RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “The Question of Power, Part 1”

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
2200 Hours, September 26th, 2018
Main Gymnasium

Atka gazed over the double-helix of telekinetic energy rising from her palm inquisitively, noting the slightly darker hue it took on when fused with the power of ‘imbuing’. With a tired sigh, she was forced to dismiss the projection, however. The power was draining, and without the adrenaline of combat or the blind fury of losing a comrade, the powerful merging of abilities quickly took its toll on the Inuit woman. It didn’t help that neither of them were drawn from her native variant.

“I wonder if it would work with mindfray… worth a try, at least,” Atka spoke quietly to herself. “But that’s a test for another time.” The major sat down on the cool mat above the concrete floor of the gym, and closed her eyes, concentrating. In doing so, Atka hoped to make use of two powers in tandem, but separate from each other. Focusing on the easier one first, she located the two 20-pound weights to either side using ESP. Once they were located, she begun the second, harder part.

Atka stretched out her hands to both sides, the familiar tinge of blue glow surrounding them as the telekinetic double-helixes exited her palms. It was more gentle than usual, however, as they weren’t tipped with their damaging spikes. This exercise required more precision and control. The helixes found the central bar of each weight, and Atka increased the amount of force they exerted as they wrapped around. The manifestations of her psionic powers gradually lifted the two heavy objects into the air, and kept them there.

The strain reminds me of doing it with my own hands… if not more. Though eventually, I might be able to lessen that detertriment, Atka mused, partially to document what she was doing, and partially to remain calm so she wouldn’t send the weights clattering to the floor. It was late, after all.

“That is quite impressive, I must say,” said a young voice from behind Atka, the sounds of footsteps approaching her from behind.

The weights shifted, Atka a little surprised by the break in silence, but she quickly regained control, and slowly set the exercise tools back down. “Thank you,” she began, turning to see who it was as she got up, opening her eyes again.

Before her eyes were fully open, the remnants of her ESP showed Atka an Aura of energy, dark and radiant. But the being before her showed none of that. All that stood before her was a young girl, looking no older than her late teens, and dressed in casual X-COM clothing. Her long, black hair stretched down to her knees, her appearance reminding Atka of her own kinsmen. The girl stepped forward, the sound of each step somehow off, as if they were artificial. Almost unmistakable to the average person, but to Atka, it almost sounded like the sound in a movie that was ever so slightly out of sync.

Atka looked over the girl for a few moments more before deciding on something to say. “Hello. I don’t mean to pry, but I wasn’t aware that we had such a powerful human on base. You wouldn’t happen to be someone I’ve met before, would you?”

The girl nodded, and bowed her head slightly. “We have. I apologize for any… aura of deception my appearance might bring. It isn’t my intention, I can assure you. I am just… curious at times about your base, but the stares that I get, especially now that word has spread about what I am…” The girl shook her head. “I do not blame them, of course. My kind is one that should be met with suspicion and malice. I am not short of that myself, believe me.” She motioned down to herself. “What you see is only an illusion. Though you have seen my true form, when I came to warn you of the child.”

“That’s alright, I can understand that,” Atka replied, shrugging. “So you’re the one whom they dubbed ‘Death’. I can see why...a little, but I still think that’s a bit unfair.”

“I will take that as a compliment.” Death tilted her head slightly. “As I was saying, I was quite impressed. I take that your natural color is blue. Use of telekinesis, a red ability, should be far more difficult for you. But you seem to have found away around it by channeling it through one of your natural powers. Such innovation, such clever use of the Curse… I am surprised.”

Atka rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. “Honestly, that was more luck than anything. It’s how I discovered telekinesis for myself, through my mindfray manifestation.” Her expression became a little more serious. “Is that what you call psionics? I remember Superbia calling it the ‘Gift’.”

“It is.” Death shook her head. “It is only natural that he and the rest of them would think of it like that. After all, it is the greatest thing in the universe, and thus having it is a blessing. It is only those of us who have stepped outside of their little religion and seen psionics for all that it is that know what such a power truly is. It is a curse, one that poisons the mind with what it offers. The power comes at a price. Do you know what that price is?”

“I understand what the cost of power in general is. That’s not limited to psionics, of course,” Atka stated calmly. “But you’re also right about the Ethereals not being the sole authority on this power. I… see them differently than a curse.”

“Do you now?” Death smiled softly, and folded her arms. “Please, share with me.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “The Question of Power, Part 2”

“I had the beginnings of my abilities before the Ethereals ever begun their campaign here,” Atka began, before amending, “Of course, they weren’t anything as obviously impressive as telekinesis might seem. I was just able to use low-level telepathy to understand the thoughts of animals. But as I began to realize the potential I had due to the invasion, I expanded them. War forces them to be a weapon...but that’s not all they can do.”

The Inuit woman motioned her head towards the weights. “They can be used for utilitarian purposes like that. Chandra uses them to save lives, and telekinesis could apply to this as well, should a wound need sealing to prevent blood loss. They have the potential to be something beautiful, and once we’ve dealt with those that use them for the wrong reasons, they can be wonderful unhindered by the clamor of war.”

“Conquest has… on occasion… told me my views can be narrow minded,” Death admitted. “He has warned me that an opinion can be negative in both directions, and just as believing psionics is that ultimate good has led to this was, believe they can be the ultimate evil…” She shook her head. “But what if the risk is too great? Is it right to give one the power to save ten if it means giving another the power to kill ten more? Or a hundred more?” She lifted her hand, and it glowed a dark black. “But I am a hypocrite, am I not? Using the very power I hate to destroy my enemies.”

“The same could be asked about other forms of power,” Atka explained, regarding the dark color of psionics appearing in Death’s hand. “Some people are born more intelligent than others, some with the potential to be physically stronger. I don’t think we are equipped to change how psionics manifest, and even if we could, it would be a waste to throw away something with so much promise.”

The major sighed. “There are obviously those that don’t deserve to have this sort of power, and I wonder if I do sometimes. But I’m here to stop those who use them for crueller ends, as are those that stand alongside me. That’s how power is balanced, I believe, just as the scales of good and evil tend to even each other out.”

“I… see.” Death slowly nodded. “Your race has the potential for great wisdom, and great intellect. Should this war end in your favor and you…” She seemed to hesitate for a moment, but quickly continued. “And you continue with psionics as a part of your life, I only hope that your people do not lose your way as mine did. I hope that you remember that all life is precious, and no being deserves to be put above another. Especially one that chooses to destroy those that will not, or can not, join them.”

“I know I will remember that, and I have faith that the others will as well,” Atka responded. “I can’t say there won’t be people that think that way, but considering how far we’ve come from the days of one race dominating the others...I’d hope that wouldn’t represent us as a whole. Though it does seem that we need a little time to get used to other species. War is an unfortunate way to make first contact, after all.”

“Indeed.” Death smiled lightly. “But, if there is nothing else, it tends to bring out the… I believe the word you would use is ‘humanity’ in others. I am here, speaking with you freely, because of those that would be my rescuers. I would not wish this war on anyone, but if it was for it, I would likely still be in a lab, hundreds of light years away, being experimented on.”

“It does seem to bring people together, doesn’t it?” Atka wondered aloud. “Once this is over, we’ll be a little better for it, but we still have to rebuild from all the damage that was done, and figure out what to do with all this new technology. I fear it could advance us too fast...I don’t think we’re quite ready to traverse the stars.”

Death seemed to hesitate again, but eventually nodded. “Perhaps… we could help you with that. It would be unfair for you to help us rid the galaxy of our greatest enemy, and not at least assist you with the rebuild.” She shrugged. “Though it might take awhile for the four of us. But Famine is pretty quick, and War is definitely a heavy lifter.”

Atka smiled. “We’d certainly appreciate the help, and it’d go a long way in smoothing out tensions between what’s left of the Ethereal’s former subordinates and us. I think the Balmadaar on-base have said something about assisting us, but I’m not sure if they intend to return home or not.”

“Perhaps we can assist them with that,” Death offered. “If we won, we wouldn’t have anything else left to do.” She thought for a moment, then closed her eyes again. The illusion faded away, the cloaked Ethereal standing in its place. Slowly, hesitantly, she extended one of her hands towards Atka.

The Inuit woman gently shook Death’s hand. “Don’t worry too much about us, though caution’s not bad. I like to think humans have a strong sense of justice, and that keeps us in line for the most part.”

I… believe that is true. After talking with you now, and a few other conversations I’ve had, I believe you have the potential to turn the Curse into… something more. I promise, I will try and defend you with everything I have.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
"Treacherous Loose Ends: Part One"

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1100 Hours, September 27th, 2018
Near Elerium Power Room 2

Jake looked over the chart carefully as he walked through the hallway, deep in thought. Airi and Marina continuously reached out to move him to one side or the next so he wouldn’t walk into anyone, Jake seemingly oblivious. “Damn, Jake,” Airi muttered. “If it’s that important, we can sit down somewhere.”

Jake shook his head. “S… sorry.” He handed the chart to the nurse following closely behind them. “This isn’t that unusual.”

“Not unusual?” The woman scoffed. “She knocked him down and tried to have her way with him like an animal in heat.”

“The ‘Special Water’ had chemicals meant to affect nearly every pleasure center in the human brain. It was expected that, with deluding the formula, it would cause some things to be affected more than others.”

“So, show we up the dosage?” The nurse asked.

“No.” Jake stopped walking, turning back to face the older woman. “We are trying to wean her off of it, and giving her stronger doses won’t help with that. What we need… is… patience.”

“Patience, got it.” The nurse walked off, not looking very convinced.

Marina shook her head. “Do you really think this’ll work?”

“I do. She just needs people like myself and Emily to stay by her side.” The trio continued walking. “You have to understand, for her, there is no reason to believe anything is as it seems here. Imagine being in her shoes, and knowing that your master might be inclined to try and trick you. For all she knows, this is all one big trick, another test of her loyalty. But we’ll convince her, eventually. We just…”

“Need, patience, we got it.” Airi rolled her eyes. “Can we eat now? I’m starving. I’m so hungry, I’m actually looking forward to that slop.”

“It isn’t that bad,” Marina insisted. “Remember when dad tried to cook?”

Airi shuddered. “Oh God. Why did you have to remind me of that?” She looked back. “You any good at cooking Jake?” She blinked a few times, looking for the man that was no longer there. “Jake? Where’d you go?”

Marina scratched his head. “He was here a second ago.”

==========

Jake dropped to his knees, the loud hum of the elerium generator not helping with the ringing in his ears. Burton grabbed him by the collar, easily lifting him up. “It is your fault! All my closest friends are dead, and it is because of you!”

Jake laughed a bit, despite the situation. “What… are you talking about? If you need a scapegoat, we have an entire army of aliens to…” Another jab to the stomach shut him up.

Dropping Jake hard on the ground, Burton paced around him, shaking his head and speaking as though it was important for Jake to know why they were there. “You broke our confidence. Tore us apart. After your big mouth made one of my men, MY MEN…” He kicked Jake in the side for good measure. “... turn a gun on me, we lost our team dynamic.”

Every instinct screamed for Jake to be quiet, but he was compelled to speak. “You… weren’t ready. I told you, Central Officer Brea was keeping you alive. And if you hadn’t frozen, my friend would…” Burton wrapped a hand around Jake’s throat. As he pried at the man’s iron grip, Jake muttered, “A-are… you mad… at me… or yourself. There is… no shame… in a woman… saving you…”

Burton snarled, and threw Jake to the side, slamming him into the side of the generator. Hard. As Jake groaned in agony, Burton squeezed his hands shut, pacing back and forth, seemingly unaware of what he even wanted with this. He slowly reached to his side, and muttered, “You won’t get away with that big mouth of yours, little man.”

“What the hell is going on in here?” a voice said from behind Burton. Atka stood in the doorway, a hand hovering near the holster of her pistol, and barely-contained anger clouded her features.

Burton looked back, and wiped the sweat from his face. He lowered his hands, and put on his best shit-eating grin. “Nothing, sweets. The two of us were just having a friendly talk in private. Man to man.”

“I see you reaching for what I can only assume is a weapon with someone beaten to the point of being defenseless at your feet...I don’t call that a friendly chat,” Atka responded venomously.

Burton shook his head. “Don’t be silly. I just realized I had gone too far, and was reaching for my hanky. I mean, he does look a bit sweaty, doesn’t he?”

Jake coughed loudly as he tried, and failed, to stand up, muttering, “M-my… sweat… isn’t red…”

“I suggest you come with me… willingly,” the Major stated coldly to Burton.

Burton chuckled. “Listen, sweetie, if you’re interested in me that much, you just need to ask. Though I’m not big on pushy women.” Reaching into his pocket, he said, “Here, let me give you my room number, and we can meet up later.”

Atka narrowed her eyes, a faint blue glow surrounding her hands. “Don’t do something you’re going to regret.”

Seemingly oblivious to the forming aura, Burton continued to rummage through his pocket. “Come on, toots. Is that anyway to speak with the man of your dreams?”

Jake tried to climb to his feet again. A-Atka… he… he’s…

If he’s planning on pulling a gun I think I can block incoming shots with the icy helixes. I can’t risk going for a pistol right now, Atka explained, managing to keep herself calm despite her apprehensions.

Standing before Atka, Burton smiled widely, his hand obviously wrapped around something, though it wasn’t in his holster. “Now, why don’t…” His grin widened as he recognized Atka. “Oh… Major!” He seemed a bit pained to give Atka the title. “As I said, this was all a misunderstanding. But if you insist, I’ll leave him be. You can come with me, if you want.”

“You are coming with me to see the Commander. I have no intention of anything to the contrary,” Atka replied, her caution not fading, the hints of an icy manifestation forming in her palms, tinged darker blue than normal.

Burton’s grin quickly faded. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Do you have a problem with that?” He deliberately made a show of bending down, wanting Atka to be fully aware of their height difference. “Hmm, bitch?”

“I do not...believe that is any way to address a commanding officer…” Atka countered through somewhat gritted teeth.

The large man laughed heartily, almost looking as though he might fall over. “Oh… oh, that’s a good one. You look so cute when you’re angry. Brings a tear to my eye.” He glared again, and muttered, “Get out of my way, or I’ll make you get out of my way.” Behind him, Jake slowly limped over.

Stay back, you’re already hurt as it is. I’ll... handle him the minute he makes a hostile move. “Continue to disobey a direct order and you’ll find yourself knocked to the ground and shipped out of here so fast your head will spin,” Atka said darkly, despite the involuntary fear of the much-taller man demanding her to move.

Burton slowly pulled out a large combat knife, almost as large as Atka’s arm. “Please… ‘Major’. Don’t make me mess up that pretty little face of yours.”

“Do...do you have any...idea how hard it is...resisting the urge to abuse my powers to...put...you down?” Atka warned him finally, struggling to keep the trembling, half-born from rage, out of her tone.

The angry soldier seemed to notice the energy forming in Atka’s hand for the first time. He smiled, and gently placed his knife on the floor, backing up a couple steps. “Alright, I give up. I’m all yours, babe.”

That seems too easy, Atka thought to herself. She walked a step forward, kicking the knife to the side out of reach, not risking leaving herself vulnerable by picking it up. “That’s better. Now...you leave this room first,” she ordered, stepping to the side another pace.

Taking another step back, his hands still raised, Burton asked, “Is there anyway I can get out of this? I just lost my temper a bit, and I’m really, really sorry.” He motioned his head back towards Jake, standing a few feet behind him. “I promise, he’ll never see me again.”

“I’m not just going to ignore this. I will not have another timebomb on this base, so at the very least we’re going to have a little chat with command,” Atka responded resolutely.

“Hmm… too bad.” Burton suddenly lunged back, reaching for Jake. The young guard, having been watching Burton with his Empathic abilities, ducked back, having anticipated the soldier would try this. Missing his easy prey, he turned to Atka, charging her like a snarling bull.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

ZombieSplitter53 and DarkGemini24601
Treacherous Loose Ends, Part Two

Change of tactics. Atka raised her left hand, a telekinetic helix bursting forth in a slant, then a full ‘x’ in front of her to try and knock Burton back in his assault, while the other lost the darker glow. A light blue hue returned in its place a few moments later.

Burton fell back, his eyes wide with surprise. As he quickly climbed to his feet, Jake searched the room for the side arm Burton had knocked away from him earlier. Burton reached to his side, going for his own sidearm.

“Don’t you dare!” Atka lifted her right hand swiftly, and a mindfray shot out at Burton’s head with full force.

Burton’s neural dampening blocked the brunt of the attack. “Dampening, bitch. Got it after that freak mind-controlled me!” He raised his weapon and fired, the mindfray effecting him just enough to throw off his aim, the shot whizzing past Atka’s ear, close enough for her to hear it fly by. Panicking a bit at the shot, Jake gave up on his gun and instead ran towards Burton’s discarded knife.

Atka’s eyes widened. “You really...are risking your life, here.” The Major summoned forth two more telekinetic lances as the old one dissipated, forgoing the spiked ends. Regardless, she still thrust them forward, putting enough force into the projections to bowl Burton over if they made contact.

Burton dodged the first, but the second hit home, his incredible size working against him. He slowly climbed to his feet, his stamina large enough for him to withstand the attacks, even if he was obviously hurting. He lifted his weapon again, and again missed from the pain. “You… you’re not… sending me back!”

Would you prefer I tip them with spikes? Atka though with anger to herself. She put her hands together, forming another telekinetic helix to blast at Burton.

Burton steadied his aim, this time be more careful. He fired, this shot punching into Atka’s left thigh. “No!” Jake dove forward as Burton raised the weapon, aiming high. Before he could shoot, Jake drove the knife into his shoulder blade. He yelled in pain as he tried to reach back to pull it out.

Atka grimaced after a cry of pain, the affected leg giving way. On one knee, she struggled to form another helix, but it muddled and melted like running water. Dammit, I need… The Inuit woman closed her eyes briefly, a psi inspire muting the pain enough to improve her concentration. Can’t hold back. Her eyes snapped open, and the Major shot an icy helix tipped with its usual spike at Burton’s leg. She hoped to spoil his balance as well.

Burton dropped to the ground like a rock, his weapon sliding away from him. Jake scrambled for it, and Burton grabbed his leg. Before he could pull him close, Jake grabbed the weapon and turned on his back, pointing the gun at Burton’s face. Burton immediately released him, and Jake quickly climbed to his feet, his hands shaking as his finger moved towards the trigger.

“I...suggest...you...stay put…” Atka told Burton. The Inuit woman kept one hand ready for psionic use, while reaching for her radio with the other to contact central.

Burton slowly nodded, and lowered his head, keeping his hands raised. Jake swallowed hard, his hands shaking violently. “A… a-are you okay, Atka?”

“I’ll be… fine. Kinda used… to this, after awhile.” Atka glanced down at her leg, putting pressure on the wound with her defensive hand. “This is hardly...the worst of it.” She clicked the ‘on’ button of the radio. “Uh...Morrigan, Aya, whoever’s there? You mind... sending a security detail... down to the elerium generator room?”

After a few moments, Aya’s voice chimed in. “They’re on their way. Everything okay? Not another cat, I hope.”

“No, not another… cat. Though… you might want to send Chandra, if she’s...not busy,” Atka added with a hint of embarrassment to have caused them trouble.

The guards showed up a few minutes later, Aya and Chandra in tow. Aya shook her head, a quick survey of the bullet holes, the knife in Burton’s shoulder, the wound in Atka’s leg, and Jake’s overall state telling her everything. As the guards took Burton away, one of them walked up to Jake, who still held up the weapon. “You okay, man?” He asked, placing a hand on Jake’s shoulder. Jake jumped, and fired at the spot Burton had been. “Whoa! Chill, man!”

“S-sorry.” Jake muttered as he slowly lowered the gun and handed it to the guard. “I… I never pointed a gun at another human with the… i-intent to…” He shook his head, and rushed to Atka’s side.

“I’ll...be alright,” Atka mumbled.

Chandra sighed, both with sympathy and disappointment in Atka’s tendency to get herself hurt. “Hold on...I’ll try something less painful.” The Indian woman knelt down by the Major, and a green glow rotated around the wound. Empowering the enzymes within the Inuit’s body, she effectively broke down the bullet, and then sealed up the wound. “At least this was a quicker fix this time.”

Atka thanked the healer and shakily stood, embracing Jake. “I shouldn’t have hesitated with him...should have done what I did at the end in the first place.”

Jake chuckled. “Are you kidding? You… it wasn’t like it was your fault. I’m just sorry I caused trouble for you.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, if… if I had told you about this earlier, you wouldn’t have had to get hurt for me.”

“He...attacked you before?” Atka asked quietly, worried.

Jake slowly nodded. “Y… yeah. One of my friends stood up to him because he had some… choice words about the female leaders here, including you. He tried to push his weight on her, so I tried to stand up for her. It… ended painfully. I tried to not fight him, but that only made him angrier. We only made it out of there in one piece because one of his own buddies stood up to him. I thought, after he saw how much trouble a real mission was and how much we needed our female crew, things would be better, but…”

“Some people...never seem to change, huh?” Atka sighed. “I do...owe you dinner or something, though…”

Chandra cleared her throat. “Perhaps. But after I make sure that you don’t have a miniature bullet rolling around in your leg. Don’t think you’re getting out of this so easily, Major.”

Jake smiled, and shook his head. “I’ll take a raincheck then. Though I think we worked together on this one.” You more then me, but don’t want to upset you by putting myself down. “Thank you, Atka.” He grasped one of her hands. “I don’t… know how to thank you enough, but I’ll try to think of something.”

“Just...promise me to tell me about these things from now on,” Atka said gently. “That’s all I ask.”

“I will, I promise, scouts honor.” Jake rocked back and forth a little, but said nothing more, only squeezing his lips shut.

“I’ll be making sure you’re alright as well,” Chandra affirmed, motioning for the two to follow. She glanced back at the generator room briefly. “...what is it with that room and people getting into trouble?” the doctor muttered.

 

[MarineAvenger]

You Either Die the Hero, or Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become the Villain

Desmond's Room-Med Bay
September 27th, 2018
2345 Hours

The constant rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor next to Desmond's bed and the other sounds that radiated off the base walls made it almost impossible for the psionic soldier to fall asleep at an acceptable time that was recommended by his doctors. It was Desmond's last few days in the Med Bay till he would be free of the confines of his medical bed, which also served as another reason for him not being able to sleep. A small lamp light provided the soldier with the light he needed to read his book, the second time he was reading The Tempast by Shakespeare. "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep." Desmond said out loud. He sighed and put the book to the side and shut the light off as he put his hands behind his head and shut his eyes as he head hit the bed, darkness taking him into a light sleep.

Footsteps echoed off the hollow halls of the base as Desmond walked through the shadows of it all. He looked around but no one could be seen, not even a single member of the night staff. Desmond smirked as he thought he would happen to run into Thomas and have a repeat of the night the first met all over again. His smirk faded however as when Desmond looked closely, the hall seemed to stretch on for a while, the hall having no turns but a door across from each other every few feet.

Desmond raised an eyebrow and continued to walk, until he began to quicken his pace until he was jogging, and then Desmond broke into a full sprint. The hall didn't change at all as he ran and strangely enough, Desmond didn't run out of breath. In fact, he felt no fatigue at all. Desmond stepped and looked back the way he came, and forward further down his path. "What the hell is going on..." Instead of running further, Desmond approached one of the doors that was on the side of the hall. He noticed the door was slightly ajar and he cautiously put a hand against it.

The door opened with a creak and Desmond's eyes widened, opening his mouth in a scream that seemed to make no noise. He took a step forward and fell to his knees, a cool sticky red liquid sticking to his hands and knees as his love laid in a pool of blood, her throat slit and her body twitching slight, the look of terror on her face being etched into his mind.

He tried to reach out to her but his body did not respond to his plea, no movement coming. Footsteps approached from outside as a shadowy figure stood on the doorway, blood dripping from the knife in his hand. Desmond clenched his fist and was finally allowed to move, Desmond grabbing his katana, squeezing it hard in a two handed stance. "I'll kill you!"

Desmond ran forward screaming but the figure disappeared as the blade of his sword touched the figure. He lost his balance and a force shoved him from behind, Desmond falling to the ground and his sword skittering away from him. Desmond looked behind him and he saw himself, a crazed look in his eyes as he licked the bloody blade. Once again, Desmond's body did not respond to him as he tried to move and his other self stumbled to him and knelt over him, knife held high before he plunged it into Desmond's chest.

Desmond's eyes widened and his body jerked but the scene had changed, his other self gone and no wound where he had been stabbed. This time, Desmond was in engineering and the place was in ruin. Soldiers fought a raging battle at an enemy Desmond could not see. Soldiers fell one by one and Desmond was powerless to do anything. He heard a familiar voice and whipped around as he saw Vee, Emma and Elene surrounding a familiar person. "Viktor!"

Emma rushed Viktor but he just grabbed her by the neck and squeezed until a crack could be heard from where he was standing and Emma's body went limp. Viktor threw her to the side as if she was nothing, like a rag-doll. Vee was the next to scream in horror as she had a knife in her hands and she rushed Viktor. He had a sneer on his face as he smacked her before she reached him. Viktor pulled out a pistol and Desmond screamed as he put an end to the black haired clone. Elene had just stood there in front of him, watching her sisters get killed. Desmond ran at Viktor and his metal arm radiated a red, wispy glow. He slammed it into Viktor and the man was sent flying into the wall, his body jerking and laying lifeless as he fell to the floor.

Desmond smiled as his nemesis laid dead but he turned to see Elene crying, a gun raised to Desmond. Without even noticing Desmond was on the move. He had grabbed Elene by the neck and lifted her in the air. Desmond had no control of what he did, Elene struggling to breath, tears streaming down her face and a look of deep sadness on her face. "You won't win...Viktor..." Elene put the gun that was in her hand to her head and fired.

Desmond dropped her and screamed again as he reached down for his sister, her face changing from a look of sadness to betrayal. Desmond fell to his knees in front of the clone and cried. There was the sound of a gun cocking and he whipped around, Elene standing with gun in hand and blood seeping from the wound in her head. Desmond couldn't call out before she pulled the trigger.

Desmond was now somewhere cold, snow blowing all around him but having no visibility as if he was in the middle of a blizzard. Desmond's head whipped around as he looked for anyone, anything to tell him where he was. A darkness appeared from the blizzard and it grew and grew until a figure could be seen. What Desmond noticed first was the face. "Minato?!" The next thing Desmond noticed was the sword lodged in his chest and the blood pooling around the man's clothing as he fell forward. Desmond rushed forward and checked his pulse. "Dead..." Desmond pulled the blade out from the dead man's back and looked it over. "It's...mine..."

"Desmond..." A female voice quivered from behind him. He whipped around and saw Saka with a horrified expression. "Desmond...what have you done?" Desmond took a step towards her but she took one back as she looked scared for her life before she turned and ran for her life.

"Saka!" Desmond ran after her but her figure faded quickly in the blizzard. Desmond was stopped as he saw a building and he looked at it. Desmond's eyes widened as he covered his face and the building exploded. Earth shook and Desmond was blasted backwards as splinters and other shrapnel flew around him. He wiped snow and debris from his eyes and sat up, and older looking man standing in the middle of where the building stood. Desmond got up and cautiously approached him. When Desmond put a hand on his shoulder and spun the man around, a large slash mark was seen on his chest and he stepped back in horror. "Master..." The Otoharan heir fell forwards, the same smile he had on the day when Desmond ended his life on his face, a mocking reminder what he had done.

"Please...end this..." Desmond pleaded, putting his hands over his eyes. The wind stopped and the cold was no more. Desmond opened his eyes again, his eyes wet and his chest heavy. He was in a dark room, closer inspection making it appear to be the Commander's office. A single light shone from the ceiling above her desk. On it, drawings and crayons were scattered all around and Desmond walked up to the desk. On it, on top of all the paper was a single black revolver.

Again, with no control over his body, Desmond reached for the gun. This time however, Desmond did not resist. His hand wrapped around the handle and he felt a cool touch in his mouth. Desmond closed his eyes and fell backwards as the gun went off, the next time Desmond opening his eyes being covered in a cold sweat and panting as his heart hammered in his chest as the constant rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor next to Desmond's bed told him that he was back in reality.

 

[Adrammalech]

// AN AVARICIOUS REPRIEVE //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Alien Containment Unit
Siberia, Russian Federation
September 26, 2018 - 11:32 AM

Emily burst through the doors of the ACU, barely giving Luxuria enough time to present her avatar before she was at the foot of her cell.

“You fucking bitch.”

Rude.

“What did you do to Sybille?!”

Who?

“The drug you made, what did you add to it?”

Nothing. I merely toned down or removed some aspects of it.

“She went crazy, she was drooling and trying to fuck everyone!”

Well, you know me… The avatar laughed. There were some lovely aphrodisiacs in my mix. I may have forgotten to scale it down with the rest…oh my, that must’ve had quite an effect without the rest of the formula to tone it down.

“You made me poison an innocent woman with your goddamn rape water,” Emily shouted, rushing forwards and sinking her thumb into the shock button. “Give me a reason I should let you live!”

I can…I can fix it! Emily’s avatar screeched in pain, the human scream horrifying Emily far more than the Ethereal’s squeaks. P-please! Mercy!

Emily let go of the button, walking away angrily. Luxuria lifted herself to her feet.

Your doctors did not trust me to add things to the formula without time to test it, but I need to to make up for the changes. You must tell them to trust me this time, as I will need to add certain stabilizers in the aphrodisiac’s place, or she risks brain damage.

“Why should I believe you?”

I have been nothing but cooperative.

Emily sighed, turning back towards the avatar.

How is your mind? Have there been any side effects?

“No, it’s the same way you left it. Minus some decoration.”

Good. The image smiled. May I see?

“No.”

Why not?

“It’s personal.”

Aren’t we friends by now?

Emily looked at the Ethereal angrily. The avatar sighed.

This hostility is tiring, I must admit. Your little friends’ anger and distrust is amusing, but we should be closer than this.

“Why would we ever be friends?”

Well, I’m helping you kill my race, I’m powering the lights in your room, I’m giving you company every week, I’m giving you a power that no one else in your species can offer you, and I’ve given you the raw essence of pleasure.

“Your race is also trying to exterminate my people, you’re trying to rape my friends, corrupt my mind, steal my body, burdening me with this visit every week, and you made a girl who you kept in a dog-sized glass box try to rip my shirt in half.”

Fair. I do love our back and forth, Emily…it is a rare gem in the graveyard of waste that comes in to gawk at me each day. You should see some of the others Morrigan lets in, all red-faced and shouting. So dull. Reminds me of someone I know.

“You know just because I’m not here doesn’t mean you don’t have to help her. She tells me everything.”

I highly doubt she does. The avatar grinned. But I would help regardless if they had questions. They just want to scream.

“That shouldn’t surprise you. You’re murdering us.”

We’ve been over how little this means to my people. It’s not personal.

“You should tell that to the Horsemen.”

Who? The Ethereal repeated.

“The guerillas from the other races, they’ve been trying to topple you.”

Oh, that little strike team, with the black psion…they’re just a blip on a very large radar. Why, have you run into them?

“We have. They’re interesting people.”

Perhaps you can aspire to join them one day. It’s unlikely we will kill you given your gift, as long as you don’t throw your life away trying to be a basic foot soldier.

“I don’t need you to worry about me,” Emily sighed.

Would you prefer Desmond to? How worried that boy is.

“He told me about your chat. Sounds like he put you in your place.”

It was actually quite civil. I explained how my purpose was for you to understand me, not to control you. He seemed unsure, but satisfied. I would be careful around that man, Emily.

“Why? He’s teaching me new abilities, minus the mind rape.”

For now that may be true, but he is a loner, much like you were. There is a great selfishness in him, just like there was in you.

“So he comes to talk to you because he wants to protect me, and this makes you surmise he’s selfish,” Emily chuckled. “That makes sense.”

Does he want to protect you, or control you? Psionics offers great power, but also great control, even with other psions. This is why there are laws in my society that forbid control on other Ethereals. Control is addictive, and your Legion friends have already gotten a taste for it.

Emily looked at her feet and thought for a moment, and then looked back up. “I’ll choose who to trust on my own.”

Please do. The avatar didn’t wear the usual malicious smirk, instead looking genuinely concerned. You’re an intelligent woman, that’s why I chose you.

Emily sighed and shook her head. “Enough about that. Let’s talk about your people. Do you know Avaritia?”

Do I… The avatar smiled widely. What a wonderful man he is. Challenging to be around, but exciting to know all the same. He is not a brute like so many other Overseers.

“It sounds like you have a crush,” Emily taunted.

Oh, I’ve entertained the idea. But there were weak-willed men who already wished to strip me of my accomplishments. I didn’t need to tangle myself up with my co-workers. You’re a mature woman, I’m sure you avoid the same mistakes. The Ethereal's projection giggled.

“Casse-toi,” Emily sighed, exhausted, “that’s none of your business. And it’s going quite well, for your information.”

Better keep it wrapped up, Emily. It would be a shame if someone who wanted to ruin you found out. An ambitious little blonde woman, perhaps.

“You wouldn’t…”

I wouldn’t. You know who my favorite is.

“Is there anything about Avaritia you can tell me, besides his attractiveness?”

He is curious like me, although he cares about dull things like culture and traditions rather than giving and taking pleasure. He likes to steal artifacts and abduct people, and has even befriended a few of his subjects…possibly grooming them for a merge like me, although I couldn’t predict his motives. He’s a hoarder, honestly.

 

[Adrammalech]

“Troops? Surprises like Gula’s?”

Nothing you haven’t seen, or at least nothing as horrifying as that beast. Avaritia is a much greater man than that bumbling piece of garbage. He likely has a massive army, with several large metal toys. He was snatching up power, minerals, and land far before you captured me. You may have to fight his pets as well, although you may be able to ‘rescue’ them. Knowing Avaritia’s charm though…they probably like their new existence. The illusion bat her eyelashes. Remind you of someone?

Emily groaned and waved her hand dismissively, turning back. “That’s all I need from you, I guess.”

Wait.

“What?”

I have been helpful, again.

“Looking for a pat on the head?”

I want to see it. Luxuria’s avatar pointed towards Emily’s head. Your dreamscape.

“I told you, it’s personal.”

So is my relationship with Avaritia. I just want to take a look.

Emily sighed. “Just look, nothing else.”

Emily opened her mind and sensed Luxuria’s mental power before her, pulling her inside. The familiarity between the two made for an easy exchange, even easier than Desmond, which Emily found irritating. As Luxuria’s avatar manifested into a real thing in the mental world constructing around them, she let out another sigh of relief.

“So much sentimentality…” she sighed, looking at Emily’s pictures. “A workspace like this would be seen as egotistical for an Ethereal.”

“Not on Earth,” Emily sighed, glad at any difference she could draw between the two.

“And this platform was dark so you could see all the stars,” Luxuria pointed out, looking at the open flames with disdain. “You humans always have such harsh lighting.”

“I wanted it to look more like home. My home, not your home.”

“That seems unlikely, given…” she pointed up at the dual moons, giving a brief chuckle.

“I’m working on that,” Emily groaned as she slumped into a chair by the fire. “Desmond thinks he can change it.”

Luxuria sighed sadly, looking at her with a somber expression. “I thought you found it beautiful. I was hoping you’d keep it.”

“I…haven’t made a decision yet. But there will be a decision, and it will be mine.”

“Fine,” the Ethereal sighed. “It is your space, do what you please.”

Luxuria sat by the fire, manifesting a group of tools from the human portion of her memory. In a matter of seconds, she formed a s’more, holding it with both hands as she tried to level it into her human mouth. After a minute’s struggle, she tossed it into the fire, wiping her hands on the black platform.

“I don’t see the appeal, honestly,” she said, groaning.

“They’re difficult to eat, but it’s a favorite for camping,” Emily stated. “I guess you need practice. I don’t even know if you have a mouth.”

“Of course I do.”

“Well, I’ve never seen you without the mask, so I wouldn’t know. It’s even hidden in the memories I got from you.”

“You know how displeased I am with my appearance. I know it is your human nature to want to see what you can’t, but my mask is everything. To see my real face would be worse to me than seeing the rest of me naked.”

“That’s…strange, but I suppose I understand.”

“I’m glad,” Luxuria nodded and stared at her for a moment. “Emily, can I ask you to do something for me?”

“…Depends on the something.”

“Avaritia…when you storm his base, if you manage to get to him…can you spare him?”

“I don’t think I’ll be on the mission. It’ll be up to whoever’s there.”

“Anything you could do. Avaritia is a good Ethereal, not like Gula or Invidia. I would like that he be sent away…or even captured, if need be. I just don’t want him to be killed.”

“I’m sorry, Luxuria. It’s up to whoever’s there, I probably won’t even know until they’re sent.”

“Like I said, anything you could do…it’s important to me.”

“If I get a chance to see, I’ll ask for mercy, but I’m not guaranteeing anything. It’s up to the situation and the soldier, not me.”

“I suppose that’s the best I could ask for,” Luxuria nodded soberly. “Thank you.”

Emily thought about it for a couple minutes before she could feel reality tugging at her, and she rose from her seat. The atmosphere began to fall apart and the two emerged back in the real world, Luxuria staring at her expectantly as she recovered from her otherworldly mental state. Emily nodded towards her and the Ethereal did so in turn, and Emily walked out, preparing to inform the doctors of a new solution.

 

[Adrammalech]

// GUESS WHO //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Supply Closet #4
Siberia, Russian Federation
September 28, 2018 - 10:49 AM

Emily laid comfortably on the pile of blankets, her arm wrapped around Dallas as she playfully poked his nose and rubbed his chest. The small pocket they were both nested in was a perfectly warmed reprieve against the Siberian cold that snuck underground during the night.

“A lot of iron…are you made out of steel?”

“Yep.”

“Are you a…steel mill?”

“Nope,” Emily smiled. “I win again.”

“It seems to be awfully frequent,” Dallas scoffed, kissing her.

“It’s not my fault you suck at guessing games,” Emily grinned.

“It is your fault for knowing all these weird specific things and then unleashing them on innocent old me.”

“Then maybe you should’ve run away from home like me,” she laughed.

“You ran away from home?” he looked up.

“Mmhmm, when I was 14. I spent a lot of my life surviving all on my own. I can tell you some stories about it sometime.”

“I’d like that,” Dallas smiled. “We’re so wrapped up with this war…it’s easy to forget we had lives before this.”

“I know what you mean. At least we have moments like this.”

“Thanks to you. I don’t even want to guess about what scheme you cooked up to get rid of the janitor this time.”

“Too bad,” she sighed. “It was complex, unlike the last one.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Emily pulled him in and kissed him deeply, holding him in a tight, inescapable, warm embrace. After a few minutes she finally let go, and he gathered his clothes. Emily went through the process of cleaning up their love nest and hiding the blankets, then redressed herself.

“See you after training?” he asked.

“Yep, right after you get out.”

“I’ll see you then,” he smiled shyly.

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

2 hours later…

As Emily walked throughout the command sectors of the base, she heard the distinctive blare of the hangar door’s siren echoing through the hall. She rushed towards Mission Control, seeing Aya and a group of soldiers by the door, celebrating. Green concentric circles radiated from Berlin on the massive globe, and an After Action Report sat beside it, “success” in large letters and all of the soldiers involved marked as healthy.

Emily excitedly leaned against the railings by Mission Control, watching the jeering XCOM soldiers and thankful German soldiers mingle after the mission. Even though she didn’t know anyone deployed, the look on a successful squad’s face brought her solace and reminded her of happier things. She watched Aya congratulate each one of them as they filed out of the hangar, leaving them to move throughout the room.

Two soldiers walked beside where Emily was watching, chatting in German as they enjoyed the wind-down after what was likely a tense siege. Emily leaned in, eavesdropping fairly obviously as she flexed her German knowledge. The two German soldiers laughed about something as they set down the heavier portions of their gear, going over their mission and their rescue.

“Und ich kann nicht glauben, dass ‘blinder passagier’ dachte, es konnte nicht gefunden werden,” (And I can't believe our "stowaway" thought it couldn't be found), the first soldier chuckled, shaking his head.

“Es ist schon vorgekommen, mein Freund,” (It's happened before, my friend), the other laughed, taking off his helmet and revealing a short crop of brown hair.

Emily leaned forward with a grin, doing her best to imitate a Berliner accent. “Diese Katzen sind eine Beleidigung für den Begriff.” (Those cats are an insult to the term.)

“Ich konnte nicht mehr zustimmen, Fräulein…” (I couldn’t agree more, Miss…)

The second soldier turned around and looked at Emily with recognition and surprise. Emily felt a rush of emotion and memory, and her jaw dropped.

“Kieran?”

“Emily?”

“You’re a…what are you…” Emily stammered.

“Uh, I joined the German armed forces a couple years after I left…what are you doing here?”

“I’m an X…I’m a soldier too,” she said, stumbling over her words and simply grabbing the large XCOM patch on her sleeve and holding it up.

“Wow, so you’ve been living here since…I can’t believe it,” he rubbed his eyes.

The first soldier coughed and tugged at Kieran’s arm. “Krause, ist es Zeit für unsere Nachbesprechung.” (Krause, it's time for our debriefing.)

“Eine sekunde.” (One second.) He turned back to Emily. “Do you have like…a rec-room or something? We should totally catch up while I’m here.”

“Y-yeah, I’d love to. I’m on level 3, barracks #4…we could hang, or something.”

“Sounds great,” he smiled. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” she said, giving a half-wave as he turned to follow the other one.

As Kieran vanished back into the group of soldiers, Emily shuddered nervously and turned around, heading back to the barracks to meet with her roommates and wait for Dallas.

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

2 hours later…

“So then they turn on this big, hulking Sectopod, for no reason,” Dallas said excitedly, “and I’m just sitting there like a mook behind a car like ‘well, this is fair.’”

“How’d you get out of that one?” Emily asked.

“The tank from before, I got the SHIV to upload Alice into its controls and shoot it in the ass with its cannon. After that I just hit it while it whittled on the tank. If only we could have one of those everywhere we went…”

“Well, we have the SHIVs, they’re kind of like tanks. Mini-tanks.”

“Either way, I love Sunny. Without her, we’d have so few options compared to what we have now. For some reason it’s only just sinking in that we’re bunking with someone who saves our lives, herself or with Alice, every day.”

“I could’ve told you that, dummy,” Emily nudged him playfully. “I loved that kid from day one. You should talk to her more.”

“You’re right, I should,” he nodded. “But anyway, enough about training. What did you do all morning?”

“I went to Mission Control and gawked at some soldiers wrapping up a mission,” Emily smiled. “It was pretty great, no one even got injured on the last one. Reminds me of our first outing.”

“Yeah, with Billy…I miss that big cowboy.”

“Me too,” Emily said somberly. “There was another thing though…”

The pneumatic hiss of the door rung out through the room and Emily looked over in a panic, seeing Kieran standing in the doorway. He looked out of place among the navy and silver XCOM walls, uniforms, and decorations, in his stark green camo military outfit that looked almost cliché at this point.

“Right room?” he asked himself before locking eyes with Emily. “Right room.”

“Hey!” Emily dashed forwards and gave Kieran a brief hug, patting his arms excitedly. “It’s great to see you again.”

“You too,” he said happily, taking a look around. “You’re really set up here, pretty cozy for a group barracks.”

“Gotta be in an underground base, or you start peeling the walls,” she chuckled. “Everyone here is on my team, in one way or another. I have someone for you to meet, too.”

Emily dragged Kieran over to her bed where Dallas stood at attention, offering his hand.

“Hey, Jack Stewart, but you can call me Dallas,” he introduced.

“Kieran Krause,” the German soldier replied, shaking his hand, “and you can call me Kieran.”

“How do you know Emily?” he asked curiously.

“Oh, we met on a ship a few years ago, I helped her get a living space and some other things when she was ‘moving.’”

“That’s nice,” Dallas nodded with a smile, “I’m glad she had someone like you around, then.”

“She seemed to be glad too,” Kieran said slyly.

“Dallas is my boyfriend now!” Emily blurted out quickly.

“O-oh, I see,” Kieran shrunk back. “Well, congratulations to both of you! It’s hard to find love blossoming during these times, so all the best.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Dallas rubbed his arm nervously. “So, you got rescued or something?”

“Yeah, we were stuck on a bridge for a few hours with those bastards on both sides. Then a big-ass VTOL comes out of nowhere, squashes one end of the grays and shoots the shit out of the other. It was pretty amazing. We didn’t lose anyone after that.”

“That’s great,” Dallas smiled. “You going to go back soon?”

“I was thinking about it, but I don’t know. Seeing you guys swoop in like that, tells me all the fun toys are here.”

“Well, there’s no shame in a national military,” he replied, “we need you out there too.”

The door hissed open again, and the Central Officer walked in along with Eve, who was clutching a clipboard, both of them looking surprised to see Kieran already in the room. “Sgt. Krause, didn’t expect you to actually be in here already,” Aya said.

“What do you mean?” he asked. “I actually know Emily, I just came here to say hi.”

“Oh, well, that works out better than expected,” the officer smiled. “Your transfer just went through, and we’re having the Germans ship over your stuff now.”

“Transfer?” Dallas asked.

“Yes, Sgt. Krause will be moving into here,” Aya pointed a pen towards Alice’s bunk, the bottom bed unused. “We offered transfers to the soldiers who got rescued during Wild Nocturne, but not enough took it to justify a new room, so we’ve been looking for free space. Since we put in a bunk for Dr. Randolph’s android, we had a free bed waiting to be used.”

“So we’d be, um…living together?” Emily asked.

“Affirmative, once the papers are signed and the bags arrive,” she nodded and smiled, “welcome to XCOM, Kieran.”

The Central Officer and her assistant vanished back through the door, and Kieran turned to look at a nervous Emily and an even more nervous Dallas. The two XCOM veterans laughed half-heartedly and exchanged glances, and Kieran scratched the back of his neck and tried to put on a comforting smile.

“Just like old times?” he said.

“Y-yeah, just like old times,” Emily replied.

 

[BMPixy]

“Three of Wands”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Bar & Rec Room
1021 Local Time
Fay Henderson

Silently I watched the antics unfolding throughout the bar from my corner table, keeping an eye across the room as I quietly sipped from my beverage, some Russian soft drink that the bartender had recommended. As my eyes glanced across the entrance, I noticed an engineer step inside the room, scanning the room with the same kind of look I was expressing as well. Our eyes locked, and I nodded. Finally, he was here.

The engineer slipped between the scattered tables and chairs, making his way over to my table. Sitting down, he produced a small bag from his pocket. “Thirty-six tungsten bullets, roughly equivalent in size to the .50 cal BMG round, each weighing 386.32 grams, exactly as ordered,” he said, setting the bag onto the table.

I slid a hand out and grabbed the bag, pulling it open and examining the contents. Exactly as he described. I slipped a hand inside my jacket, and pulled out a small package, tossing it on the table. “Your payment,” I replied. “More if tests are successful.”

With greedy hands the man took the package, unwrapping it to reveal ten chocolate bars strapped together. A grin appeared on the man’s face as he re-wrapped the candy, and said, “This the good stuff, right?”

I nodded. “Made in America.”

“Oh thank god,” he replied as I took the bag and put it in my coat pocket. “You would not believe how hard it is for me to get a decent candy bar out here, all the European ones don’t have nearly enough cocoa.” Pausing for a moment, he added, “So, you never exactly told me, but what are those for, exactly? Had to pull some overtime to get those machined from some leftover scraps, y’know.”

“Telekinetic rail-gun,” I stated simply, shrugging slightly. “Quarters unsuitable, needed better projectile.”

The man nodded silently, contemplating what I said. After a silent second, he said, “Well, if you ever need any more, you know how to get my help.” With that he stood from his chair, gave a short wave which I echoed, and he left. I took another sip, finishing my drink, and left my chair.

Next stop would be the range. A quick glance at the clock confirmed that it would be clear for a short while, enough to confirm my hypothesis. However, as I turned the corner to exit the bar, I bumped into somebody headfirst, sending us both stumbling back, my hand over my eyes as I drove the brief flash of pain out of my mind.

“Hey, are you alright?” I heard someone say, likely the person I had bumped into.

Shaking the pain out of my head, I lowered my hand and replied, “Yes. Apologies, should have checked corner.” I took a quick glance at the man I had bumped into and his three companio- wait, no, it couldn’t be...?

“Nah, nah, it’s alright, I should have been watch-” the man I had bumped into choked on his words slightly as a look of recognition crossed his face. Yep, it is certainly him. “Fay? What’re you doing here?”

“My work,” I replied. “Was not aware you served here as well, Davenport.” I added, settling into an at ease position.

“You know her?” one of the other three, an Asian woman, asked, shooting a curious look at both of us.

The former Air Force pilot nodded. “Yeah, you remember that story with the A-10 and the three SAMs? She’s the sniper who pulled my ass out of the fire.” Turning back to me, he said, “So, how is Bekowski, anyways?”

“Dead.”

“Oh, uh, sorry to hear that,” he commented sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as another of his companions, a black man, palmed his forehead. Suddenly perking up, Davenport continued, “Oh, yeah, almost forgot, these are my wing-mates.” Gesturing to each in turn, he said, “Fay, meet Nagase, Snow, and Grimm.”

I shook each one’s hand in turn, mentally assigning their faces with the correct names. “Excellent to meet you. Certain that Davenport has been living up to his nickname.”

“Nickname?” Nagase asked, looking up at the pilot in question.

“Fay, no need to go bringing up the past, new start, don’t want my past legacy haunting me forever,” Davenport said frantically, trying to dissuade me.

“Motormouth Chopper,” I interrupted, and Davenport’s face fell. The other three pilots chuckled, the scrawny Grimm slapping Chopper on the back, before wincing back in pain, prompting another burst of laughter from the pilots.

“Ha, I knew you were always a babbler,” Snow said, rubbing his forehead mirthfully. “You wouldn’t believe how much I have to tell this guy to cut the chatter when we’re on a mission.”

“Have a faint idea,” I replied.

“Seriously Fay, I trusted you,” the beleaguered pilot bemoaned, “Why do you do such things to me? I thought we were friends.”

“Hey, no harm in sharing such information,” Grimm said, “I think the increase in our happiness outweighs the decrease in yours.”

“How about you can your utilitarianism?” Chopper shot back, “Seriously, how do you even measure how much happiness changes?”

“Mass spectrometry,” the other pilot replied matter-of-factly.

“Whatever.” Davenport dismissed the comment with a wave of the hand. “Anyways, sorry for taking up your time, Fay. I’ll let you go do whatever it is that you were gonna do...”

“Very well,” I said, nodding my head. “Look forward to running into you again.” With that, I stepped around the group, and began making my way to the range.

“No, it’s not like that, you prick! She’s just a friend!” Chopper’s yell could be heard in the distance, and I resisted the urge to chuckle. Ah, Alvin, how your mouth always gets you in trouble. Now, let’s go see if all those melted quarters meant I was on to something...

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

A Day in the Life of a X-COM Child

"Can... can I help with anything?" Brigid asked, watching her mother stare down at her desk in frustration.

"Um... no, not really," Morrigan answered, looking up and smiling gently. "It isn't too hard for me, it's just..." She looked down at the papers in front of Brigid. "It's kind of like your math homework. It is easy for you now, right?"

Brigid nodded, and pouted a bit. "Yeah, but there is so much of it."

Morrigan nodded. "Well, that is what my paperwork is. It is frustrating because there is so much of it. But I'll be fine."

Brigid shrugged, and looked back down at her math, wondering if she would be better off switching her math with her mother's work.

==========

"So... clones can get sick too?" Brigid asked, looking down at her feet as she walked through the hallways.

Aya and Eve exchanged a look. "Well..." Eve scratched her head nervously. "Yeah. I mean, clones are just like other people. They were just... born differently."

"Why do you ask?" Aya stopped and knelt down in front of Brigid.

The young girl nervously rubbed her hands together. "I... I asked one of the other soldiers why Desmond was gone for a while. They said he was really sick, and was in the hospital for a while."

Eve sighed, and lifted Brigid into the air, placing the child on her shoulders and continuing on. "I wouldn't worry about ol' Desmond. He's built like a brick wall. Besides, he's got too much to do for a little sniffle to keep him down."

Aya nodded. "That's right. He's getting married now."

Brigid's eyes lit up. "Really? Like, mom and dad married? Are they going to have a little girl? Or a little boy?"

Eve chuckled. "I think that's getting a little ahead of the game, but maybe some day."

Brigid looked down at Eve. "Who is he getting married to?"

"Dr. Elizabeth Rinly," Eve answered. "Nice girl. Helped me out of a jam in a way I never imagined someone would be willing to do?" She ignored the raised eyebrow from her sister. "I think you've met her before. Ellie for short.'

Brigid thought for a moment. "Oh, the little doctor. Yeah, she's nice. I like her."

Aya smiled. "Maybe you can be a flower girl," she offered.

==========

"A flower girl?" Keiko looked up from her homework for a moment. "It... it's the girl that walks down the aisle, scattering flowers, like... roses and stuff." She smiled. "To make everything nice and pretty."

"Oh... okay. I can do that." Brigid smiled back, imagining herself in a pretty dress with a basket of flowers.

Keiko stretched her arms, her work done for the day. She ignored Rei, who reached over to look over her work, almost on instinct. "Do you think Jake and Atka might..."

Hitomi laughed. "Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren't you?" She laid on her bed, her head upside-down on the side. "It was just a few weeks ago you were giving every girl the evil eye just for talking to him. Now you've already decided..."

"Well, Atka's different." Keiko folded her arms, pouting. "And I think they work well with each other."

Brigid tilted her head. "Are they going out on dates and stuff now?"

"As best one can with their hectic schedules, not to mention being trapped down here." Hitomi shrugged. "Kinda limits your options."

Seeming to be absolutely intrigued, Brigid scooted forward. "So they... they hold hands and kiss and stuff?"

"The former, possibly," Rei answered, satisfied with the homework. "But I highly doubt the latter?"

"Why not?" Brigid asked. The other girls looked at her as well, all eyes curious.

"Hey, I like Jake as much as you three do. But let's face it. That he worked up the courage to ask her out was surprising." Rei sat back, and picked up her book. "I'd give... three months before he even tries for a kiss."

Brigid scratched her head, confused. After all, she knew boyfriends kissed girlfriends all the time, so why should this be any different?

==========

"Well..." Jessica thought for a moment. "Modya and I kissing was kinda spontaneous. Like... it wasn't planned or anything. We just did it. So don't worry about this friend of yours. He'll kiss the girl eventually if he really likes her." She hoped she didn't just give dating advice to a seven year old, and stood up from her paper work.

"Okay. You're probably right." Brigid looked around the small lab. "So, uh... watchya doin'?

"An experiment of sorts." Jessica walked across the room, Brigid following behind. "Are you sure its okay for you to be here?"

Brigid nodded. "Mommy said I could go on a field trip, as long as don't touch anything." She looked back at the guard acting as her escort, giving a small wave and getting one in return.

"Alright then." Jessica hit a switch, and a shutter lifted from a small cage. Brigid shrieked, ducking behind Jessica, and the green-haired scientist frowned. "Sorry, I should have warned you. Don't worry, he can't get out."

"Why... i-is... is that Mr. Kitty?"

"No, no. That Mr. Kitty is gone." Jessica motioned towards the Incubator. "Though this one did try to do something similar by sneaking into the base. Caught it, though."

Brigid slowly stepped around Jessica, carefully approaching the glass cage. "What... are you doing with him?"

Jessica stepped next to her, and crouched down. "Well, Brigid, the alien leaders have done a lot of weird things to the other aliens working under them. Made the Thin Men look human, took away a lot of the Mutons' intelligence, and turned Mr. Kitty into an evil monster." She smiled. "But we got some materials from their bases, and it was confirmed by some of the friendly aliens, that said Mr. Kitty here used to just be a wild animal. The size changing thing, the psychic powers, the... pigheadedness. It was all added to them to make them killers."

Brigid tilted her head slightly as she stepped up to the glass, the incubator growling loudly, its skin bulging ever so much as it continuously switched between the urge to transform and the knowledge that it couldn't do so in such a small space. "So, you're trying to make him better?"

"In a sense, yeah." Jessica placed her hand against the glass, the incubator swiping at it. "This will be one of our first attempts fix what the Ethereals have done. It won't be easy, especially since I can't risk losing him. We probably won't be able to capture another live one."

"Maybe you can turn him into a real kitty!" Brigid said excitingly. She gave the animal a curious look. "But... why doesn't he talk? He looks mad."

"I don't think he can," Jessica answered. "Without a link to someone with psionics, he isn't smart enough to talk. And what little connection he had was lost due to our shield."

Brigid simply starred at the creature, suddenly feeling sorry for it. The incubator starred back, looking into her eyes. Brigid smiled, he eyes glowing a faint purple. The alien's eyes drooped a little, and for the first time, it seemed to relax.

 

[Dahlexpert]

A leader that leads for miles away.

Ashley is siting at the bar with a bottle of beer in her left hand and staring at her laptop.

Sigh Axton, how are things going over there?

Well you really want to know? Mustangs wife finally gave birth to triplets.

Ashley get's a big smile on her face. Was the birth successful?

Yes the kids are fine, and so is Maria. He had two boys and one girl.

Well that's great to hear, that we have 3 new born welcomed into the world.

Four actually, Aglaie gave birth to a daughter so now I have two kids.

A-Axton that's....that's great to hear my little brother family is getting better.

Yea I wish you were hear sis, Every one misses you, even mom and dad.

Yea I wish I was there to, but my mission isn't over hell I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Scarlet. Ashley rubs her head. Speaking of how is my psycho?

Well, pretty good. She did adopt Marin so now Scarlet has a kid now.

Wow if the commander head that i'm sure her head would explode out of shock. Maybe I should tell her just to see her face. Ashley says with a smile. Al right now that the family matters have been talked about. Back to business. how are things over there?

Well ever since you guys killed the Etheral here, the aliens are is disarray. Hell with out there leader there leader to guyed them they have pretty easy to take out.

Is that right. Ashley rubs her chin at the thought. hum hay Axton how are the civilians doing?

Well there cold as hell, but there alive. Are you sure it was a good Idea to move people to our village?

Well it's better then them waiting to die in some military compound, besides. when there with us they get good food, warm beds and some damn good security.

Yea yea look sis I gotta go, babes crying.

I expect to see some pictures, of the new borns Axton.

Yea yea, later sis.

Good buy Ax.

Ashley closes the Skype call and goes through the recent bounties her family recently did.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Eureka

X-COM HQ, Siberia, Forward Labs
1:15 AM


“Are you certain it’s secure in there?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “For the fiftieth time, yes! Stop fretting. I’m pretty sure it’s not going to jump up and attack us anyway. Are you?” The mask, lying underneath a plexiglass dome, made no response. “See?”

Penny glared at him, then glanced worriedly at the bolts securing the dome to the table.

“If you’re so worried about the damn thing, why haven’t you gone to the Commander about it yet?”

“Because…” Penny hesitated, then waved her hand dismissively. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Charles narrowed his eyes, but gave up. For now. After all, like he’d said himself – it wasn’t exactly going anywhere. Actually, no, screw it. Question time. “Why are you avoiding this?”

Penny blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“You tried to weasel out of seeing an Ethereal, which made no sense, and now you’re avoiding the Commander like the plague. What’s wrong with you?”

“I… I just didn’t want to-“

Charles shook his head. “I’m going to be frank with you, and as rude I might sound, it’s for your own damn good.” He strode to her desk and planted both hands on the smooth surface. “I don’t give a damn what past demons or whatever you have locked up in there – “ He poked her forehead. “- but now is not the time to be entertaining them. We’ve discovered that the mask your father used to wear decades ago is an almost exact replica of the ones the Ethereals use! And you don’t think the Commander should, at the very least, be aware of this?”

“You’re just upset from our lack of progress…” protested Penny, though her voice was weak.

“What can’t it be both?” Charles snapped. “Day in, day out, we’re sitting in here, toiling away at a goal that I’m increasingly thinking is impossible to achieve. Your desire to keep this secret, whatever it is, is another roadblock to me. It’s another avenue where we’re making no fucking progress, because you refuse to even talk about it!” The scientist flung his hands up in the air in a table-flipping motion, and stepped back, shaking his head. “You’re killing me here, Pen. Dr. Randolph, a child, has already beaten us to that Blaster Launcher thing, beaten us at our game! We need to get somewhere before someone decides that we’re ultimately useless and not worth the funds, the time, or the resources to keep along.”

Penny stood, her chair skittering back like a frightened crab, her expression probably what had frightened it. “So why put the blame on me? Why demand that I do something? What about you? Why don’t you pick up your own game?”

“This isn’t about me! This is about you not doing the sensible, logical thing – “

“And spilling my life story to someone who probably has far more important things to deal with than a whiny scientist crying about her daddy issues?”

“Yes!”

Penny leaned forward slightly. “Get a grip.”

Charles quivered a bit, but backed down, heading back to his own desk. He refused to look at her.

“Why are you so upset? Why the anger?”

He sat down with an audible thump, dropping his head into his hands. “It’s not just you. It’s this, it’s the research, it’s… It’s everything, all together, like it’s contriving to make me feel terrible about myself. We’re letting aliens walk the base now – aliens – who could be plotting against us, former EXALT agents when we’re perfectly aware EXALT themselves are planning an attack, we’re…” He stopped when he noted Penny’s vacant expression. “And you’re not even listening to me!”

Penny herself didn’t respond, lips moving slightly as she whispered to herself. “…everything. All together…” she muttered. Her eyes widened. “Pencil,” she said, beginning to search for her notepad.

Recognizing that it was probably best not to interrupt whatever train of thought she was on, Charles obediently, if dejectedly, passed Penny a pencil. She took it without a word and set about drawing diagrams on the notepad.

“We’ve always thought of technical progression as a line – a branch on a larger tree. But what if it isn’t always like that?” To illustrate, she drew three boxes, joined by a line through the middle, within which the words ‘laser’, ‘gauss’ and ‘pulse’ were written. “We’ve gotten where we are today all from researching, analyzing alien weaponry. Lasers? Came from the aliens. Gauss? Aliens. Pulse? Aliens. Everything we have, weapons, armor, those new interceptors, it was aliens.” She drew another box, above the three and in the middle, writing ‘plasma’ in it. “So maybe…” She drew lines from the three lower boxes to the top one, so that all fed into it. “Maybe it’s all connected to some degree.”

“Excuse me?”

“Now, go back, way back, to before the war. The militaries of the world were already trying to work out plasma, you know. But there were a few problems. First…” She drew another box, off to the side, and wrote ‘power’ in it. “We didn’t have the necessary power tech. The weapon would run out of juice before long and then be useless. Conventional weaponry would still be a better option. Second…” Again, another box, another word, this one ‘distance’. “The shot itself would dissipate almost immediately after leaving the barrel, running into air resistance. There were two solutions to this, last I checked – fire it so fast it doesn’t matter, or ionize the air in front of the plasma projectile using a laser, making the path easier and making it last longer.”

Charles nodded, an idea slowly worming its way into his mind. “I think I can see where this is going…”

Penny drew lines from other boxes, so that the issues were connected to several already present weapon types. “These problems have already been solved, in a way. Power? We’ve already proven that elerium would work, thanks to Randolph’s Blaster Launcher. Distance? A combination of magnetic acceleration, pioneered by Gauss weaponry, and ionization of the air by a smaller Pulse laser, would make it easier for the projectile to move forward, and it would solve the speed issue. And we already have the chemical compound that makes up the ammunition. So, really, our discovering all of this from alien tech is no accident. It’s all there, all part of the larger picture. We just had to stop seeing the step from not-plasma to plasma as linear, and realize that there’s the extra components. Everything, all together.”

Charles stood there for a moment, the two of them simply staring at the messy page in front of them. “Penny, that’s… that’s brilliant.”

Penny merely smiled. “That enough progress for ya?”

“That’ll about do it, yeah.” Charles began walking out of the room, causing Penny to turn around in surprise.

“Where are you going?”

“To tell engineering we’re onto something. You get those notes down in a coherent manner, I’ll handle Shen!” he said, exiting.

Penny glanced at the phone near her desk. “You could have just called them…” She shook her head. Whatever. He probably needed the exercise.


*


The Overseer grunted, answering the call. “Hummingbird. Sing for me.”

“She’s being resistant. Worryingly so.”

“Clarify.”

The voice on the other end of the line sighed. “Alright look, you told me to take an interest in this. I want to know why you’re pushing me to push her.”

“For her own safety of course. Does this not strike you as an issue worth bringing to the Commander’s attention?”

“…yeah.”

“I can assure you I mean her no harm. This is the most direct I’ve ever been in her life thus far. This mystery is one we both have an interest in solving, and only she can start the process.”

“I get that. But you were the one who suggested we look for images of Ethereals in the first place. How do I know you’re not just playing us?”

The modified voice laughed. “You don’t.”

“Great, thanks. Puts my mind at rest.”

“Is that all?”

“…yes.”

“Very good. Continue to pressure her. Contact me again if her behavior continues to counter you.” There was a click as the Overseer hung up.

Charles sighed, placing the phone back on its receiver. He ran a hand through his hair. Not for the first time, he wondered just what he was enabling, and, also not for the first time, dismissed the thought. He had started this, and so far it had worked out well. When the boss started pushing for results, who was he to resist?

 

[Adrammalech]

This is a collaboration between Adrammalech and BMPixy.
// MESSAGE FROM A MONSTER //
XCOM Headquarters - Armory
September 30th - 2214 Hours (Local Time)

Emily walked into the armory, trying to look casual as she looked over the group of soldiers who were gearing up for the next Ethereal base assault. She felt a feeling of disappointment when she realized she wasn’t overly close with any of them, making relaying the captive Ethereal’s request a difficult endeavor even for her. She stepped between one of them and picked up a Pulse Rifle off the table, inspecting it casually and running her hands along the smooth white exterior. She looked over to the slightly older, black-haired soldier on her right.

“The new toys are pretty cool, huh?” she said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Albert replied absentmindedly as he strapped on one of the vambraces of his Aegis armor, checking to make sure that it was synchronized to the main power generator in his chest-piece. With a shout towards the other side of the room, he said, “Temple, grab a mind shield! Don’t want X-Rays tagging our rocketeer!” An affirmative came from the soldier in question, who made her way over to the appropriate equipment rack.

“Temple gets a piece of two Ethereals, huh?” Emily noted, looking at the rest of the equipment. “Makes me kind of jealous.”

“I don’t envy her.” Albert fastened on the other vambrace, performing the same checks as with the prior one. “From what I’ve heard, they’re no cake-walk.” A glance from the Amero-Anglican at his troops prompted another shout, this time towards the engineer. “Quinn, no arc thrower! Double-up on ‘nades, from intel we’re gonna need them!”

“Roger that!” the engineer said, returning the capture device to its place and grabbing another pair of alien grenades.

“They’re not so tough, once you get your hands on them,” Emily replied. The amount of Arc Throwers sitting idly on the table gave her a nervous tremble. “I, uh...heard this one was a pretty civil one, for an evil alien overseer.”

Albert shook his head as he grabbed a Blaster from one of the wall-racks. “Doesn’t matter about how civil it is. We’re just going out to give it a proper welcome to Earth. After all, it’s the neighborly thing to do. Now, are you going anywhere with this?”

“Oh, I just wanted to see how the squad was doing, make sure everyone isn’t trembling in their boots. I was on the first mission, and I learned morale went a long way.” Emily tucked the rifle under her arm and extended a hand. “I’m Emily Fischer.”

Albert casually took the hand, giving it a firm shake. “Right, well if you don’t mind, can- wait, that Emily Fischer?” he asked incredulously, realization dawning on his face. “The one that has to pick the brain of that Ethereal you nabbed?”

“Yep, that’s me,” she chuckled, “I put Luxuria in her current ‘accommodations.’”

“Huh, color me surprised,” Albert commented, as he latched on some chitin plating to his armor. “Heard stories about what happened that mission. Something about body-jacking, the galaxy’s creepiest stalker, and somebody going one-winged angel. Hopefully this mission isn’t as weird as that.”

“Yeah, well, you know war stories…” she mumbled. “Unfortunately most of those are true. I’m glad I brought her alive though, so I could catch surprises for the future missions.”

“What kind of surprises are we talking about?” Albert asked, turning his full attention to Emily. “If there’s something mission critical you learned, I’d like to hear it.”

“Well, I’d hope that they put it in your briefing, but I did hear some things. She implied that he has a lot of mechanical-type troops, as well as some human captives. She said the humans might not be willing to join you, too...they might actually fight you instead.”

Albert grimaced at that comment. “I heard most of that, but I just hoping it was just speculation from the higher-ups. But confirmed? ...Damn that asshole,” he replied, clenching his fists.

“He apparently likes humans a lot, for whatever reason. She said he was charming and ‘good,’ for whatever slant that is in Ethereal society.”

“Yeah, but their morality ain’t exactly on our spectrum, so I’m taking that with more than a few grains of salt. Still, to turn our own against us in our hour of need, that’s why it needs to go down.” Albert shook his head, and continued getting his gear together. “Anyways, if there’s anything else our esteemed guest said about Avaritia, say it now.”

Emily looked over at the other soldiers in the room, almost finished with their preparations. She looked back to Albert and bit her lip. “Do you mind if I ask you a philosophical question?”

“Never was one much for philosophy, but I’ll try my hand here,” Albert replied. “Go ahead and shoot.”

“Do you think there’s a...resolution to be had here? Like, an ending to this that doesn’t involve at least one genocide.”

“Well, there’s always the ending where one party gets enslaved by the others.” Albert shrugged in response, attaching a mind-shield to the back of his helmet.

“Yeah, the Ethereals are assholes like that…” she scratched her neck and straightened up. “But if there could be something more…peaceful, it’d be good to know which ones are more acceptable, compared to ones like Gula, right?”

“You do make a half-decent point there,” Albert replied, leaning to the side and crossing his arms, “but all the Ethereals are complicit in each other’s crimes. It’s like letting off Dietrich for what Himmler did. It’s just not something you do.”

“That’s true, they should all pay for what they’ve done, and I’d never ask for you to let one go,” Emily said sternly before softening again, “but Luxuria and Avaritia seem to be outliers, capable of being slightly more reasonable with humans. I won’t tell you to take any unnecessary risks, but if your squad could capture him, maybe we could get them to turn on what they’re all about.”

Albert paused for a moment, mulling over the decisions. After a moment, he turned towards the other troopers, and barked, “Quinn, drop the extra ‘nades and grab an Arc Thrower! Changed my mind.” The engineer in question shot Albert a confused look, but complied regardless.

Turning back to Emily, Albert said, “Hopefully you’re right with your theorizing. We’ll try to bag it, but no guarantees.”

“I wouldn’t bug you with it if I didn’t believe it,” Emily smiled gratefully, giving Albert a pat on the shoulder. “I appreciate the effort, whether or not it pans out. Good luck with your mission, T-Sergeant Foulke.”

Albert tensed slightly at the pat on the shoulder, but shook his head. “Right. Hopefully we won’t need that luck.” Stepping away from Emily, he barked to the troopers, “Alright everybody, let’s get a move on! We’ve got an Ethereal to dethrone!” With a short ‘hoo-ah’ from the assembled troopers, they filed out of the armory, heading towards the hangar bay.

 

[BMPixy]

“Heartbreak One”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Main Soldier Barracks
October 1, 2018
0921 Hours Local Time
Albert Foulke

I cracked my knuckles and sighed, examining the door in front of me. Three knocks, some comforting words, and then I leave. That’s all I need to do, just some meaningless platitudes from the man responsible for Lovikov’s death to the one that loved him most. But why is it so difficult to just reach up and tap on the door?

I rubbed hands over my XCOM-issued dress blues, smoothing out the few wrinkles on the uniform. Somehow wearing this felt appropriate, like I’m some home front trooper visiting a man’s family, informing them of what happened to him. Allows me to distance myself, I suppose. Helps me pretend I’m not part of what happened.

Shaking my head, I muster my resolve, and reach out with a hand, and gently rap on the door three times. A moment passes, and the door slowly opens, revealing Holly Summers, her cheeks red with tears and her appearance disheveled, trying her best to look composed. However, as she gets one look at my visage, a snarl of anger contorts her face, and a fist lashes out, striking me in the cheek. I instinctively roll with the punch, put the sharp sting of pain alerts me that even with my mitigating efforts not all of the force was negated. The hand withdraws from my face, and I gently rub my own hand on the spot, a sore red spot likely already beginning to form.

“What the hell do you want, Foulke!?” she spat, as I lowered my hand from my head and settled into an at-ease position.

“I wanted to offer my condolences for what happened to Lovikov,” I somberly replied, keeping my eyes lowered. “He was a fine soldier, likely one of our best. It is a shame that he was taken from us so soo-”

“Shut the hell up, Foulke!” Summers interrupted, anger in her voice. “You don’t give a shit about him, you’re just probably doing your duty, or some bullshit like that.”

“Holly-” I tried to interject, but she continued, overpowering my voice with her own.

“And don’t you fucking call me Holly.” Her finger was pressed in my chest, and I could see a new wave of tears brimming in her eyes. “You lost that right when you lost Randall. Now get the hell out of my face.” I lifted my hand to say one last thing, but then the door slammed in my face. Dammit Foulke, you probably shouldn’t have come so soon. But, on the bright side, at least she isn’t blaming him, or herself. Some small comfort, I suppose.

As I turned to leave, I could hear through the door the sound of sobbing. Part of me wanted to intervene, but the rational part of my brain reminded that I’d just probably make it worse. With a sigh, I began walking down the hall, back towards my bunk. I had a few letters to work on.

------

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Palmer;

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. Your daughter, Ermen Palmer, has perished in the line of duty. I wish I could say that her death was a peaceful one, or a heroic one, but neither would be true. However, she served humanity with her entire being, facing the most daunting of challenges with the greatest of valor. She died as she served: at the front line, spitting in the enemy’s eye. Her service to our cause will not be forgotten, and given time may the whole world know of the sacrifice she made to ensure humanity may live.

I was not particularly close to your daughter, but even I could tell that she was a strong woman, blessed with infinite charisma and will. It depresses me to see such a wonderful person be so cruelly pulled from the world, but she would likely shrug in response, and say that she knew the risks of this job. And she would likely say to you that you two should stay strong, because she would be watching over you and waiting until such a time as you might be reunited.

Enclosed alongside this letter are all the mortal possessions Ermen left to you, as per her last will and testament. I wish you good luck in these harsh times.

Sincerely,

Gunnery Sergeant Albert Foulke
​

------

Finished with the first letter, I turned to the wastebasket at my side, noting that it was slowly beginning to fill with my aborted drafts. I probably could have simply typed up this letter, but pen and paper makes this feel a bit more personal, as if I’m not just working off of some loose template I devised years ago. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. One down, four to go.

I glanced over at the package sitting underneath my bunk, the parcel from my wife having arrived roughly a week ago. I had expected her to just send her new phone number in a letter, but apparently she had taken it upon herself to assemble some sort of care package.

Should I...? No, tomorrow I’ll call her, after I'm finished with these letters. I don’t want these letters weighing too heavily on my mind as I discuss idle gossip with Jane. It wouldn’t be fair to any of the people involved.

Rolling my shoulder slightly, I adjusted my posture once more, pulling a fresh sheet of paper in front of me. Setting my pen onto the upper line of the paper, I begin writing once more.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

ZombieSplitter53 and DarkGemini24601: “Desperate Times: Part One”

“Do you really think the risk of having them around is worth it for your… shield, Commander?” The silhouetted asked. “Surely, you have enough energy to last you quite some time, at least until the next Ethereal is found.”

Morrigan shook her head. “I can’t take the risk another won’t be found in time, or we won’t be able to capture it.”

The Councilman tapped his fingers for a few tense moments, finally saying, “Very well. I have one final matter to discuss. Elene Exalt and Legion.”

“Elene?” Morrigan frowned. “What about her. As I stated in my last report, she is doing a fine job…”

“You also stated that you have been giving her more and more liberties. Do you feel this is… wise for a former enemy?”

“Elene was never our enemy,” Morrigan insisted. “I’ve come to terms with what she did against us. She had her reasons to reveal our bases location, and considering what happened to her sister…”

“I am familiar with what has transpired, Commander,” the Councilman interrupted. “But that does not mean we are happy about it, nor do we condone her… cloning experiments.”

Morrigan held back the urge to scoff. “I… I understand that. And frankly, I’m not a fan of it either. But I’m also not happy about our gene-mod or cybernetics experiments. How can y… I condemn her when I’m doing the same thing, just in a different flavor?”

“Commander… would you be capable to fulfill your duties should the day come that you need to… dispose of Elene and the rest of Legion?”

Morrigan slowly sat back, folding her arms. “That you have even posed that question out loud puts everything I’ve worked for with this alliance in jeopardy, you do realize…”

“Only a hypothetical, Commander. Should Legion prove to be a threat to X-COM.”

Morrigan’s eye twitched involuntarily. “She… they aren’t.”

“Of course. Just something to keep in mind. We’ll be in touch, Commander.”

The screen went blank, and Morrigan placed her head in her right hand, almost instinctively reaching into the desk drawer, pulling out a more expensive bottle of whiskey and a glass. A familiar furry friend jumped onto the table, letting out a low meow. “Don’t you start with me now.”

Shalquoir looked at the computer, letting out a pair of meows.

“You think I don’t know that?” Morrigan asked. “Not that they’ve ever been very predictable.”

Shalquoir let out a slightly higher pitched meow, and reached forward, nudging the glass.

“Yeah, like I’ve ever needed your permission.” The Commander filled the glass, and downed a quarter of it.

“Commander?” Morrigan’s secretary called over the intercom. “Do you have time to speak…”

“Send ‘em in,” Morrigan answered, muttering to herself, “I could use the distraction, and hopefully a drinking buddy.” Shalquoir tilted her head, and Morrigan scoffed, “You don’t count, unless you can to a shot without getting sick and dying on me…”

The door opened, and a familiar young woman in a lab-coat stepped in. Elene inclined her head slightly, and said, “Hello, Commander. I would like to discuss something with you.”

Morrigan swallowed hard, a bit put off by the coincidental guest. “Of course, Elene, please, take a seat. Do you want a drink?”

Elene raised an eyebrow, considering the request, and then shrugged. “Perhaps a little.” The heiress sat down in the chair across from Morrigan, giving a slight nod of greeting to Shalquoir.

The cat seemed to nod back, or as close to what she could give, and Morrigan poured some whiskey into a second glass. “I’m all ears, Elene. Honestly, after the last mission, anything I can do to help someone out would… be a welcome change.”

“I would… preface this by saying that you have my condolences. I know losing soldiers is not easy from personal experience.” Elene lifted the glass, and took a sip. The clone’s face scrunched up slightly, and she blinked at the strong taste of the drink, before setting it back down. “That is why I came, actually.”

“Is that so?” Morrigan to another quick drink, and folded her hands. “Any help you can give would be nice, but I don’t want to put you or your sisters in danger if I can avoid it.” She sat back, mumbling to herself, “But if I lose too many more people…”

“I’m sure you are also aware that I lost one of my own troopers in the mission just before Honorable Caritas,” Elene continued. “As unfortunate as it is, I believe we will only continue to suffer losses when we are pitted against such powerful foes.” The heiress tapped the side of the desk. “My concern is that it is only getting worse. We’re losing experienced troops that new recruits can’t hope to replace.”

The clone of Lusett sighed, closing her eyes for a few moments longer than a normal blink. “I believe the Overseer in North America proved this point. There is another way to get experienced soldiers without the increased danger though. If I were to reinstate the cloning projects, that would go a long way.”

Morrigan bit her lip. She finished her drink, and poured herself another glass. She stood up, and walked to the side of the room, staring at a large map with several pins on it. “I… I have to be honest with you about something, Elene. I’m not sure how you’ll take it, though. It isn’t anything personal.”

“What might that be?” Elene asked, her traditionally ‘apathetic’ expression revealing little to the Commander of XCOM about her mood.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

“Desperate Times: Part Two”

“I… I don’t like cloning people, Elene.” Morrigan quickly looked back at Elene. “And it isn’t because I think less of you. One of my best soldiers is a clone. One of my best friend’s sister is a clone, and I adore her. It’s quite the opposite. It is because I think of you as human that it bothers me. Growing people… just so they can die on the battlefield…” She sighed, and turned back to the map, shaking her head. “But… but I’m running out of options, aren’t I?” She asked, mostly to herself, as she took another drink.

Elene glanced slightly down and away from Morrigan. “I have thought… about the consequences of the Adam Project. They are loyal, they would do anything for me, even if I didn’t implicitly create them that way… but I can’t say for sure if it’s right. Though I do not regret creating them, nor my handmaidens.” The heiress shook her head, looking up again. “The aliens have provided too keen an example of how that can be abused, however. Perhaps the work of Emma and Mr. Cross can provide another option.”

The Exalt paused for a moment. “Although Legion is not so clever when he is few, if we had more frames he could multiply his processing power. And they could be further modified for different combat duties with all the advances in robotics we have made. Built-in shadow armor for forward versions, targeting sensors for sniper and gunner models… there are an equal amount of possibilities.” Elene smiled, seeming satisfied. “Just as many as the clones, but with the difference that Legion cannot truly die, or feel pain or fear.”

Morrigan turned back. “How much trust can we put into Legion? I trust Avanix… more so now that I’ve tried to be more open minded to the idea of A.I.s. You’re sure giving him more bodies, more power, won’t have him going all… HAL 9000 on us?”

“Legion is not fully sentient like the other A.I.s,” Elene replied, clasping her hands together. “I did not want to risk error if he had to think about moral implications of combat that organic troops have to consider. And unlike many from the realm of science fiction, I do carefully monitor his growth and development. There is the possibility that he will evolve further...it would increase his effectiveness, if he did. I doubt he will go rogue, however. There are specific codings in to ensure his loyalty, as well as failsafes. He is likely aware of some of these, but part of his coding prevents him from being able to disable them. I did take precautions, ones that were not needed for Ava.”

Morrigan nodded. “Alright. Please start working on them. You can borrow anyone you wish from engineering. My head of robotics is currently… unavailable, but she can help you once she is back.”

Elene seemed inquisitive, but did not press Morrigan further. “Understood. I have not checked recently, so I might as well ask you in person: what is the progress on the new armors being developed in engineering? I remember seeing a prototype for a flight suit that might be adaptable for Legion and my own armors.”

Morrigan took another quick drink and sat back down, turning to her computer. “I remember a report… hold on… yes, it looks like Dr. Randolf has been trying to implement the flight system into something the troops can use. It… it looks like she finished, for the most part, but was stuck on the flight controls.”

“I can have Emma look into that. Perhaps a gift for the doctor upon her return,” Elene suggested. “And, finally… you have noticed how silent EXALT has been, correct? I suspect our time may be running short…”

Morrigan sighed. “I have reports that he is outsourcing a lot more than ever before. Looks like, without you to leech off of, he’s been forced to learn to do his job. Good for him… bad for us…”

Elene yawned. “It would seem he is not totally incompetent when he is not in my shadow.” Her expression grew more serious. “Though I do look forward to dealing with him...personally if possible. Upgraded armor would help with that… though the psionics alone will be a bonus. His grunts are weak willed, after all. And if Emma learns a little bit of telekinesis she can repulse Viktor’s attacks.”

“I will be counting on you.” Morrigan leaned forward. “With two of my three strongest psions either incapacitated or temporarily powerless, I’ll need all the help I can get. So please, get those androids up and running as quick as you can. And…” She hesitated, her eyes darting down.

“And…?” the heiress echoed.

Morrigan shook her head. “Y… you know… the Council is on my back about my lost troops, but I can’t exactly force people into this and expect them to give it their all, and this world is running out of its best of the best. What I’m left with is the option to replace my fallen troops with soldiers that’ll be dead by the end of their first mission.” She leaned back. “I want those robotic soldiers of yours. But… but just in case they don’t work out for some reason, I want you… to be prepared… in case I need you… need you to…”

The heiress nodded. “Understood. If it comes to that, I will be prepared to restore Project Adam and Project Eve. Until then, however, they shall remain on ice.”

Morrigan smiled. “Thank you, Elene. I’m glad I can keep counting on your continued support.”

“It is my pleasure. I am thankful for your continued trust,” Elene responded.

“And you have it, Elene.” Morrigan’s smiled wavered for the briefest of moments. “I know there are those that have their doubts, but I’ll protect you and your sisters.” She chuckled. “Not that you need my protection much.”

“Indeed, though I like to think we are settling in nicely. Emma did have a sparring match with Foulke not so long ago, though those two can get rather...competitive. How...is he? I imagine five losses is a lot to take in.”

The Commander sighed, running a hand through her red hair. “He’s… managing. He takes a lot on his shoulders, and personally requested informing the loved ones of our lost soldiers of their deaths. Sometimes… I wonder if I pushed him too much to take up his position again. I fear it has taken quite the effect on him, especially after that mission in America.” She let out a grim laugh. “I seem to be destroying the mental health of a lot of people nowadays, though. Albert is just another name on that list.”

Elene seemed to consider her next words pensively. “I recall Major Ipiktok did the same as him when Fujioka died. It would seem that talented leaders have some traits in common, and that goes for you as well. You cannot always prevent these things from happening, but the fact that you care means something.”

“I suppose it does.” Morrigan closed her eyes. “Do you… think they’re capable of such caring? Such compassion? It is easy to think of such a deadly enemy as uncaring, unfeeling monsters, especially after all they done to us, but I wonder sometimes. How much do they care… about each other…”

“It would seem that the majority of aliens are callous towards us through ignorance or re-education,” Elene stated. “The Ethereals… I am unsure. Reviewing the mission reports, that is called into question. But...even if that is the case, we cannot simply ignore their war crimes because they are capable of compassion. Though it would be unfortunate if we lost many of our companions among the stars to this bitter war.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” Morrigan poured herself a fresh cup. “If at all possible, I want this to be settled here and now. I don’t know how we’ll do that just yet, but I can assure you, as long I draw breath, I don’t intend on giving up.”

 

[Adrammalech]

// LUXXY + AVY //
This is a collaboration between Adrammalech and ZombieSplitter53.
XCOM Headquarters - Alien Containment Unit
October 2nd - 1:42 AM

Avaritia held his side in pain. As one who’s body barely functioned as is, pain was not something he was used to. He could see the humans had made some attempt to patch him up, but they were either too ignorant of how Ethereal’s bodies worked to do much good, or they didn’t care. Avaritia figured it was likely a combination of both.

Having been awake for nearly an hour, he wasn’t surprised to see the woman he recognized as the resistance leader approaching his cell.

You must be Morrigan O’Brien. I am honored that you would grace me with…

The Ethereal stopped as Morrigan placed her hand over a large, red switch, fairly sure whatever it controlled, he wouldn’t like it. With a glare and a sour tone, the Commander said, “I’m only going to say this once, alien. I’m not in the mood for your high-and-mighty bullshit. I have five dead soldiers, nearly a dozen people who are torn between killing us and getting their hands on you so they can rip you apart, a Council of Nations breathing down my neck, weapon upgrades, a nearly omniscient shadow watching me to make sure I keep an eye on a woman I believe he is more attached to then he is willing to admit, a depressed twelve year old engineer who I need to replace until she gets back together, which means a delay on my SHIV repairs, and a nearly literal mountain of paperwork to deal with. So…”

So the last thing you need is for me to jerk you around. Got it, Commander.

Morrigan raised an eyebrow, slowly retracting her hand. “I have a few rules to set up here. First, your energy is being drained, so don’t try to break out, because you won’t succeed, and you will be dealt with. Second, do not attempt to damage your cell, or you will be zapped. And finally, the more inclined you are to be cooperative, the longer you will live.” She rolled her eyes. “Though if I’ve learned anything from you counterpart, you’ll require some ridiculous compensation, won’t you?”

Counterpart? So Luxuria does still live? Morrigan nodded. Then my compensation is fairly simple. I only ask that she remain alive.

Morrigan let out a grim chuckle. “What? Why? What’s your game? The field report mentioned you talking about a ‘her’. Were you actually…”

I understand your confusion, Commander. I am an Ethereal, a remorseless, unforgivable monster in your eyes. But that doesn’t mean I am incapable of what your people would refer to friendship. Luxuria’s existence is important to me. And I do not want my place here to put that in danger. If she dies, I will become useless to you. But as long as she lives, and you do not ask me to directly betray my people, I will cooperate. And should you be forced to dispose of one of us, regardless of the reason, it must be me.

Morrigan stared at the Ethereal for a few moments, wondering what the trick here was. Finally deciding it didn’t really matter, she shrugged. “Fine, you have a deal.” She made for the exit, calling over her shoulder, “I just don’t want to hear you changing your mind later.”

Wait. Just one more thing. You mentioned nearly half a dozen people out to get a piece of my hide?

The Commander laughed. Without stopping or turning back, she said, “Yeah, those people from the base. After they found out you were controlling that boy, they started to wonder how much of their loyalty was their own, and how much was implanted there by you. I don’t think any of them are loyal to you anymore.

Avaritia nodded. Alright. Thank you. Please make sure it stays that way.

Morrigan turned back as she reached the door. “Well, yeah. Why wouldn’t I…” Her eyes darted back and forth in thought, wondering if the Ethereal was implying what she thought he was. She simply shook her head and left.

Alone except for what looked like a few robotic guards, Avaritia turned his back to them. He carefully took off his helmet, wincing in pain as it brushed past several bruises and bumps. He started pushing out the dents, the process slow and difficult with the little energy he had from whatever was taking his power. As he did so, he called out through the base, unsure if his voice would reach his ally, wherever she was being held.

Hey… Luxxy? You out there somewhere?

Luxuria’s eyes jolted open in her own cell, shocked to consciousness by the sound. A taste of an Ethereal’s cadence for the first time in several weeks. Her body became flush with giddy emotions and nervous thoughts, all hitting her at once like a brick wall.

Avaritia? You’re alive?

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Of course. How else would I be speaking with you? Avaritia closed his eyes. Your voice. It is faint. Are you injured? Or do these cells drain me even more then I realized.

Not physically, but the time here has taken its toll… Luxuria let out a brief noise similar to a sigh. The New Ones’ dampeners are impressive, for their kind.

That they are. Avaritia resumed his repair work on his helmet. Have you been able to keep your dignity while here?

Dignity comes in layers, and you’re too far for me to intuit which of them you mean.

Well… they haven’t made you jump through any strange hoops, have they? Or do anything… unbecoming of a lady? The male Ethereal looked over his mask. Have they let you keep you mask? I’m surprised they let me keep mine…

They have, and they have not touched me since my capture. They are quite merciful when it comes to invasiveness, but they do still use these dampeners for more insidious purposes. Luxuria felt a tinge of mischievousness rising in her, a natural response to Avaritia’s idealism. As for unbecoming, the only things I’ve done unbecoming of a lady were of my own volition.

Oh? And what that might be, my dear? Has someone been naughty?

I would imagine so, but it is difficult to monitor from here. Regardless, libidos run higher in their little hole than they did before.

You never could resist having your fun, could you. Even in such dire situations. I… you… Avaritia seemed to trail off, as much as one could when speaking mentally, as if afraid to ask something.

I what? I’m merely using the abilities I have at my disposal. Luxuria’s voice switched between the masculine and the feminine quickly, unsure on if she wanted to explain or intimidate. I know I never conformed to your ideals, but I have my own.

It is okay, Luxxy. Really. It is your mischievous nature that has held my interest amongst a sea of droll comrades. I… I am just concerned with your… with how much you have…

What, Avy? Speak your mind already.

You have been in captivity for a while. The humans have such disdain for us, and after all that has happened, I can see why. But still you live. The others, they were afraid you might have… turned your back on the Path.

Never. I still have my beliefs, and I’m furthering them the little I can here. Everything I’ve been doing since the New Ones’ barged into my home... Superbia and Ira would likely disagree, but they always have.

They weren’t the only ones. Avaritia slipped back on his mask, having fixed it as best he could with what little energy he had right now. Gula and Acadia were as respectively spineless and lazy to have much to say, as usual. But Invidia was insistent on your betrayal. He said it was your fault he lost his infiltration of the base, and why they have their shield.

I have little control over the latter… Luxuria looked at the devices in her cell with disdain. And do you think Invidia to be a good embodiment of our society and its tenets?

My dear… I believe Invidia to be the embodiment of everything that could ever go wrong with our people. And I payed him no mind in his accusations, aside from my worry that they might affect how the others might think. I… I’m sorry. I only wished to hear it from you.

I understand. Luxuria paused, feeling wistful. I’m glad my pleas worked, however. It is refreshing to hear you again.

It is good to hear you as well, dear, but… but I should not be here. My life could very well mean your death.

You shouldn’t, I’d rather you be free, of course… but here is better than executed. Do you think there’s a world where they let me go? I’d rather die quickly hearing your voice then slowly alone.

You are kind, Luxxy. But to know that my life should mean your death… I know it is hard, but try not to be too proud. These humans are capable of great evils. But my time here has shown that they can be such a kind, compassionate people. There is a reason why the Path led us to them. So please, do not be too defiant. As long as you are useful, they will keep you around.

Don’t worry, one of them needs and protects me. I will remain useful. I should warn you to follow that same advice, though.

If it means keeping my lustful friend in one piece, you got it. Avaritia let out something resembling a chuckle. But I said not to be too defiant. Don’t change too much. If you were to lose that… special something, I might just become bored with you. And please don’t make me long for Acadia’s company. She’s so dull…

Luxuria returned the chuckle. Oh, I won’t change, there are plenty of toys to play with that visit me frequently. Their leader especially would look awful good on her knees, begging for more…

She sure looked like she could use a bit of fun in her life. Avaritia looked out into the room that now acted as his whole world. We will have to bide our time. If nothing else, at least we have someone to talk to.

Yes… Luxuria looked curiously at the dampeners and the seals to her cell. And someone to share ideas with.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Mounting Uncertainty – Modya Dragomirov

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1700 Hours, October 2nd, 2018
The Bar

Modya looked around the bar as the door closed behind him. Many were having a light dinner, and sure enough, the other rocketeers were sitting at their usual ‘round table’ to the left center of the room. The Russian sat down in his spot. “How is everything going?”

“You mean the war?” Scarlet asked sarcastically. “Shit, I’d say.”

“Don’t be like that… we won the battle, didn’t we?” Megan countered softly.

Scarlet glanced at the Brookylin woman, and found she could not stay angry with the irritating nice soldier. “…fine, that is true.”

Modya shook his head with slight amusement, and turned to Letz. The German was finishing off a plate of sausages, and gave Modya a ‘don’t-you-dare-make-a-comment’ look. Suppressing a smile that would be too wide, Modya instead asked, “Where’s Christine?”

“Busy with psionic training and all that,” Letz explained, putting down his fork.

Megan looked over at their fifth guest at the table, who was rather silent. “Are you… alright, Sharron? I know that mission was tough…”

The Israeli rocketeer looked up from her food, and sighed, seeming worn out. “That’s not the only thing, you know. You were talking about psionics, Letz?” The German nodded. “Well,” Sharron continued, “I’m starting to think we can’t trust one of ours.”

“Who is that?” Modya asked, seeming rather unsure of where Sharron was going with this.

“Don’t trust me still?” Scarlet added in a weak attempt to lighten the mood.

Sharron shook her head. “You know the woman that nearly got possessed, merged, whatever you want to call it by Luxuria?”

“Emily Fischer? Why her?” Modya pressed, leaning over to listen more clearly.

“Well, just before the operation, I noticed her talking to Foulke. I was curious as to why she was there, so after I finished putting on my mind shield I listened in more carefully. I didn’t hear everything, but she said some crap about Avarita not being as bad as the others, and apparently she got info from Luxuria from what Foulke was saying.” Sharron narrowed her eyes. “After they were done talking, Albert had Quinn switch out half of his equipment to fit an arc thrower.”

“The fuck?” Scarlet muttered. “So you’re telling me this Emily was basically told by Luxuria to have the team spare Avarita, and they did?”

Sharron nodded grimly. “That’s what I gathered, anyway. It ended up helping Albert’s last ditch effort, but God, I wish we’d just killed that thing. Having two enemy Ethereals on base…especially one with the power…” Sharron’s voice choked up a little. “The power to tear people like Quinn and Ermen to flaming shreds…”

Letz paled, sitting back in his chair. “Why would Emily be acting as Luxuria’s errand girl? What benefit does she get out of it?”

“I heard she goes into the holding area a lot. Didn’t her powers only awaken after she got possessed?” Scarlet questioned. “Wonder if she’s learning her powers from Luxuria…”

“I hate to say she’s under the influence of that being with so little information,” Sharron warned, “But at the very least she is allowing its requests so she can continue to gain power from it. And that worries me.”

“Maybe she’s just getting information to help us…” Megan offered.

Sharron stared to give her a glare, but Scarlet shook her head. “Maybe, Megan. But by this point, I think we’ve gotten all of the information we need from Luxxy. All she is now is a psionic battery…and apparently a creepy-ass teacher as well,” Scarlet concluded.

Modya shifted in his seat. “I hate to give in to paranoia here, but I can’t say Sharron’s concerns are entirely unfounded. Taking the arc thrower over grenades posed a risk, and it is possible that Quinn might not have been caught in the blast if he were not so close. It was an unnecessary danger to add to an already perilous mission, and for what? Avarita can provide us some information, but ultimately we cannot risk keeping him, can we?”

“Yeah, to hell with that,” Scarlet agreed. “I say we get rid of him once his information has been drained dry. Sure, he may not be the worst of guys, but he is still guilty of human experimentation and killing two of our own.”

“I have no desire of going on a witch hunt over Emily, of course,” Sharron responded. “She helped me out in the first Ethereal raid… I just worry that the power she is gaining, and the contact with Luxuria, is leading her down the wrong path. We barely even know anything about her, since she seems to keep to herself and her squadmates, which just makes this more unsettling. Allying with aliens like the Horsemen is all well and good, but if we start feeling sympathy for every alien we gun down we’re going to lose our resolve to fight. And worse, some of us might end up having sentiments like those humans that joined Avarita.”

Letz nodded in agreement. “They likely joined up because he did seem friendly, and offered them power. It seems… too much like the situation with Luxuria and now Avarita here. We risk the aliens launching a rescue operation, and we risk them offering temptations to our staff.”

“I do not believe they allow many to visit them, but I see your point,” Modya replied. “For now, let us hope this is not as bad as it might be. But…” Modya looked over the others, who met his gaze. “It might be a good idea to keep an eye on Emily. Just in case.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Power to check Power – Atka Ipiktok

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1915 Hours, October 2nd, 2018
Lounge, the Barracks

Atka walked down the hallway, closing in on the barracks. The Major was not in high spirits after the most recent mission, the deaths of five soldiers weighing heavily on her mind. Even so, I have to focus on ensuring that doesn’t happen again. That’s what I’m here for today, after all. The Inuit woman arrived, and went inside the soldier section of the base, locating the lounge.

On one of the couches Sarah Wong was reading a book, while opposite to her Maggie Beckett was working on another one of her drawings. Atka could tell that it was a sketch of a Sectopod, while she didn’t dare sneak a peek at Sarah’s book. To do so would risk the Chinese sniper’s ire, and it was probably in Mandarin or Japanese anyway.

Sarah glanced up at her CO, asking, “Psionic training?”

Atka nodded. “If you are up for it.”

The sniper placed the book down on the counter, making sure to mark her page, before standing up. “Lead the way.”

The two headed down to the shooting range, where Atka made sure to acquire a gauss sniper rifle for her companion. “I wanted to see your progress with imbuing.”

“The incident in the elerium generator room would suffice to explain your progress, Major,” Sarah stated.

Atka rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, I only used imbuing on the for the sake of blocking bullets.”

“You seem to have failed in that regard.” If Sarah was making a joke, her emotionless mask of an expression did not reveal this.

Atka sighed. “Well, I can’t defend myself completely like those Ethereals do using telekinetic fields. That much is out of my grasp, considering I can only use telekinesis easily from the manifestations of my power.” She formed an icy double-helix of telekinetic force in her palm to demonstrate her point.

The Chinese woman nodded. “Understandable. As for my progress…” The sniper grabbed the gauss long rifle off the wall, and lined it up with a target. A faint green glow emanated from where the single round was kept. Pulling the trigger, the alloy bullet seared through the thick metal target with a combination of the strengthening power of the imbuing ability, and the HEAT elements present in the round.

Atka smiled. “That’s impressive…”

Sarah sighed. “I would be lying if I was not envious of Fay’s ‘telekinetic railguns’.”

“They are pretty effective, aren’t they?” Atka thought aloud. “Well, these bullets should do the job just as well. And they won’t be as hard to pull off as Fay’s special. We don’t need to use tungsten, and more importantly, you only have to go to a neighboring color. Blue to Green is easier than Yellow to Red.” The Inuit woman shook her head. “Can’t claim full credit for all that research. Elene has really done her homework, even between working on a cure for Desmond’s ailment and all the other technology.”

“Regardless, it is helpful to know one’s limits,” Sarah decided, putting in another round and firing again, punching through another portion of the unlucky target.

“My abilities are growing… though I worry that widens the gap between me and those I fight alongside,” Atka responded, sighing.

“Perhaps. But I can tell the squad trusts you implicitly. Trust you have earned,” Sarah returned resolutely.

“I’m glad I can count on all of you. To think that there was a time when I thought taking the fall for a lot of things would make it better…”

“I am not the most social person, but I see the value for a leader. Especially one who does not associate with others simply to gain their trust. You actually care about them,” Sarah continued. “That is more than I could say for my past…” she trailed off.

Atka sat down against the half-wall used for balancing guns. “You can tell me about it, if you want. I’m not going to tell the world what your life was like… but I can see that it brings you pain to keep it all inside.”

Sarah closed her eyes for a moment, laying the gauss long rifle back down. “I owe you that much.”

“Don’t tell me because you owe me, tell me because we’re friends,” Atka replied gently.

Sarah nodded slightly. “I was an assassin, essentially. The Chinese government sent me to take out someone they didn’t like, and I’d do it.” Sarah looked at Atka seriously. “I am not proud of it, but that is my past that I cannot change. What sparked me to stop… was Golin.”

“Your adoptive son?” Atka asked.

“Yes. Me and my partner were sent to kill a political dissident… but I faltered when I realized he had a son.” Sarah mustered up the courage to continue. “I…tried to persuade him to stop, but I was a coward…I didn’t take direct action. My partner killed Golin’s father… and then I took his life.”

Atka was quiet, but there was sympathy in her eyes rather than judgement. Sarah sighed, adding, “That’s why I fled to Japan with Golin. I figured that I could be out of the Chinese government’s reach there, even if I missed home. Golin… knows what happened that night, I could not keep the truth from him. Yet… he does not hate me. I wonder why, sometimes…”

The Inuit woman spoke up. “Because you care about him. I see why you always tense up when he’s mentioned, or refuse to say more… he means a lot to you, doesn’t he?”

Sarah nodded. “I want to win this war so he can have a safer world to grow up in… though I am glad he’s made friends where he is staying right now.”

Atka smiled softly. “I’m sure we’ll win this. For Golin, and everyone else’s families.”

Sarah glanced up at Atka, shaking her head. “What is the word… ‘sappy?’”

The Inuit woman chuckled. “Yeah, I guess that was. But it’s true, isn’t it?”

Sarah shrugged. “I suppose so.”