Even after you found out about the powers?"

"Um... I don't know." The young girl scratched her head. "I haven't talked to a lot of people."

"Well, then maybe it isn't as out of control as you think," Keiko offered, giving Brigid an encouraging squeeze.

"An idea." Rei adjusted here glasses. "Why don't you use your ability to have us do something, like you have done before. Then ask us to do something else, but this time concentrate on it not being a command, on it only being a question."

Brigid frowned. "I... I don't know. I don't like forcing people to do things."

"Very noble, but that's what we're doing, right?" Hitomi smiled. Come on. Use it on me. You have my permission. Tell me... or rather, ask me to... to kiss Rei."

"What?" Rei and Keiko both asked in surprise, the former blushing.

"Come on. It needs to be something we can know happened because of the powers, without leaving the room or breaking something. Go ahead, Brigid."

Rei opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Brigid asked, "Can... can you kiss Rei?"

Both Brigid and Hitomi's eyes flashed violet, and Hitomi nodded in agreement. She scooted over to Rei, and before the other teenager could react, placed her lips on Rei's for a brief moment. Pulling away, her eyes flashed violet again, and she looked between the others. "Did it work?"

Keiko nodded slowly. "Y-yeah. Your eyes turned purple, then you... y-y-you kissed her. You don't remember?"

Hitomi shook her head. "Nope. Why? Was it good for..." She was taken aback by Rei's beet red face and sinister scowl. "What?"

"Y-you... you..." Rei took a deep breath, then smiled at Brigid. "Now do the same thing, but concentrate on it not being an order. This time, ask Hitomi to kiss Keiko."

"What?" Hitomi's eyes widened. "I... but I don't want to kiss Keiko."

"I don't want her to kiss me either," Keiko agreed, but gave Hitomi a confused look. "But... it's the same thing with Rei, right?"

"Of course it is?" Rei folded her arms. "Of course she'd have to be hypnotized to ever want to kiss me."

Hitomi frowned. "I... Rei, it wasn't..." She pouted, then gave Rei an angry look. "Go ahead, Brigid. Let me have it."

"Um... okay." Brigid looked confused, but shrugged. Concentrating hard on her question being a question and not a command, she asked Hitomi, "Can you kiss Keiko?"

The room was silent for several seconds, and no one moved. Keiko smiled and let out a small cheer. "It worked! See, you can do it!"

"Do what," Jake asked as her carefully entered the room, five small meals in tow.

As Keiko helped him, Brigid clapped her hands together excitedly. "I asked someone for something without them doing it. All I had to do is think of it as only a question."

"Great. I knew you could do it. And if we keep working on it, eventually I'm sure you can switch that, so you have to want it to be a command instead of having to not want it to... be... one." Jake raised an eyebrow at Hitomi and Rei, both sitting with their arms crossed, both with their heads turned as far away from the other as possible. "What's their problem," Jake asked in Japanese.

"I'm not sure," Keiko answered in turn, and helped Jake prepare everyone's food.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSpliter53: “Growing Concerns, Part 1”

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
2230 Hours, June 20th, 2018
Atka/Ayame’s Quarters, the Barracks

Atka rubbed Taqukaq’s fur, smiling. And that is how your robot counterpart saved us from a Beserker, Atka conveyed to the husky in a series of images. As he always did, Taqukaq growled at the thought of one of the red, meaty Berserkers, both in distaste and in wonderment at how they would taste.

Can I?

Atka chuckled, shaking her head at the dog. I doubt the Doctor would appreciate you taking a bite out of one of their bodies.

A light knock came on the door. “Um… Miss, uh… Atka? Are you in there?”

Atka stretched her arms. “Just a minute…” She stood up, and opened the door, wearing her white shirt with the red maple leaf, and dark blue jeans.

Jessica smiled sheepishly. She wore a similar attire, except for the words ‘Pink Floyd’ on her shirt. “H-hi. Um… can we talk? If you aren’t busy. I know it’s late.”

“Not at all, Jessica,” Atka responded with a gentle smile. “Was just talking to my dog, as weird as that sounds.” She stepped back, inviting Jessica in and sitting on the side of her bed to allow the scientist the chair.

Rubbing the back of her neck, Jessica said, “I… didn’t get a chance to thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably still be in the brig.”

“Not a problem. I would hate to have seen what it would have done to Modya, and we are friends after all,” Atka replied. “I’m just glad I could help.”

Jessica nodded. “Still, it was a big risk. For all you knew, the Commander was behind everything. She could have had you thrown in the brig too, or killed you on the spot. I… I don’t forget the people that put themselves in that kind of a position for me.”

“I knew. But I figured that even if she was, aside from how much of a surprise it would have been, that I could handle whatever she had to offer. Even if I wasn’t backed up by the power I have…” the Inuit scout grinned slightly. “Probably still would have done it anyway.”

Jessica nodded again. “What… what’s it like? That power, I mean. What can you do? I’ve seen some of the battle footage, and your abilities seem to be getting… would bigger be a good word to use?”

Atka shrugged. “Maybe. I tend to focus on making the smaller abilities count and useful often, rather than flashy stuff like Desmond.” And his psi bombs. “So far I have four abilities, though I have been working on a fifth, having to do with what it’s like.” Her expression grew more serious. “I’ve lived with the hints of telepathy most of my life, discovered my animal empathy when I was a kid. Despite that, I will admit that it scares me sometimes, even if I value what it allows me to do for others and the confidence it infuses me with.”

The Inuit woman’s expression lightened again. “And that’s what the fifth is for. A sort of...psi inspiration. I’ve been trying to use my abilities to give people that confidence, to defend them against fear and enemy psions. So far, I’ve managed to make Taq here stupidly brave.”

The green-haired scientist smiled at the large canine. “That sounds really cool. The thought of using these powers to support others. All those aliens seem to care about is using them to hurt others. I’m sure even that mind merging thing was developed to help them kill. I… hate it so much. So much pain, so much hate. I never thought I could feel this much anger towards a single being, let alone an entire race, but…” She trailed off, as though she was too ashamed to finish the sentence.

The Captain sighed. “You’ve met Dante, right? They aren’t all like that. And I’ve heard even that Sectoid is at least not a sadist like damn...Samuel Wilson.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Jessica gave Atka a sad look. “But even if Samuel is the exception, they are still the ruling mindset for our enemy. And look at what they’ve done so far. Tore India apart, destroyed Moscow and tried to do the same in Sri Lanka. And… they caused so much pain to your home, your people your… y-your family. I… wish I could be more optimistic, but the thought that something like that could happen to my family makes my stomach churn.”

Atka clenched a fist tightly. “I haven’t forgotten what they did. They laid waste to my village, they killed some of my childhood friends, modified the rest…” Atka’s eyes watered. “And they couldn’t have done anything worse to my mother than what they did. To turn a woman like Yaralria...who wanted nothing more than a simple life...into...it’s an unspeakable act. Samuel isn’t the exception. But… I can’t think of a better insult to their leadership than to ruin everything they did to their underlings. And Nouja...is friends with that Balmadaar, that promised to help save her and followed through. I can’t forget that, either.”

“I’ve talked to him, as has Alexia. We agree that he does seem to be a noble creature. So… maybe you're right.” Jessica smiled optimistically. “Wouldn’t it be something if the alien leaders had to face down the barrel of a weapon held by one of their own subordinates?”

Atka took a deep breath, calming herself down. “It would be. I wouldn’t mind having a Balmadaar backing me up, if that’s ever possible. I understand why it would be hard to get everyone to trust Ogedei though.”

“Well, people are more trusting than we might believe.” Jessica shrugged. “I, myself, struggled with trusting people when I first came here. But it doesn’t take too much. After all…” She gave Atka a sheepish look. “I trust you, and all you had to do is keep my Modya alive during the base assault.”

“Couldn’t have taken the engineering section without him. And he proved himself again in New Delhi...even when I lost my cool. I was just there to help and give a couple of orders, honestly,” Atka returned. “Haven’t been the best officer lately…”

“A lot of that had to do with the nasty situations you were in,” Jessica offered. “I know it doesn’t mean much, coming from a non-combatant, but if I saw that MEC lady take that hit, I wouldn’t have been able to function at all. Not to mention, so much of your problems seemed to revolve around that… that thing, that… little monster.”

Atka shook her head slightly. “Thing is, I have to be able to deal with those situations. I don’t have the luxury of ‘there’s someone better.’ We’re the best Earth has to offer, supposedly, and Major Brea can’t lead every mission. I know my strengths...but I also know my weaknesses. Hopefully with this psi inspiration I can keep myself more focused. It’s all I can do, really.” The Inuit woman was quiet for a few seconds. “Gene mods are an option, but with my psionic powers...and everything I’ve seen the MELD used for...I just...it’s selfish, but I can’t. Still have nightmares about being augmented…”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSpliter53: “Growing Concerns, Part 2”

Jessica shook her head. “Don’t then. Please, if you don’t think they’re for you, then don’t get them. Just know who has them amongst your soldiers, and take the best advantage of their strengths.” The young lab tech look to the floor sadly. “I… I’m not going to talk you into doing something that goes against how you feel. I already feel bad enough about…”

An expression of concern for the younger woman crossed Atka’s face. “About what?”

“Modya. He… he’s being augmented right now. He asked me about them, and he was unsure. He wanted to be the best that he could be, but he was unsure. He came to me for a honest opinion, but to be honest, all I could think about how much it would hurt if I lost him, especially after what happened to him in India. I should have considered it more objectively.”

Atka thought for a moment. “Well...he doesn’t have the abilities I do. And if I’m any judge...he probably can’t develop them. His life is the most important thing, so you weren’t wrong to want to protect him. And he wouldn’t want to go anywhere with someone like you around for him.” The Inuit woman sighed. “Is that where Ayame disappeared off to?”

Jessica nodded slowly. “I’m sorry I didn’t say something to you about it. But in her case, there was no talking her out of it. She said something about not having ‘it’, and wanting to have the strength to protect the people she cares about.”

“Sounds like her…” Atka confirmed. “I…” the Inuit woman sighed deeply this time, and sat up. “I feel bad. Whether she realizes it or not, I know how she feels about me. I just can’t return that affection...I’m not sure I’d ever know how to. And it tears me up inside, knowing I have that effect on my friend. I wish I could change, but I’m not sure I could.”

Jessica stood up and walked to Atka’s side. She sat next to her, and placed a hand on Atka’s shoulder. “This might sound strange, but I don’t think it really matters to her. I don’t think she knows you know. You’d think she would, considering how bad she is at hiding things. But whether she does or doesn’t, I don’t think it matters to her if you return her affection. She just wants to keep you safe, Something about her past. She was kinga vague. But it is kinda like… caring about someone so much, nothing else matters, even them returning your love.”

I think I know who she meant. “That’s very noble of her… I...I have never been good at understanding matters of love. If I was, I might not be here. I was one of the best candidates to join the military because I never really had the urge to marry in the tribe, and that feeling never really changed even after I left. Whether or not she needs me to return the affection…” Atka shook her head with a hint of amusement. “She picked a person incredibly unversed in such things.” With a bit more serious of a tone, Atka added, “I ought to thank her though. For protecting me all this time. I owe her a lot… She’s more than repaid what I did for her initially.”

“She’ll be out in a few days, so you’ll get your chance.” Jessica grinned. “Though true friends don’t keep score, so I doubt she’ll know what you mean.” She nudged Atka a bit. “And I think you’re better at showing others affection than you think. Otherwise, people wouldn’t like talking to you so much.”

“Hey, I didn’t say I was bad at making friends. Romantic affection, though? I’m a novice,” Atka explained.

“Wish I could help you with that, but I’m still learning myself.” Jessica looked down. “It took a traumatic event for me to work up the courage to ask Modya if we could share rooms. And now there is one or two other things I’d like to ask him for, but I don’t know how, or even when the appropriate time or place is.”

“I imagine that’s something that you couldn’t tell me,” the Inuit woman guessed.

Jessica shrugged. “I… I don’t know. I mean, as long as you didn’t tell Modya. But it isn’t something I should burden you with anyway.”

“It seems like me and Tom get more people talking to them than the psychiatrist. I’m used to it. But if it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to. I would just say that you should tell him eventually...we have roles that hold too much risk to keep secrets forever. Soldiers or otherwise, XCOM isn’t exactly a ‘low-risk’ job for anyone.”

Jessica shrugged. “I know. In fact that’s why I’d love to have something of Modya’s to remember him by if… if the unthinkable should happen. Alexia thinks I’m just being pessimistic, though. And she thinks I’m just being silly, and Modya doesn’t have time to think about this right now. She’s probably right.”

The scout’s curiosity got the better of her. “Something to remember him by?”

Jessica blushed. “Y-yeah… you know, something… special to both of us…”

Atka rested her cheek on her right hand, a small grin apparent on her face. “Not much more specific than your previous statement.”

“I… I mean, something we would… w-would… make together, I…” Jessica’s face turned beat red. “A piece of him that I could… oh God, why can’t I just say it?”

Realization dawned on Atka’s face. “You’re talking about a kid, aren’t you?”

Jessica slowly nodded. “It’s silly. We’re in the middle of a war, and a… a ch… a ch-child… ahem, is the last thing he needs to worry about.”

Atka shrugged this time. “Maybe, but I think it’s sweet of you. He would certainly be motivated to survive even more with that in mind.”

Jessica smiled. “I guess we both have something to talk about with someone when they get out of their orange baths, huh?”

“We certainly do. And who knows, maybe you’ll end up motivating me to be less of a loner when it comes to romance. No promises, though,” Atka added.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

"Calm before the Storm" - Thomas Burrick

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1950 Hours, July 21st, 2018
Records Room

Megan Connor stood in front of the door, growling softly while tapping a foot, waiting. The door slowly opened, and Thomas Burrick looked over the irritated rocketeer with amusement. "I was wondering when you were going to show up, Megan," Tom said.

"Don't mess with me...c'mon, Tom," Megan muttered.

"Oh, but why could you be here? You haven't said so."

Megan's expression turned more menacing, and Tom held up his hands in surrender. "Alright...this way." He walked into the records room, pulling up a chair for Megan to sit beside him. "Stay over there for a moment." He put in the password, and brought up a video chat. "There we go."

The rocketeer sat beside him, still seeming a little impatient as they waited for a response. After a few minutes, the image of Tom's sister appeared on the screen. She was dressed in a basketball uniform, and seemed like she had just been outside. "Hi Tom." Sofia glanced over slightly. "And Megan. What's up?"

"Checking in as always. What have you been doing?" Thomas asked.

Sofi grinned. "As if you even needed to ask. I was teaching Golin basketball. He's surprisingly good, even considering the fact that he hadn't even heard of the game before coming overseas."

'What about Marabelle?" Megan asked with a smile.

Sofia chuckled. "Not as good as I would have expected, and she already knew how to play."

"Not my fault...Megan wants me to focus on grades more," the rocketeer's sister complained, walking over onto the screen.

"Good to see you, Mara," Megan said with relief.

"Back from India, I'm guessing?" Sofia interjected.

Tom looked at her in surprise. "Sofi, how did you..."

"Oh, come on," the 14-year-old muttered. "It's easy to put together. You guys work in some secret alien-fighting organization. Russia and India suddenly get weapons to fight on even terms with the aliens, and take back New Delhi. It was all over the news. You can't keep something like that a secret."

The assistant manager of records sighed. "I suppose not. And it is not hard to put together where half of my friends have been."

"Were you one of the people that breached the citadel?" Sofia asked Megan with excitement.

"Can't say that..." Megan responded with a wide grin.

Sofia pouted. "You're no fun."

"And you know how these things are," Tom countered. "I had to keep you in the dark with my previous job, too."

"It's fine...just make sure to call on my birthday, even if you can't get me anything," Sofia said seriously.

"June 25th. I won't forget," Thomas responded with a smile.

"How has school been?" Megan asked her sister.

"Alright...better since I have friends here," Marabelle responded, and Sofia punched her lightly in the shoulder.

"Glad I could help out."

"I actually know someone else from New York, here," Megan added.

"Really?" Marabelle's eyes lit up. "Guy or girl?"

"A guy. Can't say his name though. He's a bit of a crazy one on the battlefield, but he's a nice guy."

"Handsome?" Sofi asked with a mischevious glint in her eyes.

Megan looked embaressed. "I...uh, well...maybe..."

***​

They talked for awhile more, before Megan and Marabelle finished their reunion. Thomas lead the rocketeer out, and watched her go.

"Mind if I talk to Golin?" a voice said from the shadows next to him.

Tom held his chest, grimacing, and slowly turned to regard the Chinese shadow operative. "Do you have to do that?"

Sarah shrugged with small smile. "It's refreshing."

"That how you justify scaring people for fun?" Thomas grew more serious. "You could have talked to him with Megan."

Sarah shook her head. "She's too...happy. I'm not good with those sort of people."

"Sarcastic people like me more of your type?"

"Not in that way," Sarah said with a raised eyebrow. "However, we understand eachother, I think. You were C.I.A., weren't you?"

Thomas was silent for a moment, and then nodded. "We have both worked from the shadows. None of this is entirely new to either of us."

"I do worry sometimes that if something were to happen to me...Golin wouldn't know why or how, just receive a letter in the mail," the sniper muttered.

"I have the same fears, even if I don't serve on the battlefield." Tom shook his head. "We'll make it, somehow. Just a mutual promise, if one of us should meet our end...Sofia has everyone else, but I promise you, I'd keep your son safe."

"That's all I need to know." Sarah Wong walked into the records room to talk to Golin, followed by Thomas Burrick.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Eerily Real

Primary Ethereal Base "Luxeria"
Somewhere in Asia
Date & Time: Unknown

Jessica woke with a start, then let out a cry of pain. Raising shaking hands, she carefully pulled a series of small needles from both sides of her head. She let out a pained groan as she slipped off an examination table. Shivering, the room freezing against her bare skin, she quickly searched the room and found some discarded clothes to throw on.

Jessica Lockheart. This is Bradford. You are trapped in an alien base. You need to destroy the power generator so we can rescue you.

Jessica nodded, and stepped out the door. She found herself in a long hallway. A few feet away, a Sectoid looked over a familiar looking woman with blond hair. Without even thinking, Jessica clenched her fists together and slammed them into the back of the Sectoid's neck. She quickly grabbed its plasma pistol and bashed it on the back of the head, knocking it out.

Jessica looked to her right, and was facing a large, glowing generator. Lifting the weapon, she hesitated, wondering what she was doing, why she was doing it, and how it would help. She heard a pained moan, and looked to her left, her eyes locking on to Modya, covered in blood, gasping for air as the life quickly drained from his eyes. She looked back at the generator, and fired.

====================

X-COM HQ
July 22nd, 0200 Hours

Jessica sat up in a start. She looked around, her eyes panic stricken, at her room around her. She noted the sleeping Russian at her side, and shuddered. It took everything in her power not to wake him. But he had only been out of the Gene-Lab for a few hours, and she didn't want to stress him out.

Jessica? What is it?

Um... n-nothing. Just a dream.

Hmm? You having strange dreams too, huh? I was having this really weird one. I was trapped, and Modya was there, covered in...

Y-you had a dream about Modya too. Oh... oh God, what could...

I... I'm surprised. With how reserved you are, I never thought you'd have that kind of dream.

Wait... what? What did you dream?

I was trapped on this toasty-warm frying pan with Modya, and we were both covered in nothing but cooking oil. This alien was going to cook us, and we had to prove we were intelligent beings, and somehow, that involved Modya rubbing my...

Enough! Jessica felt like she was going to vomit. How many times do I have to tell you...

What? It's your body too.

Not in our dreams, it isn't. Besides, I would never...

Oh? You know, I never try to spy on you two, but you can't exactly put a sock on a door for me to know when it is a bad time. And a few nights ago, I heard what you said to Modya while his tongue was...

I get it, jeez! Jessica huffed and laid back down.

Hey, Jess... what were you dreaming about? You... seemed upset.

Jessica thought for a moment. I... I can't remember. It faded away. But... whatever it was, it... wasn't pleasant.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

ZombieSplitter53 and DarkGemini24601: “Dual Confessions”

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1300 Hours, July 22nd, 2018
Holo-Training Room

Modya punched the holographic Sectoid, sending it into the side of a building with a sickening crack of bone. He pulled out his pistol and shot it, finishing the poor creature off. “End simulation.” Too bad I can’t test the adaptive bone marrow...but I’d rather not have someone shoot me to prove a point.

Jessica clapped her hands excitedly. “Wonderful! That was great. And you’re adapting so fast.”

The rocketeer turned to face her, smiling. “They have proven to be quite useful. With how quiet it’s been, this is the only way I can test it. Not that I’m complaining.”

Jessica approached him, lifting his arm and running her hand across it. “Is there any discomfort. I mean, there shouldn’t be, but please tell me if you’re having any pain whatsoever.”

Modya shook his head. “Nothing beyond the tingling and typical feelings when I came out. That has passed, and I do not feel anything uncomfortable now.”

Jessica nodded. “Good, good, I was afraid you might…” Jessica put on a forced smile. “I’m just glad you’re feeling okay. If something were to happen to you because of me, I…”

“I’m not worried about the gene mods. You know more than anyone that they’re safe, and I’m confident in your ability to assure that,” Modya replied. “There’s no need to worry about me.”

Jessica nodded again, but looked unsure. “You… you wanted to get these though, right? You didn’t feel pressured by anyone… anything, besides the dangers of the battlefield, right?”

“I did so to protect myself and others on the battlefield, and to be more effective,” the Russian confirmed. “No one asked me to do this. It was my choice...and I’m not uncomfortable with what I got. Most of this isn’t even alien genetics, its just improving on human ability. No different than a new health food, heightened exercise like a certain American engineer is used to, or shiny new gauss rockets in my mind.”

The young tech examined his expression for several moments. Finally, she gave him a smile, and wrapped her arms around his head, giving him a big kiss. Modya responded in kind, holding Jessica close to him gently.

“You always know what to say to make me feel better.” Jessica placed her head against his chest, and took a few seconds to listen to his heartbeat. “I… I hate the aliens so much. But as much as I wish they’d go away, I can’t bring myself to wish they’d never come here. Because if they didn’t, I never would have met you. You… you’re like that brand new phone a ditzy teenager gets. She goes along without it before hand, but after she gets it, she can’t imagine life without it. That’s you, Modya. I honestly can’t imagine how I lived before I met you.”

“There’s always good mixed with bad. I feel the same way,” Modya said quietly. “In the end, that’s what matters most. Not the destruction they’ve caused...but the good we make of what we’ve been given. I’ve had things to protect in the past: Russia, St. Petersburg, friends and family...but now I have something that means the world to me. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know. You’ll always find a way to come back to me.” Jessica closed her eyes. “Do you think… if the war ended tomorrow, would we be able to stay together? I know you have a life to go back to, but what if… some silly green haired girl and her attached-to-the-brain sister followed her like a lost puppy. Would you let them follow you?”

“Of course I would...I’m not just going to walk away when this is all said and done. It’s a complicated relationship, but things will work out. Though there is the question of where we would live in the first place,” Modya responded.

Jessica thought for a second. “Well… Alexia is always up for anything. I know my parents might be a little sad to see me go, but I wouldn’t mind moving to Russia. They’ll need a lot of help rebuilding, and as long as they’d have me, I’m sure I could be a big help. Of course, that partially depends on your family. Do you think they’d accept me?”

Modya quickly nodded. “Although I haven’t exactly brought up Alex...my father knows about you already, as does my mother through him. They don’t have a problem with you, and I’d like to think they’d understand when we got around to explaining everything in detail.”

“Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, so if you’re so accepting, it must come from a good place.” Jessica relished Modya’s touch for a few moments more before saying. “Modya… I realize this isn’t the best time to talk about this, but I… I was wondering…”

“You don’t have to be afraid to ask me anything, Jessie. What is it?”

“Well, have you ever thought about having… children some day?” Jessica looked into her lover’s eyes hopefully. “Or one child, I would have to be more than one. But maybe… a little Modya of your own.”

Modya seemed initially surprised, and then thought for a moment. “You think...I would make a good father? I’m not exactly the best example all the time…”

“Always beating yourself up, after all this time.” Jessica shook her head. “Of course you would. You’re kind, determined, smart. You have a great head on your shoulders. There is so much you could teach a child. Not to mention any kid of your would be quite the looker.”

Modya chuckled. “I was a history teacher, once upon a time, so I suppose that would be useful as well. If that’s what you want, I wouldn’t mind. Father would probably press me about it anyway, and neither of us would want a world without Dragomirovs, after all.”

Jessica looked as though she would burst in excitement. “Really? You… y-you mean it? I mean, I’m not saying I’d be the picture of motherhood, but I’d always resigned myself to the fact that I might never… but you wouldn’t mind if your child’s mother was… me?”

“Why would you say that?” Modya shook his head. “Like you said, my family is understanding. I doubt a child of ours would be bothered by what you’re like. You’re kind, smart, and gentle, and Alex...while rambunctious, isn’t bad with kids either. Those people that treated you two horribly for what you were...they couldn’t ever understand. They were wrong to treat you as you did...there’s nothing wrong with who you are. I have to believe there’s a reason you were created like that.”

Jessica’s eyes lit up. She had pictured this conversation in her head, and had thought of dozens of ways it could go wrong. Now all she could think about was how wrong she was to not have more faith in Modya. With a sheepish grin, she slowly asked, “Tell me, Modya… it takes a while to make a kid. When… when would you say the best time to start would be, hypothetically speaking.”

Modya rubbed the back of his neck. “Now that is a tough question. I understand the risks behind waiting, should the unthinkable happen... And that Alex and us missing our ‘escapades’ isn’t a good counter. I’m just...not really sure. I could leave that up to you, if there was a time you would prefer.”

Jessica smiled. She stepped away from Modya, and rubbed her chin in thought. Mostly talking to herself, she said, “I’ll have to have a word with Alex, but she seemed mostly worried about what Modya would think. And if we were trying to… then we wouldn’t need… I’m sure Alex would find that interesting, considering the ideas she has… she probably recommend we try right away…”

Modya steadily raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Not that I mind the insight, but I am still here, you know.”

Jessica quickly turned back. “Oh, I know. And after what you’ve told me… after what you’ve said to me… I want you to stay here more than ever, if that is at all possible.” She walked back up to him, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Tell me, Modya. Did you have any plans… tonight?”

The Russian smiled. “Not that I can think of. It sounds like its going to be an interesting night, regardless.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Primary Ethereal Base "Luxeria"
Somewhere in Asia
Date & Time: Unknown

Jessica woke with a start, then let out a cry of fear. Raising shaking hands, she carefully pulled a series of suction cups off of her arms and chest. She let out a pained groan as she slipped off an examination table. Shivering, the room freezing against her nearly bare skin, she quickly searched the room and found some discarded clothes to throw on.

Jessica Lockheart. This is Bradford. You are trapped in an alien base. You need to destroy the power generator so we can rescue you.

Jessica nodded, and stepped out the door. She found herself in a long hallway. A few feet away, a Thin Man looked over a familiar looking Asian woman. Without even thinking, Jessica threw a quick grab into the Thin Man's face. She quickly grabbed its plasma rifle and bashed it on the back of the head, knocking it out.

Jessica looked to her right, and was facing a large, glowing generator. Lifting the weapon, she hesitated, wondering what she was doing, why she was doing it, and how it would help. She heard a pained moan, and looked to her left, her eyes locking onto Modya, his body manipulated and mutilated by the alien's experimentation. She looked back at the generator, and fired.

====================

X-COM HQ
July 23rd, 2018, 1230 Hours

Jessica's consciousness suddenly awakened, and her fears and despair hit her sister like a ton of bricks. Alexia looked around at the room, making sure none of the other lab techs had noticed her suddenly jump, or the beads of sweat going down her forehead.

Jessie... Jessie, what's wrong?

Nothing... I... nothing, I'm sorry I bothered you.

The only thing that bothers me is when something is wrong with my sister and she consistently tells me it's 'nothing'.

J-just another nightmare, Alex, I... I can't even remember what it was.

Okay, but you've had nightmares everyday for, what, a week? And every time, you can't remember what it was, no matter how hard you try. Why don't you talk to the base therapist? Maybe he...

I-I'm fine, really. You know how I feel about... Besides, what is a therapist going to tell me anyway, especially when I can't even remember my dreams.

Alexia frowned. Alright. But if they don't stop soon, we'll have to tell someone. Tell Modya, tell Atka, tell the Commander, I don't care. Anyone. But this is making you suffer, and I won't stand for it for much longer, even if I end up upsetting you.

I... I know. Thanks, Alex.

After a few seconds, Jessica faded back into their collective subconscious. Alex sighed, and tried her best to continue her work, not easy with the nagging worry in the back of her mind.

 

[BMPixy]

“Solitaire”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
July 20, 2015
1656 Hours Local Time

Once more the familiar dial tone rang, reminding me of just exactly how much distance was between where I was and where she was. About eight hours or so, something like that. Should be eight or nine over there, unless she decided to go in to work early she should be home.

A message flashed across the screen, warning me to ensure that operational security was maintained during any call. After those few seconds passed, that oh so beautiful face appeared on screen, a smile gracing those lips as she recognized my visage.

“Al!” she exclaimed, “I was wondering when you would call again.”

“Hey Jane,” I replied, a half-grin splayed on my face, “How’s things hanging over there?”

“Oh, nothing unusual. Before you ask, yes, I have been looking for places to move to outside of Liverpool,” she replied, running a hand through her hair. “Found a nice little place in Denbighshire, a small village by the name of Rhewl.”

“Rhewl?” I asked, “I think one of my men was from there. Said it was a nice little place, should be good. Send me a letter once you get there, if you can’t keep the phone number.”

“Will do,” she said with a nod. “So, how are things going over there? Anything come up recently?”

I rubbed my neck nervously, responding, “Actually, there was a couple things I wanted to talk to you about.” I paused, hesitating for a moment.

“Well then go ahead and ask,” she cut in. “C’mon, not like you’re gonna ask for my blessing in your courtship of a fellow soldier or something. You’re not, are you?”

“No no no,” I said, waving my hands in denial. “No, it’s a bit more personal than that. I’m not sure how much I can say with opsec in place, but...” I trailed off for a second, “Aw, to hell with opsec. Aliens unleashed a new weapon, I wanna get augmentations that help me defend against the new weapon plus make me a bit more effective in combat.”

“Oh, that’s it?” Jane said with a shrug, “Sure, go ahead. If it makes you feel confident in whatever it is you’re fighting, go ahead. Better you come back a living changed man than a dead normal one.”

I felt a smirk splay across my face. “I ever tell you how much I love you?”

“Only every time I let you doing something you want to,” she replied with a playful grin of her own.

The rest of the conversation passed quickly, Jane filling me in on the rest of the details of what was going on at work; how Leon, Linda, and their kid were doing; and the specifications of the house she had scouted out. Eventually she had to head off to work, and we said our goodbyes. If all went well, the next time we spoke she would be safe and sound out in Rhewl.

Why do I get the feeling that things aren’t going to go well?