Mega Primus needs you - Lets Play X-COM Apocalypse!

[White Haven]

That's a point total, Hawky, not number of warm bodies captured.

[Edi]

Edi's log:

*shudder*

Those things that nearly got Mr. Coffee and made an attempt on me give the creeps. They look something like the facehuggers out of fucking Alien and I won't be the least bit surprised if that's exactly what the biohazardologists find when they're done dissecting those things.

Well, a kill's a kill at least and I've gotten a promotion of sorts. Now all I can do is wait for the next mission.

[phred]

Phred's log:

Dammit I'm ON CALL! Not active duty! I'm not actually supposed to be flying on those nights.

Why must they wait until I've just opened that second bottle of rum to call me?

[Nephtys]

Today's Installment: Good news and Better news.

Monday, March 13, 2084
Status Update, Col. Nephtys, X-COM Intelligence


Brief update today. Morale is high since we stopped the attack on the powerplant cold, and without casualties. The troops seem quite pleased with themselves.


Yesterday evening, there was another alien incursion. Two groups of alien craft, each consisting of a Type-1 UFO and a Type-2 approached from the North and the East dimension gate. Craft were scrambled immediately after them. We had multiple vehicles on site in ambush positions, as well as stationing Phoenix Hovercars 2, 3, and 4 at the Nightingale Tower Medical complex. Given the mass casualties from earlier UFO raids, we had to protect the Hospitals especially carefully from alien attack.


...except the Aliens, having spotted our craft launching, immediately fired their powerful beam weapons at the base of the hospital tower. The resultant damage collapsed the entire East tower, crushing Phoenix Hovercar 2 with Debris as it tried to take off from the launch tubes. Fortunately, the pilot managed to safely eject and is now recouperating back at the safety of OUR base, which we at least know isn't going to colapse. Hovercars 3 and 4 were able to escape the colapsing tower, flying in support of the ground element to easily destroy both hostile UFOs.


Meanwhile, a running battle against the second UFO force continued into the city. Heavy SAM fire brought down the Type-1 UFO, shortly before the Type-2 initiated it's transport beam. The Aliens intended to strike at the Quadrax Tower, a Government-run civil service office. Fortunately, Phred was sober today and planted a missile cleanly into the UFO, causing it to crash into the street beyond the tower. Maybe there's hope for him yet.

Further investigations indicated that all the Aliens were killed on board the UFO, and none managed to make it into the city. End result: 1 Phoenix Hovercar Destroyed, 1 Hospital Complex completely destroyed. Four alien Craft shot down. We managed to capture a Type-1 UFO for study now as well. Hopefully, it may shed more light on the mysterious Aliens.


Despite more civilian casualties, the Government wisely decided to increase our funding as the week came to a close.

---


As even more good news, the Mars Security Corporation, MarSec has fully ramped up production of several new items, with more on the way.


We now have access to MarSec Powered Armor. This advanced suit is derived directly from the old Flying Suits of the First Alien War. It is lightweight and capable of achieving low altitude flight due to an elerium grav-wave system built into the torso unit. Unfortunately, while lighter than MegaPol Armor, it's protective qualities are estimated at 75 percent of the heavier armor.


Next, we now have stockpiles of new explosives. The MarSec Proximity Mine is likely going to be of limited use given the civilian presence in the city, but the Heavy Launcher is now available when we need swift demolition. Due to the cost of Elerium, it uses conventional power sources but is able to change direction mid-flight to a limited extent, like the old Blaster Bomb launchers of the First War. Designed for open field work however, it is not agile enough to easilly navigate hallways.


We have recieved a limited shipment of MarSec 'Power Swords'. Derived from the Thermic Lances of the Second Alien War, the Power Sword is a fourth generation vibro-thermal blade, powered by an elerium field. More potent than the Zrbite-powered devices of the Second War, the Power Sword sheathes it's drilling head with a faint plasma field when activated. Tests have shown this weapon capable of penetrating even the hide of the feared 'Lobsterman' of the second war. It is unlikely that any alien can resist a jab from this light but potent weapon.


Negotiations with MegaPol have allowed us full access to their plasma weapon supplies. The current MegaPol Plasma Gun is a hand-held weapon, compact yet potent. It has the full firepower and range of a Sectoid Plasma Rifle, but with nearly twice the ammunition capacity, and being substantially more compact. The MegaPol Plasma Gun is one of the most potent infantry weapons at our disposal.


Finally, MarSec has informed us that they are ready to produce their heaviest aircraft yet designed, the Hawk Air Warrior. It is the most powerful vehicle in the MarSec Fleet. Derived from the proud lineage of the Avenger spacecraft of the First War, the Hawk is capable of defeating multiple Sectoid Battleships at high altitude or in space. It's performance at low altitude is somewhat sluggish, but the Hawk's redundant systems and thick armor allow it to suffer almost twice as much pounding as the smaller Valkyrie Interceptor.

As an aside, due to legal problems with the name of our Valkyrie Interceptor 'The Welcome Wagon' and a ship of similar name in Mega-Secondus under construction, we have renamed this troop carrier to 'The Ambassador' to prevent any further confusion on my part. Some lack of sleep and the stress of these new alien incursions have lead me more than once to mistakenly refer to our ship as 'The Welcoming Committee', which is distinctly not it's name. 'The Ambassador' will now ferry out troops into battle.

Still, given our new weapons and our superiority over the aliens thusfar, the situation is positive. I pray only that it stays this way, and that things don't get worse.

LOG TERMINATED

Next Time: Things get worse. Much worse.

[Eulogy]

Will agents be armoured with MarSec torsos and Megapol everything else, to balance defense and mobility (and of course, to allow for flight)?

[OmegaChief]

Truley I am torn....

Do I keep my machine gun? Or do I get a Power Sword and Plasma Pistol to go with my nice shiney new Commisa- I mean Squad Leaders hat

[Vehrec]

Sign me up as a crazed Power Sword-wielding grenade chucking maniac!

[wautd]

I love those animated pics. Really adds to the atmosphere

Next, we now have stockpiles of new explosives. The MarSec Proximity Mine is likely going to be of limited use given the civilian presence in the city, but the Heavy Launcher is now available when we need swift demolition.

I'm willing to that that risk.

Also, if I remember correctly it'll be awesome against raids against Cult of Sirius. (what with there waves of densily packed and unprotected zealots)

[Zixinus]

Could I be an android who's otherwise peaceful programming is occasionally interrupted by "KILL ALL HUMANS! CORRECTION. KILL ALL XENOS!" or "DESTROY! DESTROY! DESTROY!" and similar cliché expressions for robotic violence (left over by having a cattle prod jammed somewhere uncomfortable during the android riots)? Rolling something very explosive for maximum destruction?

[Nephtys]

Will agents be armoured with MarSec torsos and Megapol everything else, to balance defense and mobility (and of course, to allow for flight)?

There isn't that much armor protection gain in exchange for losing a bit of speed. Most of our agents (a few exceptions in the upcoming reinforcements) are pitifully slow in their Megapol armor.

Mostly, I'm waiting for SELF to send me more Androids. I'm up to my neck in worthless Hybrids I'm delegating to pilot duties, while those precious mechanical supermen are sooo scarce. We've got a bit of action coming up, so I'll be asking for more choices soon after

[Nephtys]

Today's Installment: Things get worse.

Tuesday, March 14, 2084
Status Update, Col. Nephtys, X-COM Intelligence

Emergency update here. We're in trouble. I'll try to be thorough however. First the good news. We've recieved a new batch of reinforcements to form a second squad, and to act as replacements for any losses in the field.


The Mutant Alliance is a political lobby working towards equal rights for sectoid-human hybrids left on earth after the first alien war. While having been accused of terrorism in the past, they nonetheless provide the most potent psionics known. Mutant Alliance leadership believes that supporting X-COM will eventually lead to them gaining full rights for employment and procreation of their kind in the city.


SELF will likely prove a valuable ally in the future. Organized by liberal-minded humans and the humanoid androids of the city, it has so far been a non-violent organization demanding equal treatment. AI and Android production has been banned for several years now, but SELF is rapidly gaining support in academic circles. Because of their ruggedness and prior use in hazardous environments, these androids have shown excellent aptitude in all fields of soldiering. Hopefully, they will give us the needed edge against the aliens.

Onto our new squad. We don't have a form of transport yet, which is going to be a bit of a problem as I will soon elaborate. Likewise, not all of the new equipment has arrived yet. We don't have enough armor to properly outfit all of them either. Nonetheless, since our first group is now calling themselves 'Alpha Squad', this new unit refuses to be second place, and have named themselves 'Omega Squad'. Some rivalry may do them good.


Team A: Hawkwings, Steel and Ford Prefect form the long range support element of the force so far. Hawkwings is a veteran MegaPol sniper. Steel is the self-assigned name of one of three new Android Soldiers. He carries no equipment other than his sniper rifle for now due to shortages, but he boasts that his precise engineering and superior efficiency will ensure he destroys his enemies without even a single reload. Ford Prefect is defending the team, using a lucky Autocannon he brought from quelling the Martian colony riots with explosive ammunition.


Team B: KrauserKrauser, Caiuswickersham and Dave form the heavy demolition unit and it's accompanying support. Due to our shortage of armor, KrauserKrauser is not wearing protection, but instead carries a machine gun and two high explosive charges on his person. Caiuswickersham has the Marsec Heavy Launcher, four reloads and a plasma pistol sidearm. Dave protects them in close quarters with grenades and a machine gun.


Team C: Covenant, Tasoth and Vendetta form our most peculiar special close combat squad. Covenant is equipped with the MarSec armor, a power sword and plasma pistol. He possesses his extreme robotic agility and accuracy, having been designed prior for working in elerium mines on the frontier and resisting sectoid raids against the colonies. Tasoth is nicknamed after the dangerous alien encountered in the Second War due to her unfortunate female pattern baldness and agility rivalling the feared extraterrestrial. She too is equipped with Marsec armor and a close combat weapon. Finally, the android codenamed Vendetta is a firepower-laden autocannon wrecking machine, tasked with creating a breach for his teammates to penetrate. He is wearing MegaPol armor due to the shortage of MarSec suits.


Team D: Narkis, JonB and Coaan is our special Psi-Corps unit, composed entirely of Hybrids. Narkis and JonB are equipped with 'Mind Bender' class Psionic Amplifiers for mental attacks against enemy units, as well as non-lethal weaponry. Protecting the team however is Coaan, who is equipped with a laser sniper rifle and stun grenade. He too is currently unarmored not only due to a shortage, but due to peculiarities with his hybrid anatomy. The armor just won't fit him in a way that wouldn't slow him to a snail's pace.

Now that we're up to date on new personell, let's move on to the disaster.

---


Thirty minutes ago, four alien craft appeared from the Eastern and Northern dimension gates. The craft appeared to be of two different designs, each of which were as large as an alien battleship of the first war. They both also displayed a strange energy signature in a bubble only a few meters off the hull of each vessel. The purple-colored UFO we are now calling Type-3, and the brown UFO we are calling type-4. It is now clear that the previous waves were just scouting, and their main force has just arrived.


In the east, a Griffon AFV, several stormdogs and three Wolfhound APCs engaged the two alien craft with everything in their arsenal. The tank concentrated fire on the purple Type-3 UFO, but the Type-4 flew in the way, interposing itself to absorb multiple hits. It appears that the Type-3 is some sort of troop transport, given that it soon beamed a compliment of aliens into the Bosch Institute, a public school. The Type-4 was fast, agile and heavilly armed. It's behavior seems to indicate that it is a kind of heavy escort.

Even more concerning is that each craft detonated projectiles and deflected laser fire some meters from the hull. They appear to both be shielded by an energy field able to resist a direct hit from the Rumble Cannon. While we possess some shield technology, we have not yet mastered the ability for them to function in an atmosphere. The battle continued for some time until the purple ship disengaged it's transport beam, but not before it inflicted the first fatality suffered by X-COM.


As the alien craft began to turn back for the dimension gate, Phred drove his Wolfhound APC straight at them. He fired nearly all of his surface to air missiles, before a direct hit from the alien escort flipped his Wolfhound over and blasted clean into it's fusion plant. The vehicle was destroyed, and Phred was killed. We've recovered what we can of him, and have the remains in cryo pending a proper funeral at a later date. I'm growing a bit concerned however about how our engineers are looking at his cryo-chamber. They keep talking about some historical movie regarding a cyborg law enforcement officer. I will need to inquire further later.

What is clear however is that the purple vessel escaped, it's mission seemingly accomplished.


The Type-4 that escorted that successful purple craft turned and accellerated at an unbelievable pace towards it's other incursion group, somewhat more north in the city. Here, it's flying over the site where Eden Towers are being rebuilt. None of our ground vehicles had a hope of catching it.


At least we have some consolation. Given the events in the south, all fire from our scrambled aircraft and ground batteries concentrated on the puple vessel, but not before it transported troops successfully this time into Quadrax towers. While Phred shot down the Type-2 UFO that had tried to insert troops just a few days ago, this Type-3 was able to complete it's mission. The Aliens must want something in that civil service office bad to attempt it twice, knowing our ambush was in position. Stormdog 3 was destroyed in the engagement, and one of our Phoenix Hovercars barely made it back to base due to massive damage.

We were however, fortunate enough to force the purple UFO down into a crash landing. The two Type-4 Escorts, seeing their charge brought down, disengaged rapidly and retreated through the dimension gates.

---

So that brings us to our problem. We have three zones where the aliens have entered our city. Quadrax Towers, the public service office. The Bosch Institute, one of Mega-Primus's most prestigious schools. And the crash site, next door to a temple of the Cult of Sirus.

We scrambled both teams immediately. Valkyrie Transport 'The Ambassador' was sent out to the Quadrax Towers with the Alpha Squad. We needed to get on site ASAP, given the Aliens obvious interest in this facility.

Omega squad was to take care of the aliens at the Bosch institute. We feared that if the aliens left the building, they could roam to any part of the city and wreak havoc. The problem is that Omega Squad didn't have any transport craft, and our Base was now empty of all craft. Phoenix Hovercar 1 was very heavilly damaged and needed emergency landing. We had to find a 'different' solution.


Covenant calculated that with the squad's armament, they could hijack commandeer enough Taxis to get across the city. So that's where our troops are now. Driving taxi-cabs across the city as fast as they can, in full battle-kit.

Meanwhile, Alpha Squad prepared for battle.

---


Quadrax Towers is arranged pleasantly, a classy building in the Art Deco style.


Acidburns and Forcelord encountered a large number of civilians on the premise. They took it upon themselves to calm the hysteria as they ran about by lobbing a pair of stun gas grenades into the crowd. It proved highly effective, flooring each of the civilians.
Forcelord: Stupid civies. There we go, that'll keep 'em out of trouble.


Mr. Coffee and Karza encountered one of the large 'Megaworms' stuck in an automatic doorway. Although it wasn't being hurt by the door, it couldn't move. Karza unsuccessfully tried to gas it. Mr.Coffee stepped forward, and unloaded explosive shells until the alien's remains were blasted completely to peices. We didn't see any of the little pink worms as we have previously found inside the creature.
Karza: Wait, command wants us to take one of these ali---
Mr.Coffee: (FROTHING BATTLE RAGE!)


In the next hallway, Edi and Team C encountered a new type of alien. It appeared to be small and blue.
Edi: Hey, what's that there? Some kind of alien dog? Here puppy puppy puppy...


These aliens appear to be highly volitile. The newly blasted-open wall revealed two of those mysterious orange chicken aliens that had previously copulated with Mr.Coffee's face. Edi was still standing, thanks to his armor, and started to bolt for it.
Edi: ..OH GOD, MY ORGANS!


Kryten and Vanas's fire dropped both creatures with precise shots.
Vanas: What the hell was that?!
Edi: (panting heavilly) I thought it was like, a puppy! I didn't know it'd... pop like that. Fucking popper!
Kryten: (faceplants against the wall) Goddamn it Edi, that's what we're going to have to call those things now, you know that right?
Vanas: Shut up, look right!


Another multiworm appeared. The team responded naturally by simultaneously trying to stun and burn down the creature. They also broke several conference tables.


Team A meanwhile searched the basement. While Stark and White Haven were checking corners and doorways, VX-145 finds what appears to be an Alien convention...
VX-145: I'm turning the corner and...


VX-145 found himself rapidly surrounded...
VX-145:...I DONT WANT TO DIE!


While VX-145 dropped a primed gas grenade from the shock of being surrounded, Stark rushes in to save the day, by throwing an explosive grenade right into VX-145 without hesitation. Two of the blue 'Anthropod' aliens dropped from the blast.
Stark: Hold still, This won't hurt a bit!


Protected by his heavy armor, VX-145 goes crazy with his machine gun, spraying bullets everywhere. He screams, entering a berserk frenzy
VX-145: ...wAUGHGFHGFH! THAT HURTS LIKE HELL, DAMN YOU ALIEEEEENS!
Stark: You're alive!? Goddamn it. Who built that shitty grenade...


VX-145 screams in his berserk rampage, jumping through a hole in the wall created by Stark's grenade blast. He tossed a grenade, then swung around his machine gun to riddle one of the spitter aliens with bullets.
VX-145: DIE! I LOVE TO SHOOT THINGS! GRAGGHGH!


In the meanwhile, Team D watched Team A's encounter through their helmet-cams, and prepared to coordinate an assault on the remaining aliens. They breached the wall with an explosive charge and stormed the aliens from another direction. Acidburns actually stuck to orders this time, stunning a spitter for capture. The other was executed at close range by his lawpistol.

The building was once again secure. A set of alien eggs was found however, this time in the bathroom. Those aliens have a strange sense of humor.


Mission accomplished. Two casualties from blasts, no fatalities. That 'Popper' alien was a nasty surprise. Hopefully, we won't see too many of those in the future. I'm growing a touch concerned as well by Mr. Coffee's promotion. When combat starts, I swear I can't understand half of what he's saying. Hell, when on base, I can't even understand half of what he's saying.

Depsite our success however, there still are two battles left to be fought. The alien UFO wreckage remains a high priority. We must capture this larger vessel as intact as possible, before the Aliens can destroy their crucial equipment. Likewise, we must eliminate the alien force at the Bosch Institute.


I can only pray that Omega Squad can prove themselves in their combat debut. Under equipped, under armored, and storming into battle riding taxi cabs...

LOG TERMINATED

[Edi]

Edi's Log, Entry #3:

Auaaaargh! I nearly got blown to orbit and back by some blue alien dog-chicken! Followed by a near-miss with some of those headsucker horrors. I owe my squadmates a drink or three, but at least I'm still more or less in one piece. Though the armor has some pretty impressive scorch marks. If the boss expects me to scrub them off, he can get fucked.

And it looks like my prediction about the scouts was correct. I'll make another one: Mark my words, we haven't seen the biggest of them yet. Not by a long shot.

I hope the other teams are as lucky as we were, or else we're going to need to recruit more people soon...

[CaiusWickersham]

Personal Log: Inquisitor Caius Wickersham

I have finally been accepted as a member of X-COM. They gave me armor and a heavy launcher to kill the enemies of mankind. I shall bring the purifying fire upon the xenos and the heretics alike. In nomine Imperator Dei, the Cult of Sirius and the xenos alike shall either repent or die. I am armed with this sacred weapon and my faith in the God Emperor as savior of the human race. I am prepared.
Xenos, quisnam est vestri abbas?

[Hawkwings]

Personal Log: Hawkwings

Oh sure, I get assigned to a team with some hotshot android who doesn't even need reloads huh? Shows you how much experience he/she/it/whatever's had in the field. Why, back in the riot of '32, I used my spare ammo, a ration bar, a paperclip, and my own feces to make a claymore and blast those damn no-good juvenile delinquents to smelly, chunky bits!

Still, I've got nothing personal against the kid, he seems alright, even for a synthetic. What really creaks my bones are those damn alpha-squad goons. Why do THEY get the fancy transports while we're piddling around in these taxis? I swear, these things have less legroom than a patrol car! And there's hardly any space to fit the-

Oh crap, we're almost here. Alright, time to pop some squishy, disgusting, alien heads.

[Karza]

Karza's log:

Second battle over and I'm still alive. Command is probably going to get a bit sarcastic about Coffee's interpretation of the "bring some aliens back alive" order, but that's no big deal. I at least tried to stun the damn thing. And anyway, if I tried to stop Coffee from killing every alien in sight, he probably would've aimed at the next best thing: me.

It could be worse anyway. We at least have APCs, whereas Omega squad is riding taxi cabs to battle. And I bet they'll have to pay for that out of their own pockets too.

[Force Lord]

Forcelord's log:

WTF? Who lets civvies into a combat zone?

At least Acidburns is doing his job well for once. No need to cover his arse this time. But I fear we are facing only the tip of the iceberg.

[Nephtys]

Oh boy, next episode is going to be fun... x_x

Poor Phred, blasted to pieces.

Here's a time for DEMOCRACY! What alien shall we research first? Alpha team brought back alien samples of the small orange alien, the large green worms, the small pink worms and the spitter-like creature. No living example of the blue anthropod or the blue exploding 'Popper' has yet been found.

Also, how shall we respond to this threat of superior Alien UFOs? Shall we seek the purchase of the mighty Hawk Air Warrior? More ground vehicles?

[Covenant]

Oh boy, next episode is going to be fun... x_x

Poor Phred, blasted to pieces.

Died like a hero! Here's hoping I don't. I've got me a power suited robot body, Thermic Lance and a Sonic Pistol, just like some horrible combination of TFTD tech and Bioshock Big Daddy. Man that'd be sweet. Kick the Aquatoids out of Rapture. "Filthy Xeno Parasites!"

Here's a time for DEMOCRACY! What alien shall we research first? Alpha team brought back alien samples of the small orange alien, the large green worms, the small pink worms and the spitter-like creature. No living example of the blue anthropod or the blue exploding 'Popper' has yet been found.

Never played apoc before, but I know my X-Coms. The chickens seem useless. The big worms also seem useless. I have no idea what the other worms do but I can't imagine they're valuable The spitters seem like they might yield valuable research, as would the poppers, but there's no poppers.

Since we don't seem to have any of the intelligent aliens, the only terror units we want to research are the ones that yield tech. Like the spitting Deep Ones in TFTD, I'm betting that the acid-dripping spitters have a tech. Alien solvents seem like it'd make a good grenade or ammo type.

Also, how shall we respond to this threat of superior Alien UFOs? Shall we seek the purchase of the mighty Hawk Air Warrior? More ground vehicles?

My first instinct is to go with longevity and recommend the heaviest tanks we can get, seeing as they appear to mount extremely powerful cannons and the only mitigating factor is accuracy--which training should help, right? Given enough time they should be accurate, and we want to be able to swat down heavy transporter craft, not the small, light ships we've seen so far.

Plus, they're less likely--so far--to get our soldiers killed. I assume we'll eventually have some kind of UFO hot rod to put our guys in.

[Kryten]

Given the woeful performance of the ground vehicles, acquiring a Hawk seems to be the best Idea.

Also, in my opinion the orange head-humper thing should be researched first.

My first instinct is to go with longevity and recommend the heaviest tanks we can get, seeing as they appear to mount extremely powerful cannons and the only mitigating factor is accuracy--which training should help, right? Given enough time they should be accurate, and we want to be able to swat down heavy transporter craft, not the small, light ships we've seen so far.

They're also slow, though.
With aircraft, we might be able to destroy the UFOs before they beam in the Aliens.

[Coaan]

Here's a time for DEMOCRACY! What alien shall we research first? Alpha team brought back alien samples of the small orange alien, the large green worms, the small pink worms and the spitter-like creature. No living example of the blue anthropod or the blue exploding 'Popper' has yet been found.

Small Alien Chickens. Mr Coffee should know his foe, so he can eradicate his foe, SIR!

Plus, who doesn't love small alien chickens?

Also, how shall we respond to this threat of superior Alien UFOs? Shall we seek the purchase of the mighty Hawk Air Warrior? More ground vehicles?

I say more tanks. the HaW is great right up until it gets fragged, costing us personnel, gear and money. If the roads get too damaged though, we'll need to switch to aircraft.

[Mr. Coffee]

Small alien face-fucking chickens that are out to pollute our precious fluids. Get it right, fuckstick.

[Coaan]

And our mouth-holes.

[Edi]

We should research the alien bioweapon first. The orange thingy. It may provide us with some way of countering it. Else one of the worms, because they may give us insight into how the alien reproductive cycle works. No telling what kind of things the alien autopsies will also give us.

[Mr. Coffee]

I don't care what we can learn from 'em. If it's orange and tries to hump your head, kill first and if there's anything left perform an autopsy on that.

Also, which one of your dick's left the rubber chicken in the gunnery range? Pedro from Facility Services is bitching about having to clean up melted rubber chicken bits. Shit's gonna get real if we end up having to start cleaning this place ourselves.

[Dave]

Ooooh, Ooooh! I have an idea! Can we rename Phred "Inspector Gadget"?!?

After he de-tanks, of course.