[Let's Play] UFO: Alien Invasion

[The Yosemite Bear]

well I offered to be the secondary dropship pilot/psycho cook whose seen apocalypse now a few too many times. (so alien modified cajun cooking and wagner blasting bear pilot awaiting dripship, or hind.

[JonB]

I know! I just haven't gotten to you on the cast list yet. Here, lemme pull it up, in case I missed anyone:

Code: Select all

Director - JonB*

Soldiers:
JonB
Vortex Empire*
Dave*
ForceLord*
OmegaChief*
Edi*
Torben*
Alison Krause*
Coalition

Research:
Academia Nut*
Sir Nitram*
phred

Pilots:
RomulanRepublic*
Barnest2*
phred
Coalition
Yosemite Bear

Workers:
FaxModem*
Yosemite Bear

* = Active in LP narrative.

So, please vote and make RP comments to give this LP depth!

[FaxModem1]

Okay, we should have enough stun rods within two days, but we're outsourcing the labor to the Asian Republic.

Also, I vote for the Laser weapons.

[Hawkwings]

You missed me on the cast list, but I'm already shooting stuff so whatever.

[SirNitram]

I seem to be outvoted from my plan of researching new and exciting pistols. Fine, lasers.

[JonB]

"Now that we can capture Aliens, we should begin to study where they come from. It might help with future... interrogations."

Academia nodded. "Yes, Direktor."


At 21:20, 16 April, the Chinese base detected a UFO emerging from Oceania. It set a course out over the the Indian Ocean and vanished.


08:07, 17 April, 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

"UFO detected! Identifying as Hull-type 2. Identification number 5. Headed North East out of Spain, over water and into France."

"Get Barnest2 in the air and alert the Dropteam." I gave the orders while watching the geoscape. The path could take it to Paris, London, Brussels, Copenhagen and then into the Nordic countries. "And remind him to shoot it down over land this time so there's something to salvage."


At 8:50, things got worse. "Xeno detected! Holy shit! It's got the same signature as the one that popped up in the East! Designating Xeno4! Coming up from the South, headed for Libya, Greece, Italy!"

"Shit!" I cursed the lack of a second Interceptor. "Tell Barnest to take his current target, then if he has fuel, turn south to engage the other one."

"Aye sir. Barnest2 confirms."

09:52, 17 April 2084
Stiletto1, GEU Airspace

"HQ, this is Barnest2. The Xeno5 has landed. I repeat, Xeno5 has landed in Copenhagen."

"Confirmed, Barnest2. Turn south to engage Xeno 4. We are dispatching the Firebird now."

"Barnest2 to HQ. Confirmed. Tell the boys good hunting and not to get wet."


11:30, 17 April 2084
Stiletto 1, GEU Airspace

“Barnest2 to HQ, be advised that this guy is flying up the Italian coast. He may land in water, he lay land in the region around Rome.”

“Noted Barnest2. Good hunting.”

“Thanks HQ. Engaging.” (3 minutes cut as distance decreases) “In range. Firing Shiva~a~a! Shit! It's returning fire! Evading! Shit! Shit! Shit! This thing is hella faster HQ! Going to Angels Zero to evade!” (Radar shows Stiletto 1 descending rapidly, Xeno 4 in pursuit.) “Shit! It's still firing that blue shit at me! Hey! Do not fire that” (Recording lost)


Silence reigned in the Command Center. “Sir, Barnest2's Stiletto was destroyed. We detected him ejecting... but the alien made one more pass before headed north. Sir.”

So this is what loss felt like. PHALANX wasn't invincible. Well, neither were the Aliens.

12:19, 17 April 2084
Copenhagen, Greater European Union

The 9 people in the Firebird held their own vigil for their fallen comrade. “It doesn't feel right, you know? We were planning on pranking him with the first Stun rod, but now... Now...” Edi tried to put their feelings into words.

OmegaChief nodded. “This is war. We all could die. So when we land, how about we give these Taman a good, proper, response. WHADDYA SAY MEN?”

“HOO-RAH! HU-MANS! HU-MANS! HU-MANS!”

RomanRepublic interrupted the morale boosting exercise. “Gentleman! I have a parking space right beside Xeno 5. You know the drill! HOT DROP! 30 SECONDS!”


(This time, the dropteam deployed in 4 pairs around the back of the Firebird.)
Edi: “It's the middle of April! Why the hell is there snow on the ground?”
Torben: “I think they had a late dusting yesterday, and it hasn't melted yet.”


Dave: “Covering the back of the Xeno ship! Come on fuckers! I got a hundred rounds with your names written all over them!”


VorexEmpire “Coming up along the engine manifold. Damn, it's weird to touch. Like it's an oil slick or something.”


ForceLord: “Hey, this civvie says the aliens went in this building. Four of them. Come on guys, reinforce!”


ForceLord: “Tamen confirmed near the back of this building! Come on guys!”


Hawkwings: “Shit! Plasma! Hey, learn to aim, fuckers! Or better yet, don't!”
(OOC: Once again, inability to screencap enemy fire. You might be able to see the plasma ball from the rear Tamen as it comes by the stairs.)


Torben: “Argh. Still not fully patched up yet. Moving to cover the annex.”
(Torben was deployed while not fully healed. Investigation pending.)


Torben: “Ha! There's one now! Firing! Miss! Shi..”


(Torben: KIA)
OmegaChief: “Torben! Report! Shit! Someone check him and slag that Alien!”


Hawkwings: “EAT RAILGUN, ALIEN!”


ForceLord: “Breaching! BURN, XENO!” (Tamen killed, ForceLord retreats outside and out of fire from Tamen inside building.)


Alison: “Firing on the guy along the side! Hit! Still up! I want that armor!”


Hawkwings: “Hah! You can't hit me! Why don't ya try to get up close and personal?”


Dave: “I stand still and you miss!”
Edi: “That's because you're hiding behind a tree, dumbass.”


Hawkwings: “Damn Tamen is coming up on the door! Firing!”

ForceLord: “HEY! Watch where you're aiming that thing! You almost hit me! And shit man, that shot just went right through the wall like it wasn't there.”
(OOC: Certain Weapons, of which the Sniper Rifle and EM Rifle are among, can fire through walls, hitting targets behind them. Just the thin walls though, and damage is reduced. You can see it in this pic, and I confirmed on the #ufoai channel on irc.freenode.net that this is a feature, not a clipping error or bug. Thanks OmniQ!)


ForceLord: “This is how you do it. BURN!”


ForceLord: “Nade's out! Three in the Air!”

ForceLord: “Got 'em on the second!”



I kept my face impassive as the confirmation of Torben's death came in. Two dead in as many hours. PHALANX was hurting and I knew there would be no celebrations this day. “Make sure the GEU forces have the site secure, and make sure that they take care of Torben's body.”

My second nodded. “Yes sir. Xeno 4 is still in the air, approaching the British Isles.”

“Leave it be. I want our people to come home.”

“Yes sir.”

The Firebird was barely in the air when the call came in. Xeno 4 had landed in London and its crew was attacking the population. My second came up to me. “Sir? RomanRepublic is reporting he can get to London on his current fuel supply and return to base afterward. They're a man down, but it seems like they are willing to make a second sortie today.”

I looked at PHALANX HQ status. We had a new recruit, Coalition, as well as myself cleared for combat ops. Do I order the Firebird to return to base to pick up an eighth, or order them to go to London with a man down?

---

So, head back for a 8th team member, or head to London for more revenge?

[The Vortex Empire]

Head to London, time is of the essence. Besides, if we waste time getting a new team member they might leave before we have a chance to blow 'em up!

[HMS Sophia]

I... I am displeased
Can I please request resurrection as a cyborg fighter?

Like that?

That or can barnest3 be unfrozen.... The barnest line of pilots seems to have a habit of being lost in combat...

[Hawkwings]

Off to London, quick! We can't afford to wait and possibly let it get away. Besides, today calls for revenge!

[phred]

Straight to London. You never know how long they're going to be there.

[OmegaChief]

London, we must avenge the flyboy.

[Torben]

Even though i am KIA I say go to London directly and burn those Demo fuckers. Then unfreeze my next clone and game on!

[OmniscientQ]

The Omniscient Q reporting for duty in the meat grinder, sir. And you're welcome for the tip regarding piercing weapons.

I'll take an EM rifle, if you please, and a 7.62mm pistol and combat knife in my holster (Them pistols are uncannily accurate for a non-rifle weapon.) Firing a three-round burst from the EM rifle through the walls at xenos on the other side is my preference, sir, even when it isn't strictly necessary to do so. Or, y'know, through the floors and ceilings.

[JonB]

My decision was made for me. "HQ, this is RomulanRepublic. We are enroute to London to respond to the attack there." I watched on the geoscape as the Firebird swung to the west.

"Affirmative, Firebird 1." I radioed back. “See you back at base.” The channel closed I looked to my second, who solemnly nodded. “Have to. Morale and our mandate.”


Shortly after 14:30, the Firebird made a hot landing in London, coming down hard on top of the alien incursion. There was none of the casual chitchat in the dropship that normally preceded an op, only a grim silence. Before, they had acted out of rage at their two fallen comrades. Now? Now it was time to show these aliens just who they were messing with.


Dave: “Damn it! Why so far?”
RomulanRepublic: “Too much stuff in the way. Careful boys, I only see two, so there's two more hiding somewhere.”


OmegaChief: “Hustle for cover people!”


Vortex Empire: “Grenade Out!” (Explosion) “No kill.”


Dave: “Advancing. Providing Overwatch.”


Hawkwings: “Firing! Miss.”


(British UAV shot of advancing PHALANX forces)


OmegaChief: “Underfire! Cover holding!”
Dave: “Alien is running for cover. Firing.”


Dave: “And stay down.”


Hawkwings. “Advancing. Firing. Miss.”


Alison: “Going up the stair here. Firing. Miss.”


ForceLord: “Advancing. Burning. Kill.”


VortexEmpire: “Hey Lady! Where the other ones? You see?”
Civilian: “Oi! You're dem PHALANX folks? Praise the LAWD! No, you got here only a minute after those demons did. Only the two left their heathen ship!”
VortexEmpire: “Thank you Madame. Please evacuate to a safe distance.”
Civilian: “Of course dear. Lord Bless.”
VortexEmpire: “All points, reports indicate that all remaining Tamen are in the UFO.”



Edi: “I'm going to sweep around the west, make sure.”
Alison: “I've got his overwatch.”


Dave: “I've got the doors covered. Let them come.”


ForceLord: “Advancing on Alien craft. Don't shoot me in the back Dave.”
Dave: “Don't get in my fireline.”


OmegaChief: “Breaching! Door open... Ready on cover fire. Damn, never thought I'd be the first to breach a UFO like this.”

Alison: “Had to happen eventually. No movement out here.”


VortexEmpire: “If we're going in, I'm switching out for the Micro-Machine Gun. Grenades in close quarters are bad.”


Hawkwings: “Urgh. Ah hell, I don't feel so well. I think that plasma fire from Copenhagen is getting to me... What the hell?”
Dave: “Hawkwings! You need a medpack? Report!”
Hawkwings: “Sir! I fumbled with the IR goggles, turned them on. I see the Tamen on the second floor.”
OmegaChief. “Hell? Lemme' try. Oh hell, you're right. It's glowy red and all. Right above me. Don't see anyone else though. Keep looking everyone.”


ForceLord: “Hawkwings, stay back there. Keep us updated on where it is.”
Hawkwings: “Yes sir.”
ForceLord: “OmegaChief, Dave, go around the starboard side. VortexEmpire, you're with me. We'll cover the stairs up at the same time.”


Hawkwings: “Sir, the Taman has moved to the head of the stairs, just past the starboard stairs, facing port.”



OmegaChief: “Welcome to Earth.”




I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good job everyone. Come back to base and get rested.” I looked to my second. “I'll be in my office preparing the letters for the families of Torben and Barnest2. Tell FaxModem to procure a replacement interceptor and tell phred that he's been transferred from R&D to active flight duty. Tell Coalition that they've gone to active dropteam duty.”

“Yes sir.”




After the Dropship has returned to base, I went down to the hospital to find things worse than I had expected.



I saluted the injured. Dave was just scratched, while Hawkwings was the worst off, having taken a plasma shot to the chest at some point which hadn't killed him. They saluted back. The doctor took me to one side for a moment to update me on his status. I grimaced, realizing the implications.

“Hawkwings. Buy the order of the doctor, I am removing you from the dropteam until you have recovered.” I had no joy in my voice. It would be a couple weeks before he was all right. How he was still alive was beyond me, or the doctor.

“Sir! But! Yes... sir....” There was resignation in his voice.

“I don't like it any more than you, but it's what has to be done. I don't want to lose any more men, and SirNitram wants to check the Electromagnetic Rifle for your aiming issues.”

ForceLord jumped into the conversation. “Sir. That means we're still a man down. Has someone after Coalition made it past our training.”

I hesitated. I gulped, nervous. “ForceLord, in recognition for your spectacular service, you are hereby promoted from Rifleman to Lance-Corporal. That means you're the senior non-com on the team, and therefore in charge. Your skill with the Flamethrower is exemplary.”

ForceLord, newly promoted, glared back at me. “You didn't answer the question. Sir.”

No. I didn't.



Everybody fights.

[SirNitram]

The EM rifle sat on the table, left alone. As Academia went through everything we had on the alien threat for some sort of origin point, I had something different in mind.

Electrical impulses and chemicals. These are the things that make a mind more than a lump of porridge. Barnet2's brain had been extensively scanned.. I dare not ask why. Torbin, not so much. No matter. For the first time, I felt like part of PHALANX. I felt like this wasn't some new waste of my talents. Ethics would have prevented this anywhere else... But here and now, the battle for humanity, allowed me to push beyond what was considered safe and allowable.

A message was sent to the medical division for extensive imaging post-mortem. I pulled out by PDA, and drew up the plans I had doodled once. This war had the flyboys, ground pounders, and docs passing their limits. It was time I pushed past the one limit never viewed as passable.

Cybernetics. I would bring the dead back to life.

[FaxModem1]

Fax Modem looked at the designs of the Interceptor. People were dead. People he knew. This wasn't what he wanted. He had made tough choices in the past. He wanted to ensure that humanity had more to depend on than one team.

He knew he was making the right choice. Fax Modem got to work.

[Coalition]

Coalition looked around the room. He had arrived there a half hour earlier, and had been just in time to hear the guy he was going to be backing up on flight Ops had been shot down. Sitting down, Coalition slowly realized that he was going to be on his own against the aliens.

Privately, he wished he had gotten enough connections so various national anti-air and other defenses could be requested by PHALANX Forces, and paying for the ammunition afterwards. That hadn't happened, so he would be alone in the air, instead of part of a team.

Still, he was fully trained in the new fighter craft, and would be an excellent addition to the base.

A beep sounded to the side. Reading the email that showed up in his box, Coalition sighed. "Drop troops".

[JonB]

I've done the next two missions guys. Gonna work on it tomorrow after work and a bit on Monday because something very, very important happened. You're going to love this, as it's going to be fun times had for all!

Expect the next official update on Monday at the latest.

[phred]

Yes! I get my Interceptor. And people used to say I was wasting my time playing all those games, shooting alien spaceships. Now I get to do it for real!

[Edi]

We've lost two men already and we haven't been at this for a whole lot yet. At least the ratio is still better than anyone else. Whatever gunk it is the medics put in those plasma burns to speed up healing itches like crazy.

I'd like to score an actual kill sometime, still standing at zero, and it rankles. Would love one of the grenade launchers, but they aren't my strong suit. What the hell.

Hey, boss, if you want someone around with a stun rod, give me one and I'll see what I can do with it. The pistol's good enough for close combat anyway, so no problem with that. Though if you can hustle the brainiac department for something that packs more of a punch in that regard, I won't say no.

[Force Lord]

I'm now a Lance-Corporal. Sweet. Now I get to boss the guys around.

Though, with the loss of Barnest and Torben, I don't feel like celebrating. War is hell, but that doesn't mean I can't gripe about it.

Now JonB's going to the field. He'd better live after the next mission...

[HMS Sophia]

Yes! I get my Interceptor. And people used to say I was wasting my time playing all those games, shooting alien spaceships. Now I get to do it for real!

I'm not sure how happy I am about the above excitement, since the reasoning behind phred getting onto active flight status is my death...

[JonB]

OmniQ passed his qualifications, so I rotated VortexEmpire off the dropteam until he was cleared by the hospital for active duty.


06:30, 18 April 2084
Command Center, Wenchang Spaceport Annex
China, Asian Republic

“Sir!”

FaxModen looked up from where his project status was updating to look at the Geoscape. He could understand why JonB liked this chair, and why he was so willing to go out and kill aliens.

Paperwork was worse than the Taman. “Yes?”

“We have a priority alert from the Chinese, sir. It seems that a group of Tamen have attacked one of their storage facilities, and they want a PHALANX response.”

“Why the hell are you telling me for? Alert HQ, and they'll send out the Firebird.”


13:50, 18 April 2084
China, Asian Republic

JonB: “You sure these are the right Coordinates? There's nothing here.”
Dave: “Uh, sir? Look to the right. There's a pit there. And a road.”
Alison: “And where the UFO?”
JonB: “According to the reports, there was none. Almost like the ship came in under the radar, landed and left.”
Edi: Or it could be stealthed against radar.”
RomulanRepublic: “Oh god, I hope not.”
JonB: “Focus, people.”
Alison: “Front door is open. Blasted. The entrance is dark, but infrared shows it clear.”
ForceLord: “Keep to the walls, men. Snipers and Rocket to the back. Assault to the front.”


Coalition: “Holy fuck, what is this place?”
Edi: “According to the in-flight brief, the Chinks say this is a quote-civilian refuge in times of disaster-unquote.”
JonB: “Bullshit.”
OmegaChief: “Stow it, Tamen halfway down on the left.”
OmniQ: “And one to the right. Hey, you guys sure that R&D fixed the sights on this EM Rifle? I'd hate to miss at point-blank range.”


Alison: “Plasma from the left!”
Edi: “Agh! Fucker on the right shot me!”


Edi: “This is DAKKA YOU FUCKER.”



JonB: “Ah, the glories of explosions. Seems a waste to use what would otherwise be an artillery shell on a single alien.”
OmniQ: “Whatever works, sir.”


Alison: “Here, Edi. Let me patch you up.”
Edi: “Thanks.”
(Medkits give temporary hitpoints. In this case, Edi was healed 27. Proper HP recovery happens at base, when people are not going out on missions. Unlike X-COM proper, you can send injured people out on missions, but they are still injured and thus, more likely to die.)


OmegaChief: “Coalition, with me! Taman coming up from the right! He's got a pistol and that blade that Academia waves around.”


OmegaChief: “DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA”

ForceLord: “Spread out. Secure the facility.”



00:00, 19 April 2084
Barracks, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

Dave had won the game of rock-paper-scissors with Edi.

“Probe this, Tamen!”


04:25, 19 April 2084
Command Center, Wenchang Spaceport Annex
China, Asian Republic

FaxModem's attention was once again drawn to the Geoscape. “Hell with them. We don't have an interceptor yet. We'll keep an eye on it, and if it lands, alert HQ.”


14:00, 21 April 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Sir! Xeno-7 on the Geoscape! Coming up over the Red Sea!”

“Alert phred,” I said, calmly. “Get him to shoot it down, and not die.”


“HQ, this is phred. I am in the air.”


“Engaging.”


“HQ, be advised, I am returning to base. Xeno-7 is still in the air.”

I grabbed the microphone. “EXPLAIN YOURSELF, phred. I DO HAVE A BOOM STICK.”

“Uh, HQ....”


I blinked. “Oh.”

17:30, 22 April 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEA

“Alien attack on the Ground! Outside Maracaibo, Peru!”

“This is RomanRepublic, Firebird in the air!”

“...”

“...”

“Uh, did the director leave already?”

“Yes, why?”

“Um, there's a problem with the geoscape. Maracaibo is in Venezuela, on the north side of the continent. The location of the alien attack, which is correct, by the way - is actually in Peru.”

“Oh. Well, let's try to get that fixed before the Director notices.”
(My first bug! Well, not really. You have to remember, UFO: Alien Invasion is an incomplete work in progress. Support is needed! The location of this city is incorrect, and the closest Peruvian city is Puerto Maldonado in the Madre de Dios region of the nation.)

10:10, 23 April 2084
Peruvian Airspace, Revolutionary Nations

RomulanRepublic: “I see the enemy ship guys. It's beside a couple huts in a clearing. Lights are on and people are home. HOT DROP HOT DROP HOT DROP!”



OmniQ: “Two Tamen by the huts. Firing. Hey! The sights are fixed! It's dead!”


JonB: “Let's see if I can go two for two. Ah... nope.”


(UAV shot of Dave attempting to flank the Taman from it's right. He has the Stun Rod and pistol at the ready.)


Edi: “Holy shit! The guy's going berserk! Watch out for that knife!”
(No idea who that is, I think it's a name for the Alien.)


Alison: “Taman! In the ship!”

Marab, foreman of the plantation, never expected this. Never expected the aliens on the news, who killed five cities, to come to his small farm. But come they did, and now he cowered as the raging alien came at him with sword in hand.

But to the end of his days, he would swear to YHWH that the blue-clad soldier charged at the alien with a valiant yell, distracting it from its vile task. He would swear that the man, acting like one of the Knights of old, engaged the demon, The Rod of Man against The Sword of the Enemy. That the battle was one of legend, the likes of which mortal men could only dream of seeing once in a thousand years, before the Man struck down the heathen alien with all the might of humanity triumphant and proclaimed that there would be no more innocent blood spilled this day or any other.

Marab would know these things to be true and glorious, until the day he died.


What really happened was Dave sneaked up behind the enraged alien, double-charged the stun rod, and stuck it up between the legs of the Taman.
Dave: “Hi!”

Dave: “HAHA! I GOT A LIVE ONE! I WIN!”
JonB: “Secure it in the Firebird, Dave! Now!”


OmniQ: “Hey, let's see if this works...”


OmniQ: “Did I hit it?”
Alison: “No. Good try though. Try being closer next time.”
(Later analysis would show that the Electromagnetic Rifle punched through the exterior wall, then an interior bulkhead with a single shot. Many nations desire to purchase this weapon for its penetrating capacity.)


OmegaChief: “Alright guys, if that alien pokes it head out, I want to fill it with led, then BBQ the fucker. We got one live one, the boys at home can tell us if we need more next time.”


JonB: “Is it cowering?”


Coalition: “Who cares? It ain't dodging!”


Edi: “Alright, breaching the UFO. Last time, the guy was on the second floor, so keep an eye out.”


OmegaChief: “Taman spotted at the top of the stairs.”


OmegaChief: “I can't believe I'm doing this again.”



I got off the Firebird shortly after Midnight on the 24th of April. The others on the Dropteam secured the passage to Alien Containment as Academia Nut and SirNitram moved our new guest to its new suite.



“ATTENTION!” I yelled out over the din of arriving base staff, which promptly quieted down. Maybe the Rocket Launcher had something to do with that. “I know there is going to be a party, and certain... activities later. So I'm going to lay down the law right now. No one touches the alien in Containment. Not until the eggheads give their consent that is. I'm certain quite a few of you will volunteer for related duties, so I'll let Academia and Nitram handle that.”

“Then why don't we go out and capture a few more?” Someone yelled out, but ducked back into invisibility before I could single them out.

I gave a winning smile. “Can I get a HELL YEAH?”

---

I had fun writing this. Does it show?

[FaxModem1]

I just got a report from the Asian Republic, they'll gladly manufacture EM rifles for us now that they acquired the plans from the ship that visited in their area.

[Hawkwings]

Hawkwings wheeled into the hangar bay, wrapped in bandages and resting lightly on the wheelchair. The sight of the chained, shackled alien body brought a smile to his face and a single tear to his eye. Satisfied, he wheeled himself out and back to sickbay like a bad-ass mofo in a wheelchair, resolving to get back on the drop team as soon as possible.