[Let's Play] UFO: Alien Invasion

[RecklessPrudence]

OOC: Truth be told, I'm fine with it too - it just seemed like something that a recently-resurrected person might latch on to, to have some say and control after dying and all that came after.

[FaxModem1]

The plane Fax Modem now traveled in landed at its destination. Fax Modem left the vehicle and checked in with his superiors.

"Like I told you, my cover was blown. But I did get us this."

Fax Modem showed the array of memory devices in his hand.

"Their entire archive. Every schematic, battle plan, intelligence. All of it. I'd say we just got a foot up in fighting the alien menace."

He entered the base, leaving PHALANX forever.

[HMS Sophia]

barnest2 sits in his hanger, moping.

"I cant believe fax took a firebird over me. I mean look at me. Sleek, fast, damnably well armed, and mildly stealthy to boot. Why would he take some old peice of crap, over a top of the line interceptor. Bastard. He could at least have told me where he was going"

(I will still fly missions. I just wont be happy about it)

[FaxModem1]

A program activated in barnest2's CPU, activating a video file.

"Hi barnest, if you're getting this, then my cover was blown, and I had to get the hell out of dodge. I knew I couldn't let anyone but myself face the consequences of my actions, so that's why I left you behind. I'm sorry buddy, but I'd rather you have a career then be hunted down like I am right now.

Keep the skies safe, and show those aliens we mean business.

Goodbye."

The video ends.

[Torben]

Hmm. Base isn't in lockdown any longer. Wonder what is going on out there. Still can't reach a doctor or a nurse. Curse this mechanical body and it's failed components!!

[Force Lord]

"Execute procedure AB-21!"

[Torben]

I did! All that happened was an oil leak down my left locomotion actuator. And an odd ringing in my aural sensors...

[Force Lord]

"That wasn't procedure AB-21. That was TK-421."

[Torben]

Oh. Maybe I should run diagnostic routine 1138 on my translational matrix?

[Force Lord]

"I'll try to get a repairman here. In the mean time..." Force Lord pulls out his comm unit and shouts, "There has been an unauthorized launch! Execute procedure AB-21!"

[The Yosemite Bear]

Nitram could you get me my lizard "Fluffy" back?

[SirNitram]

The doctor says I'm not to get up, my skull is broken.

[NZdevlin]

hi you guys
im sorry to ask here but its the only active thread about this game i can find anywhere
.i was just looking for verification ill try not to let any spoilers loose , but is the campaign on this game finishible? because ive been playing a while now and nothings really happened at all for awhile im quite abit ahead of u guys , so if someone could answer if ive been bashing my head against a wall trying to complete this thing when its unwinnible?

[JonB]

The campaign is currently incomplete as of 2.4-dev. Spoiler

The 'Plot' ends after the first raid on an Alien base and you've researched and distributed the HVI antigen.

---

22:00, 16 June 2084
Barracks, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

The Acting Director finished his report, free from personal opinion as Director JonB finished stripping off the stolen uniform. “The search for FaxModem progresses. We've recovered the Firebird, but the locals are not cooperating. Omega reports that all files were copied before he attacked SirNitram. We have to assume everything was compromised. And you'll need to see the doctor for a medical examination before I can return command to you, sir.”

I nodded. “Fair enough. I won't argue with it. A month? Really? Well, I must have spent most of that time drugged. That, and getting to that battle, I know I'll need a couple months of a fixed diet at least.”

“Is that why you're eating the burger now, Director?” Academia gestured at the finished plate of food. “Last gasp of good taste?”

I grinned. “Now, while the doctor pokes and prods me, I'll brief the rest of you on what I learned from our shadow organization.”

Hospital, PHALANX HQ

“PHALANX, our PHALANX that is, was activated by the UN in response to the Taman attacks. This we know. What we also know is that PHALANX was originally founded about a hundred years ago as a secret organization to combat extra-terrestrial threats. It wasn't much of an organization, but the records from that era are sketchy at best, what with the war that came afterward. PHALANX basically shut down in 2017, mothballing everything they had at the time.”

“Nice history lesson, Sir. What does this have to do with the bad guys?” ForceLord asked from his recovery bed.

“Only that our friends believe themselves to be the proper successor operation to that original PHALANX. They claim to have come online about 30 years ago. Except they weren't interested in defending Earth from aliens. Rather, they acted as a private trans-national armed force for those that could afford their... services. And yes, it's as stupid as it sounds.

“But this other Phalanx, they really don't appreciate us, and the attention we're getting. We're ruining all their plans because of our actions. And their current employers want them to gun for us. Tell the ground teams to be prepared to engage hostile human forces.”

The Acting Director nodded, and ForceLord groaned in mental pain. “Any good news?”

“I did kill everyone I could get my hands on, and then detonated the base they were using to hold me. I just wish I could have seen it but I was too busy walking away.”

“That's good. I think.”

09:24, 17 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Xeno-33 detected coming south from the Arctic Circle, sir.”

The Acting Director sent a glance towards the Hospital, where the Director was still undergoing tests. “Launch phred.”

10:43, 17 June 2084


“Goddamn it! You're suppose to crash! Not LAND. HQ, this is phred. Send in the Firebird, the Taman are on the ground.”


(Another mission on that damned parkade map. Taman on the roof, PHALANX at the bottom. Yawn.)

13:01, 19 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ.
Turkey, GEU

“SIRS! We have completed research into Nanocomposite armor!” Academia waved his papers joyfully as cheers began to erupt from the Barracks. I looked up from my desk, an IV drip hanging beside me as he put the information down on the table in front of me.




“Tell whoever is in charge of the Workshop to start building enough armor to equip everyone.”


I looked over at SirNitram, now recovered. “This means we have time to work on what your project. What are you thinking about? Now that we have multiple Aliens in live captivity?”



“Alright, let's see what we have on the table in terms of research.”

---

Sorry for the short update guys. Still trying to get a MP game going, and this particular update ended after three days when the improved armor came online. Choose new Research!

… And... it seems like Stardestroyer is down as I'm writing this as well. Heh. But now it's up!

[OmniscientQ]

OmniscientQ submits a request to the research department to prioritize the personal laser weaponry next. Since the DF cartridges will fuel each weapon, he helpfully suggests that they be developed first so that they can be stockpiled while each of the individual weapons are designed and tested.

He also fires off another recommendation to the recently-returned Director JonB to expand our manufacturing capacity when Phalanx next receives funding, as well as a yard where captured enemy craft can be stored. Once we have better armor and more effective weapons on the ground, we're going to want to even the odds in the air.

<<We *really* need the expanded manufacturing capacity. In the screenshot that shows the 16 units of nanocomposite armor queued up, the 168 hour production time is PER UNIT. One week each. It'll take four months to build all that armor. And while the armor is being built, we aren't getting any frikkin' laser beams>>

[SirNitram]

"My project.. Heh. It's fallen by the wayside. I've been working to keep our boys functional. Worst part is the Cyberdynes. The main unit.. He's experiencing emotions. I've patched the software as best I can...'

[NZdevlin]

Ok well
maybe you can answer me a few questions please....
1. i havent got an alien base yet and im 3 years into the game of version 2.3.1 stable
how do you trigger it?

2. not long ago i read about another free game not long ago similar style (not extraterristrials ive stopped half way thru that when i found AI) it apparently started off with you using f16s and migs to shoot down aircrafts etc..... please pick ur mind if u can think of it

3. Why when the game is no longer being finished (Alien Invasion) are you guys still playing through it it would it not be abit of an anti climax?

[Edi]

Ok well
maybe you can answer me a few questions please....
1. i havent got an alien base yet and im 3 years into the game of version 2.3.1 stable
how do you trigger it?

2. not long ago i read about another free game not long ago similar style (not extraterristrials ive stopped half way thru that when i found AI) it apparently started off with you using f16s and migs to shoot down aircrafts etc..... please pick ur mind if u can think of it

3. Why when the game is no longer being finished (Alien Invasion) are you guys still playing through it it would it not be abit of an anti climax?

1) You need enough research and then you actually need to find the base.

3) UFO:AI is actually constantly undergoing development. The current development version is 2.4.

This is being done for fun. We've already done X-Com1 and X-Com3. The Terror from the Deep LP got sort of abandoned and this was the next thing that came up.

[OmegaChief]

I second the call for DF cartragies, it's about time we got the zappy guns built up so we can turn our troops into as effecitve fighters as our fighters.

[Hawkwings]

Another vote for D-F cartridges, then laser rifle/pistol.

[Edi]

Indeed. D-F cartridge first, then laser rifles. That way we'll have a stockpile of cartridges already when the first rifle becomes available for use. Do it the other way around and the rifle will sit idle while clips are built.

[Torben]

I'm going to throw my cybernetic hat in the ring for DF Cartridges, then pew pew rifles.

[JonB]

I looked at the people around me. "I want our people to hit harder. Tell Academia to begin researching Laser weaponry for our men."

16:05, 21 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

"Director! Taman incursion in Brazzavile, New Africa!"

"RomulanRepublic! Launch!"


I glared at everyone else around the Firebird as we headed back north. "Someone tell me how the HELL WE KILLED A CIVVIE?"

Cyber-Dendrobious gave a negative gesture. "UNKNOWN, DIRECTOR. PERHAPS COLLATERAL DAMAGE FROM CYBER-RECKLESS'S EM CANNON OR YOUR ROCKET LAUNCHER."

"Couldn't have been me." I replied, thinking things over. "There was no one else in that Hut." I paused, considering the possibilities. "There was enough transit time that our SHADO friends could have arranged a body with our weapon's signature on it though. Everyone check their record, make absolutely sure it wasn't us."

"SHADO, sir?" Dave asked as he caressed his large Machine gun.

"Well, we're PHALANX. They're our shadow. So, SHADO."

---

I'm honestly not sure how that happened. Nothing showed up in my screencaps. What you see above is my best guess.

---

18:00, 24 June 2084
Lab, PHALANX HQ
24 June 2084
Academia handed me a small cartridge, lined in red. "Here is the prototype, sir."


"Excellent. I will have the Asian base begin production right away." At least Fax defected before this.


"I must add something, Director. During the production, one of our teams had an... accident. Insufficient lubrication of the throat, I assume. Well, we may have something to work on once we get the Laser Rifles finished off."

"Oh?" I was confused. Accident? I didn't hear anything about that, and made a reminder to get the protocol's improved.

“Oh.” More protocols need improving. And maybe I should cut off Academia for a couple hours to punish him.

06:06, 25 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Sir! Xeno-38 is on a direct course towards us!”

“Keep phred in the Hanger.”

“WHAT?”

“You heard me.”

My second glared at me through those shiny glasses of his. “Explain yourself, Director.”

“Well, in the absence of base defense weapons, I was looking at the idea of launching phred once the Xeno craft reaches weapons range so that he can engage right out the hanger. Like right now.”


[25]
“See? It worked!” I smiled as I moved to get onto the Firebird. “And it's only 11 minutes to the crash site.”

phred popped his head out of his aircraft. “Sir! I do not like being used as a static defense!”

“Don't worry,” I called back as the Firebird's engines roared up. “There's more where that came from!”


Coalition grinned broadly. “That was a shooting gallery sir! They never had the chance to take cover!”

05:29, 26 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Will you stop dropping straight down from orbit you goddamn Tamen?”


Coalition: “Alright everyone. Fan out North and west to flank the Xeno craft.”

Cyber-Reckless: “I aM aSiStInG cOaLiTiOn.”
JonB: “Damn, have to get SirNitram to fix the vocoder on that one.”


Cyber-Torben: “Acquiring Elevation To Snipe Enemies From.”

Cyber-Torben: “Unknown Xeno-Type Spotted.”

Cyber-Dendrobious: “andyouwantmetogetupthereandstabitwiththestunrodright?”
JonB: “I'm going to have to talk to Sir Nitram. He's messing with these things deliberately, I think.”

Dave: “I've got an angle on the exit to the Xeno craft.”


JonB: “The best part about those enclosed airlocks? Even a miss will invoke the Chunky Salsa Rule.”


Cyber-Torben: “Unable To Acquire Firing Solution.”


Coalition: “Oh hell, it's trying to flank us. Waita.. Is it... clinking?”

Coalition: “There's more of them! Some help here!”


Cyber-Reckless: “NeGaTiVe. Em RiFlE sUfFiCiEnT.”


Cyber-WhiteHaven: “TWO MORE EMERGING FROM XENO CRAFT. REQUEST ROCKET FROM DIRECTOR JONB.”
JonB: “Gimme a moment to get an angle.”


Coalition: “Wait! Shot one dead!”
Cyber-Dendrobious: “andi'vestunnedanotherasalivecapture.”


JonB: “Wait. Only one Taman on a ship that size? And the rest those... spider things? I don't like the way this is turning out. A new Xeno species?”
Coalition: “Actually, I think it's a robot, sir.”


12:34, 28 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“Sir! A United America Research Facility is reporting a Taman Attack!”

I checked the latest medical reports from Sir Nitram. The HQ team was feeling the burn of several missions in a row. “Send the Chinese Team. Their turn.”

14:00, 28 June 2084
Barracks, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU


“Wooo! DO THE CATWALK!”

ForceLord glared at the catcalls from a random scientist. “I am not a professional model, Nanocomposite Armor not withstanding.”

I smiled. “Well, you did ask for the first one. If it were any more advanced, we'd need alien materials to build it.”

00:30, 29 June 2084
UA Military Research Lab, Carolina
United America
“We win! At least these guys are legit. Hey guys! I know a great bar near here! OmegaChief is paying!”

“Hey!”
(Sorry guys, forgot to screencap the success screen. Nothing out of the ordinary.)

23:00, 29 June 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“I HAVE DONE IT!” Academia was quite triumphant as he handed me the report – and the prototype.




“What should we research now, sir?”

I glanced at the clock, one more hour until the latest disappointment of a funding donation from the nations of the world. How much of this was SHADO's doing, and did they have the SecGen in their pocket? Or perhaps the other way around?

I didn't like this one bit, and I kept waiting for their move.

---

A lot happened this time around, and I hit up the highlights. Had an alien craft fly around buzzing the edges of the radar screen to their collective north for like two days. Never could get an Interceptor to catch it though.

I know this update was quick on the heels of the last, but I wanted to work hard to catch up after the past couple weeks of slowness. Hope you guys don't mind!

A cookie and an in-game reward to the first person who catches the reference to X-COM's predecessor!

And dang it, I'm only an hour away from the next budget update, so vote quickly and then I can write up what we should do with out monies in July.

[PeZook]

REFERENCE IDENTIFIED: SHADO

CULTURAL REFERENCE TO FABULAR ELEMENTS OF XXTH CENTURY VISUAL MEDIA

VERY CLEVER USE OF LANGUAGE, DIRECTOR

ADDENDUM: SUGGEST ADDITIONAL RESEARCH INTO ALIEN MINDSET AND BIOLOGY. ALSO DEPLOYMENT OF INTERCEPTOR CRAFT IN NORTH AMERICA, AND EXPANSION OF MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY.

[FaxModem1]

Fax slammed a report on the Director of Phalanx's desk.

"Killing civilians? False flag operations? Framing PHALANX? What the hell is going on? We're the good guys, we don't need to be doing stuff like this."

Fax paced back and forth in the man's office.

"I started helping you people because I believed the human race needed competent people who were going to try and help. Not a bunch of bullies."