StarDestroyer.Net BBS

"We'll build a new base to cover the Asian Republic." Now that I had made a decision, I was ready to head back to bed.


In the morning, I found a new message waiting for me. It was from FaxModem, who had gone to the Chinese Republic to secure a facility for our use – he had gotten his hands on an annex to the Wenchang Spaceport. He cited good Chinese funding in addition to the location.

Personally, I think the base should have been farther north to cover Nippon, but apparently Fax thinks the base location will be good for the morale of the people stationed there.

Research indicates that particular island is a tourist trap in addition to having a military base and spaceport. I couldn't help but wonder if that affected FaxModem's decision making process.

The base was given a code-name for reporting purposes, and I will accept nominations for a proper name over the next day or so.

---

So, what shall we call our base? You can see my interim name in the picture above. Submissions will be selected from for poignancy and funny.

From the access point, the two grayed boxes to the right are hard stone that I can't utilize for base facilities. It just makes base construction harder.

Above the Access is the Radar – which will come online in seven days, and once the power station and Command center (to the left and right respectively) are built in 12 days.

---

09:00, 03 April 2084
Barracks, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

Hawkwings squealed in glee. “I HAZ AN ELECTROMAGNETIC RIFLE!”


00:01, 08 April 2084
Command Center, PHALANX
Turkey, GEU


I checked my e-mail one more time before headed off to sleep. Angrily, I sent off a harsh reply.
I received no reply.

---

This happens when there is alien activity in a nation and you don't respond to them. Shooting down UFO's, responding to alien attacks, having a base, and selling UFOs to them can raise the opinions of nations towards us.

---

07:04, 10 April 2084

Barnest2 leapt into the air, his interceptor screaming after the newly detected UFO – Xeno2. He was looking forward to his second Xeno kill.


“Oh, motherfucker ditched in the sea! Tell the ground team not to kill me, please?”

In the command center, I shook my head. “Almost.”

00:01, 12 April 2084
Command Center, PHALANX
Turkey, GEU

I checked my e-mail one more time before headed off to sleep. Angrily, I sent off a harsh reply.
I received no reply.

17:32, 12 April, 2084

“Xeno3 detected! It's bigger than #1 and 2! Headed due West... straight at us!”

“Put the base on alert!” I yelled out. “Get ready to evac if they get to within 100km of the base! Hold the Interceptor until they get closer!”


I watched the Geoscape as the Xeno ship kept a straight line, but due to the curvature of the Earth, would pass north of PHALANX HQ. “Send out the interceptor to shadow it. Alert the dropship to get ready. Something that big will have a larger crew.”


At 22:55, the Stiletto returned back to base. The enemy ship was too fast, and it left our radar coverage without ever getting close to the guns of our ship. Barnest2 was not happy in the least.

At 23:00, I received an emergency notification from Academia Nut. He requested that he brief everyone in at the Firebird hanger as his team had finished their research and autopsy on the aliens.

23:03, he started.





Just an experiment to see how screencapping a newly researched tech would look. Your opinions guys?

“And we have a followup on the alien apparatus we extracted during the autopsy.”



“With this in mind, I believe we can build a tool optimized to subdue and capture an alien alive. But we need your authorization to research it. Sir.”

---

Sorry guys, I cheated there for a moment. After conducting any alien autopsy, it opens the Alien Breathing Apparatus research item as a separate thing. I just jumped right into it as it's a very quick tech to get (It took me less than 12 hours), and leads to the next proper technology to open up.

I don't expect this to be much of a competition, but I have to offer it anyways. What do you want to research?

• Frikken Laser Beams
  Alien Origins
  Stun Rod
  Alien Artifact – Kerrblade
  Alien Artifact – Plasma Grenade

I'll warn you though, if Xeno3 lands to attack somewhere, it will probably be before I finish Stun Rod research and build a sample to use, so don't expect any captures in the next mission.

Stun rods, naturally. After I stop vomitting up my breakfast from the autopsy.

I'm going to keep voting Alien Origins until we actually take it :<

Now that I know Frikken Laser Beams would be suboptimal for fighting aliens. I suggest we instead focus our research on Stun Rods.

Stun rods, but only if we get to use them on barnest2 for not forcing UFO #2 down over land.

Also, it's nice being able to read the research topics, if it's not too much trouble.

As useful as Alien Origins will be in the long run, right now I have to agree with Stun Rods. Right now we need all the tactical research we can get.

I'm voting stun rods. If we can capture some of these bastards alive we can learn all the best ways to make 'em dead faster.

I'm voting shock stick.

not to mention the dropship pilot/cook says that you have to cook some of them aliens alive while your at it...

The base was tense over the next few minutes. Academia had returned to the labs to develop proper stun technology, and the dropteam fidgeted around the Firebird.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when the intercom buzzed, my second calling me from the Command Center. I rushed over, and grabbed the headset far more tightly than I had to. "This is the Director."

"Sir, as of 00:00, 13 April 2084, our base outside the Wenchang Spaceport is officially online with the activation of the powerplant."


I took a calming breath. "Good. Good. Let us know if they see Xeno3."

"Aye sir."

Ten minutes later, things went from bad to worse. The intercom buzzed again, and this time I was far more relaxed when I picked it up and identified myself. "Sir, we have alien activity in the Asian Republic."

"Xeno 3?"

"No sir. There's another ship on the ground in Malaysia."


"FIREBIRD IN THE AIR NOW!"


I returned to the Command Center and watched the Geoscape, now with the radar coverage from the Chinese base another zone of clarity. I traced the line that the Firebird would have to take to get to the target, which was now reported as a ship that had landed in a clearing in the jungle near the coast. No reports on what they were doing. Yet. I turned to my second. "I'm not going to get any sleep tonite, am I?"

"I doubt it, sir. The revelations about the Tamen are quite distrurbing."

00:45, 13 April 2084
Command Center, Builder Base
Hainan Island, Asian Republic

"Alert PHALANX HQ! Xeno 3 detected in Republic Airspace!"

01:00, 13 April 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

I watched the geoscape as the alien ship crossed over Republic airspace. I knew that this would cause the Chairman to demand that I establish some form of interceptor coverage for his region. But that would be... expensive. Monies we don't have.

At 03:14, Xeno3 landed in Kachslung on the island of Taiwan. Minutes later, reports came in that a group of aliens were attacking a portion of the city, just shooting what they could find. Military response was on the way, but their weapons technology wasn't expected to successfully repel the aliens.

My decision wasn't made by me. Our mandate included defending the population from attack. "Order the Firebird to change course to respond to this attack on Taiwan. They'll hit Malaysia after."


11:15, 13 April 2084
Firebird Dropship
Asian Republic Airspace

RomanRepublic turned his head to roar back at the 8 soldiers in his hold. “Wakey Wakey boys and girls! We are two minutes out, and the alien ship is still on the ground. The locals tried to beat them up, but were repelled by plasma fire. They claim to have scored kills, but I think that's just propaganda. We think they're holed up in a parkade across the street from their ship, but don't count on it.”

OmegaChief and Dave, heads of their respective squads, nodded. “Hot drop?” Dave yelled back.

“Wouldn't have it any other way! GOING IN BOYS!”


RomanRepublic: “On the ground. Careful out there, I think I spotted a couple on the roof of that parkade over there.”
Edi: “You love coming down right on top of the aliens, don't you?”
RomanRepublic: “If it means you guys get to shoot them dead faster, why you griping?”


The Dropteam divided into two, Blue and White divided between them. Dave, ForceLord, OmegaChief and Edi, with their close combat weapons, moved to secure the parkade while the others moved along the street with their long range weapons to cover the alien craft.


Dave: “Taman spotted! On the roof!”
Torben: “I see it! Firing!” (miss)


Alison: “No, this is how you do it! HA! Xeno down!”


ForceLord: “Advancing into the building.”
Edi: “Damn it! What the hell is a civvie doing here? How the hell do I say 'Run away!' in whatever gibberish they use over here?”


Hawkwings: “Hey! Another alien on the roof! Shoot it guys!”


(Torben and Alison miss their shots)
VortexEmpire: “Hey, is that guy a fan of John Woo? He's got two pistol looking things in his hands.”
Torben: “John who?”

Hawkwings: “Who cares? Let's test this baby out! Fuck! Missed! I think the sights are off.”


(Meanwhile, the other four advance up a stairwell, checking each floor as they go.)


Hawkwings: “Oh hell, there's a third one up there. It looks like he's... HEY! FUCKER! NO NINJAING OUR LOOT!”
Alison: “There's number four on the other side.”


Hawkwings: “Firing again. Damn it! Missed! The sights are wrong, I know it!”


OmegaChief: “Oh hell, Civvies on the second floor! Run!”
(Response from Civilians later translated as “No! It is safe here. No demons.”)


VortexEmpire: “That's a big ship.”


Vortex Empire: “Civvie down! Far side of the parkade!”


Hawkwings: “Shit! They're shooting... aieeeeeeee!”
Torben: “Hawk... aargh!”

---

This game is a bitch for screencapping alien weapons, especially when they are firing from height level 8 down to 2. What I didn't catch was those aliens on the roof spraying Hawkwings, Torben and Alison with rapid plasma fire. Inaccurate, especially at this range, but sheer weight of fire meant that Hawkwings and Torben took a hit each.

---

Torben: “Outta ammo. Reloading.... oh, fuck.”
(An investigation is now being conducted into determining why Sniper Rifle ammunition was mislabeled as Assault Rifle ammo in HQ's storage.)


Hawkwings: “Ha! Got the guy on the corner. None of that fancy shit now, huh?”
Alison: “Firing. Shit!”


Edi: “Hold on guys, almost at the roof. Vortex, any sign of response from the alien ship?”


Vortex Empire. “Negative. I'm ready to give any fucker that pops its ugly head out a taste of 25mm goodness.”


ForceLord: “Ah!”
Edi: “Man, you're quick on the trigger there. Flamethrowers are crazy this close up.”

OmegaChief: “His back's turned! Firing! Hits! No kill!”


ForceLord: “Then BURN, Xeno!”



I sighed in relief. Then remembered the other alien incursion. “Get the dropteam in the air once the local military has secured the site.”

My second came up to me. “Sir, the Revolutionary Countries are willing to pay over 20,000 credits for material from the alien ship before we hand it over to the Asian Republic. What shall I tell them?”

I thought for a moment. “Do it. If we play nice with them, our relations should improve. Maybe. Hopefully.”

“Yes sir. Their representative is pleased with our decision.”


“This is RomulanRepublic. Firebird in the air and now headed south to second zone. We're looking good on ammo, and Torben and Hawkwings are ready to fight sir.”

13:56, 13 April 2084
Airspace, South China Sea

“Oh hell! HQ! This is Firebird One! The alien is lifting off! I'm not an interceptor – disengaging!”


I watched on the geoscape as the alien ship escaped our radar coverage headed over Oceania. “Ah hell. Well, 3 out of four incursions successfully taken care of. I think we've had a good three weeks.”

No one in the Command Center replied.

The Dropship returned at two in the morning. The entire mission lasting almost 24hours. Everyone on the dropship crashed into bed, except for the injured, who were bundled off to the hospital.

But, they did bring back something new to look at.

You'll need either more meatshields, or another pilot soon. I'll be the S:AAB marine, and volunteer to do both jobs.

EM rifle didn't blow up in my face! That means it works!

Now, this is why you always send the firebird out with interceptor escort. Speaking of which, we should get an interceptor at the Asian base as soon as possible.

Note to self: Double check all gear before missions, and have a nice little chat with the Quartermaster after I get out of sick bay. Also, more practice time on the range may be advisable.

Aw, I didn't have a chance to splode any xenos... Better luck next time.

I get to play with plas-weaponry!

... we're doomed.

02:00, 16 April 2084
Command Center, PHALANX HQ
Turkey, GEU

I was beginning to hate being woken up at two in the frikken morning. This time it was Academia Nut who charged into my office waving something around, shouting “I have done it! Stun sticks for everyone!”




“Fine. Tell FaxModem to start building a couple for field work. And ask for a volunteer or two on the drop team to use them.”



“Yeeeeesssss!” Academia looked at me expectantly. “What shall we research now?”

I was tempted to say 'Waiting until the morning to do these things', but I had given up on that over the past month. I think I was starting to get gray hairs.

---

Alright, quick update. I need two things from you guys. First is a volunteer to run around with a Stun Rod – once I have one built of course. That person will, in the interests of expediency, have to go with a secondary weapon - pistol, machine pistol, micro shotgun or the like – in the other hand to allow for equipping the Stun Rod.

Next is Research!

• Continuous Wave Laser Operations: We're going to be encountering more powerful UFOs in the future, and this tech will let us research Laser Beams for our ship.
  Alien Origins: With the Stun Rod, the odds of us capturing stuff go up. We'll still need a UFO storage facility built, but we'll have more cash in 14 days to do that.
  Alien Artifact – Kerrblade: Alien melee weapon.
  Alien Artifact – Plasma Pistol: What is says on the tin. Hey, who wants to run around with a Plasma Pistol and a Stun Rod?!
  Alien Artifact – Plasma Grenade: It goes BOOM, and can be thrown or used in our Grenade Launcher.

Vote Now! Like the world depends on it! Cause it totally doesn't. *cough*[/i]

Plasma Grenades, for the sheer kill every MF'r in the room value,

Then LAZURS!!! And equip them on sharks!!

Or some variation thereof.

I vote frikken leigh-zor beams, then plasma grenades.

Alien Origins. We have our shiny killing stuff, now let's go find things to kill with it.

Also, I want to use the Stun Rod. On barnest2. (And on aliens, but that's small potatos. )

Once more, Alien Origins, Sun Tzu people! Sun Tzu!

Just an FYI guys. My work schedule will double starting next week, so my rate of updates will slow. I'll try to settle into a "once per two days" schedule, but no promises. At the least, there will be something on monday as I have it off.

Right now, the research votes are:

• 2: Alien Origins
• 1: Laser Operations
• 1: Plasma Grenade

I'll leave voting up until tomorrow moon (Zulu -7) when I start to put together the next update.

Sun Tzu?

"If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight! Sun Tzu said that, and I'd say he knows a little bit more about fighting than you do, pal, because he invented it, and then he perfected it so that no living man could best him in the ring of honor. Then, he used his fight money to buy two of every animal on earth, and then he herded them onto a boat and then he beat the crap out of every single one!"

"And from that day forward any time a bunch of animals are together in one place it's called a zoo!"

...

"Unless it's a farm!"

I think we need a little more of the Soldier's attitude in our PHALANX, and less... whatever it is we have now.

Ooh! Ooh! Plasma Grenades! I wanna blow xenos up with hot plasma!

Alien Origins.