RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger and ZombieSplitter53
Those I can Rely On

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Brig, Desmond’s Cell
1400 Hours

Desmond laid on his bed with a book in his hands and sweet thoughts in his head. His recent visit from Elizabeth was exactly what he needed for a confidence boost. With a Socrates book in his hand, he had finally gotten into his more ‘philosophical’ collection of literature. He had not surprisingly had a lot of time on his hands so his list of past times were getting slimmer by the word.

The cell’s door suddenly swung open, the female guard from earlier smiling at Desmond. “You’re free to leave.”

He sat up and put a finger in his ear. “You aren’t under the influence, right? How am I getting out so soon? Not that I am complaining this is just..unexpected to say the least.”

“Because you’re a good man, Mr. Desmond,” she answered, stepping to the side for him. “Come on, before they stop you.”

Desmond took a hesitant step out of his cell and scratched his head. “So...what now? Don’t have a lot to do all things considering.”

“This way, Mr. Desmond,” came a familiar young voice around the corner. “I’m here to rescue you.”

“Brigid? This isn’t your doing is it?” He joked.

“Ssh!” Brigid ran towards Desmond, grasping his hand and pulling at him. “Come on, before mommy finds out!”

As much as Desmond would have loved to run off with the girl, something stopped him from doing so. “No Brigid, I need to stay here. If I run off with you then things will not go well. An escaped spy seen with the Commander’s daughter is a good way for me to get hurt, and you in a huge amount of trouble.”

“I don’t care if I get in trouble,” the girl cried out, futilely pulling at the arm of the much stronger man. “Mommy put my friend in jail. But I know Desmond is a good man. She wouldn’t even tell me because she doesn’t think I can pick good friends. But you aren’t like Mr. Kitty. You’re like Mr. Dante. So come on!”

Desmond smiled lightly and he bent down. “Don’t worry Brigid…” Desmond hugged the girl reassuringly. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

Brigid shook her head. She didn’t try to pull at him again, but tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t understand. Mr. Desmond is a good man! Only bad men go to jail!”

“Of course you don’t understand,” an angry voice with an Irish accent called down the hall. “You… are… a… child. This… THIS… is why I didn’t tell you.”

Desmond managed to get free of Brigid’s grasp and he stood up. “Don’t take this out on her. If you want someone to be angry at then let it be me.”

“Right now, I’m too angry at everyone and everything to direct it towards one place in particular.” Morrigan angrily pointed at the guard, and Brigid sighed. The child looked up at the woman, who blinked rapidly. “Barb, please bring Brigid back to her room, where she will explain what happened and BEG for your forgiveness!” The woman nodded, and grasped Brigid’s hand, the child reluctantly going with her, giving Desmond a sad look as she went.

Don’t lose hope Brigid. I will be alright. Desmond looked at the Commander and moved to go back to his cell.

Morrigan reached out and grabbed Desmond’s shoulder, stopping his stride. “Mr. Walker.”

Desmond stopped and he turned his head in Morrigan’s direction.

“Come on, let’s go for a walk.” Morrigan turned around and walked towards the exit.

Desmond hesitated for a split second and he followed after her, his body enjoying the stretch.

“Mr. Walker… Desmond.” Morrigan shook her head. “I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I don’t see the world in black and white. There are many, many, manymanymany greys in this world. And you, sir, are as gray as they come.”

“You must be kicking yourself that your hunch when we first met was right. When I first came here I didn’t come as a human. I came as a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Things change though, and we find ourselves on the abyss of the unknowing. Scared of what to find and scared of not having the strength to go look for it. So which are you?”

“Honestly, scared of what we might have to do to deal with what we find.” Morrigan shook her head. “But the more people I have to fight by my side, the more people I can trust, the less I worry about that. Tell me, Desmond, can I trust you?”

“I don’t know Morrigan. Can you? Or a better question is, are you willing to? I have kept secrets because that was my job, but secrets hold a lot more than lies. They carry the pain of those who carry them and the things that are best left unsaid. I lied because that was my job, but I also lied to protect people like you from the harsh truths of this world.”

As they walked out of the brig past some confused looking guards, Morrigan suddenly yanked Desmond down a side hallway, shoving him against a wall and getting in his face. “You made a fool of me, you know that!?” Morrigan growled. “Not only to the other soldiers, but to the Council of Nations! They aren’t so much angry at me as they’re LAUGHING at me!”

Desmond stared at her with a passive look on his face. “Let them laugh. Let them laugh until they have a fucking heart attack because you know what… you are the one who leads us through the tough times. Not them. You earned the respect of your men and they would follow you to the gates of hell and back. So you know what...fuck...the Council.”

Morrigan continued to stare at Desmond, but quickly lost her scowl and devolved into rampant laughter. She stepped back out into the main hallway, and motioned for Desmond to continue following her. “You really know how to talk to a woman, you know that? Though something tells me I'm one of the few girls that would get off on that kinda talk.”

Desmond rubbed the back of his neck and followed Morrigan. “I have a feeling this isn’t what you are leading it on to be. Why take me out of my cell and talk to me as if I am your best friend? I have a hard time understanding you.”

“I know an ex-husband that would agree… would have agreed with you. I’ve never been one to make much sense.” Morrigan stopped and turn towards Desmond. “As I said, I need people I can trust. I’ve heard what Aya found out from you. I was able to get some info out of Eve when she let it slip that she talked to you… after I chewed her ear off for that… and I found out from Atka how you helped her help Alexia. Despite the incredible urge to beat the shit out of you… I need you, Mr. Walker. Now more than ever. And I’m not going to convince you to help us by locking you away.”

“So you want me to rejoin the project.” Desmond leaned against a wall and he closed his eyes. “I won’t promise anything solid, but for now I am content to stay here. Maybe someday I will finally leave and go home…” He pushed himself off and stared into Morrigan’s eyes. “But for now I can stay here. Besides, whatever would Brigid do without me to keep her in line?”

“Good to hear.” Morrigan raised a stern finger, and looked like she was talking to a child. “But no more secrets… let me rephrase that. I know you have that girl you want to protect, and despite my assurances that I’ll keep the Council off her back, I understand your hesitation. So you can keep that secret. But everything else… ev-er-y-thing… I need you to be honest with me. I want to trust you. I need to know my trust isn’t misplaced.”

Desmond nodded. “Granted if you want to know anything, just ask. I won’t spill secrets just out of nowhere.”

“Fair enough.” Morrigan continued walking, and stepped into the elevator, waiting for Desmond to join her before hitting the button. “So… a clone, huh?”

“Yes, I am. Though before you ask like a guard did, I have a belly button.” He stated as a joke.

Morrigan grinned, shaking her head. “I’m… happy you shared that. Can I ask you something about your friend?”

Desmond hesitantly nodded his head. “Go ahead.”

“Ms. Brea was talking to another staff member, a Mr. Burrick. They mentioned that neither Elene or Emma, the woman Aya fought along side, have no history whatsoever. Are they… clones as well? Because it would answer a lot of questions.”

“Depends on what answer you would like. The short or long version?”

Morrigan’s eyes darted towards the floor number, the low power in the base causing the elevator to move excruciatingly slow. “I’ll… go with long.”

“You won’t find Elene and Emma in any records because they are, in fact, clones. Of whom might interest you more. Lusett Exalt. She is the one who created me and who lead Exalt before she was brutally murdered at the hands of my ‘half-brother’, Viktor Dorian. I am made from his brother’s DNA and his genetics worked as my template. After he took control he discovered Elene and began his ruthless rule of EXALT.”

Morrigan nodded. “Have you talked to her about us? About a possible alliance. Because I can assure you, if I can convince the Council to let you stick around, I can probably protect her from them.”

“We have talked. She suggested something along the line of a XCOM/Legion merger.”

“And me actually contacting her?”

Desmond tapped his head. “Whenever ready.”

Morrigan nodded. “Once you’ve settled back in. People will have questions. You’re free to tell them as much as you are comfortable with.” The elevator finally reached the appropriate floor, and Morrigan stepped out. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a six year old psychic in need of some discipline.”

Desmond stopped Morrigan and he looked around. “Might be a little too late to say but you really do have a good kid. If you ever need someone to watch her, you know where to find me.” Desmond turned around and he put his hand in the air. “Tell her, ‘I told you so’ for me too.”

Morrigan gave a quick wink, and headed back to her room.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

To Major Brea,

I have a personal request. As my file may state, my brother is currently crippled from the waist down. From what I understand, especially after the situation with Ms. Cross, the same cybernetics that now make up my limbs can also be used to emulate neural pathways to restore the function of the limbs to some extent.

If there is any way that technology could make its way to Gabriel, to allow him to walk again, I would be endlessly grateful. I understand that it may be a breach of our secrecy. I would argue that with the tech given to Russia and India, that line has already been crossed. Despite this, if that technology cannot be made public, I shall not do anything rash. I merely ask this for Gabe's sake.

Sincerely, Amanda Ortiz​

Amanda sat back from the computer, adding in a whisper, "And so I might make things right, and correct my failure."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

To Amanda Ortiz,

I have reviewed your request, as well as your file and that of your brother. I understand the heavy burden you carry on your shoulders. It is because of this that I regret to inform you that I can not honor your request. We can not devote our limited resources to those unaffiliated with X-COM, and I can not release the technology. Russia and India were special cases, and what technology we could assure was returned was returned. The release of our cybernetic technology to a single country would constitute an unacceptable shift of power.

I regret I can not put more thought into this decision, but regrettably, I am swamped with work. On the forefront of my mind is the replenishing of our staff and crew. As you can imagine, we need someone in practically every position. If you can recommend anyone, we are open to suggestions. As long as they are willing to work, you need not even worry about their health. I am sure we can provide for them.

But as things are, the procedure you are asking about is only available to X-COM staff.

Sincerely,
Central Officer Aya Brea

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Written on behalf of Ipiktok by Agent Hucking

Commander of XCOM,

I have something to ask of you. I have been tentatively informed that my wife and child can not return home. My concern only grew when I was denied a reason why, even assured that Yaralria and Nouja were safe. Thus, I am willing to help if I can to be on the base with my family.

These old bones (Hucking's note: Ipiktok is 40. Why he calls himself an old man, even considering the lack of healthcare in the territory of Nunavut, is a mystery to me, sir) are not fit for actual combat as a soldier like Atka, nor would I be any good with computers. This I admit. However, should you require security staff, or some form of escort, I could learn how to operate a gun. A military recruiter told us once, and if I have the skill to throw a spear with precision, firing a bullet should prove to be an easy enough task.

A concerned father still able to maintain a drop of humor, Ipiktok.​

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

From the Desk of Morrigan O'Brien, Commander of X-COM,

To Mr. Ipiktok,

I would like to start by assuring you that your wife and children are safe and secure. Your eldest is one of my most trusted officers, you wife has done her part to assist us in engineering, and despite her age, your youngest has done what she can to assist her fellow refugees. It has never been our intention to keep things from a concerned father and husband about their family, but there are security issues to be concerned about.

As far as you joining the X-COM project goes, we are currently in need of new members of our staff and crew. While I fear your lack of training with ballistics would preclude you from joining our soldiers, and your lack of technical training in many other fields limits the options of where you could be place, there are a few places in which you could fit. As you said, base security is an option, and we are need of guards. Though there is one position in particular that would suit you nicely.

There is a VIP of sorts on base that needs a constant escort. Unfortunately, we recently lost several of her escorts, and I am afraid one of her main escorts, Desmond Walker, would appreciate some assistance, especially since he is busy with training and missions, as he is a full time soldier as well.

Whatever your choice, if you are even half as dependable as your daughter, we would love to have you on board.

Sincerely Yours,
Morrigan O'Brien, Commander of X-COM
Transcribed by Eve Brea, assistant to X-COM Central Officer Brea

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

All Grown Up

Jessica let out a loud yawn as Modya walked away from their lunch date, quickly moving her hand from covering her mouth to a wave as her looked back.

Jessica... where are we.

Oh, um... we're in the cafeteria. No where special. The food is especially bad today.

Oh... can I do school today? It's been so long.

Well, uh... we have a test coming up, so...

But it's lunch time, right? Can I talk to Ayame for a while? Or Ellie?

Jessica raised a confused eyebrow. You... remember them?

What do you mean? of course I remember them.

Oh, well... they're sick today.

Both of them? Can... can I talk to that boy we like?

Um... Modya is out sick too.

...

Alex?

Why won't you let me out?

We talked about this, you haven't had a lot of energy lately, and I...

Not even to talk to my friends? Not even to talk to mom? What are you hiding? Why are you keeping me contained like this? You... are you ashamed of me afterall?

No! No, of course not, Alex.

Then why won't you let me out. It been, what, two days? Three days? It's hard to tell because you are keeping me locked in here.

Please, Alex, this is a good... Jessica hunched forward, in pain, grasping her head. "A-Alex, please, don't!"

Let me out! Why are you doing this to me? It isn't fair! Let me out!

Jessica eyes drooped. As the dominate personality, she could usually keep control from Alexia with little effort, especially in Alexia's weakened state. But after three days of fighting her, she didn't have the energy any more. After a few more drowsy moments, she hunch forward, passing out on the table.

After a minute, Alexia sat back up, and stretched her limbs. She felt bad for forcing herself out, and she didn't appreciate being kept in a prison of their mind. She looked down at the pitiful excuse for a school lunch before her, but she hadn't eaten in a while, so she decided to eat it all the same.

Alexia's eyes locked on her own hand as she reached down. She studied it, lifting her other hand to do the same. They were... wrong. Too big. Too long. They were the hands of an adult, not a seven year old girl. She looked around in a panic, as if something nearby would explain what was happening. What she saw only drove into a greater panic. She was in an unfamiliar place surrounded by unfamiliar people. She had a brief sense of familiarity, but it wasn't enough to calm her. She sprang to her feet, and rushed out of the mess hall.

She wasn't sure what she was doing or where she was going, but was too frightened to stop and think things through. Along the way, she saw unknown adults giving her looks of confusion. Finally, she burst through one of the doors, unsure what compelled her to come hear, but the sight of a familiar looking stuffed cat made her feel this was the closest thing she would get to somewhere familiar.

She immediately turned her attention on a mirror, shattered and cracked but glued back together. She starred into it, and a face that was familiar, but not her own. Where a girl should have been was a woman, her features older, her hair green, her body... developed.

Alexia shuttered, and curled up on the bed, wondering if it was even hers. She wondered what was going on, back could not come up with any answers. She considered looking for her friends, but she had no idea where she could find them. Whats more, the more she thought about them, the more she realized their faces were fuzzy in her mind. Instead, she just laid there, waiting for Jessica to wake up and explain to her what happened.

 

[Frostlich1228]

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Office of Commander Morrigan O’Brien
1400 Hours

Morrigan completed a person letter to an individual of interest requesting admittance into X-COM, and hit send. With that completed, she leaned back, closing her eyes. She looked over at Brigid, napping on the couch, and smiled. She felt sad that there wasn’t more she could do for her, but was confident that her trusted psionic soldiers and staff would assist her in learning to control her powers responsibly.

A ping noise echoed through the room from Morrigan’s computer. A small box popped up on the screen asking the Commander if she would like to accept the call. Morrigan cautiously opened the call, dearly hoping it was good news for once.

David Cross’ face appeared on the computer screen, he quickly slid his papers to the side and gave the commander a slight smile to try and hide the concern in his eye, “It’s nice to see you, Commander.”

Morrigan immediately stood up straight, smiling back. “Dr. Cross. This was unexpected. You look well.”

David nodded, “So do you, despite recent events...” His smile faded as he took a quick sip of his coffee.

Morrigan gave David a serious look. “Dr. Cross, I can assure you, Ammelia is perfectly safe. She sustained a small injury, but she is already out of the infirmary and training, despite being told she had leave to relax a bit.”

David sighed in relief and set his mug down, “That’s good to hear… But how are you? Is your daughter okay?”

Morrigan glanced over at Brigid. “Well… to honest… she’s healthy, but she gone through a lot. More than any child her age should have to go through. And I’m afraid the aliens have affected her in ways we are still dealing with.”

He tilted his head a little at her vagueness, “What do you mean?”

Morrigan frowned. “I… I’m not sure how open I can be.” Morrigan rubbed the side of her neck, realizing there was no need to worry about David leaking info about Brigid to Elene, since Desmond likely already did so. “How… how secure are you lines on that side?”

“As secure as can be,” He replied proudly, “I’m a world famous scientist and businessman, they’re always people trying to listen in on my calls.”

“Indeed…” Morrigan lowered her voice, despite it not really mattering. “A few weeks ago, the aliens were able to manipulate my daughter in an attempt to gain information and sabotage us. We were able to stop it, but not before it exposed her to a device the aliens used to unlock psionic abilities in humans.”

“So it… Made her psychic?” David asked.

Morrigan slowly nodded. “She has persuasive abilities. They don’t work on everyone. People with psionics of their own can fend it off, and those with an extremely strong will power can resist, at least to a limited extent. But it is too much power for one so young. I am only grateful she is such a well mannered child. Were this power to fall into the hands of another child, or even many adults I know…”

“I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you, “ David said with sympathy in his voice, “I don’t know how I’d react if I learned that Ammelia was a psychic… You’ll have to keep a close eye on her for the rest of her life… It’s not going to be easy…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Morrigan smiled softly. “She’s my daughter. My life. I know she’ll make it through this, and I’ll be by her side every step of the way. I’ll need to be, now that… she lost her father…”

His eyes widened, “I… I’m sorry for your loss…”

“As am I… and I’m still unsure how to break it to her. This is exactly something you can prepare for.”

“I-I wouldn’t know… I’ve never really had a spouse of any kind. I’m too focused on my work and my daughter to devote time to a woman.” David replied, taking another gulp out of his mug.

Morrigan smiled. “Well, for one so devoted to your work, you sure had time to raise a daughter that loves you. Just a thought, but keep it in mind. Who knows, maybe you could find someone.” The Irish woman’s grin widened. “Then you and Ammelia could argue over her being her ‘real mother’.”

“Maybe, but Ammelia never really had a mother… Her Biological one died in childbirth and the closest thing shes ever had to one would be Lucett. I think she would enjoy having a mother around, ‘real’ or not.” He smiled back.

Morrigan nodded, though the mention of Lucett slowly drained the smile from her face. “You know… we recently had someone exposed as a spy of EXALT.”

He raised an eyebrow at the mention of an EXALT spy in X-com, “Really, who was it?”

“His name is Desmond Walker. Does that… name mean anything to you?”

David nodded once, “Yes… I remember my daughter mentioning him in some of our calls. They were close friends, correct?”

“They were, and likely still are, though I can’t know for sure. Desmond apparently was sent here by Lusett. He claims to have no allegiance to the current leader of EXALT, and he had information about Elene he likely wouldn’t have had unless he was an ally of hers like he claims.”

He sighed, “Elene never mentioned the existence of an agent working within X-COM… She likely kept it from me because she thought I’d disagree with the idea…”

“Well, it doesn’t sound like it was her idea. Desmond was likely lost with his original boss gone, and found a common goal in Elene.” Morrigan leaned forward. “I do have a request to make of you, though.”

“Name it.” He responded, crossing his fingers through each other.

“I want you to ask Elene about Desmond. Simply find out if she knows who he is. That’s all I need. Send me a message telling me if she said she did or didn’t.”

“Alright, I think I could do that.” David agreed.

“Thank you.” Morrigan smiled again. “It was good talking to you, Dr. Cross. It is good to be able to talk to a friend on better terms than before.”

“Of course, and I wish you luck with your daughter. Perhaps Ammelia could help watch her when you’re busy with your work.” He suggested, finishing off the rest of his coffee.

“Yeah… maybe she can.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601, MarineAvenger ZombieSplitter53: "Long Distance Allies, Part 1"

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Office of Commander Morrigan O’Brien
1300 Hours, July 31st, 2018

“Alright dear, Desmond will be here in just a little bit. I’m… not sure what to expect, but if you promise to be good, I’ll forget what you did the other day.” Morrigan smiled, secretly grateful the guard wasn’t more upset than she was.

Brigid bobbed her head up and down. “I will, mommy.” She looked back down at her game, trying to hide her curiosity about what her mother was going to do.

Desmond came up to the secretary at her desk and he stood in front of it. “I have an appointment with Mor-...the Commander.”

“Of course.” The older woman smiled and hit the switch for the door. “Nice to have you back, Mr. Walker.” She had a tone of apathy, but put on her best ‘I care, really I do’ smile.

He gave a small smile of acknowledgement and walked through the doors to the office. He still remembered the first time he entered and what he had felt. Now he entered with much the same feeling of worry as the day he first met Morrigan. Desmond stepped into the office and looked around it. “I think it needs more bright colors. Would feel less like a office.”

“I think that’s the point, Mr. Walker,” Morrigan answered with a smile. “Otherwise, people would get confused when they came in and mistake it for a nightclub.” Morrigan’s eyes darted to the side and followed towards Desmond as he felt something wrap around one of his legs.

He smiled and looked down at the small girl on his leg. “Told you so.” He looked at Morrigan and returned the wink she had given him.

“So… how does this work?” Morrigan leaned back in her chair. “From what Atka told me, it isn’t exactly a long distance call. Something about a ‘dreamscape’.”

“It is basically your mind entering mine. I send out a signal, a receiver picks it up and we have one long distance communication. I have been storing energy all day so I should be able to keep this stable for a good while. The ‘radio’ only takes the burden off it is myself but with another person present it will require more on my part.” Desmond rubbed his metal hand and asked, “You ready for this?”

Morrigan nodded. “What do you need…”

“Can I come to the dreamstate too?” Brigid asked excitingly.

Desmond chuckled and looked at Morrigan with a raised eyebrow. “You are asking the wrong person kiddo but this is an important meeting and will probably be boring for you.”

Morrigan shrugged. “She’d be bored either way. And this way, I wouldn’t have to worry about her wandering off while we were distracted. So it depends on whether or not you can handle another person.”

Desmond shrugged. “She is small, plus a psion, so it should not be any more work for me.”

“Good point. So, what do you need us to do?”

Desmond waved to the floor. “Take a seat next to each other and let me handle getting a connection.” As the girls moved Desmond put a hand to his head. Avanix, I have an incoming message for Elene. It is important.

So this day has come at last. Avanix imitated a mental yawn. Very well, I shall retrieve the mistress. You may establish the link.

Desmond turned around to see Morrigan with Brigid in her lap and he sat on the ground across from them. “Close your eyes while I set this up. I will let you know when to open them.”

Both Morrigan and her daughter did as they were told, calming their breath.

When their eyes opened, they were standing amidst the stars, standing on some sort of invisible platform over the twinkling void. Across from Morrigan stood a young woman, perhaps only eighteen by physical age. She wore black sweat pants, a gray shirt with an unfamiliar symbol on it, and a white labcoat. She had dark blonde hair, and lizard-yellow irises in her eyes. Aside from choice of attire, she looked exactly like the Emma that Major Brea fought alongside in and above Monument Valley.

The heiress introduced herself in a calm and smooth tone. “We meet at last, Commander. My name is Elene Exalt, cloned daughter of Lüsett and head of the organization known as ‘Legion’.”

“It’s… nice to meet you,” Morrigan responded, stepping forward as Brigid took in the surroundings with wonder. “Though I believe I’ve seen you before. Or at least, your… sister? Daughter?”

“I would view Emma as my twin sister, though she is, of course, a direct clone of myself,” Elene explained.

“I see. Well, I am Commander Morrigan O’Brien, though you obviously already knew that. For that matter, I’m sure there is a lot you know about me. I’d like a chance to even that playing field.”

“You are, in fact, incorrect.” A ghost of a smile appeared on Subject Negative Zero’s face. “I was not told too much about you, and I prefered it that way so we would be on even terms. In any case, what do you want to know?”

Morrigan smiled at Desmond, happy to hear that he’d been more secretive than she thought. “Well… for starters, what are your goals, and how do they correlate to the goals of EXALT? And for that matter, what are the goals of EXALT?”

“I was created with two directives in mind by my late mother,” Negative Zero began. “The first was survival, and the second was the advancement of the sciences and technology. Of course, I have developed further goals, such as protecting humanity so that advancement might be possible on our own terms, among other things, such as the termination of a certain Viktor Dorian. I’m sure you know much about that one already.” Elene shook her head. “I don’t understand what his purpose is. I believe he has a vaguely similar concept about advancing humanity, but that’s it. To simplify, he is a madman.”

“I see.” Morrigan rubbed her chin. “And what is your connection to David Cross?”

“He is…” Elene paused for a moment. “I shall assume you will not hold ill will towards Ammelia’s father. He is my associate, and has been helping me create a force counter to Viktor to pursue my ends in the name of the partnership between him and Lusett in the past. I could not have created the ‘Legion’ robotic troopers you saw without him.”

“Assuming you wish us no ill will…” Morrigan grinned at Desmond. “I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Dr. Cross to confirm your association with Elene, just to be sure.”

Desmond smirked as he played with Brigid. “You wound me so Morrigan. I would never lie about her.” He chuckled to himself and turned his attention to other matters.

“To answer your question, Commander O’Brien, I wish you no ill will,” Subject -0 responded. “Our goals do not conflict. Though I imagine you perhaps have moral objections to how my organic assistants were created.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601, MarineAvenger ZombieSplitter53: "Long Distance Allies, Part 2"

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some reservations, but I’m sure you’re aware of the ‘unethical’ things we are forced to do at X-COM.” Morrigan folded her arms. “I am no hypocrite. And even if I was, I wouldn’t hold your existence as a clone against you. I actually have a friend that shares the circumstances of her birth with you.”

“Intriguing,” Elene muttered, seeming inquisitive for a moment before composing herself. “I believe an alliance between us would be mutually beneficial. I have weapons like the Legion troopers that you do not possess, as well as a technology that I’m making wonderful headway into. And the benefit I gain from joining you is fairly obvious if you know my situation. Despite the brilliance of my staff...we are very limited in number. Our research has fallen behind yours, and I must admit, when I saw the gauss weaponry and the powered armor I was envious. I haven’t quite gotten there, yet. Soon, though.”

Morrigan tapped her foot, deep in thought. “I… I would like that… but I have cause to hesitate, regardless of your assurances.”

“My unwitting association with Viktor?” Elene guessed. “Your caution is understandable, of course. If there is anything I can do to dissuade it, do not hesitate to inform me, though.”

Morrigan squeezed the sides of her head in frustration. “Damn it. You don’t… know how much I’d like to help you. How much I’d like to share things with you. But, you must understand, no matter how much caution you take, there is always a chance whatever I give you could always fall into Viktor’s hands.”

Elene clasped her hands together, thinking for a moment. “I will be frank with you. With the information Avanix has gathered, plus what Emma could discern when she departed, I have known my location for some time now. However, as much as I’d like to see your forces break down his door and help me kill him, I cannot tell you where we are. The fact remains that if he saw Legion or XCOM forces coming, he would know how they found him.”

The heiress's expression darkened. “And I would certainly die then and there. He threatened me with my life the other day, and my assistants with something worse.”

Desmond listened in to the dilemma they were in and he stood up. “There may be another way...though I have a feeling it is extremely dumb and both of you will disapprove.”

“You know I’m always open for suggestions, Desmond,” Morrigan responded.

“I know a way we can get Viktor out of his hole and out in the open.”

“How is that?” The Commander asked.

Desmond looked at Elene. “We use my relation to him. You remember when he contacted me, right Elene?”

“I have not forgotten. What do you mean, though?” Elene asked curiously.

“I do not doubt you were listening in. We give him exactly what he wants...me.”

“Aside from how we would even safely do that, the answer is no,” Subject -0 responded coldly. “That is a risk I will not take.”

“Is there any other way? If we can’t kicked down his door and you obviously don’t have the means to attack him now, drawing him out into the open is the best we could possibly get. I won’t be in any danger Elene. Need I remind you of the skills I possess?”

“Oh, I could kill him right now,” Elene responded icily. “But we would be slaughtered by his clones the minute his body hit the floor.”

Morrigan held up her hand. “Enough. We will keep Desmond’s idea in mind, but for now, I am confident that we will find him on our own.” She looked at Desmond. “I appreciate you putting yourself out there, but even if I was willing to risk you, there would be no guarantee he won’t smell a trap, and that could put Elene in danger.” Turning to Elene, she said, “You have an ally in X-COM. Please understand that. But we will need to limit how much information we share with you until we do deal with Viktor. I understand if you are equally reluctant to share with us. But just because we can’t share a lot of information doesn’t mean we can’t be supportive of one another.”

“Indeed, I will hold off from giving your my contribution for now. Without it, I have no ‘ace in the hole’, and thus am of no use to you for any reason other than extra staff and a promise,” Elene responded. “However, I shall do my best to support you indirectly. I fear if our forces are seen together, Viktor may put two and two together. I am treading on very thin ice with him, trying to keep as much research data as I can the sole property of Legion. With that in mind, I should warn you: he is creating an elite set of clones at the moment that you may encounter later on.”

Morrigan nodded. “Thank you for the heads-up. In that case, I’ll inform you that we plan to make a move against an American EXALT cell. I suggest you keep your forces away from there, especially in New York.”

“As long as you do not come marching into Cross Technologies tower Emma and her forces should be safe,” Elene returned. “I sincerely hope she isn’t called in with the reinforcements…” the heiress muttered. “For reference, unless the situation changes: if you see a female operative with the EXALT forces, that is my assistant, Vee. I...understand you can’t promise anything in regards to that, and we can’t risk showing our hand, but…” Elene trailed off.

Morrigan nodded again. “I understand. I’ll make sure she is avoided if at all possible. But similarly, I must protect my people. I will not have them attack her if at all possible, but if she attacks them, I will order them to defend themselves without hesitation.”

Elene just gave a slight nod of understanding, silent with worry.

“What’s wrong with you eyes?” Brigid asked, tugging at Elene’s ‘pants leg’.

Elene looked down at the child before her. “They are modified to improve my vision in several ways.” Glancing back up at Morrigan, she asked, “I was wondering...who is she?”

“This is my daughter, Brigid. I… hope you don’t mind her coming along. She isn’t much of a security risk.”

“Not at all. I’ve...never met a child before…” Elene muttered, trying to figure the small human out.

“But… what about when you were little?” Brigid asked. “You didn’t see the other kids? Didn’t you have school?”

Elene raised an eyebrow. “My growth was accelerated. I was born at this physical age, technically I’m younger than you.”

“I… um…” Brigid scratched her head, clearly not understanding. “But… but everyone is a kid sometime… right?”

“Only in the development phase for clones created like myself. Seeing my sisters as children for a brief time does not really count as meeting an actual child,” Elene corrected.

“Oh… okay…” Brigid looked up at Desmond. “What’s a clone?”

Desmond looked at Elene and gave a smirk. “It is a person who gets made in a lab. Like the ones we have on base.”

“Um… so you don’t have a mommy or daddy?” Brigid asked Elene. “Who… made you?”

Elene held her chin. “Well, my mother is technically Lüsett, being my creator and one of the two DNA contributors. Though...the other woman would count as well.”

“You were made from… two women?” Morrigan asked, trying to hide a smile.

“Oh… my friend Cassia has two mommies too.” Brigid said, her expression saying she believed she understood now, even if she didn’t. “I think you eyes are pretty. They’re like Mr. Dante’s.”

Elene raised an eyebrow at Morrigan. “As was my predecessor, Eve, who regrettably shared Lüsett’s fate.” She turned her attention to Brigid, tilting her head slightly. “Mr. Dante? Who is that?”

While Morrigan scratched her head, more confused than Brigid had been, the young girl answered, “He was the tall alien man who saved me. He… he died. But I am still alive because he helped me. He was a good alien.”

“A Thin Man saved your life…” Elene said with surprise evident in her tone, while glancing over at the confused Commander, not understanding why Morrigan was in that state of mind in the first place.

Morrigan smiled shaking her head. “Yeah, long story. At any rate, I think we’ve made some progress today. I’m sure Mr. Walker is probably tired from keeping this up.” A yawn from Brigid said it was draining her too, despite not actively contributing to the degree Desmond was.

“Well I guess you guys should say your goodbyes then. One can only wonder when we can do this again.” Desmond pointed out.

Morrigan nodded, and extended her hand towards Elene. “I am glad that we can be allies. I look forward to the day in which I can shake your hand in person.”

Elene shook the Commander’s hand. “As do I.”

With that final word, Desmond slowly ended the connection, allowing time for Morrigan and Brigid to be eased out of his mind. He opened his eyes slowly and took a deep breath, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. “Well that was a workout.”

“Take a break, Mr. Walker,” Morrigan said, picking Brigid up, the small child having fallen asleep in her lap. “You’ve earned it. And thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Desmond got up slowly so he would not get woozy from standing up too quickly and he proceeded to the door.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

BMPixy & ZombieSplitter53
“The Moon”

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Psionic Labs
1700 Hours

Blearily Fay awakened, her eyes blinking rapidly in the darkness of the pod. A moment of panic engulfed her at her confinement, but it quickly dissipated with the memory of why she was in the pod. How... long has it been? she thought drowsily, Was it… successful?

As the pod slowly opened, Jeanne stepped up to it, ready to catch the soldier within should she need assistance. “Welcome back, Fay. You’ve been out for a while. How do you feel?”

Fay shielded her eyes from the sudden influx of light with a hand, using the other to push herself out of the pod, stumbling slightly but catching herself before Jeanne could reach out and help. “Odd,” Fay said, “Drowsy, but alert, like the morning after a long march. How… many days was it?”

“It’s been a week,” Jean answered, already looking eager to work on the pod he hadn’t touched for a while. “So don’t feel embarrassed if you need a minute or two.”

“A full week…?” Fay muttered, her mind still working to catch up. A slight smile appeared on her face as she realized what that meant. “It was successful?”

“That’s right,” Jeanne answered excitingly. “Congratulations. You are the first soldier to successfully have psionics unlocked in the labs.”

Fay’s smile turned into a rare grin. “Wonderful,” she replied, raising a fist to eye-level, examining it as if it were a whole new limb. “What can you tell me of the powers I have obtained? How would they be used? What about the strength of the powers?” the Sniper asked, letting loose the short barrage of questions.

Jeanne scratched the back of her head. “Well, you are the first of the soldiers we’ve been able to unlock the powers in, but we can make a few guesses.”

Jean lifted a few notes. “It looks you have a talent for projecting your energy. If I had to wager a guess, you have abilities associated with manipulating perception. You are free to experiment with them in a controlled environment, of course. And from what we know, they’ll grow in strength over time, and you might learn new abilities as you go along and train.”

“Manipulating one’s view of the world, you say?” Fay said with a raised eyebrow. “Is there a nearby controlled area? I would like to test it now.”

The siblings looked at each other. Jeanne quickly walked away, returning a moment later with Fay’s belongings. “You can use the holo-training room. We anticipated you would want to use it. My brother needs to stay here, but if it is okay with you, I’d like to accompany you.”

Fay nodded in thanks and took her belongings from the technician. As she put her clothes back on, the soldier replied, “It is acceptable, possibly beneficial. Might need test subject in case powers only work on living beings.” She quickly ran a hand through her pocket, checking that everything was still in place, and was slightly relieved that that was indeed the case.

Jeanne motioned for Fay to follow. She shot her brother an empathetic look as she and Fay walked out. Reaching the elevator and hitting the button for the sixth basement floor, she asked, “Did you get a chance to see our training facility. I saw in your file you haven’t been here for long.”

“Visited on the first day, to familiarize with the weaponry on suggestion from escort,” Fay replied, “Wonderful facility, if lacking in the extreme range area.”

“Yeah, well, we are limited in room, but it works for what we need.” The elevator reached their destination, and Jeanne quickly ran out. “Alice? Are you there. I brought that soldier I mentioned.”

The blond, British girl materialized a few feet from the elevator. “I’m here. You wanted to test her new psionics, right?”

Fay reached for a sidearm that wasn’t there as Alice materialized, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the AI. Quickly catching herself, she asked, “‘Alice’? Who is this, where did she appear from?”

The young-looking hologram frowned. “I’m sorry. I forgot how jarring my appearance can be for people not used to it. I’m an AI system invented by one of the engineers, Dr. Sonya Randolf. This is my holographic form. The entire room is filled with hundreds of hologram projectors, allow us to simulate realistic environments and enemies for training purposes.”

“Yes, familiar with function of room, have been here before,” Fay replied quickly, shaking her hands in front of her. “But an artificial intelligence? Heard that DARPA was developing limited versions of it, but a full AI? XCOM keeps adding surprises every moment.” She paused for a moment, thinking, before adding, “You are a fully sentient AI, correct?”

Alice nodded. “Naturally, I wouldn’t know either way, but Sunny and Dr. Shen have told me as much, and… I feel sentient. I feel, so that’s something.”

“Acceptable answer,” Fay said, letting out a slightly uneasy breath. Deciding to change the subject, she asked, “How is the testing to commence? Are there specific modules to be completed, or shall it have to be improvised?”

“Well, based on the information I was given, and knowing you from your file, I thought a full simulation would be best, and most appreciated.” Alice snapped her fingers, and the room lit up in a full simulation of a city in ruins. “Were there any aliens in particular you’d like to train with?”

“Thin Men,” Fay replied instantly. “Familiarity key when training new skills, eliminating human targets is… routine. Enables focus on manifesting powers.”

Alice nodded, and snapped her fingers again. The drones flew over to Fay, hovering a few feet above her head. “These drones were specifically designed to help psionics that have abilities that aren’t of the destructive variety. They’ll monitor your brain waves and psionic energy, and allow the alien holograms to react in a similar manner to living beings. Not perfect, but pretty accurate.”

“Very well, then let us begin,” Fay said, before catching herself and adding, “Correction, one final question: how would one access the powers?”

“It… just comes naturally for the other psionics,” Jeanne answered, handing Fay a special laser rifle. “Just concentrate, and it’ll come. I can assure you, you have the power."

 

[BMPixy]

Fay nodded grimly, taking the rifle and examining it slightly. Entering hostile situation, only intel is enemy composition, she analyzed, Weapon slightly unfamiliar, attempting to manifest unknown powers without training. Glancing up at one of the less damaged buildings, Fay broke off into a sprint, trying to keep low and in cover, but mainly focused on reaching the building in question, the drones humming along behind her.

Slamming into cover next to the door, Fay quietly muttered out of habit, “Beginning breach.” She kicked in the door, bolting inside and using the opportunity to scan for hostile targets as she sought cover behind a decorative fountain. A single Thin Man hissed at the Sniper as she broke in, and a snap shot from the laser rifle tore a meaty hole in its chest, killing it.

Alerted by the noise, another pair of Thin Men dropped down from the stairwell, laying down suppressive fire around the Sniper as they moved into cover. Fay moved to lift her rifle and fire off a beam at one of the offending aliens, but a near miss from a bolt of simulated plasma encouraged her to remain in cover.

Now or never, Fay thought. Remembering what Jean had mentioned back in the lab about perception manipulation, Fay forced an image of herself bolting to the left to a flanking position to the front of her mind, imagining acting on it but keeping her body still. A slight yellow glow emanated from her, and she witnessed an image of herself, seemingly filtered through an extremely dirty window and put through a motion blur, bolting to said position, one of the Thin Men shifting its fire to track the figure. Fay used this opportunity to snap up and nail a center of mass shot on the other of the duo, the holographic alien dropping to the floor, dead.

Was that it? Is that my talent? Caught off guard by the manifestation, the African-American remained out of cover slightly too long, and the other Thin Men let loose a shot which skimmed across the left side of Fay’s torso, sending her reeling back into cover, almost falling over in shock. “Distraction leads to defeat and death,” Fay muttered, remembering the quote her father had drilled into her, always accompanied with a gesture to the stumps on his torso.

Firing off a burst at the remaining Thin Man, Fay dashed for the next piece of cover, hanging right to hide behind a stone pillar. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed three more Thin Men breach the entrance she had approached from, adding their own fire to their surviving ally’s.

Tactical situation: Outnumbered, in possession of lower fire power, suppressed, unable to effectively retreat, Fay analyzed. Potential trump card: illusions. Peeking out from cover, Fay scanned the building in more detail than she had been able to before. Spotting an open door directly behind the Thin Men, she quickly hatched a plan as the plasma fire whittled away at her cover.

With a brighter yellow glow, Fay focused on the image of several literally faceless XCOM Troopers breaching from the rear entrance, spraying fire. Feeling the energy being literally drained from her, she heard the Thin Men hiss in surprise at something. Another glance confirmed that it was the Troopers, but they were visibly deformed beyond just the blurring and filtering. One of them had arms that were shorter than what was proportional, and another had a head far too big for their body. Still, it was an effective distraction, and Fay used the Thin Men’s repositioning to her advantage, taking down two of the four as the remainder were ‘suppressed’ by imaginary laser fire.

However, maintaining so many illusions for such a period of time drained Fay exponentially faster than the simple runner Fay had crafted before, and she could feel her energy reserves depleting rapidly. With an audible pop the large-headed trooper’s defining feature exploded, the illusion crumpling and fading. Another laser shot, third Thin Man dead. The one with short arms dropped their weapon as their arms merged into their torso, and the Sniper gave up on maintaining that one. A final shot to finish off the aliens, missing slightly due to Fay’s ragged breath, and the third and final trooper vanished into the ether, Fay falling to the floor in exhaustion.

Alice snapped her finger, and the simulation paused. Making sure Fay was at ground level, another snap made the holograms vanish. “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I’ve been told I always make the first one too difficult.”

Slowly pushing herself up and placing a hand on her forehead, Fay replied, “Fine, merely exhausted.” Steadying herself, the Sniper continued, “Good to have difficult test, establishes limits. Found them now, in addition to power and technique.”

“It was quite impressive,” Jeanne said. “I don’t have anything to compare it to, but it looked like you did well for the first time.”

Fay nodded in reply to the technician’s statement, and asked, “For informational purposes, how many more Thin Men were present?”

Alice grinned sheepishly. “Um… eight…”

Fay nodded grimly. “Kobayashi maru test, I shall assume,” she stated simply, “Else a compliment on my perceived skill.” Rubbing her forehead slightly and shaking her head, the Sniper added, “Perhaps would be best to rest and eat at the moment, need to recover after this exercise, in addition to the week without solid food.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Jeanne offered her hand. “Come on. Let me escort you to the mess hall for some dinner.”

Fay took Jeanne’s hand, making sure she was steady on her feet before setting out. “Must thank both of you, have helped a great deal in increasing combat effectiveness,” she said gratefully.

“Of course,” Jeanne said as the two headed for the elevator.

“Um… yeah, sure. Bye.” Alice watched the two go, then looked down in confusion. “Kobay… searching language banks… nothing found… hmm…”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Repentance


“So I have you to credit for waking up in a hospital bed with no memory of the past twenty-four hours, a splitting headache and three nurses telling me to sit my ass down or they'd call security. Something tells me you’ve wanted to do that for a very long time,” said Charles, grinning in spite of his bandaged head.

Penny, similarly dressed up with an additional cast on her left hand, couldn’t help grinning herself. “You been tested for psionics yet? You might be a mind reader.”

The two had been, along with about half the base it seemed, in and out of the infirmary on a regular basis ever since the attack. This was the first time in days, sitting in their lab once again, that they’d been able to talk. Or insult each other.

Charles shook his head. “Liberating, was it?”

“Yeah. You should try it sometime, it’s therapeutic.”

“I was under the impression I already did,” he said, indicating Penny’s own head. “Or did you do that one yourself?”

“No, no. That was you. Hit me with your chair.”

“What, the metal one?”

“Yep.”

He winced. They were silent for a moment. Like most of the mind-control victims, Charles had no memory of the events that occurred during his… ‘episode’. No one had yet told him whether he’d done anything terrible, but he’d laughed as soon as he’d seen the state Penny was in, like they’d had some drunken fight and were best pals again the next day. Bruised and battered, but willing to forgive and forget.

“What did I do?” he asked at last. “Obviously I attacked you, but did I do anything… else? Like, say, sabotaged a generator? I heard that was a common one.”

“Nah, you just went nuts. Tried to delete our research notes, actually. Would have worked too, if whatever had been influencing you had actually known how to use a computer.”

“I did hear the ringleaders were all shrivelled looking. Maybe it’s a wrinkles thing?”

Penny laughed, then bit the bottom of her lip nervously. There was a question she wanted to ask. “So… when did you… cut out?” Charles looked at her quizzically. “I mean, your memory. What’s the last thing you remember?” she added hastily.

Charles furrowed his brow, then winced as the split skin on his head stretched. “Uh… I think I’d just made some sexual joke or other.” He waved a hand dismissively. “They all blend together eventually. Why, I miss something interesting?”

For a moment Penny debated not telling him to avoid an awkward situation. She sighed, reasoning that if it was ever going to be a concern, it should be aired out now. “Well, you made that joke, and I turned you down, and then you just went silent.” She turned to face him. “I honestly thought that you were actually legitimately flirting with me, and I’d just shut you down hard.”

Charles blinked. “You thought I wanted something to happen?”

“Uh. Yeah.” Penny rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

He shook his head. “Sorry to break it to you, but you’re not… well…”

“I hope you aren’t about to say you’re gay.”

“Would you have a problem with that?”

“No, but it’d be a bit cliché, don’t you think?”

Charles laughed. “Yeah, a bit.” His tone grew more serious, and his smile faded. “Look. You’re a great person, and, not gonna lie, you do look pretty fine in that lab coat.” He ducked sideways to avoid her light-hearted punch. “But I just don’t… y’know.”

Penny exhaled. “That’s… fine, actually. I was a bit worried.” She smiled at him. “I’m pretty much the same. You’re a good friend, if not a good person – “ It was her turn to dodge. “and I’m happy to let it stay that way. We argue too much to have any kind of successful relationship.”

“Depends who you ask,” Charles said. “You ever heard the phrase ‘arguing like an old married couple’?”

“You saying I look old?”

The banter continued in this manner for some time, each enjoying the others company for what it was, until the conversation eventually returned to the attack.

“How’d you survive?” Charles asked. “Not that I don’t have faith in you, but if I had a choice between you and a squad of soldiers backing me up... especially if the route involved swinging doors…”

Penny smiled. “Luck, I think. I only came up against a couple of aliens, and in all of my encounters I just got really lucky.” She frowned. “Although there was the time that Muton hesitated. Still got no idea why it did that.”

“Maybe it saw your face and fell in love.” Charles quipped, ducking in advance. In response, she kicked his shin.

“Then this lady found me. I saw her take out one of the more heavily armored Mutons and a Thin Man all on her lonesome, and apparently there were some others before that. Then she called in some friends.” Penny smiled. “We all just sat in the storage area until the fighting died down. Got some aliens come in to investigate, and they were promptly blown away. Usually they never even got that far, there was some guy up in the roof somewhere sniping them.”

“Really?” Charles tone indicated he was having trouble believing her.

“Yeah. They were looking for me, specifically.” And I think I know who sent them.

“Ok, now I know you’re full of shit.”

Penny shook her head. “No, I’m telling the truth.”

“Let me guess, they’re all gone already?”

“Well yeah. They weren’t XCOM, that’s for damn sure.”

Charles smirked. “Not lending credibility to your story.”

Penny shrugged. “Not my fault that I have an overzealous and overprotective godmother.”

Charles merely shook his head. “I’ve never pretended to understand you, Penny. Now I’m just not even going to try.”

“And look where that’s gotten you,” she said, indicating the wound on his head. “Most people would take that as a sign that they should stop being such an asshole all the time. Or did I damage something?” She frowned. “Was there even anything to damage?”

Charles shook his head and got up, returning to his table. While Penny continued to sit there, lost in a reverie, his notebook sailed over and impacted the wall to her left. She smiled, not bothering to open her eyes.

“Your aim’s still a bit off. You have much to learn, young pupil.” She heard him scowl and mutter something before silence returned to the lab, comfortable once more in relative normality.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Ashley & Ammelia

Ammelia steadied her shot at the target once again and held her breath, blasting a hole through the target dummy's head. She then transitioned over to another target placed behind a rock to her right, only a small portion of it's head showing. Ammy took a quick shot, striking the partially revealed target in it's vulnerable spot with expert levels of precision. She smirked, happy with how she was shooting now that she managed at least four hours of sleep a night for the last few days. Her nightmares were still as bad as they were before, but she found herself waking up in the middle of the night much less after her talk with Jessica. Maybe talking about it really did help.

Wow, your aim has improved immensely. I hop I had something to do with that but if you did it by your self that's even better.

Ammelia sighed, instantly recognizing the voice as Ashley's, "What do you want?

What's with the hostility? I was just giving you a complement what's wrong with you did something happen to you during the base defense, so what happened to you during the Assault?

"My friend was taken alright? I'm going to rescue her even if I have to infiltrate that battleship by myself." Ammelia answered, lining up another shot.

OU i'm sorry to hear that, but taking on the alien battle ship by your self? That pretty much asking to die,and in the mood your in you most likely will die if you go on a mission in the mood your in.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that then," Ammelia took another shot at the target, hitting it in the middle of the neck.

Ashley walks up right next to Ammelia, but like I said your aim has gotten way better then the last time I saw you, Clearly you were men't for the military because no normal civilian would improve so much in just a short time, nor will a normal civilian be training as hard as you, i'm empresses.

Ammy set her sniper rifle down and turned to face Ashley, "You're Impressed with me now? All you did before was talk to me like I could never be as good as you, but now that I'm doing better you suddenly change your mind?"

Ashley rubs her head. Please just take the complement and don't make bash on you, because I really don't want to.Look i'm just saying that in a short amount of time, you have improved a great amount since then, and I hope my words helped you out.

"Helped me? Helped me?! All you and your sister have done since I've been here is tell me that I'm a kid and that I'll never be a real soldier! You've both made my life here so much harder than it ever needed to be and you think you've helped me?" Ammelia snapped at her.

Ashley rubs her head, Can you please not yeal so loud I have a headache. And yes I will admit yes me and Scarlet were hard on you . Scarlet was hard on you because dew to her past she doesn't trust any one unless the prove to her that she can trust them. And me I was hard on you because I never seen you in battle before,Hell the first time I saw you you were getting a new spin, so not really a good way to meet some one that your sapose to work with. But youve improved a lot since the and i'm just complementing on your improvement is that so wrong?

"I... Erghh..." She puts her head in her hands and sighs, "Whatever... I'm sorry, alright? I'm under a lot of stress right now and I've barely gotten twelve hours of sleep this week."

Yea don't worry about it, I imagine your going through the early stages of ptsd, like my wife if right now I imagine your having nightmares about what happen right?

"Of course I am..." Ammelia responded, "I'm not sure if you heard but one of those sectoids... Took control of me... It almost made me to t-terrible things to my friend."

OU well I didn't hear that you were controlled by a sectoid, and by terrible thing what do you mean, what did it make you try to do?

"I-I... Don't really feel comfortable telling you... It was hard to even tell my friend..." She shuttered when the thought of what it did came to her mind.

Ammelia, I have seen a lot of brutal things on Earth I highly doubt what you have to say will phase me. So go a head and tell what this sectoid wanted you to do.

"I said I don't feel comfortable telling you alright? I don't know you well enough to tell you something like that..." Ammy said, taking a step back from Ashley.

Fine don't tell me, but I will have to talk to the Commander about getting a theosophist or if we have one she need to point me to the nearest one hear, but good luck to you with those nightmares hopefully they will go away in a few days or months.

Ammelia couldn't help but feel a morbid curiosity about the reason Ashley would need a therapist, but decided that she would probably have a similar reason for not talking about it. "I don't think nightmares like this will ever really go away... All I can do is hope they get better somehow..." Ammelia said somberly, a brutal truth to her words.

OU those nightmares you have will never go away, it never does I have plenty of those nightmares to last me a life time. But I need to go back to the bar and give my darling a drink and send her to a therapist, I can't send her back to working on injured soldiers while she is reliving seeing her coworkers dying and her stabbing a guard over and over again. Ashley heads to the door, ou and Ammelia this should be obis but get some sleep. I all ready told Eva that spending all her time training is not good for you especially when you don't eat for days,so can you please get some sleep the aliens aren't going any were ant time soon.

"The aliens may not be going anywhere but every second I wait is another second those things have to experiment on my friend! If Cassia was the one those aliens captured I'm sure you wouldn't rest for a second until you got her back." She pointed out, picking up her rifle again.

Ashley stops for a second. If the aliens did captured my daughter I would leave X-COM go back home get as many weapons I can carry, and hunt down every single alien that is on this planet. and after I find my daughter I would still hunt them down. What your felling is bad and you will take down a ship. What I would do if my family was captured I will destroyed ever ounce of this planet until I find her. I already have to see my child fight the aliens something I didn't want her to do, So don't ever mention my daughter and alien in the same sentience, espelly when you compare my child to a friend that you only made on this base and only been friends with for a few months.

"She's not just a friend!" Ammelia quickly said, "She's so much more to me than that... I promised I would protect her and I don't break my promises. My point is that you'd never rest if someone you cared about was captured, so you can't possibly expect me to."

Do I expect you to rest no I don't, but you need to because when you do find this person you would be in such a condition were you will be worth less, you would be so tired the you won't be able to move or at worst you pass out on the battle field. So yes I get it your in a vengeful state of mind right now but if you don't rest you will be in no condition to save your friend. (And trust me after what I saw in the alien base who ever your friend in death would be the best thing for her.)

"I can barely sleep anyway, why waste my time staring at the ceiling?" Ammy Added.

Look I know it's hard right now but just try to sleep just try, yes you will have nightmares but just try to sleep or talk to the Commander about it. I know she's busy now more than ever but just talk to her or any one else on the base. Trust me your not the only one going through this right now. but please just try to sleep and eat something for the love of god just sleep for 9 hours.

She sighed. "It's not as simple as lying in bed until I fall asleep again."

"I know it's not simple trust I know, but just try please like I said if you don't rest and you go on a mission like the way you are now. You will not be able to help any on that is hear. Now I know that you don't what happen to your friend to happen to every one else here right?"

"I'll try... That's the best I can give you." She hung her rifle up on the weapon rack next to her.

"Sigh wheal that's all I can ask for really, that's all I can ask of any one really but for the now do you wanna grab some lunch because I doubt you've eaten yet have you?"

"I've had a little, but I'd rather attempt to go to sleep since you insist on it... Hopefully I won't be staring at the ceiling all day..."

Ashley get's a smile on her face." I hope you do get some sleep to, can't have you falling asleep on big sky on your way on a mission now can we."

"No we can't." Ammelia said, choosing not to return the smile as she walked towards the door.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

MarineAvenger & DarkGemini24601

Markus walked down the steps of the EXALT lab and when he saw that Elene was in fact there he couldn’t help but smile a bit. “Elene, they are ready and waiting.”

Elene raised an eyebrow. “You seem oddly happy about that fact.” She got up from her computer.

“A couple of reasons why but I think you may want to see this group yourself. They are...unlike any of the other clones I have seen, and that includes yours.” He stated, trying to contain his excitement at the discovery he made.

Elene followed him. “Are you trying to say they have psionics?”

Markus shook his head. “Sorry but not that special. It...it is their personalities. Viktor was worried about loyalty and he was right in that regard but they are loyal to something.”

“To what, exactly, pray tell?” Elene pressed.

Markus smiled. “Each other.” Markus guided her to a one sided window and he pulled up the blinds that covered the glass. Inside were 4 men, their facial features all resembling Viktor and each other but they were different sizes. Two smaller builds, one normal looking one and a large built one. “The rate in which their personalities developed is almost incomprehensible. They all knew only a few hours after coming out that they were friends and even gave themselves nicknames. I have never seen this before...was it like this for your clones?”

“Vee defined herself fairly quickly, but not in just hours,” Subject -0 responded. “Curious indeed...that all four of them would be like this. Though it remains to be seen if they will follow Viktor entirely. And if they’ll follow him to the grave, she thought grimly.

Markus opened the door to the room and allowed Elene to enter so she could find out for herself what he had said. As soon as the four clones saw someone enter they immediately snapped to attention. The normal looking one, who appeared to act like the leader spoke up. “Hello ma’am.”

“Pleasure to meet you, VK-001. Though I hear you have a name already,” the heiress responded.

“I prefer to be called Chief, ma’am.” VK-1 responded.

“Noted. And the others?”

“The big one is Bull,” He pointed his thumb to the large clone behind him. “This is Hawke,” He put his hand on the shoulder of the clone next to him. “And the small one over there is Fox.”

“I shall remember those curious names,” Elene said with a slight smile, before growing serious again. “Do you understand what your purpose is?”

“We are here as an elite military force for sensitive and difficult missions not able to be accomplished by the grunts ma’am.” Chief informed her.

“Correct.” Now for the difficult question. “And who do you answer to?”

“We answer to ourselves ma’am. We go where we are needed most, no questions asked.” Chief replied without hesitation.

“Interesting. I can...respect that, actually. Very well,” Elene decided. “I imagine you should meet E-157, or Vee, since you’ll be working alongside her.”

“That is acceptable by us ma’am. Isn’t that right boys?” Chief asked to his buddies.

All three of the clones replied with a hardy. “Sir, yes sir.”

It was not long before Vee strode in, wearing her military fatigues. “So these are the elites, huh? They definitely appear to be made of sterner stuff.”

“I hope we please ma’am.” Chief said, his squad all sitting back down at the single table in the room when Chief gave the go ahead.

Vee leaned against the wall. “So, what sorta specialties do you guys have for combat?”

“I specialize with taking down the enemy effectively while acting as commanding officer.” Chief told Vee.

The big one was next to speak up. “I am the heavy weapons specialist. I carry in any heavy armaments that we may need, that includes explosives and other heavy ordinance.”

Hawke was the next to speak up. “I am the team’s long range specialist. Any target you need hit, I can dispose of with the utmost precision while acting as a tactical eye.”

The one named ‘Fox just kept silent. “Fox is our mobile man. He goes to the places that we can’t and can outrun anyone.” Chief told Vee on Fox’s behalf. “He doesn’t talk much except when necessary.”

Fox grunted in acknowledgement.

Vee grinned. “Sounds good to me. I can do just about anything except the sniper and medic crap.”

Chief looked at Vee and nodded. “We aim to please.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Kids Grow Up So Fast

"So... I'm nineteen then, huh?" Alexia asked. "And I... missed my childhood?"

"No, Alex," Jessica insisted. "You just can't remember it right now, but you did have a childhood."

"And why is my hair green?"

Jessica huffed. "For the last time, we both agreed on that."

"And what about these?" Alexia grasped her chest firmly. "Why is my chest so big? Is mom this big?"

"Don't do that!" Jessica shrieked. "So embarrassing! They're just... big. I don't know why. And it isn't like I look at moms boobs a lot, you know."

"And all of our friends from school are actually... friends from here. And they're also grown up?"

"Well, Sunny's still a kid, but the rest are adults," Jessica answered. "Sunny is an engineer, Ellie a doctor, and the rest are soldiers."

"And I remember a... Joseph. He was mom's... boyfriend?"

"Husband. And Francis is our half-brother."

Alexia pointed forward. "And who are these people?"

Jake and his roommates stared at the green-hair lab tech in awe. Hitomi leaned over to her side, mumbling, "Kanojo wa... kimyōdesu (She... is weird)." Keiko nodded in agreement.

"U-uh..." The young guard laughed nervously. "M-my name is Jake, and these are my roommates, Rei, Hitomi, and Keiko. We're here to, uh... J-Jessica, what are we doing here?"

Jessica frowned. "I told you already, remember."

"But I'm not trained for this. Why not see Jaymes. He's a really good therapist, and I'm sure he'd be a big help."

"I don't like therapist," Jessica retorted. "And you said you were studying for this before the war, right?"

"W-well, yeah, but..."

"And you've studied the literature. And you already know me..."

"Y-yeah, but..."

"And we are friends, right?"

"Y-yeah... but..." Jake rubbed his eye in frustration. "I-I'm not a therapist, at least not offically by any stretch of the imagination. Just because I'm an empath..."

"Oh, close enough." Jessica gave her best puppy-dog eyes. Jake started to protest more, but gave up, less from her expression and more from the emotions he could sense that said she wouldn't let up.

"So... let me get this straight," Rei interjected. "You don't want to talk to Mr. Parker because he is a therapist."

"That's right," Jessica said with a nod.

"So you came to Jake becuase he has studied therapy, has research and information relating to therapy, has worked with Mr. Parker on how to be a therapist, and has everything relating to being a therapsit except the actual title." Rei raised an eyebrow. "Is that right?"

"Yeah." Jessica tilted her head. "Why?"

Keiko leaned over to her side, mumbling, "Kanojo wa kimyōna koto ni kanojo no imōto o hitsuyō to shimasen (She doesn't need her sister to be weird)." Hitomi nodded in agreement.

Jessica gave the pair a grin. "Sore wa anata ga, watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu shitte odorokimasu ka (Would it surprise you to know I can speak Japanese)?" The girls both blushed, looking away in embarrassment.

Jake shook his head, and flipped through one of several rather thick books on his bed. "W-well... I don't know how well this applies to a second personality, but it sounds like a case of mental regression."

Rei read over his shoulder. "Freud refered to it as a defense mechanism leading to the reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult way. In psychoanalytic theory, it occurs when an individual's personality reverts to an earlier stage of development, adopting more childish mannerisms."

"I-is it permanent?" The green-haired woman asked, though her tone made it hard to know which one was asking.

Jake shook his head. "I don't think so. Alex is starting to remember things, right? Things she wouldn't remember as a seven year old."

"Yeah, that's true." Alexia rubbed her chin. "If I met Ellie and the others here, how do I remember them?"

Rei pointed to her head. "The mind is an odd thing. As the memories that correspond to your condition are unlocked, your mind must be manipulating them to fit in with your delusions... no offense."

"So what should we do?" Jessica asked. "Just... keep exposing her to her surroundings?"

"Seems to be working so far." Jake shrugged. "Just don't let her get around anything dangerous. And remember that, for her, she is a child in a military compound." Her pointed a stern finger. "So that means staying put in your room when your sister isn't around."

Alexia pouted. "I guess... so boring..."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Family Ties

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Shooting Range, Level B2
1300 Hours

Jessica stretched as she rounded the corner, feeling a bit better after her sister’s freakout and their subsequent talk. Alexia still needed help, at least until she had recovered, but at least Jessica wasn’t exhausted from constantly fighting her for control.

Wishing to check on Ammelia, she walked up to the shooting range, the one place Ammelia spent more time in then her room, especially since the attack on the base. She peaked in, still to young to be in there without good reason, and slipped past a guard flirting with a soldier, and quickly scanned the room for her good friend.

Jessica saw a girl with long, dark brown hair firing off shots from her LMG at the targets in front of her. The girl said something under her breath after her shots went wide of the dummy and reloaded to try and hit a different target.

Jessica raised an eyebrow, and cautiously approached her. “A… Ammy? When did you dye your hair? You should have told me, maybe I could have joined you.”

The girl stopped firing and turned around, somehow hearing Jessica over the noise from her LMG. The woman’s face looked almost exactly like Ammelia’s, the only difference being a small scar on her right cheek. “Eh…?” She said, looking at Jessica.

Jessica rushed forward, tilting the woman’s cheek up. “What happened to you? This… doesn’t look fresh, what the heck?”

The Woman’s eyes widened in surprise, “‘Ey! Get off me!” She spoke in a thick British accent, scowling at her.

Jessica jumped back suddenly, holding her hands up in shook. “Oh… oh, God, I’m sorry. You don’t… I-I just have this friend, Ammelia. Y-you look so much like her, I thought… I swear, you could be her sister.” She bowed forward. “I am so sorry. I swear, I’m not some grabby weirdo.”

She raised her eyebrow at the name, “Ammelia? A’ in Cross?”

“That’s right,” Jessica answered, slowly raising her hands. “So you know her?”

“A’ course I know ‘er… She’s my damn sister!” The woman brushed her clothes off a little.

“Her sister?” Jessica shook her head. “She… she doesn’t… I mean, she did, but they were all adopted instead of her. You’re saying you’re one of them. It would explain why you look like her, but how did you know her last name? Has she been in contact with you?”

“Contact? Wit’ me? Pfft, she thinks she too good fo’ a street rat like me.” She replied, “I know ‘er name cause her fakeness is all o’er the damn news.”

“Too… too good?” Jessica placed her hands on her hips. “Now see here. Ammelia isn’t perfect, but I’d never think of her as someone who puts herself above others because of their social status. I mean, she’s my friend, and I’m not exactly puttin’ on the ritz here. I can think of a few other reasons why she wouldn’t talk to you, though.”

“Like what? All I see is a fake girl that refuses to talk to eny of her old family!” She crossed her arms.

“Maybe she doesn’t see her previous bullies as family.” Jessica pointed an accusing finger, her expression much bolder and angrier than it usually was. “She told me all about you. How your idea of looking after her was picking on her. You treated her like a burden, like it was her fault how she was born. You made her feel worse than she already did with her disabilities. Why on Earth would she have any loyalty to family like that? I’ve heard of worse enemies that were less cruel.”

“Is that what the bitch told you!?” Ammelia’s sister pushed Jessie back, “Maybe we did I’ cause we ‘re kids that ‘ent know any better! We ‘er not e’en six years old!” As she talked her accent seemed to get thicker and thicker, making her increasingly hard to understand.

Jessica narrowed her eyes. “Maybe that’s true. And maybe you’re different now. Maybe you deserve another chance. But those kind of wounds cut deep, especially when they’re inflicted on you by your own flesh and blood. Ammelia should hear you out if you’re sorry, but YOU should be more understanding if she is reluctant to talk to you!” Jessica quickly walked up to the soldier and shoved her. “And DON’T call my friend a bitch!”

“Do I regret what eh’ did to ‘er? A’ course eh’ did! But if the ‘hole reason she ne’er called us is ‘cause she’s been hold’in a petty grudge for all these ‘ears then she’s being bloody fuck’in stupid!” She walked up to Jessica, “An I don’t ‘ike be’en sho’ed you cunt!”

Jessica’s eyes widened. Gritting her teeth, her whole body shaking, she lunged forward, tackling her best friend’s sister to the ground. “I’ll destroy you!”

She rolled over and pinned Jessica on her back, holding her arms to the floor, “Don’t make me knock y’ur lights out ya’ bloody nut!”

Jessica fought back tears at the futility of her struggle. Had it been Alexia, she would have at least been able to hold her own, but Jessica lacked that no-how, all the more painful when she was trying to defend her friend. “You… have no RIGHT… to talk about Ammelia? You j-just stand on your high horse, blaming her for your lack of communication. Well, whether you were a kid or not, you were still the aggressor. Why don’t go find where she is before you put her down. Because she’s obviously matured a lot more since you were kids then you, you violent… slut!”

She stood up, letting Jessica off the floor, “Em’ the violent one em I!? You ‘er the one that tackled me!”

Jessica’s eyes darted back and forth in embarrassment. “I… o-okay, that’s fair. B-but… b-but you called me the… the ‘C’ word! A-and you insulted Ammelia! Regardless of how you feel about her, she’s my friend. If you were in my place, I would hope you’d do the same.”

She composed herself a little, “Look girly, I called ya’ that ‘cause that’s just ‘ow we talk where I’m from… People ‘er I’m from dun’t usually ‘av such thin skin…”

“Oh… well, where I come from, that’s the worse thing…” Jessica shook her head. “A-alright, I’m sorry, I… I-I’m just really defensive of my friends. Especially the one’s I’m really close to.” Jessica sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “I’m usually a lot calmer than that…”

“Listen… I called ‘er that ‘cause she ne’er tried to talk to eny of us. I thought she changed her last name, her looks, e’en her eye color just to spite us. Either ‘er new dad changed ‘er so she would look noth’in like ‘er old family, or she did that to her’elf. Either way, we ‘er furious…”

Jessica shook her head. “Of course not. Her name was natural with the adoption, and she said her hair color was more her father’s idea. And the contacts are to help her fit in more, since her eyes are completely white without them. I’m… I’m not saying she isn’t going to be bitter. It might take a try or two. But… but like you said, you were kids. And you feel bad about it… right?”

She rubbed the back of her head, “A’ course… I guess eh’ can ‘alk to ‘er after my time with X-Com is done.”

Jessica smiled. “Why wait? She’s on base, and to be honest, she could use the support of a sister.”

Ammelia’s sister gave Jessica a confused look, “She’s on base? They ‘cepted a blind girl into the project?”

Jessica giggled. “Of course not. There was a reason she’s been in the news. She had this procedure done that give her the ability to speak, as well as one giving her a semblance of sight. It isn’t perfect, but she can see well enough to fight on our behalf. She’s a soldier, a sniper.”

“Ah’ know that... “ She replied, “Still, ‘em surprised ‘at they ‘ccepted a mostly blind girl, ‘specially as a sniper of all things.”

“She good at it, though.” Jessica grinned. “Maybe you two could, I don’t know… bond over some training, and you could see for yourself. I know there are some people that doubt her, but she’s come a long way. So many things have tried to push her down, to knock her out of this war, but she’s refused to be held back. She really seems to think humanity deserves to win this war. Someone who thinks that way would surely forgive her sister for something that happened in the past. Who knows, she might be touched to find out you’ve wanted to meet her again after all this time.”

“Guess we could… ‘opefully she’ll forgive me ‘or what I’ve done in as eh kid, but I’d like you to be there when I see ‘er… Maybe ya can help ‘er understand ‘at I di’nt mean it…”

“Well, it is the least I can do after a jumped you like that.” The young lab tech smiled sheepishly. “I’m really sorry about that. I’ve been having problems with mood swings lately. I’m really nice once you get to know me.”

“I guess you’d ‘ave to be if you’re th’ princess’ ‘est friend” She added, smiling.

“Jessica,” the green-haired girl said, extending her hand. “Jessica Lockheart. You’ll usually find me in the gene-labs, though I’m in the bio-lab more lately thanks to a recent… incident.”

“I’m Mary Thomas.” She said, accepting her handshake, “I ‘ope we’ll put this whole thing be’ind us an’ be friends, don’t you?”

Jessica smiled brightly. “Of course!”

 

[Adrammalech]

// CHARISMA CHECK //
Emily Fischer / Nika Orlov
XCOM Headquarters – Mess Hall
Siberia, Russian Federation
12:46 PM

A few hours after Nika’s initial testing.

Nika walked up to her squad’s regular table, Emily, Dallas, and Sven all sitting together and discssing the events of days past. She walked slowly towards them before bursting forwards, whipping her hand around Sven’s eyes.

“Guess who?”

“Someone I’m about to hit?”

“Hey there,” Dallas smiled towards her. “How was your trip to the labs?”

Nika looked accusatorily towards Emily, taking her hands off of Sven.

“He was getting nervous,” Emily said.

“It’s fine, I don’t know why you didn’t just tell us you were doing that in the first place.”

“Lots of people are coming around to the labs,” Sven noted, “everyone wants an edge over the rest after what happened.”

“I didn’t want you guys to worry about me,” Nika explained. She smiled towards everyone, giving a look of calmness in a rather awkward silence.

“Well, grab some goodies and we’ll catch you up,” Dallas said. “You’d be surprised how much you can miss in two days.”

“I actually have stuff to do, but um…” Nika paused, looking around nervously. “Emily, can I talk to you for a second?”

Nika’s awkwardness instantly put Emily on guard. She knew whatever the news was, it was probably bad for her or bad for everyone.

“Yeah, I guess,” Emily got up from her seat. “Don’t take my shit,” she pointed at the boys, who returned with a scoff.

Nika rushed back to the supply closet where they first had their meeting, shoving Emily inside and breaking her calm expression instantly.

“We’ve got problems,” Nika said.

“You mean like how we’re back in the closet?” Emily asked.

“No, I mean about the results of what I went to the labs alone for!”

“Fine, fine, what did they tell you?”

“The dreams…the aliens did put them there. They were…trying to prepare us for something. But now they shouldn’t be able to do it anymore, unless they get another infiltrator.”

“I guess that’s that then,” Emily reached for the doorknob. “You could’ve told me at the tabl–”

“There’s…something else,” she said nervously.

“What is it?”

“I have potential.”

Emily raised an eyebrow. “Psionic potential?”

Nika nodded. “Yes. And you do too.”

“How do you know?”

“They said ‘if I have potential, anyone with alien dreams might too.’ To say nothing of the exact same dreams!”

“Calm down, Nika,” Emily said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “This is good news. If you have potential, it means you won’t be able to be controlled by them. It’s good news, the dreams aren’t a liability.”

“But, but,” she shuddered, “I’m going back to the labs to get training, or whatever it is to give me powers like the others have. I need you to come with me so they can test you too.”

“We went over this,” Emily replied.

“It’s different now, I have proof you have to go,” she said firmly, “the techs said that it was important that anyone who has the dreams comes to the labs!”

“But they also said that the dreams weren’t dangerous, right?”

“Yes, but…”

“And they also said that the aliens are only doing it to people that are intelligent enough to be useful to the aliens, right?”

“Y-yes, b–”

“And they also said that they weren’t sure that the dreams were equal to potential, just that they maybe were.”

“Y-yeah, you’re right.”

“So I’ll be fine,” Emily smiled warmly. “You should go back and get your powers.”

“You’re right, you’ll probably be fine, but I want you to come,” Nika pleaded. “The place is kind of creepy looking, and I bet they’d be able to get more information if we did it together.”

“I’ll tell you what, I’m going to be in training a lot today, and I’ll think about it while I’m there. And as for creepy, you have the potential to be someone who kills people with their mind. I think you can handle a goofy lab tech or a weird lighting scheme, don’t you?”

Nika nodded again, looking a little more stalwart. “You’re right. Just please think about it, okay?”

“I will, I promise,” Emily took her hand off Nika’s shoulder, giving her an encouraging pat before moving to leave again.

Nika rushed back down the hallway to the psionic labs, looking back worriedly as she reached the first door. Emily stood there and gave her a wave, causing her to smile before she left. Emily went back to the mess hall, weaving her way around people as she took up her normal spot. At least one biscuit was missing, a fact that did not surprise her.

“Welcome back,” Sven said, “how’s she doing?”

“Good. She’ll be back in a few days, getting some additional tests and things.”

“Cool, I thought she’d take a shine to that stuff. She did ask about gene mods once, I think,” he noted.

“Yeah, she wanted something for her eyes. Said they looked too creepy, in the end,” Dallas replied. “Hey, one of the guards came by and said they’d be doing a friendly pool tournament in the common, since the missions are kind of on hold. Winner gets a bottle of amber. Wanna try it out?”

“I don’t see why not. What time is it?”

“Five,” Sven said, shoving some potatoes into his mouth. “You don’t have training, do you?”

“Nope, I’ll be there,” Emily grinned.

 

[BMPixy]

DarkGemini24601 and BMPixy
“Trial by Fire, Part 1”
Observation Post CFA-44, Somewhere in Eastern Siberia
Main Hangar Bay
1900 Hours Local Time

With a gentle thump, the Honored Overseer’s craft settled onto the stone floor of the hangar bay, the engines slowly powering down as the Balmadaar Elite shifted restlessly in their positions as they awaited for the Honored Overseer to arrive. Jiokjiok kept his novagun firmly embedded in the small of Buniq’s back, despite any escape being through hostile and unforgiving territory.

The chryssalid hybrid nervously tried to ignore the weapon pointed at her, gazing up at the ship as it touched down. Buniq wondered what the ancient wanted this time, but dared not think further about it for fear that he would ‘hear’ her.

After an uneasy moment of silence, the door to the room containing the mysterious alien device slid open, the Honored Overseer floating gracefully through the exit and into formation with their personal guard. We have arrived, the alien projected to the occupants of the room, assume variant escort formation Vorax. Buniq Two shall assume the rear escort position. As the other Elites fell into position around the Ethereal, forming a wide arrowhead in the process, Jiokjiok nudged Buniq in the back with the heavy weapon, motioning for her to step into position behind the alien leader.

Buniq wordlessly complied, her curiosity growing, even tempered by the power of the Honored Overseer. She did not push her luck however. No question was asked of where she was being taken this time.

With a gentle wave of a shriveled hand, the Ethereal directed the Mutons forward, floating in the midst of the formation as they exited the craft. As the group passed through the outer atmospheric shields, the expanse of the hangar bay was made obvious. A handful of scout craft and alien fighters were lined up in neat rows between the various maintenance stations and ammunition containers. Drones flitted about, mostly congregating around the newly arrived vessel to examine it for any damage. A trio of curious Sectoids peeked out from one of the maintenance stations, but quickly ducked away and hurriedly got back to work upon spotting the group.

A door roughly ten meters distant from the party shimmered open, a small group of aliens exiting. Leading the pack was a Sectoid Commander, dressed in several form-fitting pieces of armor with glowing purple lines leading across and seemingly connecting to the alien’s fuchsia veins. Behind the alien psion was a Thin Man and a Balmadaar trooper.

Honored Overseer, it is a pleasure to have you visit again, the Uber Sectoid Commander thought with calm and confidence. To what do I owe this repeated honor?

As you are likely aware, the Honored Overseer mentally replied, the assault upon the Resistance headquarters was repelled. However, Jiokjiok, this one’s esteemed guard commander, recovered one of A-65’s experiments from the Resistance. ADFX-01 is ill-suited for long-term containment, so this one shall be passing along the subject to you. May this one present the subject, designation Buniq Two. The Ethereal floated gently to the side, revealing the hybrid behind them.

The Sectoid Commander looked over the hybrid curiously. The melding of human and broodkin. A-65 was a curious one, indeed. The gift is appreciated, it thanked, starting to consider the possibilities.

Also, U-2, this one has a request. Would you by any chance find the time to test Buniq Two for the Gift? It was one of A-65’s failings in duty to allow any such records to survive the destruction of ADFX-02.

The Uber Sectoid nodded its massive head. That can be done at any time. It would be excellent if a physically adept specimen also possessed the gift. I can have Buniq Two tested now, if you so wish.

Wonderful. Such readiness would be rewarded in any circumstance but the conflict we now find ourselves in, the Ethereal replied gratefully. Extending the telepathy to Buniq and her guard, they added, Come, let us make our way to the Ascension labs.

A-Ascension? Buniq asked with surprise, having heard none of the previous conversation between the two psions.

We shall discover if Buniq Two is granted the power of the Gift, or if her strength is merely in her genes, the Overseer explained, before motioning to her and Jiokjiok to follow them and U-2 into the base. The remainder of the Balmadaar Elites returned to the craft, likely to remain sure no unruly First Ones decided to poke their bulbous heads where they were not authorized.

Buniq hesitated for a brief moment before following, fearful of what process might be used to determine her potential with the strange power of psionics.

 

[BMPixy]

"Trial By Fire, Part Two"

Steadily the group advanced through the halls of CFA-44, passing scenes of Balmadaar hauling crates and other equipment, in addition to the various alien technicians at work. Eventually, after a seven-minute walk, the group arrived in a small room, containing a trio of empty surgery units, a device similar in appearance to the one aboard the Overseer’s craft but smaller and seemingly cruder placed at the head of each unit.

If this one would have Buniq Two’s co-operation in this matter, the Honored Overseer projected, it would be appreciated were she to enter the unit in the center.

Buniq made her way over to it. I-it’s n-not going t-to h-hurt me, i-is it?

‘Only in the hottest of flames may one find the brightest of lights,’ as the Creator of the Path once postulated, the Ethereal quoted, ‘The steel that emerges from the fire is all the stronger for it.’

The chryssalid hybrid backed up against the surprisingly not-cold metal wall, fear reflected in her yellow eyes. I-I d-don’t under...w-why d-do I h-have to s-s-suffer?

Only through pain can one achieve the greatest of strengths. Now, will Buniq Two enter the unit, or will she continue to try this one’s patience, this one wonders.

Buniq’s fear of pain and her fear of the Honored Overseer challenged each other in her mind, and the latter emerged victorious. The clone shakily entered the testing unit, closing her eyes and trying not to hyperventilate. Someone...please...save me…. No one did.

Shall I begin, Honored Overseer? U-2 intoned. To himself, he added, I wondered if I was going to have to manipulate the troublesome creature’s mind...

U-2 has this one’s blessing. Begin testing along the purple spectrum, then expand through Control and Wisdom, returning upon potential failure to Power. Finish with Ascension, should we receive failure or multiple successes.

Understood. The Uber Sectoid began to twist dials and tap buttons, and the capsule glowed to life with a purple hue. Inside, Buniq winced as it scanned for the purple spectrum of psionics. Failure. Attempting to locate Control, possibility low. The chryssalid hybrid shut her eyes as the testing unit shifted to a dark blue fading to light blue, pain shooting through her, seemingly everywhere at once. Nothing. Perhaps the green spectrum shall show promise?

U-2 was met with further frustration, and went to scan for yellow. Buniq let out an agonized scream that increased in intensity as the Sectoid turned a knob, seeming unmoved. How disappointing…

“P-p-please...s-stop…” Buniq pleaded through the agony, tears in her eyes.

No.

As the pod turned orange, Buniq’s screams of pain were choked by a burning throughout her body that overwhelmed the ability to cry out. Why...me…?

Finally. So she does possess something. A-65 must have missed this, if he did test her or her predecessor. U-2 thought triumphantly.

Then finish the trial. She does not fit the criteria for the Ascended. The Ethereal turned away from the testing unit, the impassive gaze of their mask being lifted from the newly birthed psion. Such a shame, this one continues to hope for one such to appear from every new Gifted, but this one continues to see failure, even in the New Ones.

The machine shut down, and U-2 began to consider how to use this valuable specimen, a touch uncaring of the Honored Overseer’s disappointment, not that he would ever state or outwardly think such. Buniq was silent, the agony only gradually fading from her. “M...ons...ters…” she said in a nearly inaudible whisper.

Those who have not seen the purpose of the Path, the reason for the pain of Gifting, oft make such claims. Were it not for the tempering of the steel mind, it becomes fragile, weak, as the First Ones can attest. The Overseer turned back to Buniq, gently floating over. Arise, Buniq Two, you have faced all but the hottest of flames, and you have emerged burned, but powerful.

Buniq shakily began to stand, her eyes now a curious amber rather than the original chryssalid-like yellow.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

With a large a brief humming and a flash, the lights came on to full as the base turned back to main power. "Status reports,"Morrigan shouted out as she looked up at the hologlobe.

"Engineering and labs report that they are up to full functionality," one of the techs said, looking down at his work station.

"Power rooms up to 90%. They promise to get that last ten within the next couple of hours," another cried out.

"90% of soldiers are out of the infirmary."

"Excellent." Morrigan grinned. "And our computers?"

"The doctor has given me a clean bill of health," Cheshire's voice rang out through central. "You might want to know, however... someone hacked my systems while I was recovering. I've tried tracing it back to its roots, but with my condition at the time..." Morrigan let out an irritated sigh. "Hey, Queeny, it isn't my fault. Besides, they seemed to have safe guards to specifically target me. Alice might have a better chance, since they aren't concerned with her, but she is designed for this."

Morrigan waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it. We'll worry about that latter. For now, we need to search for an alien base. No way they could have coordinated such a massive attack on us and not be nearby."

"Found it," Cheshire said casually.

Morrigan scoffed, rubbing her temples. "I'm really not in the mood, you mangy fu..."

"He's not kidding," one of the techs said. "We have strong readings to the east indicative of a base."

"How?" Morrigan asked in confusion.

"Because they no longer have the abilities to hide themselves," Cheshire answered. "Based on these readings at satellite imagery, the base has been attacked and decimated. "

Morrigan hit the intercom. "Commander O'Brien to Major Brea. Get together a team of eight. I have something you need to check out."