RP XCOM2: Liberation of Earth

[MarineAvenger]

Omens of Disillusion and Power: Part One

Late night at the Matterhorn siege meant one of two things for the soldiers under XCOM’s banner, that either you were coming back from a daily operation or you were going out for one. The hour was currently late and in the night, the glow of fires and smoke could still be seen out in the distance. A partially lit moon hung overhead as the clouds rolled along slowly, the air crisp and cold though to Leon, it felt good on his skin.

He currently stood outside one of the tents that were perched up near the Avenger, wearing nothing more than cargo pants and a plain t-shirt that held tight against his torso. Attached to his left forearm was Pacem’s bracer, and attached with it being Bellum. As of yet he had been reserved on using the two until the proper time was reached, and there certainly had been times he was tempted to use them. Holding his wrist tightly, he let out a soft yawn and turned back to his tent in order to have some time to rest before the morning came.

***

In the mild cold of the old Ohio city’s downtown district, the small group rummaging through an old ADVENT truck were talking amongst one another, the banter lighthearted as the tried picking the old bones clean. It was an armored truck that was the target of a raid a couple of months previous but when the camp needed raw supplies they usually ran by old sites like the one they were at. Next to the truck was a large skyscraper that looked to have been built by the hands of a master architect, having been something of a hotel in the past. It laid untouched by the ruin around them.

“Come on Leon… how much longer we have to stay out here? It is barely noon and it is almost already on the verge of snowing.” Jaren complained, putting one hand on his hip as he used his arm to lean against the edge of the truck.

Leon raised an eyebrow as he slowly straightened, rubbing the back of his neck. “Complaints out of you? I am going to need to pay Devon extra rations now. I thought you would have gone on longer. We’ve only been out an hour.”

Jaren twisted his mouth and took in a sharp breath quickly, turning up his nose as he got back to work. “I don’t complain that much.”

“Yeah you do Jaren. Don’t try and deny it.” Evie said from behind them, wagging a finger at the teen. She looked different. Paler than usual. Leon assumed it was from the cold.

“Oh come on, I don’t need this from both of you. You are at least supposed to be on my side Evie!” Jaren bickered, turning his annoyed gaze at the brunette who kept her hair tied back and over her shoulder. Her freckled face frowned and her back straightened slightly, making her seem taller than she actually was.

“I will be on whosever side I see fit at a time Jaren. As a man you should accept and respect that.” She responded to his calling out of her as if addressing a child.

Jaren’s mouth held agape at her and her suddenly shift in loyalty, a sight which caused the girl’s look to turn smug. Leon couldn’t help but laugh, causing two pairs of eyes to turn at him simultaneously, turn back to one another, and laugh in turn. “Come on. I think we got enough scrap to keep Izzy happy for a while.”

“Yes. ‘Bout time.” Jaren noted as he grabbed his bag and his rifle, slinging both over a respective shoulder.

As he and Evie walked with one another, Leon couldn’t help but frown. Things felt weird for him. He felt a strange sense of deja vu, feeling like he had been in this moment before. Leon stopped mid pace and stood as he watched Jaren and Evie walk on talking to one another paying him no mind. The young soldier looked up to the sky as light flutters of snow began to come down, and he held out his hand. Wasn’t he feeling hot before now?

He looked back to where Jaren and Evie were supposed to be but they were gone. In their place, a large tidal wave of white came towards him, the Canadian holding up his arms as a strong wind whipped all around him, the snow leaving streaks of frost along his jacket. There was howling all around him, the strong gust sounding as if a pack of wolves were all howling at the same time. Leon looked back to the large hotel and slowly turned, walking with the blizzard as the cold took hold of his bones, the pain unbearable to a point. He pushed his way through the revolving door and fell, breathing heavily as warmth slowly returned to him.

He looked up to see the lobby empty of everything, people, furniture, yet the lights were on and a glance back showed the outside nothing but a pitch black. Pushing himself to his feet, Leon slowly brushed the already melting frost from his person as he walked forward looking around in confusion. He noticed the blinking light of the elevator across the lobby and he moved towards it, the door sliding open automatically.

Once inside, there was only one button to push with the floor number scratched out. The doors closed as he hesitated, though Leon saw only one path forward. He pressed the button and the elevator slowly began to ascend. It was a relatively smooth ride, Leon waiting patiently as the doors opened and he stepped out. Leon was older now, hair no longer a mess of longish hair but now shaved down. A short beard was covering his jaw and chin, and he was dressed not much different than before. He wore a black army jacket over a white shirt, wearing with them black cargo jeans as well.

He had come out onto a rail platform, the elevator closing behind him. There was a crowd of people all around, but there were not civilians awaiting the train, it was all fully armed and armored ADVENT troops. Yet none of them so much as paid him any mind, guns resting across their torsos as they mingled about. After a few moments of bewilderment, Leon soon paid them little mind as he stepped to the platform’s edge. A bullet train came to a stop before them and the doors slid open, the soldier stepping into a train car filled with even more troopers.

Leon stood standing against the door, leaning back against it as he stared out the windows of the one across from him, taking note of the giant mega-cityscape around him, a massive tower standing in the middle of it all. Leon felt goosebumps roll across his body, as he took in the sight, not noticing that behind him a visage of Ember was in the reflection of the window mirroring his movements until her slowly turned around to look at the window she had been reflected in and only saw himself there.

The train entered into a tunnel and all grew dark, the lights of the train not coming on. When they did, Leon stood in the middle of a large gym, back to his normal self. Before him was a sight he had not seen before. Across the far end of the gym, a punching bag lay broken off the chain, lying beneath where it used to be was a figure.

Leon ran forward and dropped to a knee, turning the person over and seeing the face of Yakone, not Ember. Her eyes were closed and her mouth hung open slightly, her body already pale showing that she had been taken into death’s embrace already. The man trembled at the sight, tears slowly rolling down his cheeks as he brought the corpse close to him and embraced his fallen love tightly. Droplets fell on him, and then soon there was a downpour coming from nowhere.

When he pulled back, his eyes widened in horror. They stood in the middle of a broken down church, no one around them as evidence of battle was all around. He was dressed in full body armor which was marked with several indicators he had taken bad damage, and mud caked his cheeks as he stared down at the woman he had cradled, dressed in her specialized ADVENT armor. In his hand was an orange spear, the weapon lanced cleanly through her chest until it had broken through her body and was stuck in the ground.

Blood caked her lips and her eyes were closed, Leon’s heart twisting at the sight. His eyes closed as he stood, he pulled the weapon from her chest. He opened his eyes to stare at the woman he had killed, swaying slightly from exhaustion. “Why?” He asked it, his voice straining to speak. “Why did you do this to us?”

Placing the lance in the ground to support himself, Leon breathed heavily, placing a hand against his chest. “I’ve done all I can for you.” His head hung as he breathing quickened and he gulped down what little saliva he could produce. “But it won’t ever be enough. It will never be enough. Be your own person Verrater, or Ipiktok, or whoever you are in that fucked up head of yours. I’m done wasting my worry on something I can’t seem to fix.”

The sad part was, deep down those words rang more true than any he had ever spoken. Night after night of worry, day after day of kicking himself for not being good enough to had made a difference in her life was all gone now. He was free of his burden. Trying to chase after Ember was over, and trying to appease Yakone was at an end. Here, in this church, he was burying his indecisiveness and worry. Here, he was burying his girlfriend.

Leon closed his eyes once more, and soon nothing came to him at all.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Omens of Disillusion and Power: Part Two

Leon’s eyes quickly opened as cold sweat coated his body. He stared up at the cloth ceiling of his tent in a few seconds of confusion then put his arm over his eyes, coming to realize he had been having a dream. Unease clouded his mind, and so Leon rolled out of his cot, walking out of the tent and into the open. The darkness held no one else much to the soldier’s fortune and he reached down, drawing Bellum and calling upon Fortis. The being manifested before him, tall and imposing but in reality Leon felt no fear or intimidation, but a placid acceptance of the grand figure. “I have a question for you.”

Ask. Fortis responded as its arms crossed, glowing eyes of yellow and orange staring down the mortal man.

“In my dream, I saw myself carrying a spear much like your sword and shield. Is it possible for me to expand our arsenal more than just what we have? Can I make you stronger for the coming battles?” The Canadian asked, his head pounding from trying to recall the dream, or nightmare, or whatever he had witnessed.

Fortis let out a soft rumble and held out his hand. Leon’s whole body was surrounded in a glow, and that glow condensed until a orange ball of light was removed from the Grenadier and it grew. The object that was formed was the sword placed in scabbard attached to the shield, and to the right of it was a longer weapon, the spear. Next to it was a massive greatsword, and besides that was a dagger. The four weapons spun around Leon rapidly until they slowed and merely slowly turned clockwise around him.

The soldier was amazed by the sight, and he blinked a few times to make sure he was not merely dreaming again. He reached out for the weapon that currently spun in front of him, the dagger, but his hand merely passed through it, and he stepped back. “What is this? Why can’t I touch these weapons?”

Fortis looked to the moon above, letting its arms unfolded as he explained. What I show you is the potential of your power. If you wish to hold this arsenal for your own, you must train yourself to use them. I am here to guide much as I am to protect you. In time, you will wield all I have to offer you.

Leon looked at the weapons and he nodded in understanding, the weapons retracting back into him as he looked down at the palm of his hand, slowly closing it into a fist. “I need to get stronger. I have to.” He looked back at his tent, Leon making a decision he needed time to think, moving back to go lay down once more.

Fortis watched the man as he walked away and nodded approvingly, ashes slowly flying off of his cape as he closed his eyes. We have faced many deaths. Once this one has come to past, finally I may be able to rest. Bellum whispered like a tortured phantom, his voice merely a faint wisp.

He will take responsibility, you know. Pacem replied in a confident, deep voice that was one reminiscent of an older grandfather who had seen many years of life.

As must we all.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Long Arm of the Inquisition, Part 1
Arbiter's Court
November 16th


Carolus drummed a set of fingers on the side of what could only be called her throne, deep in thought. There was much to think about, as the hologram before her attested.

But she ignored it for now, along with the droning report of the Inquisitor of Fire. This did not mean she didn’t like him - indeed, Ignium’Cremetorro had proven to be one of her more loyal underlings that also happened to be in possession of some actual capability. These days, competence and loyalty seemed mutually exclusive.

Coatl’s death hadn’t really affected her emotionally as the traitor probably thought it would. But spite would only have been half the reason for his actions. The real motivation - and the one that had actually irked the Arbiter immensely - was the passing on of his Reflection. To someone on the other side, at that. There was a tactical reason for his pseudo-suicide, and it had proven to be a larger thorn than Carolus had originally cared to admit.

Aervouba’s failure had helped the Ethereal Arbiter realize this, and more. Weaknesses known to the enemy or not, Umbra was still a powerful Reflection in the hands of one able to use it to potential. This Samuel Yokolov seemed to fit this description, at least well enough to force an Inquisitor to retreat. I can see why he chose you, Carolus mused. Determined, cunning, but not rabid. Possessed of a certain calm fire. Much like you were when Umbra was born.

Ignium paused in his speech. Are you finding this tiresome, Arbiter? Bringing out a hand from underneath his ash and molten-orange colored robes, he minimized the hologram. I apologize. I should have realized you wouldn’t be interested in the siege-

I am, the Arbiter stated, rousing herself. Just not right now. I have other things on my mind.

Anything I can help with?

Carolus chuckled, her laugh light and elegant. Not unless you can repair Aervouba’s damaged pride, she said. Though on reconsideration, I like her better like this. Humbled, if a little angry. Tell me, what do you think she did wrong?

She underestimated her opponent based upon preconceived notions of superiority, Ignium answered immediately. Thus allowing said opponent to obtain an edge before the battle had even begun.

Isolating him from his group proved entirely useless in the face of that mistake, the Arbiter agreed. But there was another element to their combat. Did you notice?

The Inquisitor of Fire’s response was more delayed this time. … no, he admitted.

Memory, Carolus continued. In particular, Umbra’s response to Exantia’s attacks. Either it or its user was aware of her attack patterns, and was able to preempt her attempts to deceive him.

There is no conceivable method in which a non-psion could achieve such foreknowledge, Ignium mused. Though he did know her name.

The Arbiter smiled beneath her mask. And how would this human come into possession of this knowledge? she prompted. The vast majority of the Inquisition is unknown to humanity, through both limiting exposure and by removing witnesses. Aervouba falls under this. So how did a human learn of her existence, even prior to the defection of Shen’lustus?

The Inquisitor before her grunted. Umbra, he guessed. Coatl did not pass on intelligence before his death, according to the report of the Commander you assigned him. The only link is his Reflection, now in that human’s hands.

I believe it is safe to say Umbra has a memory, Carolus finished, nodding. Which means all of you that were exposed to that traitor are now also exposed to the enemy.

Ignium rested the base of his mask on one hand, his covered expression thoughtful. That would mean most of us, the Inquisitor noted. Myself included. He looked up at the Arbiter, eyebrow raised. Did you ever tell him?

She giggled. Of course not, was the response. Torturing someone is a delicate process, my dear Ignium. He never knew who the Inquisitor of Light was. A pity. I recall he once described her as akin to the warmth of Sol’s glow.

Does she know?

She does now. Carolus got up from her throne, floating down the podium on which it sat without her lengthy robes ever touching the floor. I wasn’t about to let Coatl’s death go without some gloating, was I?

Ignium’s expression and body language did not change. Are you attempting to goad me into challenging you? he asked neutrally.

The Arbiter sighed. Sometimes I forget how dutiful you are, she stated, almost regretfully.

I am an Inquisitor. You are the Arbiter. My role is to be an extension of your will, not to challenge it.

And I do appreciate your honest loyalty, Carolus cooed, drawing closer. Competent and willing. Two qualities that I’ve been finding are less and less common together.

Ignium was now visibly discomforted by her proximity. I would advise you keep your judgements on my competence until I have actually joined battle, he warned.

Why so hostile to praise? the Arbiter wondered, stopping just within what could be called Ignium’s personal space. Do you not like the idea of a high standing in my mind?

I am merely saying I do not believe I yet deserve it, the Inquisitor insisted.

Then I will give you the chance to prove to yourself that you do, Carolus whispered, as if her mouth was right next to his ear. The next time we see that particular group of humans, I want you to deploy. Wipe them out. Even their psion. She paused. All except the one with Umbra. He, you will take alive.

Alive? Ignium considered. I will try my best. But… how would I restrain him? Holding a Reflection user is no simple task.

Umbra is unable to defend against light-based weaponry, Carolus reminded him, drawing away a little. Or sonic, or thermal. Any of these would be sufficient to keep Samuel in line. Once he is within my grasp… I will need to decide what to do with him.

Unconsciously, the Inquisitor now behind her released some of his held breath. Why do you want that one alive, anyway? He is the most dangerous of all those seven.

Then maybe I will send Albina’Beliluxr with you. She will likely want revenge. And he has something I want, the Arbiter responded. Something only he can now give to me. I wonder if the Honored Overseer would allow me to borrow his expertise. Samuel’s value lies in his combat ability. If we cannot use that to our own ends… Carolus laughed, then. A laugh filled with an anticipation that made it no secret that the alternative was what she preferred.

Well, I’ll just have to kill him.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Part 2

The Inquisitor of Light had shrouded herself in shadow. Even several weeks after the news had been broken to her, tears stained her cheeks, the expression of despair hidden beneath her mask. Her robes, normally a reflective platinum-white, shone no light in the gloom. She sat on the ground, ignoring the comfort of the furniture around her.

This was the state in which Carolus found her, the Arbiter frowning as the light from the now open door shone upon the still Elder before her. What state is this for an Inquisitor, of Light at that? she demanded, floating forward with purpose and flicking the lights on angrily. Stand! Now!

Albina sniffed, but obeyed. I am sorry, Arbiter, she said dejectedly. I have found it difficult to reconcile my failures the past few weeks.

They were not your failures, Carolus reassured her, her tone suddenly gentle. You know I would have told you sooner, had I been certain Coatl would not do anything incredibly foolish. If anything I failed. Perhaps if I had told him you were still alive, he might not have done what he did.

I… The Inquisitor of Light took a shuddering deep breath, attempting to compose herself. If it’s not overstepping my boundaries… why did you not tell me before?

The Arbiter enveloped her in a tender embrace, like a mother comforting their child. You are not overstepping your bounds, she said. You have a right to ask. The simple answer is that I could not be certain how he would react to your survival. And you would no doubt want to see him if you knew. I chose to keep you both in ignorance until I could ascertain your reunion would not be disruptive.

She sighed. And now look what has happened. His loneliness drove him to death, and you are truly alone once again. If anything, my indecision is to blame for this, alongside Coatl’s own questionable convictions.

Albina looked at the Arbiter guiltily. You know I still hold some of those convictions too, she stated.

Of course I do. Your alternative views and your interest in human religions is well documented. The difference is that you have always admitted this. In your late partner’s case, he denied it. Externally, at least. His thoughts always stayed heretical. He was volatile. Carolus released her subordinate. I know you will disagree with me, but you are better off without him.

The Inquisitor of Light visibly flinched at the statement. Arbiter, please…

I know. I will say no more. I consider you a friend, after all. Carolus sighed. That said, this is not a social visit. I came to speak to you, on a related matter thankfully. Do you want the human that killed Coatl yourself?

Albina hesitated. The human that killed… She shook her head. What do you mean? To kill?

You may punish him as you see fit, the Arbiter clarified. But you may not kill him. I have already discussed this with Ignium - I want that one alive. He doesn’t need to be completely intact - if you desire to remove his limbs, for example, I will not complain. I just want him to be not dead when you bring him to me.

The Inquisitor stepped away, choosing not to bother with the telekinesis that most members of their race used to float around. She bowed her head in thought. I have no desire to torture, Albina murmured. Even this human, who has destroyed something so dear to me. But if you want him brought to you, then I will do so.

Even when he has taken your husband’s shadow for his own?

The Inquisitor clenched her fists. Azrael will defend me, she stated simply, if Umbra is truly under this human’s corruption.

Carolus smiled, although beneath her mask the expression was impossible to see. Then I will leave you to it, she stated, turning and floating back through the door. And no more of this moping. This is an order.

Albina watched her go, before closing the door and pulling a small object out from under her robes. The image on the object made her smile, even if the smile had an element of sadness to it. My dear Azazel…

I am surprised at you, a voice behind her murmured. You would throw away your chance at retribution?

I do not require it, Albina answered, turning to the being that had formed behind her. Carolus desires the human, and so I will deliver him to her. I have no doubt whatever she wants him for will be punishment enough. And the idea of distributing justice on him myself gives me an uneasy feeling.

The being, which could only be described as angelic in appearance, shook his head. Very well. It will not be the first time I have been instructed to spare someone. The Reflection faded away, leaving Albina alone once again.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “Tidal Wave, Part 1”

The distant thundering of explosives signalled that the aerial bombardment had begun on the other end of the city. Plenty of the automated aircraft were being knocked out of the sky by the ground-based defenses, but they were doing enough damage to distract Avarita’s forces. The ADVENT unit assigned to strike the real target highway waited patiently until reports came in that some of the forces had been diverted to respond to the false attack.

“Alright, they’re taking the bait… enough, at least,” Ember remarked to her commanding officer. “We going to do this now?”

“Have to. Need to get moving in case something happens last minute we didn’t account for,” Cain told his daughter from behind his mask, placing a hand on the side of it as he called for the tanks to move forward, looking back to the task force that had been assembled. “We’ve gone over the plans but here’s a quick reminder. The tanks will move up first to provide a shield and act as the hammer for the early defenses. Once they have broken through, it’s our job to move forward and start mopping up so that our bulk force may capture the highway. Stay safe, because it’s going to be hairy out there.”

“I’ll be fine. I just hope the others can keep up,” the First Captain remarked offhandedly, tapping the hilts of her sheathed swords. “Ready whenever you are.”

As the heavy armor began advancing, Desmond took up position behind the back of the procession, walking with his squad trying to think back on how long it had been since he had seen real combat. Not since the day the base fell would have been his guess, if not counting the countless sleepless days he spent training to further improve himself. He could hold confidence in his skills as a soldier. He could also rely on the back up plan he had been concealing from everyone else.

Once word came in that a force had been diverted to deal with reinforcing the area being peppered by the overhead bombings, the true assault began. The heavy armor began cresting the road, the rebel forces only having a few second reaction time before the cannons were locked and enhanced shells were blasted into their positions. The bombardment lasted a straight minute before Desmond flashed a hand signal and advanced into the fray with rapid speed.

Heaps of smoldering scrap and mangled bodies lined the vast streets. Much of the roadways was upturned. In several places, this was not due to the bombardment, but rather an assortment of hidden turret platforms. While magnetically-accelerated bullets zipped through the air on either side of the Colonel from the infantry on either side of the battle, additional panels on the highway separated, allowing automated defenses to rise up and open fire on him.

The mechanical guns found their efforts frustrated by a yellow barrier that surrounded him. I have him covered, Aegis psychically informed her squadmates - advancing with shield in hand to protect herself from the gunfire while she maintained the telekinetic forcefield around Desmond. Someone take out those turrets.

“Covered.” Ignis responded over comms, taking a knee as she locked onto the automated defenses. Her shoulder-mounted rockets launched and quickly found their marks, blowing the obstacles apart with quite the bang.

Church and Venom advanced from the back of the group, Church looking down the sight of his scope and pulling the trigger seconds later, his enhancements allowing him to make the shot through a rebel head who was pulling back. It was nothing more than child’s play.

In response to the gaps being opened up in the defensive line, a rebel unit consisting of primarily gunners was deployed to begin laying down suppressing fire onto the task force. Behind them, a group of Saboteurs shot mines through the air - laying them down in the no man’s land between the advancing force and the defenders. Rocketeers by their side prepared to return fire with missiles of their own.

However, the overlapping fields of gunfire were not about to keep Commando from doing his job. With a nod to Bombay, he received an illusionary cloak around himself. The shotgunner used her temporary stealth field on her armor, and together the pair slipped past the suppressing fire and closed the distance with the line of gunners. Jayden revealed himself first, tossing a shard grenade in-between the rebel soldiers to blow shredded holes into their armor. He expertly targeted those gaps with his genetically-modified eyes, pulling the trigger several times in quick succession and causing the enemy troops to fall like dominos.

Bombay used an area-of-effect ability herself, though it was less physical than Jayden’s method. She conjured up a swirling hurricane rift in the center of the enemy unit. The psychokinetic storm was electrified, and shocked them through their armor even as the psionic forces sundered apart their armor. To make matters worse for her foes, the wide funnel also contained acidic solutions that melted away their flesh on contact. Soon, many more had fallen - and the last gunner that remained fell to a shotgun blast from the Mogul.

That left a few of the Saboteurs, who opened fire with their standard rifles, and the Rocketeers - who sent rockets flying in the direction of the two responsible for the slaughter of their comrades. Desmond merely waved his hand as he manually detonated the multiple rockets before they had any chance of doing damage to anyone. An orange glow overcame his eyes as a small orange bird like creation no large then a dove flew forwards towards the grouping of enemies.

It glowed brightly and burst, letting out a blinding flash that left many of the soldier unable to see for a few seconds. In those seconds, Desmond took out the revolver that was strapped to his side. He pulled the trigger several times, fanning out fire among all the targets with the intent to kill. Ember, clear out the stragglers. He relayed to his daughter psionically.

Cleanup duty? Ember thought to herself, disappointed. Crossing her arms, she instructed Praclaritas to go into automated mode. He took over the mental controls of the armor, while the First Captain left her body and passed into that of one of the terrified Rocketeers. Usurping control of his mind was a trivially easy task, and from there Ember lifted the DMR of her puppet. It cracked once, then twice, and the two Rocketeers that were left tumbled to the ground - magnetic bullets having passed through their skulls. The remaining trio of Saboteurs turned their attention towards their rogue ally, trying to stop Ember. She merely dropped the rifle, and instead launched a rocket at her feet - departing from the body just before the explosion. Two of the Saboteurs were blown away, and the third was blown onto his back.

Returning to her body, Ember pulled out her PDW, squinted, targeted the fallen soldier, and shot two plasma lasers through his chest. “First responders wiped out,” she reported a bit duly - satisfied with the chance to finally do some killing, but irritated that it wasn’t a challenge.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “Tidal Wave, Part 2”

However, the defenders weren’t quite done yet. The final line of defense for the bridge revealed itself as an impressive unit buttressed by alien soldiers loyal to Shen’lustus. There were a few squads of ADVENT troopers, each containing a Shieldbearer - which wrapped defensive bubbles around each six grunts making up the backbone of every subunit - and an Officer calling the shots. The extraterrestrials present came in the form of a squad of six Mutons, an Andromeddon, and a Latticer.

This is not the proper way to spread the Path. Enlightenment mustn't come from conquest. The masked humanoid drew a sword that pulsated with smoky black psionic energy along its length, surrounding an inner violet glow. I will give you one chance to withdraw yourselves, butchers. The air grew heavy with a telekinetic force gravitating outwards from the nexus that was the disciple. I shall not ask twice.

“You are the one who persists this violence when you went and rebelled. Live with the mistake you made to disrupt the peace.” Desmond responded back, raising his rifle as he shot at the Latticer, not keen on wasting time playing semantics despite the fact deep down, the man somewhat sympathized. Clear your head Cain, just have to get through the fight. Damn it, not Cain. I hate that name with a passion now...

The shot impacted into the Latticer’s armor, which shimmered with a green glow and was largely undamaged. “You still have a long way to go, acolyte.” The alien pressed her hands together as if meditating, and a psionic clone split off, initially a yellow silhouette but quickly taking illusionary form. The real Latticer rushed forward at Desmond with her sword raised, and the clone copied the movement. “Attack!” the disciple urged her compatriots.

The ADVENT squads began to open fire on Desmond’s troops. Many took cover behind the tanks - which popped the shields of one unit with an explosive blast. This allowed the ADVENT infantry present to start gunning them down, but the real threat in the alien soldiers remained.

It fell to Jayden and Jezebel again to fight at the forefront. Bombay drew the attention of the six Mutons by tossing her scintillate grenade into their midst, the mindfraying device quite effective on the psionically-vulnerable brutes. While they reeled, she blinked behind one, raising her shotgun to the back of its head and delivering a pair of shots. The first shattered the armor, and the second blew the alien’s brains out. Commando rushed forward without hesitation, dodging a volley of inaccurate shots sent his way and delivering a sustained barrage of fire into the recently-upgraded armor of the aliens, which was a foreboding black. The magnetically-accelerated bullets tore off the paint and damaged the metallic fabric, making it turn gray where hit.

The Andromeddon fired off an acid bomb to begin its engagement with the task force, aiming the shot in the direction of Church, Venom, and Ignis. They were spared the vicous substance’s effects by a bubble shield that popped up around them. “We can’t be staying on the defensive like this,” she warned.

“Then let’s target one in particular.” Ember drew her swords, igniting them with a brilliant orange glow. “Let’s kill that damn heretic, Praclaritas.” With that, she rushed at the Latticer - coming to her father’s aid with a flurry of blows that forced the hardlight clone on the defensive.

With a moment’s reprise, Desmond drew his own blade and advanced in on the enemy, switching on and out with Ember to maximize the amount of pressure they could put on the alien without one of them exerting themselves too much.

Church took aim at the Andromeddon’s vulnerable point, aiming directly for the glass as he fired his rail bullet straight into it and at the driver of the suit. Venom went to Bombay and Jayden’s aid with the Mutons, letting lose a cloud of noxious gas that began eating away at its armor and whatever exposed skin it had, slowly eating it. Meanwhile, Ignis was making her way towards the back line, not minding the aliens as she let her teammates handle them. Her concern was the troops laying fire and in prompt fury, let loose her own fire in the most literal of terms. She covered a rather wide arc around her, her burning plasma consuming much.

The Latticer soon found the fusion blades had shattered her copy, leaving her to fight the pair alone. “Troublesome.” Wisely cancelling out her event horizon ability to prevent Ember from getting in too close, the disciple of the Path instead created a powerful psychokinetic storm around herself - aiming to rip apart the armor of the nearby infidels while also blowing them back. The attack also had the added effect of a constant tug on their minds, attempting to make them panic.

Ember’s Crimson Regalia shimmered with a discordant emerald glow. Her Overdrive active but being assailed by the strong winds, Ember considered her options. If I get in close, I can negate most of her abilities. Can’t do it with this storm, though.

We can still do some damage from afar. The omnishield built into a Latticer’s armor makes them difficult to harm, in addition to the imbuing they use similarly to your Overdrive, Praclaritas noted. But you have an attack that passes through physical defenses.

Ember grinned devilishly. She surrounded her blades in a sickly green glow, and then swiped both of them in the air in the Latticer’s direction. Two arcs of energy shot out, and passed through the alien. The Latticer staggered slightly, suffering some internal damage but quickly starting to heal it whilst taking shots at Ember with her plasma ATR.

Desmond sought to to intervene, wrapping the plasma shot in a telekinetic grapple hold to try and slow it a few moments to allow Ember the chance to dodge without any chance of damage. Once his daughter was out of harm, he once more summoned on the power from before, the bird forming in front of him, surrounding itself with fiery energy. It coalesced further until finally the Colonel had his own storm to push back against the Latticer, sending the rift directly at the being to let it suffer, ripping at mind and body best it could.

While the telekinetic barrier generated by the Latticer’s armor intially protected it, it was forced to focus solely on defense to counter Desmond’s attack. It increased the power devoted to its overdrive, but didn’t lose sight of Ember. Noticing her closing the distance out of the corner of her eye, the Latticer dropped her rifle and drew her sword - meeting one of the fusion blades in a skillful parry.

Unfortunately, the Latticer only had one blade. Ember had two. With an upward swipe from the side, Ember collided her sword with the wrist of the alien - not breaching the armor, but causing her foe’s arm to go wide. Without a second wasted, the First Captain thrust her palm forward. Her hand collided with the Latticer’s chest - and a bright flash of green sealed the majority of the black psion’s powers. “Not so tough now, are you?” Ember taunted.

Meanwhile, Desmond focused on forming a psionic lance, one he took aim carefully and launched it from behind, aiming it right for the back of the alien’s head. The powerful attacked breached the armor, and was only barely stopped at the skin level. The Latticer stumbled forward, and with a malefic grin Ember crossed her swords, swiping them like the blades of a scissor through the alien’s neck - severing the Latticer’s head from her body.

Ember chuckled as the alien’s blood steamed off her swords. “Alright, that was more fun.”

“Hmph. Nothing is invincible.” The Colonel said, scanning the battlefield to check on his comrades. The Andromeddon soon fell to the sustained attacks against it, and the rest of the unit that had tried to oppose his task force was in shambles. The breach was shaping up to be a success. With his operation a success, Desmond finally let out a sigh of relief, walking forward down the bridge. “Ember, tell the Major everything was successful. There’s still a lot more fighting to do.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

XCOM Mission Parameters

Matterhorn Megacity in the Swiss Alps
Begins November 16th [Continuous]
Defend against the assault force.

XCOM Forces – All
(includes the new recruits from around Europe)

Operation Azure Bastion

The situation as it stands is precarious. The ADVENT assault army has broken through the first line of defense the city had, and is operating from a staging ground on the first level of the mountain metropolis. To compound difficulties the city guard is having, a team led by none other than Colonel Verrater just broke through one of the highways leading up to the second settlement band. If it were just a match between the two Coalition armies this would be a near-stalemate. The operations of the task force alongside alien reinforcements, however, threatens to swing the fight in the enemy’s favor. Left alone, Shen’lustus’s soldiers are going to lose.

That’s where we come in. XCOM currently has forty-six regular combat personnel, which is certainly not enough to take on the tens of thousands of ADVENT peacekeepers Cain brought with him. But we can and will target locations where our advanced armaments, psionic powers, and supernatural solutions can turn the tide from a potential defeat to a possible victory. As we’ve always done, XCOM will operate as an elite cadre that takes down priority targets.

What’s particularly unusual about this mission is that all our forces will be participating at once. Multiple squads will be stationed where immediately needed. They will move around using ground transportation vehicles provided by Shen’lustus, since the AA emplacements preclude the use of aircraft by either side. This fight will go on until an opportunity presents itself to cut off the head of the enemy. Fight hard, and good luck to you all.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Alpine Megacity “Matterhorn”
November 17th, 2038 A.D.
1555 Hours, Local Time
Lower Industry Zone
Overpass Shade

In the shadows beneath an overpass, leaning next to his ebon bike with a cigarette between his teeth, watching the puffs of smoke drift slowly upwards between a pair of thick concrete pillars, stood Lieutenant Tomislav Kasun. Looking away from the globs of carbon drifting upwards and being pulled apart by the inclusion of other gases, the Serbian took in his surroundings. The street overhead was currently vacant of vehicles passing through. Normally, there would be plenty of trucks transporting raw materials into the factories that lay deeper in the industrial district. There would even be civilian cars, considering how the fences that separated this zone from a residential area were within sight further to the west.

Looking out in that direction, the soldier took note of how the snow on either side of the street was bathed in sunlight, shimmering boldly and brightly. It contrasted solidly from the darkened street beneath the raised roadway. Darkness and light, so close to one another that you can’t tell the difference. Trying to tell me something, are you? Tom questioned silently, looking to the sky. It’s too on the nose. He swiftly grabbed his cigarette with a pair of fingers, and tossed it onto the snowless sidewalk next to him. With a boot, he snuffed it out - disappointed that the flame on the end had reached its limit. The Lieutenant shifted his gaze over to the woman guarding the passageway with him.

“Bored yet?” he questioned, speaking up more to shatter the monotony of the task more than anything else.

A few feet away, his petite lover packed some snow tightly, forming a ball to toss up and down. Ayame always loved snow, something from her childhood that she had long since forgotten drawing her to it. After letting the question stew in her head, she honestly answered, “No, not really. There is something peaceful in this moment. The calm before the storm, I suppose. Maybe I should be bored… maybe I should be nervous. But I’m relaxed. Mellow. Though that doesn’t mean I’m not ready for some action.”

“I guess you’ve learned to appreciate peace and quiet. Concept’s more or less foreign to me. Nothing in my life has ever really been… what was the English word… tranquil. In my hometown it getting a meal on your plate was the foremost issue most of the time. In the Resistance it someone was always hard at work or blowing off steam, or fighting. I just learned to treat being ever-active as the norm.” I suppose there is one thing that gives me peace… but even then, that’s tainted in its own way.

“I understand. I guess I’ve been on my own, free to do what I’ve wanted, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be in that kind of position.” Ayame chucked the snowball, watching it land on the street, spilling into a dozen chunks of snow that scattered about. “But I do know what it is like to go without a meal. What it is like to have to work hard to earn your place. It’s not ideal… but at least it gives you some stability. Without it, some people could go nuts, you know?”

“Crazy, huh?” Tomislav muttered. “Yeah, I can understand how having nothing to do would cause someone frustration. Probably will be that way for me for awhile if we end up achieving a real victory in this fight. Long-term, I mean. Guess I can always make a killing selling my inventions, but I might have to wait for a proper market to reform.” The Serbian shrugged. “Not really an immediate concern, though.” The Lieutenant’s radio crackled, and he lifted his helmet to hear what was going on better. “Hold on.” Tomislav listened intently, making sense of the several frantic reports that were coming in. “Oh damn,” he exhaled.

Ayame immediately put her game face on, instinctively placing a hand on the hilt of her sword as she walked over. “Trouble, I’m guessing?”

“You ever see one of those huge, two-legged robots that took apart the military in a bunch of western european countries?” Tomislav questioned in response.

“Only in some scratchy, grainy footage. Don’t tell me they sent one here.” Ayame chuckled grimly. “Guess they’re more pissed off than I thought they’d be.”

“Well, regardless of what made the Protectorate letting one loose in a megacity was acceptable, the Sectopod in question just demolished the security detachment guarding the nearest gate,” Kasun noted. He opened his comms to the other three XCOM fireteams in the area. “Vulcan Two through Four, we’ve got ourselves a problem. I’m reporting my findings to central, they should package the information nice and neat for you. At the moment though, I want you to start heading towards the general vicinity of the western entrance into this district. We’ve got some big company.”

“Vulcan Three, acknowledging,” one of the recent European recruits - a deep-voiced man with a French accent - spoke first. “Heading there now.”

“Don’t engage immediately,” Tomislav warned. “Wait for the rest of us, Lefebvre.”

“On my way as well,” Harvey Wakefield - in charge of the ‘Vulcan Four’ fireteam - reported.

“Vulcan Two, heading out,” chimed in Luna Inverse, on a two-woman team with her newly recruited sister.

Ayame stretched her arms. “Think we can take it down ourselves? Has anyone ever taken one down?”

“A big maybe, and - as far as I’m aware - no,” Tomislav answered the twin questions, hopping onto his motorcycle and turning the key. Over the purr of the ignition, he stated, “here’s hoping they’re sending some alloy-plated tanks to assist us.” He motioned for her to get on, switching comms channels to the security forces momentarily. “Heading to assist with the Sectopod. You asshats better have my Bedlam Armor ready for that.”

***​

XCOM Mission Report

Level 2 Settlement Band, Matterhorn Megacity
Western Section of Lower Industrial District
1605 Hours, November 17th, 2038

Vulcan Squad (Fireteams):

Vulcan One
LT Kasun, Tomislav [Harrier]
SQ Kasagi, Ayame [Phantom]

Vulcan Two
CPL Inverse, Luna [Ambusher]
SQ Inverse, Lina [Sharpshooter]

Vulcan Three
SQ Lefebvre, Thibault [Grenadier]
SQ Geiszler, Wendelin [Aerotrooper]

Vulcan Four
SQ Wakefield, Harvey [Specialist]
SQ Gunnarsson, Ingrid [Gunslinger]

Operation Smokestack

Since the breach into the second level of the city, the security forces have been fighting on multiple fronts. One of the combat zones is the lower industrial district, where factories for civilian vehicles and technology are located - powered by picturesque elerium reactors. In most of the locations around this manufacturing zone, the ADVENT assault troops have been kept back. But they are penetrating deeper into the district towards the western side.

The reason for this intrusion is the assistance of alien mechanized forces. It began with a wave of Zephyrs that snuck behind the artillery lines and took out the mortars pinning the enemy forces in place. Then, assisting the hybrid army with their advance was cybernetic warriors like the Mechtoids. And to top it all off, the ‘Titan’ that was responsible for urban subjugation twenty years ago has returned. A Sectopod is striding through the western area.

It will be up to XCOM to clear out enough of the mechanized Protectorate troops to give Shen’lustus’s team a fighting chance. We have been advised that the former Overseer will be deploying some robotic forces of his own to the area, but he has warned us that they alone will not be enough. The four fireteams making up Vulcan Squad will head individually through the industrial district, taking out cyber-soldiers where they can. The ultimate destination, however, will be at the location the Sectopod is terrorizing. It is our top priority to take that colossus down.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Operation Smokestack, Part One”

The air whipped past Tomislav and Ayame as the motorcycle they were on raced down the street. The distant sounds of gunfire and explosions became more prominent as they got deeper into the industrial district. The concrete structures gave way to steel buildings that either were rectangular and polished to a silver color, or were dome-shaped and painted a lovely alabaster. The ones in the immediate area were undamaged, but the smoke that was rising from not far away indicated that ADVENT forces had already begun moving deeper into the area. Tom kept his eyes on the road, but periodically checked in with Phobos. The A.I. was keeping a vigil on the Sectopod’s location.

“The last report puts it two hundred meters east of its original designated location,” the disembodied voice declared.

“Sounds like it’s moving with purpose, then. Consult the map… is there a logical destination for it?”

“Hm. Ah, that would be an option, certainly,” Phobos mused.

“Explain yourself,” Tomislav grumbled.

“The Sectopod is possibly heading for the local elerium power plant. If it were to target the structure and destroy it, that would result in a blackout that would disable the automated defenses in this district - and allow ADVENT troop transports the ability to sneak in with low flying. It would also generate quite the explosion,” the splinter A.I. remarked calmly.

“Take out a large chunk of the district,” Ayame mumbled. “I’d say we have time as they’d need to pull out their people to prevent their own losses… but knowing them, they won’t care about those losses.”

“Interestingly, the aggregate of combat data I am receiving suggests there aren’t many organics near my projected blast radius,” Phobos disagreed. “There are some ADVENT forces, but there are plenty of non-sapient mechanicals that would make for ideal sacrificial lambs. It would appear that while the aliens are content to sacrifice their troops when necessary, Colonel Verrater is not so keen on doing so.”

“Don’t need to give our enemy a glowing review,” Tomislav riposted at the A.I.

“I am merely making an observation,” he responded tactfully.

“Well, you can do it later. Right now we have more important-” A loud bang rang out, simultaneously accompanied by a powerful impact that punched a small crater into the road in front of the motorcycle. Tomislav narrowly swerved out of the way of the spontaneous pothole. “The hell was that?”

There is a sniper on the roof of the workshop at 3 o’clock, Phobos cautioned.

By the time Tomislav had grinded on the brakes to bring the vehicle to a halt, the Assassin in question had vanished down a ladder in the building. In the sneaky soldier’s place, behind a set of smokestacks that blurred his form - was a gunner that began laying down suppressing fire. Having none of it, Tomislav yanked his Augerrifle off the holster on his back, and lit the enemy private up. A spray of pulse lasers ripped apart the gunner’s makeshift cover, forcing him to seek cover as well. From the window of a workshop, a Recon soldier fired his mag SMG into Tom’s armor - doing negligible damage, but prompting him to seek cover behind a guardrail alongside Ayame.

I would recommend that you go invisible, and attempt to take the enemy out with a sneak attack, Phobos suggested to Ayame. I shall deal with the issue of the the Recon Unit’s detection technology. It was only a second before the A.I. gleefully noted, Ah, so you’re afraid of scorpions? They’re crawling all over you though! The Recon started screaming in terror, balling up in a fetal position out of sight.

Ayame smiled at that, at holstered her weapon. “Going ghost. Draw their attention while I sneak behind them.” She vanished from sight, and Tom could barely hear her footsteps as she rushed off.

“Draw their attention, eh? That shouldn’t be hard,” he reasoned, lifting his Augerrifle. Just don’t get hit, Tomislav cautioned her through his A.I.’s psuedo-telepathy as he began firing wildly with his cover-demolishing drill capacitor working overtime to shatter the walls of the small workshop the ambush had come from.

Ayame easily found her way up the side of the building, footholds abound for one who knew how to find them. The Recon was equally as easy. He was still shaking like a leaf when Ayame skillfully slid her sword into the space between his armor and his helmet, ending his life almost instantly. The gunner was a bit more of an issue, hiding while he waited for the opportunity to take Tom out without worrying about return fire. Ayame didn’t even find him until he popped over a windowsill, taking aim at her boyfriend. Ayame was sure Tom could take care of himself, but why take the chance? With a yell, she hit him in the back with a dropkick, and out the window he fell. Probably broke his neck when he hit the ground considering he didn’t move afterwards.

The fall of her two comrades, while tragic, did reveal the presence of the Phantom to the Assassin that had been keeping to the shadows. Drawing her alloy katana, the woman wordlessly threw a vicious downward slash at the XCOM operative that had slain her allies - confident that the smoke and scattered rubble from the shortlived firefight would keep this one on one for the moment.

Ayame was alerted of the attackers presence at the last moment, and she dived to the side, a few locks of hair lost as Ayame rolled to a standing position and drew her sword. “You don’t want to do this,” she warned, her tone less confident and more matter-of-fact. “You’ll lose… and you’ll die.”

“We’ll see about that,” the black-armored Advent soldier replied tersely, flicking a switch on the hilt of her blade to make it crackle with electricity. One hand left the sword for a moment, the Assassin leaping backwards and tossing a viper grenade at her opponent - not afraid to fight dirty.

“Someone came prepared,” Ayame muttered, swinging a leg and hitting the grenade in midair, knocking it to the side before it detonated. Not willing to give her opponent another chance to do something like that, she charged forward, sword pointed straight out to her side. When she reached her opponent, she slashed low, using her height to her advantage. The Assassin indeed swung too high, and one mistake was all it took. The heated febrifoil that the Asian woman wielded melted through the black armor her opponent wore in the blink of an eye, and cooked the Assassin from the inside. Not even able to utter a scream from the shock, it was mere seconds before the Advent soldier was dead.

Ayame sighed, flicking her sword to the side, more out of habit then need, and sheathed it. “Such a waste,” she whispered before hurrying back to check on Tom.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Operation Smokestack, Part Two”

Tomislav was unwounded, and seemed impressed by the fact that his girlfriend had taken out all three of the enemies. “Alright… that was a pain.” He turned on his comms. “Got waylaid by a small enemy group, how are the rest of you doing?”

“Vulcan Two. Intact, but slowed down.” Luna let out a sigh. “Lina and I were delayed by a little sniper battle. We just finished them off. Moving again. Feels like they’re trying to slow us down.”

“Hard to tell if its a concerted effort,” Harvey came in. “Haven’t had much trouble myself. Would have gotten shot in the back by a Zephyr, but I had the foresight to run a scanner sweep before advancing. My team might get there first.”

“This is Vulcan Three,” the second member of the fireteam - Wendelin Geiszler - called in. “We’re pinned down for the moment. Nothing… too scary, just a couple of Troopers. Just need to get a good grenade angle for Thibault, and then we’ll be back on the move.”

“Alright. Keep it up. I’ll keep closing in. Race you there, Wakefield,” Tomislav remarked with a competitive grin.

“Will do my best, but you’re the one with the motorbike. Vulcan Four out.”

Tom nodded to Ayame. “Let’s saddle back up. Can’t let that robot beat us there.” He hopped back on the motorcycle with his girlfriend, and began speeding off again. The sounds of battle were getting closer still as they left the workshop behind.

“It would probably be best if we all got there together,” Ayame said through her comms so she could be heard better. “But somehow I doubt the Sectopod will wait. Whoever gets there first will have to stall while the others catch up.”

“Yeah. I hope the security forces can position my superheavy armor in a good spot. Would rather not fight a titanic robot without it,” Tomislav remarked tensely. He cut around a corner, passed through a wrecked checkpoint, and began driving down a road that civilian vehicles never travelled. On either side were massive factory buildings. They didn’t spew out smoke naturally, instead being very polished and beautiful in appearance. What currently marred them and blackened out spots in the sky was the smoke from blast damage. They were now following down the direction the Sectopod had taken. Destruction and ashes that had once been soldiers were left in its wake… as well as some of its allies.

The pair pulled over to some cover as another ADVENT team took notice of them. It was an equally small group, with a pair of troopers, a Scorcher, and a Techound in all. The alien guard dog began running forward with some covering fire from the troopers, singling out Ayame as a priority target. Tomislav would have helped her, but upon seeing the Scorcher his eyes were filled with a hypocritical hate. “Phobos. Make him tremble. I’m going after him.” The A.I. did as was asked, and the Scorcher was momentarily paralyzed with fear. Tom rushed him as the Techound rushed Ayame.

The Asian vampire didn’t like the idea of leaving her boyfriend to deal with someone spewing fire while accompanied by two supports, but the mechanical mutt didn’t seem like it was going to give her a choice. She fell back as it leapt at her and took a swipe for her throat. Lifting her legs and pushing with all her might, she kicked up and sent it flying past her. As she stood, however, her knees almost gave out. “Damn, those things are heavy for how fast they move,” she groaned out as she took out her sword once again. “I don’t suppose you things are programmed to understand reason anymore then the average ADVENT grunt, are you?” The mechanical enemies eyes flashed, and it knelt into a pouncing stance. “Guess not.” Ayame shook her head, and charged forward before the techound could.

When she reached close quarters, it proved to be even faster face to face than it had before. For the first minute, Ayame was on the defensive. It swiped left and right, left and right, then threw in a stab from its maneuverable tail, and it was all Ayame could do to keep up. When it jumped back, Ayame was puzzled as to why it would apparently retreating, only to have to dive out of the way of a close quarters shot from its back-mounted gauss machine cannon.

It was fast. Possibly faster than Ayame. Certainly stronger. It was a machine after all. But as the fight neared its third minute, Ayame smile. It was a machine. It had a decent A.I., but it wasn’t exactly the most sophisticated A.I., and Ayame was skilled at finding patterns in the most advanced of human foes. Nd mechanical hound had its obvious patterns. Soon, she was able to counter every move it threw, every blow it went for. Ayame went for a slash to its face, and it jumped back. The A.I. automatically decided the distance made its best choice a cannon shot, but Ayame was expecting that. She jumped forward, its blast sailing underneath it, and a quick slash disabled the machinegun. Now Ayame was on the offensive, and the fight took another thirty seconds to reach its conclusion. In a stunning display of speed and strength, Ayame knocked back its claws and slashed for its neck, right to the knicks in the armor she had been building on, and its head rolled to the side. For good measure, she stabbed into its body a few times, just in case it was somehow able to operate without a head.

For Tomislav’s part, things had not gone nearly as well. Initially, the soldier had taken cover and started ripping apart any rubble his foes tried to hide behind. This quickly yielded one dead trooper, but the success of his operations prompted the Scorcher to change tactics. The primary weapon of the flame-trooper was put away, and the orange-painted barrel of his flamethrower stared Tomislav in the face. Focused on eliminating the other grunt, Tomislav didn’t notice the fiery buildup. Phobos warned him, though, and after landing a severe hit on the remaining standard trooper, Tom’s eyes fixed on the explosive flames that spat out of the dracothrower’s barrel.

Move! Phobos instructed Tomislav. However, the spinning incendiary funnel - twisting so warmly, so beautifully - captured Tom’s attention. His A.I. slowed his perception of time, but rather than give Tom a chance to react it paralyzed him. He was enraptured, imprisoned, captivated by the lovely configuration of low level plasma. It hit him head-on, bathing his armor and melting the outer plating.

It was only when Kasun felt the pain directly did he regain enough of his senses to withdraw from the location he was currently at. He started to run to the side, prepping his armor-mounted flamethrower. I’ll… fight fire with fire, his scattered throughs read. He opened up with a similarly incandescent blast, but the Scorcher’s cryo padding rendered the attack largely ineffectual.

That’s not going to work. You should know this, Phobos complained.

Tomislav wasn’t listening. His visor and his eyes both reflected the inferno that had covered the streets between the two pyros. Everything was burning with a brilliant fire around them. Even nonflammable objects were a brilliant yellow, blue, and white pyre thanks to the self-sustaining properties of dracothrower fuel.

Observing his enemy just standing in place, the Scorcher hesitated in surprise. But only for a moment. He lifted his rifle, and shot Tomislav directly in the chest - landing a critical hit that punched deep into his armor, nearly breaching it and pummeling his sternum. The strike would certainly leave behind a bruise, and if Tom didn’t move the follow-up would leave him in a grave.

Move, damn you! If you die I’ll be screwed too! Phobos seized control of the Warsuit’s servos, but due to resistance from Tom he wasn’t going to be able to move fast enough.

As the Scorcher prepared to ignite Tomislav and end his life in the flames he so loved, a wall of earth flew in front of the ADVENT soldier from behind, blocking the flames as it surged into him and the barrel of the dracothrower. The Scorcher flew back, directly into a charging Ayame. With a scream of abject hatred, and she drove her blade into his back, just missing the fuel tank as she did. The force of the earth wall from the front and Ayame from behind easily pushed her sword through his lung, ribs, chest, and armor, his blood sizzling on the blade. Ayame yanked the sword out, and the soil and dirt rushed into his wound. The Scorcher’s horrid cries of pain echoed even after he finally crumpled to the ground, dead.

Ayame panted heavily, momentarily falling to a knee. What dirt remained outside of the man moved back to under the trees lining the road, each with a glyph quickly sketched on them. The degree of the attack and the urgency at which she released it took a lot out of her. But she couldn’t worry about that now. Not when Tom’s condition was unknown. She forced herself to stand, and quickly moved to her boyfriend’s side.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Operation Smokestack, Part Three”

Tomislav had taken a knee from the pain, but despite the incessant surge of complaints from his A.I. his eyes were still affixed to the burning spectacle in front of him. He dimly registered Ayame’s presence, but his obsession had a tight hold on his throat. He didn’t form words, seeing her only out of the corner of his eye.

“Tomislav!” Ayame said for the fourth time, and looked over at the fire. Not seeming to get through to him, she raised her hand. The glyph on one of the trees flickered dimly, and the soil under it flew over to stifle the flames. “You afraid of fire or something?” she muttered.

In response to the quenching of the flames, Tomislav balled his fists. There was a loud whirr for a moment as Phobos held him back from throwing a punch long enough for the Harrier to regain his senses. Upon doing so, he blanched, and shakily got to his feet. “N-no, not afraid of it,” the Serbian replied hurriedly.

“Well, then what was that just now?” Ayame’s tone was irritable, but her expression was one of concern. “You were just frozen. I was afraid if I touched you, you’d suddenly drop dead like in some horror movie.”

“Just… momentarily lost sight of…” Tomislav began to lie, but wasn’t in a proper state of mind to be successful at his usual games.

“This is not the time,” Phobos cut him off. “We have a Sectopod to deal with still,” he insisted, caring little for the conundrum of his partner at the moment.

Ayame looked at Tom for a few more moments before sighing. With a nod, she said, “You’re right. Later then. Are you okay to help take that mechanical beast down, Tom?

“I’ll be fine,” the Harrier responded somewhat snippily. Thanks for fucking nothing, you asshole, he told his A.I.

My purpose is not to assist you with your social life. I am a combat intelligence, Phobos calmly retorted.

Drawn by the bright flames from before and the sounds of battle, a friendly ADVENT cargo truck rolled into view. The soldier in the passenger seat gave a hand signal to the pair of XCOM soldiers, and the back of the vehicle opened up to reveal the hulking form of the Bedlam Armor. “At least not everything is going wrong…” Tomislav muttered irritably, going over to the suit of superheavy power-armor. He opened up the chest cockpit, interlocking his W.A.R. suit with the larger frame and then closing up the hatch. His voice echoing through speakers, he stated, “let’s go kill a Sectopod.”

I believe terminate would be a more apt term.

I believe you’re a useless piece of shit.

Ayame looked him up and down and gave a satisfied nod. “Just remember that you aren’t invulnerable in that thing. Let us give you support while you blast apart that asshole. I’ve nearly lost you one too many times already today.”

“I’m a lot of things, but I’m not overconfident. Don’t make assumptions,” Tomislav replied icily as he began to march down the street. “If I find a scratch on the bike you’re going to have more than a scratch on you,” he warned the Advent soldier he was leaving behind.

You know, she wouldn’t make assumptions if you explained yourself, Phobos noted.

Oh, so now you’re going to give me advice?

I’m just pointing out it’s a logical choice.

Ayame scoffed, having no idea what had gotten into him. But Phobos was right. Now was not the time. She hurried after him, scanning their surroundings as the moved to their proper position. “Wonder if the others made it there yet?” she wondered out loud, mostly to herself.

“This is Vulcan Four,” Harvey ended up answering. “Here with V-3, and we’re doing our best to back up what’s left of the security forces in the area. But they’re mostly wiped out. This thing’s-” His voice was drowned out with thunderous cannonfire, sounding like a dozen machineguns being shot at once. “Dammit, it just blew up a tank with that blaster!”

“On my way, Wakefield. Just stay put, don’t get directly in its line of fire,” Tomislav instructed. He and Ayame soon met up with the Inverse sisters, and then together they rolled up on the Sectopod.

The mechanical monster was like a building in its own right. It stood a good three stories tall with its tall, spindly legs at their full height. The titan’s chassis was a jet black, made up of refined alien alloys that reflected the crackling embers left behind by the destruction it had dealt out. The main ‘body’ of the robotic beast had a ‘belly’ that was currently closed up, and a head that had a main visor on the top and auxiliary optics on either side like ears. The cranium was currently opened up to reveal a sleek turret that thrummed with reddened elerium energy. Behind the machine, only a few dozen meters away, was the power plant - a white building vaguely resembling the spherical-shaped churches of Russia. The alabaster paint stood in stark contrast to the death machine in front of it.

“Alright, there you are,” Tomislav growled - intending to take his frustration out on the Sectopod. “Eat this.” His mortar popped out of the slot it rested in, and a shell flew into the tall robot in his sightline. The explosive impacted with the machine, generating a cloud of smoke upon detonation. When the haze dispersed, the Sectopod was completely unharmed. “The fuck is this bastard made out of, adamantium?” The robot turned to face Tomislav, and in reprisal launched a barrage of pulsating, laser-encased bullets. Phobos slowed his user’s temporal perception, allowing Tom to activate his jetboots and narrowly leap out of the way - but it was certainly close. The hyper-intelligent Sectopod was able to take in data at comparable speeds to Kasun’s A.I., judging by its reaction times.

“Welcome to my world,” Harvey complained from cover - a pillar that was left behind from an entire building being destroyed by the rampaging machine. “Tried to hit the damn thing with an electroshock from my drone, but the combat protocol barely did anything. It’s EM shielded in addition to being an armored monolith.”

“I could send my little traps to lay underneath it,” Luna offered. “Maybe its underbelly is more vulnerable.”

“I don’t think this thing does ‘vulnerable’,” Lina stated, obviously not thrilled at the opponent on her first official opp. “We probably have as good a chance of sweet talking it that we do destroying it…”

“Not the time to be joking around,” Tomislav snapped. “Get your AMR out. Best chance we have is to poke a hole in this damn thing and hit something vital through that.” As he spoke, the Sectopod stomped towards Vulcan 3 and 4, spraying its pulsestorm blaster shots every which way to mow down the structure remnants they were hiding behind.

Lina shot him a dirty look, pulling out her weapon and running towards some cover a bit away from the Sectopod. If nothing else, being so far from the Sectopod’s target meant it would probably ignore her. She took aim, and did as she was told, taking shots and attempting to hit the same spot each time in the hopes of eventually punching a hole in it.

“I’m not much good at long range,” Ayame stated. “Maybe I should try to get close and cut something off when it isn’t looking.”

“I doubt your sword can penetrate, but if you can get ontop of it… that might help.” Tom scrutinized the area where Lina had punched shallowly into the Sectopod’s durable plating. “If I can rupture that hole a bit deeper, maybe you can wreck it.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Operation Smokestack, Part Four”

Unfortunately, the Sectopod proved it was not an entity to be taken down by simple tactics. Left with no cover, the half of Vulcan Squad that had reached the machine first were forced to flee when their cover was taken apart. Deciding they weren’t a threat for the moment, the Sectopod stomped down on the chassis of the tank it had destroyed earlier. Like vacuum cleaners, holes opened up in its servos, and the titan essentially ate the tank’s corpse. The damage that had been done to it slowly was repaired, and all the while the Sectopod opened up its belly to reveal a glowing, red-orange cannon that had a much bigger barrel than the gun on its head.

“That looks bad,” Ingrid noted, lifting her meltdowners and sending a flurry of heat energy into the machine’s leg - slagging some of the outer layers of metal. Thibault poured on the temperature with his febrigun, but even their attacks weren’t getting through the armor to do any lasting damage. Harvey chose to send in his Gremlin for a more powerful EMP attack, releasing its capacitor discharge onto the Sectopod’s head. Due to its advanced EM shielding, the machine survived the attack - but sparked badly for a few seconds, having been hurt a little by the strike.

Wendelin lifted off with her armor’s jetpack, aiming her weapon but holding her fire for now. “Alright, that was pretty cool. Can you do that again?”

“Unfortunately not, that was the only shot I had with that…”

“Great,” the Aerotrooper muttered in frustration. A torrent of flaming plasma shot near her, making the soldier wobble in the air before jettisoning backwards out of the way of the fiery attack. The culprit was a Mechtoid, or so it seemed at first glance. However, the enemy in question was fully mechanical, with jet black armor more bulky than an Infantry Mechtoid’s, and arms that were not covered with regular minicannons - but rather, flamethrowers. “Oh, just perfect!”

The German’s bellyaching drew Tomislav’s attention to the Ignapod, and he found himself losing control of his muscles. Dammit, no, not again!

The Sectopod finished charging up its cannon, aiming it directly at Vulcan One and a squad of Matterhorn troopers that was moving in to assist.

MOVE, DAMN YOU! Phobos mentally screamed. He hijacked control of the Bedlam Armor from Tomislav, diving out of the way with the assistance of jetboot propellant to avoid the attack. The move was lifesaving, as the wrath cannon spat a stream of thunderous fusion energy that completely obliterated the street and all the rebel Advent soldiers that stood on it. There wasn’t even ash left behind, and a deep crevice had been torn into the ground by the blast.

Lina looked at the destruction, horror in her eyes. “Shèngdì…” she muttered, her hands shaking.

“Focus, Lina,” her sister said over the comms. “Don’t stop firing. We need you.” Sighing with relief when the sniper shots resumed a half a minute later, Luna finished moving her mines in place before resuming fire herself.

Ayame moved through the shadows, questioning if she should continue on her current course or go for the Ignapod. Before she had to decide, two hovering SHIVs flew in from the east. “Damn it,” she snarled under her breath, knowing they didn’t have the time or the manpower to deal with another pair of enemies. To her surprise, however, the SHIVs moved straight for the Ignapod, powering weapons. Its flame attacks could do little against the maneuverability of the flying machines, and they unloaded on it, sending it to the trashheap with a relentless barrage of plasma rounds. Ayame laughed in surprise as they turned their focus on the Sectopod, and continued moving towards it herself.

Well, that’s helpful. I believe NOW would be the time to act, Tom, Phobos urged his partner.

Regaining his sensibilities, the Serbian bobbed his head. Taking a shuddering breath, he ordered, “concentrate fire. We have to outpace its regenerative abilities. Thibault, set us up!”

“Roger that,” the Frenchman of African descent acknowledged. The Grenadier lifted his febrigun oncemore, and hit the Sectopod in the chest with a whirlwind of frigid energy. A holographic marker appeared on the HUD of each of his allies to help them aim. Ingrid backed him up, using the hot setting of her meltdowners to reverse the temperature on the titan’s chest, using the contrast to deal some good damage. Noticably, while their shredding effects were going strong, plates were beginning to wrap over the damaged area.

“It has adaptive armor like our Pavise suits, for fuck’s sake,” Tomislav growled. “You cheating motherfuckers.”

If we do it, then doesn’t that make us…?

Shut up. Tomislav lifted his Augerrifle, firing off a rupturing shot onto the rent portion of the Sectopod’s plating to open it back up. “Lina, hit it hard!”

“On it!” Lina stuck her tongue out and bit down on it lightly as she aimed true, hitting the hole dead on and punching into the titanic foe. Its armor was further opened up, and a shot from Geiszler’s thermo rifle left the chest armor nearly in shambles. The Sectopod didn’t take all of this lying down, though. It fired off shots in retaliation, missing the agile Gunnarsson and only failing to hit Lefebvre with deadly force due to the computing assistance he received from Harvey’s Gremlin. The machine ignored the flying Wendelin, viewing her as a low-priority threat, and instead began striding towards Lina with frightening speed.

Vulcan 3 and 4 tried to lay down some shots on its back to distract it, but the unfocused strikes were ineffectual. The Sectopod neared Lina, and while she was paralyzed by fear, her sister was able to use her RC tripwires to yank the Sharpshooter back. Only moments later, the Sectopod emitted a field of red electricity, causing the air outside of the lightning field to be filled with charged particles that gave the nearby soldiers chills.

Be advised, that is enough electrical power to kill a human being, Phobos noted.

Is that voltage weapon still active? the Lieutenant questioned.

Analyzing. It appears to be recharging, Phobos gave his verdict.

Let’s be a little stupid, then. Tomislav surged forward, readying his kinetic strike module and spinning his fist. This thing may be nigh-invulnerable, but I see a glaring weakness. He struck it with immense force, not penetrating the armor but delivering enough of a punch to topple the Sectopod. “Ayame! Time to stab it!”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Operation Smokestack, Part Five”

Ayame appeared from the nearby shadows, leaping forward and bouncing off one of its legs. She slashed at its vulnerable spot, shredding the last of the defensive plating there. She connected with its other leg, and bounced backwards, stabbing into the mechanized beast and practically throwing her blade into it before landing on the ground.

Warning. Detecting electrical buildup, Phobos reported, Ayame’s hair starting to stand up and wave violently beneath her helmet.

“Keep those magnetic boots on!” Tomislav lifted a large gauntlet, having Ayame take a few paces back and then direct the poles of her greaves to suck her onto his hand. Just in time, too, as another burst of power that would make the god of thunder jealous crackled around the Sectopod.

With surprising dexterity, it rose back onto its feet. Its ‘face’ was marred by a long, diagonal scorch mark. Exposed wiring sparked, hanging out of the front of the death machine. But it was still functional, and began using its lightning field in short bursts to keep its foes away from itself. It laid down a killzone in a perfect circle around itself, an array of red sensors portending destruction for any who dared to attack it in this moment. The wrath cannon began warming up again, and the Sectopod spun cautiously in a circle, not betraying which half of the squad it planned to target. One of the SHIVs fell, and the other was badly damaged due to their continued movement - suggesting a similar fate if the XCOM soldiers tried to act.

But if they didn’t, death was just around the corner. “Light it up!” Tomislav cried out as the robot’s chest armor began binding its wounds. “Kill it before it can kill us!”

Wonderful plan, Phobos noted sarcastically.

It’s all we have left.

Luna flipped her switch, and the mines she had planted on it legs went off. It wasn’t enough to damage it, but it threw it off balance, hopefully buying the soldiers precious seconds. She opened fire with everything she had left, and Lina fired at her side, having recovered from her near death experience. Overhead, the remaining SHIV suicidally dived towards the Sectopod, trying to do as much damage as it could before it was finished off. Having little other options, Ayame opened fired with her shotgun, supped up but still a close range weapon.

Staggering, the Sectopod was still able to blow away the incoming SHIV with its pulsestorm blaster’s ferocious gunfire. It turned its weapon towards Thibault as he tried to shoot it, landing some glancing hits that were still enough to blow through his armor and badly injure him. It did similar damage to Tomislav’s Bedlam Armor, hitting the bigger target with more of its shots and poking several holes in the superheavy suit and melting halfway into what remained of Tom’s W.A.R. suit. It couldn’t fire upon everyone at once, though, and it was only able to send an inaccurate shot the Aerotrooper’s way. Wendelin was able to dodge, and swapped out to her pulse rifle - taking aim and praying.

She activated her friction dampener’s special ability, and fired once, then twice. The lasers, uninhibited by air resistance, screamed into the Sectopod’s chest. The first shot poked a hole in the mechanical scar across the towering titan’s chest, and the second hit something vital. The Sectopod seized up violently, stumbled around, and then exploded in a brilliant blast. A literal shower of metal rained down all around it, tearing rents into the armor of the soldiers nearest to it but not directly harming them. The legs and ruptured chassis of the Sectopod staggered for a few seconds, and then tumbled to the ground, smoking heavily.

“H-holy shit!” Geiszler yelled out. “I killed it!”

“Congratulations,” Tomislav muttered, taking some deep breaths with the threat finally over to try and calm himself.

“I’d like to think I helped kill it,” Lina muttered childishly, and Luna only laughed, nudging her arm and actually getting a grin in return.

The groups swordswoman cautiously approached the fallen foe. After a few tense moments, unsure if it would suddenly spring back to life, she reached into the partially restored armor, fishing around for a few seconds before pulling her sword out. Her weapon retrieved, she walked over to her heavily armored lover. “Are you okay, Tomislav?”

Tomislav opened up the cockpit, and stepped out of the larger armor. “I’ll live… little singed underneath, but I’ve been burned before.”

Ayame looked him up and down anyway. “Yeah, well, I wasn’t just talking about your physical health. Ever since that flamer, you’ve been on edge. I think you could do for some rest.”

“Yeah… rest,” Tomislav grumbled, reaching into his pocket and lighting up a cigarette. He placed it into his mouth, taking a soothing puff. “Provided another giant robot doesn’t come crashing into our general vicinity, I think I’m going to head to a safe zone and take a damn break. Standing guard for hours and then being thrown into a fight shook me up,” he lied much more convincingly, though now it was perhaps too late to misconstrue his earlier behavior as simple stress.

Ayame narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “Yeah, well… it’s a long way back to the ol’ stocks. Gives us plenty of time to talk about what happened there.”

Tomislav thrust an arm out to the side. “Nothing happened back there! Like you said, I’m just on edge.”

“I’m not talking about some attitude problem! Though your level of dickishness seems a little high, on edge or not.” Ayame stepped closer. “I’m talking about your transfixation with those flames. And not just after taking out the reverse fireman. I saw you fighting at him. You just… froze. And yet you claim to not be afraid of fire. So what am I missing?”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: "Monster"

The rest of the squad wisely backed off, moving away to report operational success to Central while the two argued. Tomislav shuddered in frustration, and bit through the middle of the cigarette. Sighing, he yanked it out, and tossed it onto the ground where it was snuffed out. “Just leave it alone, Ayame. It’s not any of your business,” he insisted.

“None of my business?” Ayame scoffed. “As your girlfriend, whose business could it be other than mine? And I thought we agreed not to keep secrets. I sure as hell didn’t when I told you exactly what I was when we first met.”

Girlfriend? As if I even understand or care what that means! Tomislav almost blurted out, but had enough sense to think rather than say. “What you are… isn’t a threat to anyone else. You can control your desires.” Kasun clenched his fists tightly, causing the metal gloves to make an unnerving grinding noise. “You want to know? Fine.” He turned to the side, looking at the dying fires surrounding the Sectopod wreck. “I’m a freak in my own way. Normal people find art and all that shit beautiful.” The Serbian’s amber eyes seemed to darken. “Fire is beautiful to me in a way you could never understand. Endlessly, paralyzingly captivating.”

“Fire is…” Ayame looked over to the flames. “I mean sure, it has its… but why would that make… you…” She trailed off as she realized what he was saying. She slowly pulled off her helmet, not wanting to accidentally broadcast their conversation. “You, um… y-you’re one of those… pyro… whatsits?”

Tomislav removed his own helm, nodding ever so slightly. “Very much so.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I know I’m sick. I’m not proud of what I am, it’s brought me no shortage of shame and pain… both physical and mental.” His hands shook slightly. “I can’t help it, though. Whenever there’s enough of an inferno, I feel like I’m being sucked into a trance. It’s just so, so, beautiful. In those moments all I am… all I’m meant to do is gaze upon the lovely fire. It feels like it’s the only thing I was born to do.”

Ayame seemed to watch him for the moment, not sure what to say at first. She was hardly qualified to help with this kind of thing. “You… you should have…” She shook her head. “No… I guess I can understand why you wouldn’t. Still, I… I would have tried to help you. You could have been killed back there, and I would never have known why.”

“And you could be killed if I lose control when you need me! It wouldn’t be the first-” Tom’s voice caught in his throat. He half-expected a snide comment from Phobos, something like ‘now you’ve done it’, but none came. All that he received was unsettling silence.

After the longest of pauses, Ayame softly asked, “What happened?”

Tomislav’s eyes didn’t meet hers. “I allowed a family to be immolated. Watched as their house went up in flames. Let a childhood love of mine be burned to a crisp.” He covered his eyes with a hand. “I should have done something, but I just observed. Like it was just some breathtaking painting.”

“Oh, god…” Ayame lowered her gaze, staring down for a while longer. She took a long, deep breath, and stated, “It… it wasn’t your fault, Tom. You said it yourself. It is a sickness.”

“No!” Tomislav cried out, removing the palm from his face to reveal amber eyes burning with indignation and directionless fury. “Don’t you dare spit on Lena’s grave like that. I could have saved them. Called the damnable fire department, broken a window, something! I had their lives in my hands! And I just tossed them into the furnace, for all intents and purposes. I deserve all the guilt that has plagued me for the rest of my life, and I deserve to be damned to hell for it like I’m sure I’ve already been. I have no right to be forgiven, or lied to and told it isn’t my fault.”

Ayame reached out, taking hold of his arm. “Tomislav, please stop! I’m sorry for what happened to your friend, I truly am. But do you really think you deserve to spend the rest of your life suffering for it! Let me help you! Don’t let this destroy anymore than you already have!”

“I do deserve to suffer. I’m essentially a murderer. No one can help someone who watched with pleasure as three lives were snuffed out!” Tom whispered harshly. “My heart’s as black as ash. I’m just really good at hiding it behind a veneer of gold.”

“No, it’s not.” Ayame squeezed his arm, pulling at it slightly. “Please, just…” Her eyes turned a bit panicky, darting about a bit. “Please don’t do this to us, Tom. We’ve… I’ve… I come to care so much… don’t let this destroy you, Tom. L-let me… let me help. I need to help you.”

Tomislav clutched his head with his free hand. “I really am sorry I’m putting you through all this. I really should have… stopped burdening women with myself. I…”

It would be wise if you at least played along, Phobos finally spoke up. I fear that she will have some sort of emotional breakdown if you don’t.

Why… why are you helping me? Tomislav asked in surprise, the words cutting through his turmoil enough to allow him to think a bit clearer.

Because you… An unusual tinge was bleeding into Phobos’s words. Emotions Tom had thought the A.I. only induced in others for his enjoyment. Anxiety. Panic. Fear. You are considering doing something foolish at this moment that may lead you to do other foolish things. And I do not wish to be terminated along with you, should that all come to a head.

I’m not going to… Tomislav sighed. “...I appreciate the sentiment, Ayame. You can try. I just… don’t want to promise that you can wash all the guilt away.” Mixing honesty with the lie that he thought Ayame would be able to help, Tom said, “I can’t completely forgive myself for what I allowed to happen. If I did I feel like I’d be saying it was okay. And I can’t fool myself into thinking I’m alright. I’m not. I’m just as much of a monster as you claimed to be.”

Ayame rubbed his arm, even if he likely couldn’t feel it through his armor. “I… I understand that, Tom. There are things we do that… we can’t forgive ourselves for. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to live your life. To… to try and be happy. And you can’t do it alone, rejecting others. I just… hope I can at least ease some of your pain.”

“It’s not like I’ve been melancholy every second of my life. Even if the guilt lingers, and comes to me often… you have been enjoyable to be around. You’ve made me happy.” Tomislav rested a hand on the back of Ayame’s head, pulling her forward and giving her a light kiss. Even if I don’t know if it’s physical pleasure or by some miracle something more.

Ayame held the kiss for a few moments. When she pulled back, she took a hold of his hand. “Come on. Let’s go get that rest.”

“As long as you don’t… wake up afterwards and decide you want nothing to do with me, I’d be fine with that,” Tomislav replied weakly.

“Of course not,” Ayame insisted, pulling him along.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

XCOM Mission Report

Level 2 Settlement Band, Matterhorn Megacity
Hotel Building in the Lower Business District
2330 Hours, November 19th, 2038

Chimera Squad

SGT Van Dam, Lilith [Sharpshooter]
CPL SMT-265 [MEC Trooper]
SPC Chimera 2 [Rocketeer]
SPC Chimera 4[Scorcher]
SPC Chimera 7 [Assassin]
SPC Chimera 9 [Saboteur]
PVT Chimera 11 [Medic]
PVT Chimera 18 [Medic]
PVT Chimera 22 [Trooper]
PVT Chimera 26 [Trooper]

Operation Softshell

It certainly seems like the aliens are pulling out all the stops to bring Matterhorn down. Not long ago, a report came in that a group of Chryssalids were released into the center of a business area to weed out the injured soldiers taking refuge in an eight-story hotel building. We had to take a minute to corroborate the account, as the Protectorate has never used a swarm of the insectoid aliens on a place they intended to leave intact.

Further investigation revealed that this group is not a normal horde of Chryssalids. They are controlled, made to specifically target only a quarter of their prey for reproduction rather than mindlessly creating cocoons whenever possible. This group of aliens is being directed by a sapient force. It is believed that a Hive Queen may be present, and that entity is going to be our target.

Sergeant Van Dam, your objective is simple. You are to take charge of a squad that will be heading into the building to hunt down the alien commanding the Chryssalid swarm. Eliminate any insect soldiers and their robotic allies that stand in your way. The team you will be leading is a Matterhorn ADVENT squad, but they will defer to your leadership since their CO was killed in battle. Show them how XCOM does things. Central out.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Dahlexpert: "Operation Softshell"

Lilith rode in a transport truck driving through Matterhorn. The once-magnificent city was now under fire. Lilith recalled her defense of Chicago twenty years ago and how much of a failure that was then. “Alright listen up, our target today is a pack of Chryssalids. But they're not acting like a bunch of mindless aliens like normal, we believe that a Hive Queen is around so our objective is to kill the queen or whatever is leading this horde and clear the building.” The troop carrier came to a stop in the lower shopping district, a good few feet away from the hotel. Scattered around the field were not only ADVENT corpses, but Chryssalid bodies and Floater wrecks. “At least they went down fighting,” Lilith muttered. “Alright, let’s make our way down to the hotel and finish what they started.”

As the team made their way down the street, they saw the hotel and the amount of dead ADVENT soldiers around the entrance. “Look at this, they slaughtered them. Is this what the Elders do to those that betray them?” one of the ADVENT soldiers with her questioned.

“You call this betrayal, I call it a normal day. This is what the Elders see all of you as: just cannon fodder.” After a pause, she followed up with an order. “We’re moving in.” Lilith opened the door and saw three cocoons in the lobby. They promptly hatched, giving birth to nine chryssalids. “Shit, get to cover!” Lilith fired her impulse DMR, directing its pulsating beam at one of the lids. She killed it, then aimed at another Chryssalid killed it as well. The other seven roared and five started to charge the ADVENT team, while two fell back.

The Chryssalids rushed the team. The two troopers opened fire at the Chryssalids, but the insectoids dodged the barrage of mag rounds till they finally got in close to the two Advent soldiers - slicing them to bits.

“Fucking monsters!” The Scorcher used his flamethrower to set three Chryssalids on fire terrifying them while the MEC gunned them down. The remaining Chryssalids burrowed underground to give themselves an advantage.

Damn it, these chryssalids are smart. They're actually using strategy, this is not good. Lilith looked at her forces and around the area, wondering where the Chryssalids could be. “Come on, come on! Where are you?” The first chryssalid reappeared behind the Rocketeer; the second appeared in front of one of the medic. The ADVENT Assassin fired her rail sniper rifle at the first Chryssalid, while Lilith pulled the trigger of her strike rifle to take out the last remaining Chryssalid. “Heh, nice shot… for a youngster.”

“You're not bad either... for a retired ADVENT soldier.”

Lilith got swiftly back to business. “Alright people, we still have a bug hunt on our hands. We’ve currently got two chryssalids to hunt down, and who knows what else were facing? Move out. Watch your corners since we're in a hotel; they might be hiding in one of the rooms, so be careful.” The team made their way into the hotel and went up the stairs. The Rocketeer stepped back and talked to Lilith.

“Um ma'am, can I ask you something?”

“If this is you getting cold feet now, I don’t need that. Just stay focused and we will get this don quickly.”

“No not that. It’s just... this is typical for you were not used to this were not to used to fighting the aliens like you are. How are you so calm?”

Lilith sighed and looked at the group. “Alright hold up, listen up. I understand this is new to you guys. Hell a few days ago, I’m not going to lie... I would be trying to kill you and vise versa, but your Elder chose to give us a chance. So yes, this may be weird and scary for all of you but! Our job is to protect the civilians and protect this city. So your role hasn't changed. You're just working with an elite soldier now. Let’s do our job and get back to our families.”

The Sharpshooter went in front of the group and opened the door. And found the hallway empty. “What the hell is this, where are the rest of the freak show?”

The doors beside Lilith and the Assassin opened, and a pair of claws dragged them into the room. The rest of the doors opened and Chryssalids and Floaters came pouring out of them.

Lilith was flung into a wall, and with a loud roar the Chryssalid that had apprehended her attacked. Lilith tackled the chryssalid and tossed it into a closet, pulling out her impulse revolver and shooting up the Chryssalid, The alien used its claws to drill into Lilith's leg. The other claw went for Lilith shoulder, but she grabbed its claws and fired the remaining energy in her sidearm into the Chryssalid’s chest. The extraterrestrial insect fell to the ground, and Lilith reloaded her revolver to deliver a few more shots into the alien to ensure it was dead. Lilith looked into the other room and saw her Assassin cutting the Chryssalid with her katana.

The Sharpshooter used the room she was in as cover, watching her forces fight the three Chryssalids and three Floaters. One of the mechanical fliers threw a impulse grenade in the middle of the hallway. The explosion caused the floor to cave in around the Saboteur, Scorcher, and a medic. They tumbled down to the floor below them, leaving the Rocketeer and the MEC up top with nowhere to fall back. The remaining medic deployed a smoke grenade to cover them, while the MEC fired through the smoke, giving the combat medic and the Rocketeer time to jump across the gap in the hallway.

The Chryssalids charged through the smoke cloud in a attempt to attack the MEC. It defensively shot its chain rifle at one of the Chryssalids, taking the skittering alien out. However, the other two continued to assault it. The pair jumped onto the mechanical soldier and start to claw into the MEC, their claws shredding the machine. They were ripping its armor apart. The MEC chose to arm its missile battery and fired it into the ground, falling down to the lower levels with the lids.

“Damn it, they're taking us out like we're nothing!” the Rocketeer cried out, firing a missile at the floaters. The rocket shredded their armor, but - due to their flight systems - they didn't fall down.

Lilith fired her impulse strike rifle at one of the Floaters weapons, disabling it permanently. She then switched to her AMR and fired it at the other Floater, blowing it out of the air. “Finish them off!”

The Rocketeer pulled out his launcher and fired a second rocket at the remaining two floaters, destroying what remained of the floor along with the airborne robots. “Enemies down!”

Lilith looked at the hallway and at the floor below, sighing. “Shen’lustus is not going to like this... ugh.” Lilith took a knee, the chryssalid poison starting to get to her.” Doc, I could use some help.”

The combat medic went to tend to Lilith’s wound.” Man that’s a nasty wound… but don’t worry, I got you.” The medic pulled out his medkit and started to treat Lilith. “You know for a old woman, you're pretty good. Actually… I’d go so far as to say you’re great. How do handle all of this?”

“First of all! I’m not old. I’m aged. Second... I been fighting the aliens for a really long time. There isn’t much I haven't seen.”

The medic cured Lilith of her ailment, and the Sharpshooter was able to slowly stand up.
“Alright, we have a queen to deal with. Now, where is that giant bug?”

The squad felt a small tremor, and the Hive Queen emerged from under the building along with some four Chryssalids, two Floaters, and a Sectoid.

“I had to ask. Well, since we’re here... Rocketeer, time to put that thing to good use again. Shred that bitch’s armor!”

“Yes ma’me.” The Rocketeer fired his last rocket at the Hive Queen, rending her armor. Lilith also fired her DMR into the eye of the hive queen, blinding it in one eye. It started to stumble.

The two Floaters started to fly towards the squad's position, while the remaining Chryssalids started to charge up building. The Assassin fired her sniper rifle at the oncoming Floaters, killing one. The other fired its pulse rifle at the Assassin, the shots going through her chest. The dead soldier tumbled out a window, falling onto the sidewalk below.

“Damnit!” Lilith looked through her scope and shot the offending Floater, bringing it down. Lilith reloaded and fired her second shot through the heart of the Hive Queen. “Bye bye, queen bitch.” Crap, no queen means they’re mindless again. Shit! Lilith made her way down the stairs, and found her team having trouble with the Chryssalids. She switched to her anti-material rifle, and tore apart one of the Chryssalids with its powerful shot. The Rocketeer fired his strike rifle into the group, while the medic suppressed. Together, the pair of ADVENT soldiers down the final chryssalid.

“Huh, guess you didn't need my help. Now, we have one Sectoid to deal with, so let’s kill it and get out of here.” Lilith saw the Sectoid and immediately started to fire, but she missed the target. The alien fired its plasma pistol into the head of the Rocketeer, killing him. The medic started to fire at the Sectoid but missed her shots, prompting the alien soldier to pop out of cover, aiming at the medic.

This time, Lilith took aim and didn’t miss. She looked at the dead Sectoid as it fell, and then back at the medic. “Nice work, it’s a shame we lose so many of our men, but as long as one of you survived it’s something.” Lilith placed her fingers into her helmet radio addressing command. “Central, this is Lilith, objective complete. Hive Queen is dead. Returning to post.” Lilith looked at the Medic. “Come on we still have a lot of work to do before the day is done.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & Zombiesplitter53: "The Inner Eye; Part One"

[Takes place before Operation Smokestack]

As Anna approached the city of Matterhorn from the air, a quick look out the cockpit window revealed just how dire the situation really was, even strapped in she could see that plasma burns and scorch marks peppered buildings and streets in the first ring of the city. The evening darkness caused the trading of energy blasts from both sides glow like shooting stars, who was winning however, was anyone's guess.

The 'Witch of Russia' gulped, she could feel something down there as she concentrated, even as high up as she was, it was very faint, but some powerful psions must have been in play. The stealth ship was heading into a hurricane, taking her along with it, but the sanctuary of the eye was clearly in sight, a place of reprieve for the soldiers, no doubt.

As the stealth vehicle docked, supplies for the fight were off loaded, it seems like all the soldiers XCOM would need were already here, hopefully it was be enough. Anna saw herself off the craft, finding her way through the structure without a guide, even though she had been offered one, she had respectfully declined. The person that had been tasked was certainly pleased by Anna's answer, it seemed as though even with a shower and a new set of clothes, her appearance still disturbed people, or perhaps it was something else? She could not really say.

She quickly followed the signs towards her temporary rooming, but as she was walking, she came upon a person she had only ever dreamed of... It was... Her...

She was certain...

XCOM's resident undead shortstack yawned loudly as she walked through the halls. She didn't need sleep as much as others, but even she couldn't go without. Before officially hitting the field, she had been tasked with moving civilians out of the danger zones. It wasn't something she felt for her, but she was happy to do it. Since the beginning of her recent friendships and relationship, she had been increasingly motivated to do humanity-orientated work.

As she rubbed her eyes and walked to get some sleep, she paused, an unnerving feeling coming over her as she noticed the approaching woman.

Anna smiled widely, her heart racing for the first time in years, she thought she might find her here, there was a chance, and there she was, fortune had finally looked her way! She walked faster, her thoughts racing and bubbling uncontrollably, this was meant to be, it was finally happening!

Korelyive realized Anna's intention, but could not warn her without revealing her presence in a way that the Asian woman might notice, if she did, it could be even worse than letting her host go through with it. So the reflection simply allowed it to happen as Anna reached her target, hopefully the resulting damage wouldn't be too severe.

The long, black haired woman, leaned in as she reached her, pressing her lips into the sword master. Anna's mind was clouded, this was the best way to find out, she thought, almost mad with excitement. She could feel it, not a trick of her mind at all, her energy was draining, it was real! She had been right!

Korelyive felt it too, but noticed something her host had overlooked in her excitement, what if the vampire had drained took too much by accident? The reflection's fears became reality as her host's energy drained faster and faster. The Chryssalid Queen knew what she had to do, there was no choice now.

Black Mist formed around Anna as Korelyive manifested two claws, reaching over her host's shoulder and pulling some of Anna's energy back into her, keeping her from falling unconscious. She made sure to keep her draining at an absolute minimum as to not cause pain. Her plan worked and the two of them formed a cycle of energy, trading it between each other, now was the time to see how the jiangshi would react to this whole mess of a introduction.

At first, Ayame couldn't react. She had been caught off guard by the mere presence of Anna, to say nothing for the Russian woman's sudden 'kiss'. It was several moments before she realized she had instinctively started training energy. It was another few moments before she realized the energy fluctuation in her body was off. It was that more then anything that made her stumble back, lightly placing her fingers to her lips. "Good thing Tom wasn't here," she muttered softly, looking to the woman before her with a questioning look.

"Ayame... I know a lot about you, while uh... trading energy wasn't my intention, I wanted to give you mine, you looked tired, after all." Anna said, her excitement still showing, that kiss being everything she hoped it would be.

"You, uh... you know who I am, huh? What... I am?" Ayame took a small step back. Reflexively, her hand slowly lowered to her waist, though she was unarmed at the moment.

"Well, you just proved it to me, you're a jiangshi... a vampire... I'm kind of like you in that regard, you could feel it, couldn't you?" Anna answered, raising her hands up in an attempt to calm her, "Don't worry... I'm not here to hurt you..."

Ayame relaxed a bit, but only enough to not seem like a threat. Whether or not the woman before her was or not, Ayame was still trying to judge. "Alright then. Who are you? And how exactly so you know who I am?"

"Well I've uh... I've seen you in my dreams..." Anna said, trying not to sound creepy, not obviously failing.

Ayame's eyes shifted back and forth. "Um... okay..." She looked Anna up and down. "Are you... a medium? A witch? Uh... necromancer?"

Anna took a second, trying to think of a good way to explain it, "When I dream...I 'see' things... from other worlds... I've had it since I was a kid... visions of myself, of XCOM, of the aliens..."

The witch took a single step forward, "But you... I see you most of all... visions of us together... of you and I... kissing... I believe we are... linked... in some way... I've been waiting for this meeting for a very long time... "

Ayame was a bit taken aback, taking another small step back. "I, um... I-I see. What, um... why do you think I'm linked to a, uh, woman that I've... never met, Ms...?"

"Oh! Anna, I'm Anna Stone." She smiled, "And I think that because... You have met me, many times, in many different worlds... Do you... not believe me?"

"Well, it's not that... I don't believe you." Ayame smiled nervously. "It's just... in my line of work, this isn't the first time someone claimed to know who I was and found out the information some other way. Nearly lost my head the first time. Um... Anna... how long have you... had these dreams of me specifically?"

"Since I was little, actually..." The blacked haired psion replied, "If you want... You could try asking me a question... something only you know... it might not work, variables are a certainty, but there wouldn't be any doubt if I got it right."

"True..." Ayame took a cautious step closer. "Any question? Even something from... my childhood?"

"If you want... I know it's not a very good memory for you..." Anna winced a little, before an epiphany hit her, "I'm... A psion... I could... Let you into my dreamscape, it might be a little hard for me... especially since I'm pretty sure you're not a psion yourself and I've never let someone in before... but if my memories of what I saw are somewhere, they're in there..."

Ayame folded her arms. "We can try that. I'm not a psion, but I know a technique similar to a psion's dreamscape. It might not be perfect, but it would allow us to link up without you having to completely support me."

Having enough, Korelyive finally manifested her over Anna's shoulder. Are you sure this a good idea? Opening up your head to her? Even if you know her through your sight, she knows nothing about you, what if she finds something that will disturb her? She could see your greatest desires, your greatest fears, your most awful tragedies. I know you have been waiting for this a very long time, but this may be going too far...

Anna simply sighed at her reflection's advice, responding, "I don't have much to hide anyway... I wear my trauma and my demons on the outside, for all to see, why do you think people avoid me? Like that lady Olivia... or the escort from earlier? I can't hide what I am..."

"Perhaps hiding my true nature would be better..." Anna gave in, but quickly added, "But that's not who I am... I refuse to be deceitful, if they don't want me for who I really am, then... that is that... and I don't think I can change it..."

Ayame eyes the reflection like she was eyeing a demon that was ready to strike. Though her eyes were cold, she softly said, "Sometimes it is better to be open about yourself, even if others might reject you. Lying about who you are might end up making you more lonely then you would expect... because even those who know you don't truly know you. It is something... I know all too well."

The 'witch's' eyes softened, giving her a gentle smile, "I don't believe in secrets... not anymore... sometimes when you look outside, it might blind you... but when your eyes adjust, you see the world far more clearly than you could ever before... Organizations like Advent rely on keeping the truth far out of reach, or stifling it entirely... They need liars because they know their truth is wrong and cruel... But if you know you are good, and have the best interests of people at heart... Then I believe people will see it too when they see you for what you are, even if they may act scared at first..."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & Zombiesplitter53: "The Inner Eye; Part Two"

Ayame relaxed a bit more, though kept a wary eye on Korelyive. "I... I'm not of genes by your appearance. I want you to know that. Simply wary of your powers. I try to carry myself as one who is invulnerable, but the truth is that those who know me will likely know my secrets, and how to exploit my weaknesses. I'm sorry if... I've offended you."

Our abilities center around fear, driving our opponents mad by wracking them with their own darkest, primal, inner terrors.

"I don't mean to sound hypocritical... My abilities could be seen as a form of lying." Anna admitted, "But allowing the elders a taste of their own medicine seemed fitting to us. Lying as a strategy can be beneficial, but lying to your allies will almost always hurt you."

Ayame looked between the two, and let out a sigh. "Um... why don't we... talk somewhere a little more private then the halls? I wouldn't want to give anyone a bad impression with your little... akuma here."

"Right, makes sense..." Anna agreed, "Where's your room?"

"I, um... have a temporary room down this way. My roommates are probably all out on missions, so we should be able to talk." Ayame started walking the way she had been going before. As she walked past Anna, she gave a wary glance at the reflection, but took a chance and allowed her back to face Anna.

As the duo walked through the halls, Anna looked around, trying to come up with some small talk, "So... Who are your roommates?"

"Right now, they're mostly rotating. Though my usual roommates on the ship are some allies I've known for quite some time. One of them..." Ayame sighed. "One of them... is away for now. But she'll be back with time. Have you... met your permanent roomies yet?"

"No, actually. I just arrived." She replied as Korelyive began to hide herself again.

Ayame took note of that, and let a sigh of relief. "Well, people here are friendly. We have to be. Stuck on a ship and all, fighting a common foe. Of we weren't close, we wouldn't make it far."

"Oh, I know. XCOM is special that way. I didn't expect a ship though, I expected a base underground." Anna responded, "But a ship is certainly more maneuverable."

Ayame led the new recruit into her room. As she expected, her current roommates were all out, letting the pair talk on peace. "So," Ayame started, closing the door after Anna stepped in, "Why do you have a talking version of one of those... things inside you?"

"Well... They all talk... Or at least, they used to..." Anna sighed sadly, "She needed my help... We were both trapped in an Advent research facility, being experimented on and tortured under order of the elders... So much time passed... I was ready to break... I didn't even know what they wanted from me... One day, they were going to dispose of her... Throw her out like garbage because she was too rebellious... That day I just directed every drop of anger in my being... To curse the Elders for destroying my family... Her barely breathing body passed by my cell at that moment, we felt the same anger, and when she asked for safety... for the pain to stop... There was no doubt in my mind I needed to help her..."

Korelyive spoke again slowly, keeping her head materialized. There are so few of us Queens left... They have been phasing us out for years, saying we are too rebellious, that there are too many variables when trying to 'tame' us... As if they didn't destroy our entire race... My children... I don't even know what our homeworld looks like anymore... Those Elders must die... All of them... I am the fury of a people that will never be again... Even if somehow they can still be saved... The damage they inflicted on my kind will remain... It can never be healed, never truly be repaired... I... I am a spirit of vengeance...

Ayame nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you... you two had been through all that. Guess I... shouldn't judge a book by its aura, huh?"

"We just want to stop the Elders from destroying any more races, you have to remember, the other aliens are innocent in this, no matter how twisted they have become..." The 'Witch' nodded slowly, "Korelyive knows a little about what's been done to some of them, but she still has no idea where to start trying to fix them... We have a long way to go."

Ayame folded her arms. "It is true that many of the aliens might have been innocent at one time..." She raised a finger. "But they are a part of this war, and they will kill you. It is bad that it has to be this way, but if you see them as innocents and hesitate for even a moment, you'll die."

"We understand that not all of them can be saved, some must die, but we must use their sacrifices to help learn how to free the ones who survive." The Ambusher explained grimly.

"Then that would be ideal," Ayame agreed. "These are all things that we can strive for. And maybe you can share this desire with the lab tech that handles the autopsies. If there is anyone who has an idea of who can be saved and how, it is her. But until then, don't let them take advantage of your softer side."

"I won't," Anna said, sitting down rather stiffly, "So... Are you ready? I don't want to do this if you're not sure..."

"I'm sure." Ayame reached into a side pocket, and pulled out a small case. She opened it and pulled out what looked like a piece of chalk with the most peculiar smell, somewhere between sickly sweet and unknow yet familiar. With it, she drew a small glyph on the floor. Taking a deep breath, she placed her feet on it, and reached over to Anna. "And now I'm ready."

"Alright." The psion said, concentrating on forming her mindscape as she reached over and held Ayame's hand.

To Ayame, a dark void formed around her as she floated weightlessly in it, as black and foreboding as could be. Suddenly, gravity took her and she began to fall. White, sterile lights zipped by her as she fell faster and faster, but once she finally hit solid ground, she landed like a feather and was able to observe her surroundings.

Ayame was standing in a graveyard on a overgrown, grassy hill, lined by ethereal floating cell doors, much like those you would find in a prison, black mist flooded the hallowed ground as she looked, until suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Welcome, "Anna said, her appearance reverting back to it's filthy, unkempt state, "This is just the start of my dreamscape, I am very familiar with it, I've spent a lot of time here."

"I bet. You, uh..." Ayame chuckled lightly. "You had a bit of a makeover. You remind me of a bog witch I had dealings with in America some time ago... um, I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course."

"It's okay... This is meant to be a somber place..." Anna said, looking over the graves, "Korvelyive wasn't the only creature that passed by my door, she was just the only one I could help..."

"So... these are their graves?" Ayame asked, looking across the mass graveyard.

"Yes..." The Ambusher answered, turning around, revealing three graves separated from the rest, "Except for these..."

Ayame walked over to them warily. "Who are they for... if you don't mind sharing?"

Anna walked over to them, starting from the left, "This one's for Korelyive... This one is for my father... And this one is for my Mom..."

Ayame nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry to hear that. I should have figured they were family."

"We should go..." The Witch said, heading towards one of the doors on the side of the graveyard, "I rarely spend time looking through my own memories, this will be the first time that I'll be doing it in a very long time."

"Wait." Ayame reached out, placing a hand on Anna's shoulder. "Listen... we just met. This is... I have no right to do this if you really don't want to."

"But... I want you to believe me..." Anna said, looking up at the door.

Ayame sighed, knowing they had to do this to fully trust Anna. "Okay. I promise I won't be nosey."

As she opened the door, the environment stretched out into a long, sterile white hallway. Locks of hair broke through the ceiling and hung from the roof of the hallway like vines. The cage doors from before moved to line the hall, each one home to a unique wooden voodoo doll, strung up with hair, some bearing a likeness familiar to Ayame.

Anna walked forwards, keeping a mental image of where Ayame was, "This way... It should be at the end of the hall."

Ayame followed closely, feeling more unnerved then she had in a while. "What... what is this room?"

"All these are the people I have observed with my sight, those visions are stored here." Anna answered, looking forwards as they passed a doll that looked suspiciously like Morrigan, "You may see some that are familiar to you, but do not look directly into their eyes."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & Zombiesplitter53: "The Inner Eye; Part Three"

Ayame quickly turned her gaze away before she did just that. "What happens if I do? Would I get sucked into those visions?"

"Yes, you would see things that you would probably be better off not seeing." The purple psion added, "Even if those visions have almost nothing to do with their counterparts in this world, those that do could still be secrets that they would rather not want you to see. I can't control what I see, you have a choice, however."

"Good point." Ayame couldn't help but grin. "Could be a good chance to get some interesting gossip. It sucks having a conscious." She resisted the urge, and hurried to stay behind Anna.

"That... Or you could see their untimely death in another world..." She stated ominously.

Ayame smiled quickly faded. "Yeah... no, I'd rather not, thank you."

As they reached the end of the hallway, it was marked by two final dolls which both took up the entire back wall, both hanging together. They were intricately carved to look like their respective person, one for Anna, and one for Ayame, with much more detail than the others in the hall.

"Here we are." Anna said, stopping, "Me and you."

Ayame laughed nervously. "They're... cute. So, um... how many different versions of us do these represent?"

"All of them." Anna explained, "They just look the way I see you and myself."

"R-right, um..." Ayame stepped forward, and looked into the eyes of the doll representing her.

The Doll's eyes glowed red as visions of her other lives flashed through Ayame's head, they were very jumble and it was hard to tell where one ended and another one began. Just like Anna had said, a vision of the two of them kissing entered her mind as faint voices whispered into her ears...

"Приятно познакомиться, Анна. Меня зовут Ayame. Это хорошо, что другая женщина на силу. Я с нетерпением жду борьбы наряду вашего приезда."

"Please Ayame...
Please... Wash the salt away..."


"Well if you wake up...I guess I will have my proof..."

"I...love...you...too..."

"DON'T TOUCH ME!"

"You're all heartless monsters."



Suddenly, they all stopped as Anna pulled her out of the gaze of the doll, the Ambusher's heart racing a little, "Are you okay? I never should have brought you in here what was I thinking..."

"No, I... I-I'm okay..." Ayame felt week at the knees, and felt overwhelmed. The visions she saw somehow felt like images of another person and personal memories all at the same time. "That was... s-something. I...never imagined... so many different..."

"I understand, it's very easy to forget what belongs to this world and what belongs to another." Anna spoke from experience, "Its like a pile of puzzle pieces, eventually you have a hard time remembering what pieces belong to your puzzle, or maybe you'd just rather forget..."

Ayame gave her a sympathetic look, and glanced at her doll again. "A... Ayaka..."

"Your sister..." Anna winced, "I'm so sorry."

"No..." Ayame smiled at her. "My niece. There was a world where I was born in modern day... and Guì yīng, my sister, survived... and she had a daughter. I had family." Her smile quickly faded again. "But in that world, you... you died..."

"In all my visions... There are so few where I'm actually happy...A least not for long..." The witch just shook her head, "Maybe it's just not meant to be..."

Ayame let out grim laugh. "What's not meant to be? You being happy?" She approached Anna. "I don't believe that. I don't believe there is some... cosmic rule across dimensions that prevents you from being happy." She lowered her gaze. "I... I know it might be too late for you in this one. I can tell you have had so much pain in your life. But... maybe, if you had the proper motivation... the proper friends..."

"The proper... partner?" Anna suggested, moving closer to her.

Ayame rubbed the back of her neck. "Anna... I, um... I'm... with someone... right now."

Anna's face became instantly dejected, "What... Who...?"

"His name is Tomislav," Ayame answered. "I met him here in XCOM. We're... kinda getting serious."

"Tomi...slav?" Anna said slowly, looking back at the other dolls, "I... I've never heard of him before..."

"Maybe he just slipped through your visions? Or maybe... we've never met him in another world?"

"Some people are like that..." Anna replied with a worried look, "You be careful around him, okay? I'm not sure I really trust him, I have no idea what to expect..."

"I try to be careful with everyone. But... I'm also learning to give people a chance." Ayame smiled. "Like you, Anna. And... as awkward as this has been, I'm glad I gave you that chance."

Anna smiled awkwardly, "Yeah... Just remember, I've always got your back if you need me."

"And I have yours." Ayame took Anna's hand. "Thank you for showing me this. If nothing else, I would love to call you a friend."

"Yeah... Friend..." She muttered as she left the dreamscape with Ayame.

Ayame opened her eyes back in the real world, and let out a tired sigh. "Takes a lot out of you when you can't access your energy the way a normal can. Disadvantage of this body."

"I could always give you some more of mine, if you like." Anna offered.

Ayame smiled. "Well... to be honest, I would like that."

"Then come here..." Anna said, blushing a little, "You can have as much as you like."

Ayame grinned, and sat closer to Anna. She considered simply using her hands, but she hadn't had a net gain from earlier, and was fairly drained now. The easiest and most direct way was to gently press her lips to Anna's.

Anna just enjoyed every second of it, not wanting the embrace to stop any time soon. After a few moments of draining, the Ambusher was quite tired and sleepy.

"Mmn... T-That was nice..." The 'witch' huffed with a lack of shame.

Ayame giggled. "Um... thanks. I feel a lot better. I just hope I didn't take too much."

"Yeah... I fine... Just sleepy..." Anna exhaled, falling backwards onto Ayame's bed.

"Uh..." Ayame considered saying something about not sleeping on her bed, but decided not to. After all, she had made her relations with Tom known, and it wasn't the first time a woman had slept in her bed (platonically). Ayame smiled, and crawled into the bed next to her. "Let's get some sleep, Anna. Got a big battle to continue when we get up."

She was so comfortable, it was years since she had been in a real bed, and now she had Ayame next to her.

She was... Happy...

But for how long?

 

[DarkGemini24601]

XCOM Mission Report

Level 2 Settlement Band, Matterhorn Megacity
Hellgrau Highway, towards the Level 3 S.B.
2115 Hours, November 24th, 2038

Hercules Squad

CHF Shen, Lily [Specialist]
SQ Contreras, Valentia [Sharpshooter]
SQ Armbrüster, Ludwiga [Paramedic]
SQ Van Dam, Luke [Grenadier]
SQ Alcatraz, Emile [Aerotrooper]

Operation Hellhound

The beast that broke down Matterhorn’s gates has revealed itself again. This time, the living fortress is attempting to bust through the defensive line for the third level of the city. While the ADVENT forces assisting it (from a safe distance) would be repulsed under normal circumstances, the addition of the titanic alien will swing the battle into the alien’s favor if it is allowed to wreak havoc. XCOM must respond in some fashion. To that end, we will be sending a small team to help in fighting the creature.

It will be led, unusually enough, by our engineering chief. Shen has three roles in this operation. She will be leading in lieu of a proper officer, providing Gremlin support like Armbrüster shall, and will use her unique talents to gain an edge over the armored monstrosity. Valentina will be providing fire support from afar, while Luke and Emile will be attacking the monster directly - the former using his destructive psionics to pummel it, the latter watching his back.

Taking down the beast called the ‘Kerberant’ will not be an easy task, but it must die if ADVENT’s advance is to be stalled.

***​

The thunderous cacophony of explosions with a backdrop of shells whistling through the air filled the ears of Hercules Squad’s members as they approached the AO. Even though they were still a minute out, the furious sounds of battle still were ever-present. For that reason, even though the five soldiers were packed into a small ADVENT troop transport vehicle, they still had to use their internal radios to communicate - drowning out the external noise with mufflers built into their helmets.

“Alright, so Luke,” Lily began whilst going over her pulse rifle to make sure everything was in working order, a task that only took the skilled engineer a few seconds (though she went over it twice just to be sure, ever the meticulous one). “So we’re clear, you’re not going to be fighting the Kerberant head-on. That thing can toss tanks around like they’re toys; getting its attention is a bad idea. The plan is to find or make a breach in its armor, and then take it apart from the inside. The footage we have of its first appearance proved that there’s a hollow component to the suit that monster’s wearing, so we know it’s possible to get inside. You may have to fight additional enemies inside, but it’ll probably be a hell of a lot safer than what the Matterhorn military is doing on the outside.”

Luke loaded his febrigun and looked over his grenades. He held his parent’s dog tags and took a moment for a short prayer. Don’t worry you two, your son will be alright. I’m about to bring you and the others a massive enemy. “Yeah, Shen I got you. Me and the commander have been talking about my little distraction tactic. Don’t worry, just get me inside that monster and I will do my thing alright.”

An-Yi chuckled, placing her rifle on her armor’s back holster. “I’d wager Atka was only twenty percent of the decreased recklessness. Alex has really changed you for the better, hasn’t she?”

“Hey, I have to come home to someone. Can’t have her be too worried for me because I was stupid.” Luke adjusted his helmet. “Now I believe we have a giant alien to kill. Once it’s dead this battle will turn into our favor.” Luke started to smile under his helmet. “I’m so excited finally an actual challenge for me.”

The transport truck came to a screeching halt, the driver slamming on the breaks as they neared the location of the fight. “Can’t get any closer,” he stated with finality. “You’ll have to close on it from here.”

“Understood. Alright, let’s go people!” Lily opened the back doors, and hopped out first - taking a quick appraisal of the area around them. Noting a two-story shop that looked fairly intact save for broken windows and a bullet-riddled door, she motioned towards it. “Armbruster, Contreras, that’ll be where you two set up.” As the pair ran into the building and headed for the roof, Lily turned to face the battle itself with Emile and Luke at her side. “And there it is…” she muttered in dread-filled awe.

The armored Kerberant was in the process of stomping a tank into the pavement with its gargantuan claws. The other heavy artillery vehicles were opening fire with everything they had, but all their strikes were doing were making dents - and that only went for the ones that actually hit the monster. Plenty of bullets and shells flew wide, impacting with buildings behind the beast and blowing impressive holes into them. Occasionally they blew up some of the many insectoid Keepers that were swarming around the Kerberant like vultures, taking out enemy infantry from above. All and all, the Matterhorn defense forces were not able to do any real harm to the Kerberant, and that didn’t bode entirely well for Hercules Squad either.

“Seshat,” Lily requested, activating ROV-R’s uplink to the shipboard A.I. “Help me run an analysis here. I want to confirm something.” The Chief’s Gremlin rose up into the air slightly, and its optics narrowed telescopically to get a better look at the Kerberant. It studied the air around it in a few different wavelengths, and Seshat sped up the time in which An-Yi could interpret the information filling her head.

“Alright, my hunch was correct… there’s a magnetic field around that thing that’s redirecting a lot of the attacks coming its way. Some of its powered by batteries within the armor, but Rover picked up some psionic signatures as well. Guessing there’s some Seraphim chilling inside that suit.” With that in mind, she instructed, “Valentina, focus on taking out some of that flock of Keepers around the Kerberant. Clear a path for Emile and Luke. As for you two, you probably will want to shoot down some of those insects as well before trying to approach that thing directly.” Ludwiga’s medical Gremlin flew down next to the two male soldiers. “Armbruster’s drone will follow you around to provide support.”