[Let's Play] UFO: Alien Invasion

[JonB]

Then, he placed his vote for Base Defense lasers. He didn't know any of the people at Not Area 51, but even then the PHALANX comraderie compelled him to vote for big huge lasers.

The game takes care to note that everyone evacuates in case of immenent alien attack, leaving only the defending soldiers. So I lose the base, but no one else.

One of the things that was pondered for later development was having Workers and Scientists and whatnot in the base during the base defense missions, but was halted at the idea stage because of tracking the names and kills was uneccessarily complex. So no one died!

In the game, I'll say they were all at a company BBQ when the attack happened. Fudraising for the local orphanage.

[Edi]

There should be a team of soldiers at every base in case of alien attack. Don't need a ship, just need the soldiers and equipment, since a base attack mission will allow equipping them prior to the battle.

For research, plasma weapons.

[JonB]

I don't like that system as base defense grabs the first 8 available soldiers, irregardless of equipment, training or if they only have 2 frikken HP left because they're supposed to be in the hospital. And that defensive team also requires a Barracks and a Storage facility to support them.

It's annoying, but on the list of things to do.

Next chapter on Thursday; look forward to it. As for research, unless there's a huge turnaround, It looks like Base Defense Lasers. Yay!

[PeZook]

SUGGEST EXPOSING CAPTIVE ALIENS TO TEEN REALITY SHOWS

NON-NEGLIBLE PROBABILITY EXISTS OF INDUCING EMERGENCY SHUT DOWN OF THE ENTIRE ENEMY INFORMATION TRANSFER NETWORK

INSTANT VICTORY

[The Yosemite Bear]

I wonder what fax did to my poor fuzzy?

*meanwhile a Shado agent finds the decomposing remains of one of their soldiers/goods, in addition to being blasted by cyborg targeted aircraft ordinance, the body suffard rapid decomposition do to necrotic venom/flesh eating bacteria within the mouth of what ever feasted on it's corpse. Meanwhile a very fat sleepy lizard crawls out of the landing gear compartment of the firebird that picked up Faxmodem....

[Aleva13]

Another vote for base defense lasers here.

[FaxModem1]

If Fax's vote counted, it would be for Base Defense Lasers.

[JonB]

Plumbing issues in my building and inFamous 2 have been eating my time. Will update as soon as I can.

Before then, we have 19 soldiers. Guess how many have a skill that is 40+ (which the game describes as 'competent')!

[Torben]

Vote: Base Defense...and mogwai.

Soldat count: 12.59% Competent.

[JonB]

17:00, 13 July 2084
Firebird Dropship, Falkland Islands Airspace
The Revolutionary Countries

I looked over the reports. “We need to focus on base defense for now. Tell Academia to work on those giant Fuck-Off Laser Cannons that have been on the table for a while.”


18:35, 13 July, 2084
Ushaia, Argentina
The Revolutionary Countries

ForceLord: “Damn, it's COLD.”

((Sorry guys. Forgot to cap the end screen. No casualties, 2 Civvies killed.))

20:10, 13 July 2084
Saskatoon, Canada
United Americas


Vortex Empire: “XENO'S CONTAINED ON PIER. SWEEP AND EXTERMINATE.”


Hawkwings: “Taman spotted on that boat.”


PeZook: “Providing cover fire.”


Hawkwings: “Advancing on the other boats. Civvies still here.”


Edi: “Under fire from that Ortnok!”


Omega Chief: “Xeno down. These Lasers don't have a heavy punch to them, but they're stupidly accurate.”


Hawkwings: “Advancing on the other boats. Under Plasma fire from over there.”


Vehrec: “Preparing flanking maneuver.”


Omega Chief: “More Xeno's down. Damn, I'm only getting 8 shots per clip at most.”


Edi: “Ortnok down. Hawkings, how are things over there?”
Hawkwings: “I'm injured. Need medical help.”

Vehrec: “Providing assistance.”


Eternal Freedom: “Xeno down. That's the last of them.”

---

Undisclosed Location
Undisclosed Time


Samusenko: “This is the location.”

Sergeev, G: “Breaching.”
Chardonais: “I have the Six.”


Chardonais: “Collaborator spotted. Sanctioning.”


Samusenko: “Sweeping.”


Samusenko: “More Collaborators. Applying Sanctions.”


Sergeev, G: “Elevator Located. Securing. Calling Breach Team.”


Krasev: “Base breached.”


Sergeev, C: “Securing the right.”

Kosygin: “Sweeping Left.”
Karasev: “Reinforcing Left.”


Vasilenko: “Vehicle Pool secure.”

Chardonais: “Base secure. HOMEPLATE, contact PHALANX. We have what that man wanted.”

---

((No images this time, just text. Here's the stats for all our field agents for your review.

Code: Select all

Name       Base Rank     HP  Str/Spd/Acc/Mnd CQC/Hvy/Asl/Sni/Exl Miss Xeno/Civ
JonB       HQ   L-Corp   128 22 /35 /28 /39  36 /16 /19 /17 /40   12    6   1
Dave       HQ   Sergeant 99  23 /20 /22 /40  19 /32 /20 /19 /20   23   13   0
ForceLord  HQ   Sergeant 89  28 /26 /23 /36  23 /35 /20 /20 /17   21   20   0
Coalition  HQ   Corporal 97  21 /27 /24 /32  22 /15 /43 /22 /16   21   15   0
WhiteHaven HQ   Rifleman 95  21 /19 /27 /24  16 /18 /23 /20 /20   12    1   0
Torben     HQ   Rifleman 85  26 /18 /27 /34  20 /24 /17 /18 /22    9    2   0
Sorchus    HQ   L-Corp   85  19 /20 /23 /39  17 /16 /17 /30 /24    7    7   0
Dendrobius HQ   L-Corp   95  17 /22 /23 /38  29 /15 /15 /21 /21   10    6   0
Kryten     HQ   Rifleman 106 22 /19 /30 /31  21 /22 /22 /17 /22    6    2   0
Reckless   HQ   Rifleman 93  16 /18 /21 /28  19 /32 /19 /16 /14    5    2   0
OmegaChief Chi  L-Corp   97  19 /24 /22 /39  24 /22 /29 /18 /15   10    6   0
Alison     Chi  L-Corp   98  20 /20 /22 /36  16 /20 /23 /28 /18   16    5   0
Hawkwings  Chi  L-Corp   97  26 /19 /24 /27  22 /18 /23 /20 /15   13    5   0
OmniQ      Chi  L-Corp   83  18 /21 /23 /35  19 /24 /27 /20 /21   13    6   0
Eternal    Chi  L-Corp   90  26 /20 /31 /29  22 /14 /16 /15 /37   10   10   1
Edi        Chi  Corporal 97  25 /25 /28 /35  15 /24 /23 /22 /15    9   10   0
Vehrec     Chi  Rifleman 82  23 /19 /28 /32  27 /17 /17 /21 /18    6    2   0
PeZook     Chi  Rifleman 86  24 /25 /26 /23  22 /20 /27 /17 /20    6    2   0
VortexEmp  Chi  Rifleman 92  22 /18 /29 /30  23 /26 /16 /19 /17    5    3   0

Of note – both Civilian casualties were caused by the people equipped with rocket launchers. Hrm, maybe I should phase those weapons out? Also, have to give more missions to the Chinese team to level them up a bit. Opinions guys?

[Edi]

Yes, more missions please. Also, heavy lasers should be researched to replace rocket launchers because the accuracy would prevent civilian casualties while providing a greater punch.

[FaxModem1]

Fax looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. He was growing a beard. Apparently he couldn't be trusted with razors, it was a weapon after all. He sighed, and returned to the main room, of which only a drawer and his bed were inside. It almost seemed as if they had forgotten about him. If it hadn't been for the daily MRE delivered through a slot to his room, he would know it was true. Mostly, he was bored, there was nothing to read, nothing to watch, and he didn't have any windows. He felt like he was going insane.

Oh well, he thought, it could be worse.

[Academia Nut]

Academia Nut was feeling a bit calmer now that his eyebrows were starting to grow back in. Up on the whiteboard where the lab kept track of possible research projects, "Flamethrower Upgrade" was crossed out. From the field reports he had also written next to the laser system "Told you we couldn't get enough punch in the D-F cartridge without having the grunts refuse to carry them". While the aspect of DOOM LASERS that most of the rest of the base was pushing for did appeal to him, he really wanted to take a look at the plasma weapons. He had been hired to explore alien technology, and so far they had kept to mostly terrestrial technology.

Speaking of which...

"Latest mission indicates aliens had invaded a deepwater harbour in Saskatoon. The impossibility of this leads to the conclusion that our foes have access to some sort of space time distortion device. That or the dreaded Captain Tractor has expanded his operations significantly more than the media has been covering. Either option is disturbing, especially if it begins to threaten the global rum supply through disruption of shipping traffic."

[JonB]

Hey Guys, advancing things, but research was completed very quickly. So instead of a stupidly short update, I'll just post the available research options for you guys to ponder over night so I can do a full and proper update tomorrow.



Pick! Please!

[Agent Sorchus]

PLASMA, PLASMA, PLASMAAAAA! /vote

IC: hmm this Shado pamphlet is very appealing, but I note a sever lack of a good dental plan. That's just not nice. Though our coverage is filed under a savior of the world clause. hmmm...

[Torben]

Since we've invested so much time and effort into laser weapons already, I suggest Heavy Laser. Gives us a more powerful punch (and possible replacement for rocket launchers) that use our existing DF Cartridges and support infrastructure. Also, I am interested in learning whether SHADO organization is utilizing cybernetic replacements or full android units. If not, maybe we could form a licensing deal and help subsidize some base improvements, like an automatic bacon dispenser in the mess. Just a thought

[OmegaChief]

I second Heavy Lasers, existing ammo base (Unlike Plasma weapons) and they'll serve as a good replacment to our civillian killing rocket launchers.

[FaxModem1]

OOC vote for Heavy laser.
---

Fax Modem used the steel shower bar for pullups, it was sturdy enough to hold his weight. He was glad that he had a shower. Otherwise the smell would be unbearable by now.

He stopped at eight pullups, it was all he could do by now. He had nothing to do but exercise, so he was focusing his entire life on it, because for better or ill, it was all he had now.

[Edi]

Either plasma rifles or heavy laser. The advantages of researching plasma rifles right now is that we will get a powerful weapon and the ammo supply will keep replenishing itself as we kill aliens, which would also free the DF cartridges for heavy laser work. Plasma first would also stop ongoing depletion of existing DFC stock, allowing it to build up more quickly.

AFAIK the laser rifle consumes moderate amounts of power, but since all laser weapons use the same cartridge interchangeably, it should be expected that the heavy laser will munch through a greater number of cartridges more quickly.

Where are we with that bloody UFO storage yard? We need to build one six months ago!

[ChaserGrey]

Got room for another field agent/meat shield? Probably won't do much rp, but it'll be entertaining to watch myself get zapped.

[JonB]

Hah! 10 minutes before midnight! This week's work is heavy guys, so I can't guarentee a second update this week.

---

00:00, 16 July 2084
Command Center, Not Area 51
United Americas

“Alright! We just spent 12 days resetting the power supply! NO MORE COFFEE NEAR THE FUSION REACTOR.”


“That's good sir, because we just discovered a ship on the ground in Manitoba.”

“Bloody hell! Well, it's China's turn, right?”

15:00, 16 July 2084
Near Red River, Manitoba
United Americas

Vortex Empire: “Alright everyone, ready with boots on the ground? We got guns to check out properly!”

PeZook: “Hey, isn't the Director from Canada?”

Omega Chief: “Wouldn't you guys have asked that question when we were in Saskatoon? Oh, and dead Xeno.”


Edi: “Well, yah, but you know, how much do we really know about him anyways? I mean, have you seen his service record? Oh, and dead Taman.”


Vehrec: “I have. It's... suspicious. Sweeping this house. There's a lot in there, but it's all very clinical.”


OmniQ: “What do you mean? Oh, and Lady, stay inside. We're from PHALANX, and we're here to help.”


Eternal Freedom: “Yes, What are you talking about? You saying he isn't qualified to run the show? I mean, Fax Modem defected because he didn't like the Assistant Director and look what happened to him. Be more specific. And Xeno exploded.”


PeZook: “That's the last of them. Let the rest of us look into this, if there really is anything there. Edi, we're in this together. Or at least, supposed to be. And I'm not about to distrust a man whose been on the front lines with us.”
((Sorry, once again, no Victory Screen Cap. There were a couple of civvie deaths though due to aliens.))

00:00, 17 July 2084
Command Center, Builder of Chinese DOOM
Asian Republics

The Assistant Director looked about the exact copy of the facility in HQ. “I must apologize for my intrusion. But I have been given instruction to construct a formal UFO research facility here at Wenchang. We have recently come into some... resources that the Director wants used right away.”

((Sorry about the writing overlap. I put the UFO facility on top of DOOM in order to maximize it's protection and it's effectiveness once we get some UFO's in it.))

20:00, 17 July 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

“WHO USED MY STOCK AS A LUBRICANT FOR THE LASERS?” Academia charged into my office, slapped down the report, then left, in search of blood.

I took a sip of very expensive vodka and yelled after him to start looking into those Alien Plasma Pistols next; I wanted a start on how Xeno tech worked.


Same time...
Barracks, Builder of Chinese DOOM
Asian Republic

“Hi! I'm Chaser Grey! You guys beat up Aliens here?”

18:06, 18 July 2084
Command Center, Builder of Chinese DOOM
Asian Republics

The Assistant director looked at the Geoscape. “An interception over the Pacific Ocean? I don't like it. Recall the interceptor.”



Vortex Empire: “Welcome to Minsk. At least it's summer and not under 14ft of snow.”


PeZook: “Xeno down. Did any of you get any information about the Director?”

Hawkwings: “Uh, you know these missions are recorded, right? Also, another one coming in from the back.”

Vortex Empire: “White Haven is covering for us.”
Eternal Freedom: “And why are you cyborgs talking like normal people?”
Vortex Empire: “Sir Nitram perfected the voice boxes with Cyberdyne research. We NOW HAVE THE ABILITY to switch at will. Normal volume aids in Stealth.”
Eternal Freedom: “Ah. Makes sense.”

Omega Chief: “Xeno down. What did you guys find out anyways?”

Eternal Freedom: “His record is spotless. And I mean squeaky clean. And the records for the Assistant Director are even cleaner.”

PeZook: “I agree. It too perfect. Too spotless. I tried looking up the records of the people they've served with, but the internal records are.. suspicious at best. And I haven't yet gained access to the external records from the armies he has experience with.”
Edi: “Wait. Armies?”

Vehrec: “What, you didn't find that out? Our Director is a mercenary. He works for the highest bidder.”



23:00, 21 July 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU
“Director! I want a raise!” Academia was livid as I read the report. Someone keeps stealing my... medicinal elixers, and I need to replace them!

[
“And while you're filling out the paperwork, what should I look into next?”

I already had a reply ready. “The lasers are doing us good, so work on a heavier version. Apparently people want to minimize the chance of collateral civilian deaths.”

Academia shook his head. “Can't be helped. This is a war, even if it is a low level one. People are bound to die. And think about the numbers of people who die when we don't get to them in time.”

I nodded. “I know. But still, research that for me. Also, Cyber-Dendrobious volunteered to field test the Plasma Pistol for us. And about that report on the Plasma pistols – that's a seriously small reactor. Any chance we can build our own?”

Nut shook his head. “Nope. Sorry.”

21:05, 22 July 2084
Command Center, Not Area 51
United Americas

“Incursion in Michigan!”

“Wait, why is the Chinese team on the docket again?”

“Director wants them to get more training and practice.”

“Ah.”

22:14, 22 July 2084
Firebird Dropship, Chinese Airspace
The Asian Republics

A new contact showed up on Yosemite Bear's radar screen. It was familiar, and quite terrifying. A Xeno craft was coming down from orbit on an intercept course. In his earpiece, he could hear the base behind them launch Barnest-2 at emergency speeds. Alerting his passengers, a quick calculation revealed that he couldn't get back to the protection of the base in time. But Barnest could make it in time.

Barnest-2's interceptor roared into the late night sky. Ahead of him, through electric eyes, he could see the red interception lines as well as wire framed rages of weapons. His Laser was charged, and Missiles screamed for Xeno hull.

((Sorry, was too busy panicking and trying to preserve the Firebird to take screen-shots. And my attempts to write an epic battle scene failed. mea culpa.))

22:51, 22 July 2084
Firebird Dropship, Chinese Airspace
The Asian Republics

“Alright boys! Barnest shot her down, we are two minutes out! Finish the job!” Yosemite bear threw the Firebird into a turn tight enough to cause the airframe to rumble.

Alison yelled back from the back. “Wait! We're aborting the America mission?”

“Hell no! This is warmup!”


22:53, 22 July 2084
China, The Asian Republics

((This mission is notable only in that in the first turn, three PHALANX kill 4 out of the 5 Aliens. Alison, Chaser and ForceLord (who got 2) get kudos for the blitz.))



phred was disappointed. He shot down this alien over the Black Sea. At least it made a huge splash!


“Barnest-2, in the air!”

“Assistant Director, should we recall our team to handle that crash site?”

“No. Contact Director JonB and request that he send his team to deal with that site as our team is still en-route.”

“Yes, sir.”

05:05, 25 July 2084
Firebird Dropship, Chinese Airspace
The Asian Republics

“Oh, you have got to be shitting me!”

The Assistant Director snapped up from the latest reports from the adjacent construction. “LANGUAGE.”

“Sorry sir. We have an attack near the Mongolian border. Our team is nearby.”

“No, order the HQ dropship to that location. They have an active ship and can take off if we don't secure the site.”

“Makes sense. I'll give the orders now.”

13:20, 23 July 2084
Outer Mongolia
The Asian Republics


Romulan Republic: “Sorry for the distance boys.”
JonB: “You could have landed in that field over there.”
Romulan Republic: “Sorry, sir.”


White Haven: “HOW DOES THE PLASMA WEAPON HANDLE, CYBER-DENDROBIUS?”

Dendrobius: “OpTiMaL.”
((So, an Ortnok, which can tank a Rocket to the face, goes down with a three-peat of Plasma burst fire from a Pistol. Don't you guys regret not researching this earlier? ))


Agent Sorchus: “YOU WANT ME TO ENTER A DARK BUILDING WITH ALIENS POSSIBLY IN IT?!?!?!”
JonB: “You're closest.”



13:27...

“This is Romulan Republic. Enroute to Crash site.”

19:43...
Michigan, United America

Edi: “No, seriously, no new information?”
Alison: “Not yet. We're looking.”
Chaser: “What are you guys talking about?”
All: “NOTHING.”

20:56...
China, The Asian Republics

ForceLord: “You sure the Chinese have been shelling the place?”
JonB: “Not directly, but to help keep the site secured.”

JonB: “Explosives still solve many problems, especially when there's no collateral.”

Dendrobius: “PlAsMa WeApOnS sUpErIoR tO nInE-mIlL.”

Kryten: “I do believe I've got one, sirs!”

ForceLord: “Oh hell, they got him! You got Kryten! He was cool! Much better than that other bloke!”



White Haven: “Xeno TERMINATED.”



01:20, 27 July 2084
Command Center, Phalanx HQ
Turkey, GEU
“It is done!” Academia strode with vigor into the office of the Director, proud that he had completed the Heavy Laser that was requested.

Then he looked around. The Director wasn't in. Was he asleep for once?

Academia took the opportunity to try and find what JonB had swiped from his personal stash. And what should he research next?

((I screwed up a little, but I think I have it covered. And I should have a surprise for next update as well! Until then, what should I research next?))

[White Haven]

We're rapidly running out of cool shit that needs researching!

I suppose I'll vote for plasma rifles, boring and predictable as that is.

[Dendrobius]

Cyber-Dendrobius is pleased with the performance of the plasma pistol and that it was trusted to carry it into combat first. Many xenos will be obliterated by it.

Next research - Kerrblade please? Cyber-Dendrobius would like to volunteer getting up close and personal with it...there's no kill like a knife kill.

[PeZook]

SUPERIOR FIREPOWER OF PLASMA WEAPONS SHOWS PROMISE FOR EVEN HIGHER TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

SUGGEST INITIATE RESEARCH INTO ENEMY PLASMA RIFLES

[Edi]

Plasma rifle. This will free up production assets assigned to D-F cartridges because the enemy will provide us with ammo. Following that, kerrblade and then finish autopsies unless we get hands on enemy craft first.