[Let's Play] UFO: Alien Invasion

[FaxModem1]

"Fine, we'll ask him. But how do you think he'll react to the fact that he's dead?"

[SirNitram]

"Fine, we'll ask him. But how do you think he'll react to the fact that he's dead?"

"Torben and Barnest know." A snort. "First you want to render them emotionally dead, now you object to their restoration? Choose a side. Either despise my work or assist in it, don't waltz into my lab and muck about with this. Do you do this in main R&D? Start fiddling with the coilguns?"

[FaxModem1]

Fax Modem rolled his eyes.

"I'm perfectly fine with it, I just think that in case we want to avoid all the trauma, we should implant the chips if they want to avoid being depressed."

[SirNitram]

"Fax... If you want to contribute, talk, don't come in and start pulling bits out of my projects. But your concern is noted, and now the Director has me doing this. Privacy, please. This is a delicate process."

[JonB]

I walked into the room, stopping FaxModem from leaving. After quickly checking to make sure this section of the Workshop was cleared, I held up a simple manilla envelope. My voice was somewhere between empty and grim. "Gentleman, I have heard your arguments, I can assure you I am not the only one. What I have here is a 'Do Not Revive' request from a member of the Dropteam, delivered to my desk in the past half-hour. In the intrests of privacy, I cannot tell you who it is from, but it will be put in their file should they be killed in the line of duty."

I sighed, the weight of trying to protect humanity from the Taman and from far worse showing with the grey hairs already growing. I tried to hide it by cutting my hair close, but there was only so much I could do in that regard. "Please, continnue your arguments. Record them, even. Ask and banter and cajole and dole and elucidade and fetch and gather and... And remember, in the end, the decision may not even be yours to make. So make your decisions as best you can. Make them with no regrets, no grief. And, if, in the end, after all this is over, you can't handle it, living with what you did... I'll... I'll... "

I pulled the pistol out of my holster, chambered a round, then removed the clip. I set the gun on the table between the three of us. "I'll forgive you."

[FaxModem1]

Fax Modem stared at his boss, in complete shock before finally being able to speak.

"You need to holster that, right now. The last thing we need is some CO waxing poetic and going suicidal. The men need you and they need to think you have it together, even if you don't."

Fax Modem walked to the doorway.

"If I ever see you do that again, I'll inform our superiors and get someone who can keep a grip on the situation."

[Aleva13]

We should boost our own survivability first. Armor, then vehicle laser.

[PeZook]

SURVIVABILITY IS AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED TO ZERO WITHOUT SUFFICIENT FIREPOWER TO HARM THE ENEMY.

[Edi]

Edi was doing maintenance on his weapons. Scene of bullets ricocheting off the alien's body armor kept playing in his mind, but fortunately there had been more of the team there and it had been killed eventually. Next time he just might not get so lucky.

Research priorities?

The alien pistols were deadly enough but now they're bringing in heavy guns? Body armor, ASAP, because we can still kill them, but without increased protection, any stand-up fight is going to become a stand-up-fall-down-dead fight.

Weapons after that. IF single interceptors can't bring down the xenos, send them in pairs. That will buy us some more time.

[Hawkwings]

My vote is also for the body armor. As a recent graduate of Medical Bay U, I can say that I never want to go there ever again.

[SirNitram]

Nitram picked up the gun, reclaimed the bullet in one smooth motion. "We've both got too much to do." He said simply. "Inform the rest of the base that they can file DNRs. I will have my regrets when mankind is safe. I suspect I'll be at the Hague, but."

[JonB]

Sorry guys. Spent an hour making hand notes about stuff, equipping everyone and making sure I had enough supplies to go around.

Then the game refused to save.

Expect the next update this evening instead of in the early afternoon. Here is what I currently have for people, so if I've made an error somewhere, tell me:

Code: Select all

Alpha-Blue
Dave - Machine Gun, 2 Ammo, MedKit
Vortex - Assault Rifle, 3 Ammo, MedKit, IR Googles, Grenades
ForceLord - FLAME THROWER, 3 Ammo, Pistol, 2 Ammo
Coalition - Assault Rifle, 3 Ammo, MedKit, IR Goggles

Alpha-Green
Vehrec - Rocket Launcher, 5 Ammo
Kryten - EM Rifle, 3 Ammo, IR Goggles
Cyber-Torben - Sniper Rifle, 3 Ammo
WhiteHaven - Pistol, 2 Ammo, Stun Rod, Med Kit, IR Goggles, Grenades


Beta-White
OmegaChief - Assault Rifle, 3 Ammo, IR Goggles, Grenades
Edi - EM Rifle, 3 rounds, IR Goggles
Alison - Sniper Rifle, 3 Rounds, Medkit
Hawkwings - Pistol, 2 Ammo, Stun Rod, Med Kit, IR Goggles, Grenades

Beta-Brown
Sorchus - Grenade Launcher, 3/3 rounds, Micro Shotgun, 2 rounds, Medkit
OmniQ - EM Rifle, 3 Rounds, IR Goggles
EternalFreedom - Rocket Launcher, 5 Rounds, Med Kit
PeZook - Flame Thrower, 3 Ammo, Pistol, 2 Ammo

I've also done a count, and the current research is:

Code: Select all

5: Vehicle Lasers
5: Body Armor
1: D-F Cartridges (then man-portable lasers)

Can I get a tie breaker, please?

[Hawkwings]

Hmm, "stun rod". I didn't know that EM Rifle was spelled that way.

[Agent Sorchus]

Body armor >tiebreaker

[Torben]

Hmm, "stun rod". I didn't know that EM Rifle was spelled that way.

Maybe its the Dutch spelling?

[White Haven]

A pistol. A pistol? A pistol?!

[FaxModem1]

Seeing the deadlock, Fax Modem changes his vote from DF cartridges to Vehicle lasers.

[JonB]

Ummm....

Hell week just came and went. Spoiler

3 missions, 5 deaths. Ugh. X_X

This will take some time to properly write up.

At least I can feel safe and secure that yes, this is an X-COM type game. I was getting worried I was doing too well for a while there.

[Dave]

I'll throw my vote in for Body Armor, especially with the number of deaths. Also, I thought I had the pistol/stun rod combo. If you want to assign that to a greenie, that's ok with me, but just thought I'd mention it.

[FaxModem1]

"Huh, that Dave guy looks familiar."

Fax Modem looks at the Research Priority Form, and decides to switch it to body armor as well.

"We should have less walking mechanical corpses this way."

[OmegaChief]

I vote body armour if I didn't already, hopefully it will save me from hote alien death.

Unless I'm one of the casulties D:

[Edi]

Assuming I'm still alive, can I pretty please get some grenades included in my loadout? Two, three or four, as many as fits preferably.

[SirNitram]

Five deaths in a week? Time to reprocess the robots.

[JonB]

05:00, 17 May 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Is this thing on?”
“Someone please tell me when he left!”
“Oh, good. You mean the green light? Where did he leave the manual for this?”
“Ahem. This is Acting Director (recording distorted). Director JonB has... gone on a sabbatical. Yes, that'll work. Gone on a sabbatical. He will return when he can. Until then, I am in charge of PHALANX's day to day operations.”

“What? Research? What are the options? Oh. What do you suggest? Huh? The Director took anonymous suggestions? What kind of system is that? Fine. The more Aliens we shoot down the better.”

18:50, 18 May 2084
Command Center, Wenchang Spaceport Annex
China, Asian Republics

“FaxModem, sir? We have detected Xeno-18 coming from the Indian Ocean.”

Fax nodded. “Send out cyber-Barnest2.”

“Yes sir.”

Two hours Later

“This is cyber-barnest2. Xeno shot down.”

“However, the cowards chose to flee our glorious ground team by ditching into the ocean. Returning to base with apologies.”

03:40, 22 May 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU
“Can someone tell me how the Director handled getting up so early in the morning to emergencies?”

“Honestly, Acting Director, I don't think he got much sleep at all.”

“So, what do we have?”

“Incursion in Khartoum, Acting Director. Radar returns indicate that the Xeno ship simply dropped from orbit straight down.”

“Argh. Send in the Firebird, alert the local authorities that we're coming.”


Coalition: “No. Seriously. What. The. Hell. Isn't this the exact same parkade as last time?”

Vehrec: “Save it for later. There's two Aliens on the roof! Firing!”

Cyber-Torben: “MARK 1 EYEBALL INSUFFICIENT. RECOMMEND UPGRADES.”


Dave: “You missed too! Now get to cover!”


Vehrec: “Damn! There's a third one on the roof! Incoming!”


Kryten: “Vehrec! MAN DOWN!”
Cyber-Torben: “REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.”


Kryten: “AAAAHH!!!”


Cyber-Torben: “ADDING FIRE. XENOS TERMINATED.”

Cyber-Torben: “ALERT. XENO FLEEING. PURSUE AND EXTERMINATE.”


VortexEmpire: “We see it at the top.”

VortexEmpite: “And it's dead.”


Kryten: “Still one more.”

WhiteHaven: “IT IS RETURNING FIRE.”

WhiteHaven: “MY ACCURACY IS SUPERIOR. ALL XENO'S TERMINATED.”

(OOC: Sorry, forgot to screencap my victory screen. 1 PHALANX Dead, 0 Civvies.)

“Acting Director, the Dropteam is returning. SirNitram has made his preparations.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, sir... One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“With... Vehrec's... indisposition, Alpha team is a man down.”

“We'll wait for a replacement to come up, one way or the other. Until then, they'll go a man short.”

“Yes, Acting Director.”

01:11, 23 May 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Acting Director!”

“... coffee...”

“Aliens attacking Brasilia!”

“wha?”

“Oh, just tell the Firebird to launch. I'll get the caffeine IV ready.”


RomulanRepublic: “Ah shit! Under fire from that convenience store! HOT DROP!”




WhiteHaven: “XENOS SPOTTED ON SECOND FLOOR. FIRST FLOOR.”



OmegaChief: “Damn it! They're shooting Civvies!”


Cyber-Torben: “ATTENTION. THIS LOCATION IS UNDER PHALANX CONTROL. EXACUATE.”


Kryten: “This is what I get for coming up the rear.”


ForceLord: “Tamen trying to escape! Gun them down!”


Kryten: “Shit! Take cover!”


WhiteHaven: “PROTECTING SQUISHY.”

VortexEmpire: “Haven's down!”


ForceLord: “Damn it! BURN!”


Cyber-Torben: “ANY FURTHER PENETRATION OF XENO CRAFT WILL RESULT IN LETHAL FORCE.”


Coalition: “Right behind you, ForceLord. Let's get the fuckers.”



VortexEmpire: “Shit! Taking fire from above! AAAAHHHHHH!!!”

(OOC: Please forgive me! I was distracted for a moment, and forgot to cap the moment when Vortex got killed. Sorry for that lack. Not that I'm apologizing for the kill though. )


ForceLord: “BUU~URN!!!”
Kryten: “Xeno down! Where's the fourth?”
ForceLord: “Spread out! Search!”


Cyber-Torben: “XENO SHIP CLEAR.”



Dave: “Torben, you rust bucket! There's one that just left the ship! GET IT!”



Cyber-Torben: “RECTIFYING ERROR.”



01:20, 23 May 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Awake now.”

“Good, Acting Director. We wanted to inform you about the latest casualties on the mission.”

“Are the bodies on the Firebird coming back?”

“Ah... Yes sir.”

“Then it can wait until it gets back and the Docs can make their decisions.”

“Sir...?”

“Yes?”

“Sir, after these recent casualties, there have been some requests to stop research into Vehicle Lasers and to investigate upgrading our own armor.

“No.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me.”

“But...”

“Yes?”

“Nothing. Acting Director.”

“Six days and counting.”

“Yes, sir.Where the hell is Director JonB?”

21:45, 23 May 2084
Command Center, Wenchang Spaceport Annex
China, Asian Republic

“FaxModem, Sir! We have detected Xeno-19 coming out over the Indian Ocean!”

“Shoot it down! Send Cyber-Barnest2!”

2.5h later...

“This is Cyber-Barnest2. I delayed engagement until over land, then shot it down. Wreckage near the coast.

“Confirmed, Cyber-Barnest2. And good hunting. Firebird en-route.


YosemiteBear: “Listen up! It seems that the Kingdom of Thailand owns this little stretch of land, and the Commonwealth has their own forces nearby. They've been glaring at each other for the past couple hours waiting for someone to make their move, so we're going in first.”


OmegaChief: “Whoa. Cyber-Barnest2 did a number on this guy. Look! It's still burning!”

Edi: “Very nice sir, but there is a Taman over there.”


Sorchus: “I'll lob a grenade at it! Hup! Damn, bounced past and into the woods.”

Alison: “Shooting. Miss.”


OmniQ: “Hello Miss! Any aliens I need to shoot over here?”


PeZook: “Flanking this way around the other buildings. Let you know if I see any.”

Sorchus: “Keep care, there's another one inside.

Sorchus: “Wait! And a third! Go for it Pekooz! They're all inside!”

Edi: “Oh shit! Grenade! AAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Sorchus: “It Burns!”


Hawkwings: “Edi! Sorchus! Oh no! MEN DOWN!”

(OOC: Grenades. All the cover in the world won't help when a pineapple comes bouncing over your head or around the corner. Guess what I have a love/hate relationship with?)


PeZook: “Still here?”


PeZook: “Not any more.”


Eternal Freedom: “Watch your Six, PeZook, Munition inbound!”



PeZook: “Come on! Come get some!”

PeZook: “You think you can scream, huh?”

PeZook: “That's how you scream!”



“Acting Director?”

“Yes?”

“Then men really want proper body armor. Now.”

“Very well. Academia reports his research should be done in less than 24h. We'll begin then, unless something else comes up?”

“The two new casualties...?”

“Send them to Sir Nitram. I know he wants to examine how to incorporate those Cyberdyne Systems into his works.”

“... Very well sir.”

The Acting Director looked around the empty office before leaning forward and steepling his fingers together. “Excellent.”

[Vehrec]

Dream Journal, day 1. OW. Fucking OW. Dying hurts a lot, even if you have a astral-body to jump into. If I hadn't been lucid dreaming for so long, I wouldn't have been able to do this. As it is, I think I've permanently fixed myself to my mind-body and my horrible astral duds. Seriously, a purple robe is not my idea of high fashion. At least I have this feeling I'll be able to cross back over if I can find a way.

Hmmm. PHALANX might have trouble bringing me back to life with their cybernetics if my soul is out here in the Utmost Ring. At best, nobody will be home, at worst, they'll create a soulless zombie me. And it'll take ages to get back to earth unless I decide to swear myself to the services of an Outer God. There must be some other shortcut. I've only been exploring this realm for three years, there must be another way out of it.