X-COM THINK TANK (Out of Character Discussion about X-COM and the Series)

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ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part Seven (1)

"What I don't understand is why we even need to go to school," Sora whines, walking into her room.

The three girls thank the soldier that escorted them, and Rei shuts the door behind them. Turning to Sora, she responds, "Well, why wouldn't we? Think about it. If we were to lose this war..."

"And that's a big if," Hitomi adds.

"...then it won't matter either way, and if we win the war..."

"She means 'when' we win." Hitomi adds.

"...then we'll still be expected to have an education. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to be in High School until I'm in my twenties because it was delayed by a bunch of aliens with a superiority complex."

Sora lets out a long sigh. "Yeah, I know you're right. But it's soooo boring!" She flops onto her bed and places her pillow over her face.

"I don't know why you're complaining." Hitomi takes off her uncomfortable shoes and messages her sore feet. "Ever since we got here, your grades have been great. Even better then Rei's."

"It doesn't make school any less boring," Sora mumbles from under the pillow.

Rei sends Hitomi a nervous look, and gets one in return. Cautiously, she asks Sora, "How...how have been feeling? You're okay...right?"

Sora tosses the pillow to the side and sits up. "I'm fine. How many times are you going to ask me that. It's been like, what, six weeks? And you've asked me that about a thousand times."

"We just want to make sure you're okay." Hitomi sends her a nervous smile. "We're friends, and that's what friends do, right?"

"I know, you know." Sora looks both of her friends in the eyes, and they give her a questioning look. "I mean, about what happened there. About the state you found me in." She places her clasped hands in front of her stomach and opens them to demonstrate.

"Who told you?" Rei asks angrily. "It was Jake, wasn't it? How could he tell you."

Sora shakes her head. "It wasn't his fault. I noticed how cautious everyone was being, so I forced him to tell me. Tricked him, really. Told him you guys you already told me. He was really mad when I told him you hadn't. But it's okay, you know. I was a little freaked out at first, but I'm in one piece now, so I'm fine. Understand? I'm okay, so please stop worrying about me. Other then that, we all went through the same thing. Same attack, same abduction. And we all lost...our families." The three girls sit in sullen silence for a moment. Sora then puts on a smile, and says, "But we have each other, right?"

"That's right." Rei nods. "Alright, we promise we'll try not to think about...that anymore."

Hitomi stretches. "Well, now that that's taken care of, I'm starving. Where's Jake? He's usually back by now, and I could go for some dinner!"

"I don't know." Rei walks over to the door and peaks out. "He's usually back by now."

Sora jumps to her feet. "Well, then, let's go look for him!"

Shaking her head, Rei says, "We aren't supposed to leave our rooms unescorted. We could get in trouble."

"Oh, you worry too much." Sora walks out into the hall. Spinning around to the others, she asks, "You two coming?"

Rei and Hitomi exchange a glance. "Um." Rei scratches her chin. "Someone should stay here in case Jake comes back, right?"

Hitomi nods. "Yeah, and I need Rei's help on...uh, some homework."

Sora shrugs. "Alright, suit yourself. I'll be back. Have fun with just the two of you." Rei nods and closes the door. Sora raises an eyebrow. Why were they blushing? She shrugs again and starts down the hallway.

After fifteen minutes of searching, questioning friendly looking soldiers and staff, all while avoiding or hiding from security and less savory looking soldiers, she notices Jake making his why down a hallway near the labs.
Noticing her as she runs up to him, Jake folds his arms and, in a frustrated tone, asks, "What are you doing out here, Sora? You're going to get yourself, and me, in trouble."

Sora flashes him her puppy-dog eyes, and in the most innocent sounding voice she can muster, says, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be bad. We were just worried when you didn't come home."

Jake rolls his eyes. "You're act is improving. Keep working at it, and maybe it'll work on me someday."

Sora smiles. "Practice makes purpose, right?"

Jake starts making his why back to the room, Sora following closely by his side. "There was trouble by the labs. A dead alien was only mostly-dead, and it got up and attacked a soldier. I was asked to act on security while they cleaned up."

Pouting, Sora says, "That's not fair. That Haven guy works you too hard. You've done such a good job, and he still treats you like a dog."

"No, he doesn't." Jake ruffles Sora's hair. "I just have a lot to prove to the other security staff, and he's just making sure they know I can do my job."

Sora grabs Jake's hand and pulls it off her head. "Well, that's fine if it's true. But sometimes, you're too nice for your own good. Keep that in mind."

"I will." Jake moves to pull his hand away, but Sora keeps her hold in it. Shrugging, he asks, "So where are the other two? I'm surprised they didn't come with you, considering how inseparable you three usually are."

"Yeah, well, the two of them had a talk with this one soldier that walks us back from class everyday, something they said they heard she knows all about, and ever since then they've been finding any excuse they can to be alone." She gives Jake a frank look. "You want to know why I think that is?"

"Why?" Jake looks down at Sora, and reading her expression says, "Oh. Really? That's, um...that's..."

"Gross, if you ask me." Sora chuckles lightly.

Jake shrugs. "Well, times are different, you know. And if their happy..."

Sora laughs loudly. "No, it's not that. It's just that Hitomi has lived with Rei ever since she lost her parents almost seven years ago. I always thought of them like sisters. And sister don't...you know."

"Well, as people get older, feelings change. It's part of...of growing up." The pair walk in silence for a few minutes. Jake again tries to pull his hand again, but Sora only tightens her grip. "Uh, Sora? Why are you..."

"You know." Sora interrupts. "After we had our talk the other day, I talked to Alice, down in the infirmary."

"You did, huh?" Jake gives her a nervous look.

"Yeah, and she told me something you left out." Sora wraps her arms around Jake's arm, and rests her head against it as they walk. "She said that most of the others gave up on me, even her. But she said you refused to. That you even told them to leave you behind. That was really sweet of you."

Jake laughs nervously. "Well, um, Hitomi and Rei were scared, and I couldn't just..." Sora nuzzels closer to Jake's side, and he stops. He pulls his arm away from her, and kneels down in front of her, grasping her shoulders. "Sora, please. You need to stop this."

"Stop what?" Looking into Jake's serious eyes, Sora scowls, angrily asking, "Why? What's wrong with me?"

Jake shakes his head. "Sora, come on. You know it has nothing to do with that."

"Then why!?"

Sounding desperate, Jake answers, "Well, to start out, you're too young. You're only thirteen, and I'm..."

"I'm fourteen now!" Sora practically shouts. Jake pulls her into a side hallway, away from prying eyes. "I had a birthday while we were in that hellhole," Sora continues, "And I'll have you know, we're only three and a half years apart!"

Jake speaks in a quite tone, hoping Sora will do the same. "Be that as it may, you're still so young. Maybe three or four years is different for people in their twenties or thirties, but you're still just...just..."

"A child?" Sora's volume stays as high as before. "So I'm not mature enough, is that it? Not some tall, big-chested bimbo? Well, I'm still growing. I've grown several inches, and I'm starting to fill out. Look!"

Sora reaches down and starts to lift her shirt. Blushing, Jake grabs her hands to stop her. She suddenly leans forward and kisses Jake on the lips, but he pulls away. Raising his voice, Jake says, "Sora, that's enough. I know you're still growing, but it isn't just about a mature body, but also a mature mind. And how you're acting now just proves you aren't mature enough to make these decisions. You...you're acting like a spoiled brat. If you'd just wait until you older..." Sora slaps Jake hard across the face, her face beet-red with anger. Jake nearly yells at her, but instantly softens at the sight of the tears rolling down her flushed cheeks. "Sora...I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

Sora tears away from Jake, his pleas for her to stop falling on deaf ears. She flies past confused soldiers and staff members, her blurred vision causing her to bump into several of them as she tries and fails to wipe the tears from her eyes. Stopping to rest, she sobs loudly, until she hears two security guards yell towards her. As they run towards her, she ducks around a corner and through the first door on her right. In a room filled with people wearing lab coats rushing to and fro, she ducks under a desk. At the sight of the security guards entering the room, she crawls from one desk and table to the next, finally sneaking into a room in the back.

Finally getting a grip on her emotions, Sora wipes the tears from her eyes. Good job, Sora, run away crying because he called you a brat. That'll show him you're mature. Stupid, so stupid. Sora looks around at her unfamiliar surroundings. She is in a large, open room, the clean, white walls and equipment indicating a lab environment. There is a single man near the door she came in, too busy watching half a dozen monitors and listening to what sounds like J-Pop on headphones to notice Sora.
 
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ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part Seven (2)

As Sora walks towards the center of the room, wondering how she'll face the others, and how she'll get out of here without being seen, a voice behind her makes her jump. "Curious. I never thought I would see you again." Sora spins around to face the tall, humanoid creature in a suit, trapped in an alien-containment cell. "But then, in my position, I don't expect to see a lot of individuals."

Sora looks at him in confusion. "How do you know me?" She looks at the containment cell. "You...you're one of the aliens, aren't you?"

"I am." The alien bows slightly. "Your kind has taken to calling my kind 'Thin Men'. Quite unimaginative, if you ask me, but I suppose war-time isn't the best time for imagination." It looks Sora up and down. "You do not remember me?"

"Were you the one that captured me? The one that...killed my parents?" Sora's eyes narrow.

The Thin Man shakes his head. "No, I'm afraid not. I only know you from the base. Though that one was at the base. You can rest assured, unless he escaped, he was likely dispatched by your colleges."

"Good!" Sora folds him arms and turns away. "I'm glad he got what he deserved."

"Indeed." The Thin Man nods. "I'd imagine that brings some comfort to you. I only hope it eased some of your pain."

Sora looks back in surprise. "Why...would you care? Aren't you our enemy?"

"As I told your fellow humans; looks can be deceiving." The Thin Man again bows. "Even a monster like me knows of compassion. Of course, this only applies to a species like yours, one capable of having innocents."

Sora looks up and down the cell. "Have you been here this whole time?"

"Indeed." The Thin Man looks around at his cramped living quarters and sighs. "I was quite disappointed when I wasn't given top priority upon my arrival, at least until I finally received said priority. I've heard that your researchers have ways of probing the minds of their captives. It allows them to get us to talk, even when we are normally incapable of it. Of course, unlike my compatriots, I am capable of speech, so lucky for your base, they could use procedures that expend less resources to get what they needed from me. More enjoyable procedures too, based on how much they seemed to enjoy them."

"What, like...torture?" Sora takes a step back. After a moment, she places her hands on her hips. "Well, I'm sure you didn't receive anything you didn't deserve."

The Thin Man laughs. "Yes, this is no doubt true, though based on your expression and posture, I doubt you believe what you say."

Sora raises an eyebrow. "How do I know you're not trying to trick me? Maybe convince me to let you out?"

The Thin Man laughs even harder then before. "I am not foolish enough to believe you would have any ability to do so, nor would I expect you to do so?" It leans down, lowering its cracked sunglasses so Sora can see its reptilian eyes. "I admire your compassion, I really do. It is quite admirable. But do not let it blind you to the truth. We are the enemy." The Thin Man stands back up and slowly paces in his cell. "There are those among your people who would side with us. They see us as some source of salvation, or perhaps a way towards the future, but I do not enjoy the idea of accepting their aid. My...superiors disagree. They would claim to be above such things as pride, but I am not, and I suppose this is why my people are not in charge. Rather, my people aligned with them, and they used our adaptability to raise us as a species of infiltrators. Our people have changed skins so many times over the generations, few of us know what we originally looked like. We have become little more then pawns."

Sora shakes her head. "I don't understand why you're telling me this."

The Thin Man shrugs. "Perhaps I am simply bored. Perhaps these are the words of a being facing it's mortality. My point, little one, is not to forget why you fight. Despite what these people, these...EXALT would believe, this war only has three possible outcomes. Either we get what we are here for, we fail in this and destroy your species, or you win and destroy us. In all outcomes, there is no room for such individuals who would so readily sell out their own kind. If it were up to me, they'd be the first to go."

Sora thinks for a moment, finally nodding in understanding. "So what happens now?"

The Thin Man smirks. "They have what they want from me. I will be disposed of within the week."

Sora's expression saddens. "But...you're no threat. They don't have to...dispose of you. Maybe if I said something, told them that you're not just some monster..."

The Thin Man shakes his head. "Do not be so naive. They would never agree to this. And after what you've done, what you've become, the last thing you need to do is give them any more reason not to trust you, especially showing compassion to your enemy."

Looking confused, Sora takes a step forward. "I don't understand. What do mean, 'what I've become'?"

"You don't know?" The Thin Man nods in thought. "Then perhaps they do not either. Interesting."

"Tell me." Sora places her handss on the cell. "What don't I know?"

"I think it would be better if you found out on your own." The Thin Man raises a finger. "But in the meantime, I suggest you watch your temper. I have heard an expression on your world that I used to not understand; Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn. I know now what it means. I'd hate for such fury to be cast upon those you care for." The Thin Man turns his back to Sora and falls silent.
 
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ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part seven (3)

Sora waits to see if the Thin Man will speak again, but when he remains quiet, she steps away. She slowly walks towards the door, muttering to herself, trying to digest the alien's words. She is so distracted by her thoughts, she doesn't notice the door open. "Hey, what are you doing in here?" Sora jumps back and looks up at the young, green-haired, busty woman in a lab coat. Noting her worried look, the woman smiles. "Don't tell me they've actually hired someone younger then me. I was surprised they even let me in here."

Sora starts to panic."I'm sorry, I didn't...I know I wasn't, I'm not supposed to...but I had this...this fight, and..."

"Shhshhshh!" The woman raises a finger to her lips. She peaks out the door. After a minute, she looks back to Sora and whispers, "Come on. Stay hidden by my side."

The two enter the main lab and head for the exit, Sora doing her best to stay hidden behind the woman. Halfway there, a man walks towards them. "Ms. Lockheart, did you finish the analysis of that unusual meld sample." The woman quickly turns towards the man, discreetly pushing Sora behind her. At the sight of her erratic movements, the man asks, "Is everything alright, Ms. Lockheart?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah!" The woman smiles, being sure to position herself between the man and Sora. "The analysis showed that the only thing different about the meld was that it was contaminated with earth materials, which had caused it degrade a lot faster then normal. I'm afraid it's useless. I'll post my full report in a little bit."

"I see." The man nods. He starts to lean his head to look behind the woman.

"Oh! And one more thing." The woman puts her hand on the man's shoulder. He gives her a questioning look. "It's Doctor Lockheart, okay?" The man gives her a forced smile, and walks away, muttering under his breath. The two girls quickly head for the exit. Stepping out into the hallway, the woman exclaims, "Boy, that was close. Come on, I'll walk you back to your room."

As the two walk, Sora gives the woman a nervous glance. "Um, thank you. Does this mean you won't tell the Commander on me, Ms..."

"Call me Jessie. And no. I was your age not too long ago. I did some bad things, some dangerous things. I still do, from time to time. But why were you there in the first place?"

As the two make their way down the hallways, Sora explains her fight with Jake. Upon finishing, she says, "I just think I'd have a better chance if I was a little more..."

She glances at Jessie, who looks down at herself and smiles nervously. "Well, it's not all it's cracked up to be. And besides, I wasn't quite as tall or...you know, big, when I was you age. But it doesn't sound to me like this is about looks."

"Then what is it about?" Sora asks, sounding unconvinced.

Jessie scratches the back of her head. "Well, I'm not exactly an expert on this, but you said he's a nice guy, right? Sometimes to a fault? Well, what if he rejected you, not because he doesn't want you, but because you're young, and he's afraid of taking advantage of you."

Sora shakes her head. "But he wouldn't be. I know what I want. I want him."

Jessie shrugs. "Well, if you're sure you want him, and he's as faithful a person as you say, then what's your hurry?" She places her hand on Sora's shoulder. "Four years from now, and you'll be eighteen, right? Then you'll be an adult. I just hope that him being in his early twenties won't make him too old for you."

"Of course he won't be!" Sora smiles, and nods in agreement.

Reaching Sora's room, Jessie knocks on the door. A worried looking Jake opens the door. Jessie bends down behind Sora and whispers, "You didn't tell me how cute he is."

"Hey." Sora turns to scowl at Jessie.

"Oh, don't fret," Jessie responds, patting Sora on the back. "He's all yours."

"Oh my God, Sora, where have you been?" Jake kneels down in front of her. "Do you have any idea how worried we've been?"

"Um, excuse me." Jessie motions for Jake to follow her outside. She pushes Sora into the room and closes the door.

Hitomi and Rei walk up to Sora. "Are you okay?" Rei asks.

"I'm fine, really." Sora smiles nervously. "I'm sorry I worried you."

Hitomi pats her roughly on the shoulder. "We're glad you're okay, but next time you decide to have a little tiff, could you do it after dinner? Please?"

Sora laughs. Jake walks into the room, and Sora and Jessie wave goodbye to each other before she takes off. Sora droops her head and says, "Jake, I'm sorry. That was really stupid of me. I guess I proved your point about me being a spoiled brat."

Hitomi and Rei gasp. "He called her the B-word?" Rei asks.

Hitomi nods. "Yeah, a spoiled B-word."

"That's enough, you two." Jake opens the door. "Come on, put your shoes on so we can go eat." Rei and Hitomi do so, and walk out. As Sora moves to follow, Jake says, "Sora?" She stops and turns to him. "Listen, Sora, I...I don't...I'm not...rejecting you, so to speak. It's not like I've got my eye on anyone else. I just think you're moving a little too quick. I was just thinking that we should take some time to see if you find someone your own age that you like."

Sora smiles. "Well, do you think about four years is long enough to get to know each other? See if we're...compatible?"

Jake returns her smile. "Sounds perfect." Rei and Hitomi stick their heads into the room to see what's taking them so long, and the four head out together.
 
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BMPixy

BMPixy

Well-Known Member
One thing that always bothered me about XCOM was the boss fight. While it does provide closure for the plot, the final battle feels... lacking. So, to continue this trend of writing things, I present...

BOSS FIGHT REWRITE! PART 1!​

December 31st, 2015

As I entered the debriefing room, so familiar from this year long conflict, the lights gently flickered on. The Commander motioned for me to sit at one end of the table, and as I did he took up the seat opposite him. The room was sparsely decorated, a potted plant in the corner there, a painting taken from the EXALT base on the wall behind the Commander. The table was designed to seat ten, four on a side and one on each end, but as of now empty aside from the Commander and I.

After a minute of settling in, the Commander broke the ice. “Colonel O’Neill,” he said, “This will be our last debriefing. Are you ready?” A simple nod was my answer. “Very well then.” He produced a tape recorder from his pocket, set it on the table, and hit the record button.

“This is XCOM Base Commander Maksimov, this will be the debriefing of Operation Avenger. Colonel O’Neill, please state the operatives sent on this mission.”

I gathered up my breath and gave a sigh, and then said, “Leading this mission was Psi Operative Close Assault Specialist Colonel Iliev; I, Field Support Colonel O’Neill was the XO; other troopers involved were MEC Trooper Colonel Sitz, Psi Operative Heavy Weapons Specialist Colonel Cockburn, MEC Trooper Colonel Moreno, and Combat Sniper Colonel Arriola.”

“Now, would you like to begin recounting what happened on the mission?” Maksimov said.

“Yes sir,” I replied, and plunged myself into the memories of that day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[SEVEN DAYS EARLIER]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

“Area clear!” I heard Iliev shout as the Muton Elite succumbed to the fire pressing on it from all sides. Then, as had been occurring throughout the mission, the voice of our foe spoke into our minds.

“The New One continues to surge... to prove that this was the worthy path, that We were justified in Our efforts. This will bring about Our redemption, and usher in Our future...”

“Damn, won’t that guy shut up?” the modulated voice of Sitz echoed behind me.

I opened my mouth to reply, but Arriola cut me off as she descended from the vantage point her Archangel armor gave her, saying, “It’s just trying to mess with our heads. I just hope I’ll be able to put a plasma bolt between his eyes for what this asshole’s done.”

“Hear hear,” Iliev replied, “Now c’mon, I think this is the last room.”

“About time. How you wanna do this? Brutal cunning, or cunningly brutality?” Cockburn asked, motioning to his bandolier of various explosives.

“Cunning brutality. Don’t want this guy to know what hit him.”

“Aye Colonel,” the Heavy said as he pulled a pair of Ghost grenades from his belt. The team assembled into formation. “One minute of stealth, dropping in three, two, one!” With a flash, we vanished, only our HUDs marking where we stood. Then, we charged through the narrow doorway, and into the final room. Upon the three platforms stood three Ethereals, with a pair of Muton Elites guarding them. A pulse of plasma flew over my head, and struck the central Ethereal, turning his head into chunky overcooked salsa. Arriola decloaked, already ten meters upon, and then the voice spoke to us again.

“Behold... the greatest failure of the Ethereal Ones... We who failed to ascend as they thought we would.” A particle beam flashed out, putting a hole through the second Ethereal. Still, the voice continued. “We who were cast out. We who were doomed to feed on the Gift of lesser beings... as we sought to uplift them, to prepare them, for what lies ahead...” Reality warped around the two Elites, and they were torn apart as if shoved through a paper shredder. The last Ethereal rose as if to cast a bolt of psychic power, but Moreno decloaked behind it, and her glowing fist launched the Ethereal from the platform, it’s neck broken by the impact.

Finally, the room was quiet.

“Huh, that was easy,” Moreno said.

And then the platform he stood on exploded.

“Aludra!” I found myself shouting as her suit rained down from the sky in so many pieces. From the smoke and dust thrown up by the blast, a shadow emerged.

“And now the hunt draws to a close,” it echoed in both my eardrums and my brain, “It was not a vain undertaking... but a necessity, as our physical form has grown... ineffective.” Plasma, alloy shards, and particle beams shot towards the shadow of our new foe, but still, it stood. “Our search for a perfect specimen was driven by our crippling limitation, and NOW! AT LONG LAST!”

The smoke cleared, revealing the form of our enemy. Standing nearly twice as tall as our MEC, covered in shimmering purple armor, was our foe. Enormous plasma guns hung from it’s sides, and below those were a pair of fists crackling with psychic energy, emulating the form of the creature piloting it.

“Our journey is finished.”
 
ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
BMPixy said:
One thing that always bothered me about XCOM was the boss fight. While it does provide closure for the plot, the final battle feels... lacking. So, to continue this trend of writing things, I present...
Click to expand...

I can't tell you how many times I felt that. I'm glad to see someone writing something to.....spice it up a bit.
 
Gahlo

Gahlo

Active Member
So, this is a thing. http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=4972
box-XCOM-right.png
 
ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part Eight

"Man down!" Franklin shouts. "Patterson, shred it!"

"I'm on it!" Patterson loads a shredder rocket. Leaning over his low cover, he takes aim, and ducks back as a hail of gunfire obliterates the spot he had just been in. "Can't! Need covering fire!"

"I have got this!" Alexandra leaps over her low cover and runs forward. The Sectopod immediately turns towards her and fires, it's blasts barely flying past her back.

"Captain, are you crazy!?" Burton shouts, desperately firing at the Sectopod in an attempt to keep her captain alive.

Alexandra laughs as she runs. "Of course!" She yells. "I would not be here if I was anything but." Reaching cover on the other side of the towering opponent, she pulls out an HE grenade. Pulling the pin, she rolls it towards the Sectopod, then pulls out her machine pistol and unloads on it. As soon as the grenade explodes, she yells, "NOW!"

"Damn, what a woman," Patterson says to himself as he runs forward. Using the enhanced muscle fiber density in his legs, he leaps onto a high ledge. Taking quick but careful aim, he fires the shredder rocket and hits his target dead-center. "You're up, Xing!"

"On it!" With a whirl of gears and motors, Xing runs towards the Sectopod, his heavy Mech body shaking the ground slightly as he moves. Two SHIVs ride forward by his side, and the three unload on the Sectopod as they push forward. The Sectopod fires back, and in hail of fire, one of the SHIVs is obliterated. Nearing their opponent, Xing and the remaining SHIV separate. Momentarily confused, the Sectopod turns towards Xing. Before it can fire, Xing lets out an EMP. With their opponent momentarily disabled, Xing shouts, "Fish in a barrel!"

"All right." Alexandra makes for the Sectopod, pulling out her shotgun. She unloads on the Sectopod, and as it short-circuits, Alexandra ducks behind Xing for cover as the gigantic alien machine explodes in a concofany of sparks and fire. Alexandra peaks out from behind Xing and, seeing her opponents as a pile of twisted metal, lets out a sigh of relief.

As the dust settles and adrenaline levels drop, Alexandra scans the carnage of the battlefield, and Franklin walks up next to her. "Damn it, Captain," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "That was hell. We lost two men and a SHIV, and for what. Just another bunch of materials and whatever computers and power sources we can salvage from this ship."

Alexandra nods. "Yes, it is a regrettable loss of life. I should have been better prepared."

"It couldn't be helped, Captain," Müller cuts in, spraying a plasma burn with a med-spray. Flinching, he continues, "You wouldn't have had to take out a two rookies if the alien's attacks hadn't left our troops so fatigued. And besides, we had no way of knowing this ship would be so heavily manned."

"Yeah." Franklin lets out a troubled sigh. "Mechtoids, Floaters, Sectoid Commanders, two Sectopods. This ship had enough forces to man some of the biggest ships we've encountered, but it's half the size. I'd hate to see how many aliens we would have been facing had the ship not been shot down. Such a waste of life, just to take another ship."

Alexandra shakes her head. "No, we are missing something."

"Captain?" Franklin raises an eyebrow towards her.

"It is as you said." Alexandra looks around at the bodies of their fallen opponents. "This ship is manned too heavily. Why is this? I am thinking they are hiding something. I want to know what." She turns to face her troops. "Müller and Patterson, get our fallen comrades on to the Skyranger. Xing, get that SHIV on board the ship and start repairs before we lose it as well. Franklin and Burton, you are with me."
 
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ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part 8.5

Alexandra makes her way through the ship, she and her escorts keeping an eye out for any aliens they might have missed. She stops in the room outside of the bridge, and takes a curious look at the single destroyed abduction pod. "Is there something wrong, Captain?" Burton asks.

"I do not know." Alexandra points at the pod. "This pod, it was destroyed during the fight?"

Burton and Franklin look at one another. Burton shakes her head, and Franklin says, "I don't think so Captain. In fact, I'm pretty sure it just...well, exploded. I remember finding it odd, because I didn't see anything hit it."

Alexandra points at the rooms main computer, and Burton pulls a small device out of her pack. She attaches it to the computer, and after a few minutes of fiddling with it, she says, "I'm not sure, Captain. I believe I saw a Sectoid working on this computer during the middle of the fight."

"Yes." Alexandra nods, "I believe I saw this as well."

"It looks like it was purposely setting that specific pod to self-destruct. But why only that one, and why was it so important, it would do it in the middle of a battle?" Burton shakes her head in frustration. "It looks like the files on whoever that was have been deleted. I'm not sure if I can recover the files."

"Well, keep at it." Alexandra pats her on the shoulder. "If there is anyone who can recover these files, it is you." She nods for Franklin to follow her, and the two walk into the bridge. Franklin stares intently at the destroyed computer, and Alexandra asks him, "What is wrong?"

Franklin chuckles nervously. "This might sound weird, but I think this computer might have saved my life." He points at a dead Sectoid Commander in the corner of the room. "That thing burst through the door from below. Caught me by surprise. It should have had me dead to rights. We fired at each other. I hit it, but it hit the computer. I thought it was strange that it would miss such an easy shot. Now, I'm not so sure it did."

Alexandra nods. "No, I do not think it did either. It is clear that they were hiding something. What this is, I am not sure." She examines the computer. "Whatever this may be, this pile of resturi is telling us nothing."

"Uh, Captain!" Burton yells from the next room. "I've found something!"

Alexandra and Franklin run to her side. "What is it?" Alexandra asks.

"You're not going to like this." She presses a few buttons. "This translator is far from perfect, so I can't be sure, but if I'm reading this right, that human was special." She looks back at Alexandra. "Captain, you mentioned that one of the people you escaped that base from with had something done to him, right? Some kind of implants?" Alexandra nods. "And that Thin Man talked about someone being enhanced, right?"

Alexandra thinks. "Yes. We could not hear what the Sectoid it killed was saying, but the Thin Man spoke of great potential, or something of this sort. Whatever they had done, it killed Sectoid that was disposing of the one it spoke of."

Burton points at the destroyed pod. "I think whoever was in this pod was cut from the same cloth. Whoever they were, the aliens had spent months manipulating them, drawing out hidden psionic abilities and enhancing them. They'd made them so strong, that, um..." Burton stops to think of the best way to word her findings. "You know how the Sectoids and their larger-headed brothers can mind control people, bringing them under their complete mercy. Not only did this human have those same abilities, but they were designed in a way that could amplify the aliens own abilities."

Franklin rubs his chin. "So with this one human, they could end up controlling an entire one of our groups, and just have us kill each other." He shakes his head. "But that doesn't make sense. If they could do this, then why didn't they? Why destroy this person instead of using him against us?"

Burton's voice shakes slightly. "Because they weren't ready, and think it's because they didn't plan to use him against us." She types on her device, and a holographic map of the region displays over the computer. Tracing her finger along a line on the map, she continues, "On a hunch, I looked at the course this ship was on. According to this, it was on a course that takes it directly over X-COM HQ."

Alexandra swallows slowly. "So, if they were to use this person on X-COM, they could instantly get dozens of infiltrators in base at once, and open gates for a full invasion."

With a nervous look, Franklin asks, "So we prevented this invasion.....right?"

Alexandra shakes her head. "Prevented? Perhaps. Or perhaps this has only delayed such an attack. We have no reason to believe they do not have more of these enhanced humans." She pulls out her communicator. "Bradford, this is Captain Matei." There is no response. "This is Captain Matei, do you read me Bradford...X-COM, do you read?" She turns to the others. They try their communicators but get no response. Alexandra quickly heads towards the back of the ship, the other two following closely behind. "There is something in this ship blocking communication. We must hurry. X-COM needs to know of our discovery. They need to be prepared in case the..." There is an explosion ahead of them. They are barely able to duck under a large metal object flying overhead. To their surprise, it is Xing's mech, minus Xing, though from the look of it's messy inside, Xing did not leave it willingly.

Before they can react, a blast of plasma punches through Burton's stomach from behind. As she falls to the floor, Franklin and Alexandra rush into cover and draw their weapons. "Shit!" Franklin makes sure his weapon is fully loaded. "What happened!?"

Müller runs into the room, tightly clenching his left side in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding. He crawls to the side, coming to rest next to Alexandra. "I'm sorry, Captain," he weakly says as Alexandra tries to help him. "They came out of nowhere. They must have been on their way here from the moment the ship crashed."

"Stop talking!" Alexandra pulls the med-spray from Müller's side. As she points it towards him, she hears the terrifyingly familiar sound of something rolling behind her. She turns in time to see Franklin leap onto the alien grenade before it explodes.

The world around Alexandra spins as the ringing in her ears makes her feel as though her head will explode. She weakly lifts her head, and sees a tall being with four arms and a large helmet walk into the room, followed closely by two Mutons in red armor. The tall being looks down at Alexandra. It points at her, and the Muton aims its weapon at her and fires.
 
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ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part Nine

(One week later)

"Thanks for coming," Jake says, handing Alice and Duncan each a glass of water. Smiling at Duncan, he asks, "You still drink fluids, don't you? Or would you prefer some oil?"

"Very funny." Duncan takes the drink with his cybernetic hand. "I'm still organic on the inside, and you know it. They even said they're keeping my limbs on ice until we're done with this war." He smiles broadly. "The question is, will I even want them back. Being like this has its advantages, after all."

Alice laughs. "Well, either way, you're still the same Duncan, metal skin or not." She lowers her head. "It's too bad...we couldn't all be here."

Duncan shakes his head. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he says, "Yeah, me too. I know it doesn't mean much, but Alexandra was a warrior through and through, and I'm sure she fell like one, fighting to the end. I'm sure they all did."

Alice nods. She glances at Sora, sitting on her bed and listening to music on a small, beat-up MP3 playing. Alice turns to Jake and asks, "So where are the other two? It's not everyday we meet like this?"

"They're in the civilian meeting hall," Jake answers. "They're showing a movie. Spartacus, I think."

Alice raises an eyebrow. "And Sora stayed behind? I know kids don't have much of an appreciation for the classics, but surely she'd rather hang out with her friends then us."

Jake smiles. "You two are her friends, too." The smile fades from his face. "But there is a reason she's here and they're not. Sora insisted that we not worry them with why you're here. She didn't want to talk to you either, but I insisted that we could trust you."

Duncan and Alice exchange a worried look. "Well, that doesn't sound good," Duncan grumbles.

Jake rubs his hands together nervously. "Well, um...you remember that Thin Man at the base? What he said about a person with "potential", someone he wasn't pleased to hear was going to be disposed off?"

Alice nods. "Yeah. How can we forget mister suave and debonair losing his cool?" She leans in closer to Jake. "Does that mean some of that potential has come out? Have you...started finding some powers or something?"

Jake shakes his head. "Nothing more then I demonstrated at the base. But circumstances have led me to believe that he wasn't talking about me. After all, I wasn't the one who was split open like a lab animal."

Duncan's eyes widen. "So you mean..." He looks over at Sora. "So does that mean that...vortex thing...was..."

Jake shrugs. "Maybe, but she hasn't done anything like that."

"And what can she do?" Alice asks nervously.

"Nothing!" Sora shouts, still wearing her headphones. "I can't do anything."

Jake sighs. "Then how do you know what we're talking about if you can't hear us?" He looks at the others and points at his head.

Sora takes off her headphones and tosses them to the side. "I couldn't. I mean I-I could because...b-because I was only pretending to listen to music."

Alice stands up and walks over to Sora. She sits next to her and gently places a hand on her shoulder. "Sora, honey, I know this is hard, and I'm sure your scared, but we only want to help."

"She's right," Duncan says. "I can understand why you might not want to say anything, but you should know we are only worried about you. But we can't do anything if you keep us in the dark."

Sora sits in silence for a few seconds, then finally nods. Jake stands up and walks over to an object on a dresser with a large towel covering it. "Ever since we got out of that base, Sora's noticed some changes, changes she's tried to hide from everyone. Her teachers believe she's far more intelligent then she lets on, and while she tries to act bratty, I've noticed her mentally maturing faster then you'd expect." Uncovering the towel to reveal a tank with three lab rats, he lifts the cage and carries it over to the table. "Then, about six or so weeks ago, she wandered into the labs and had a little chat with that Thin Man, and it said something about hidden abilities. She started experimenting after that, and found she could hear other people's thoughts if she concentrated."

Duncan nods his head towards the cage. "Where'd you get this guys?"

"They're from the labs." Sora climbs off her bed and walks over to the cage. "They're used to test meld, amongst other things. A friend of ours there let us borrow them." She reaches in and pulls one out, gently petting it.

Alice smiles. "Are you going to tell us what the rats are thinking?"

Placing the rat back in the cage, Sora says, "Sadly, that isn't all I can do." She stares intently at the rats, and they start squealing loudly and running back and forth. "I can send negative waves into others, harming them mentally and sending them into a panic." The rats instantly stop, and start rolling and rubbing the walls as though in ecstasy. "I can also send positive, soothing waves of energy, calming and energizing others."

Stepping away from the cage, Sora holds out her hand. A purple orb of energy forms in it, then expands to fill the entire room. "What does this do?" Duncan asks, looking around in fascination.

"I'm not entirely sure, but it projects energy outwards, so I think I can use it as a protective barrier." Sora retracts the energy, and turns back towards the cage. The two healthier looking rats run up to the third, an older, sickly looking rat. They stand on their hind legs, and lift the rat with their front legs, carrying it towards Sora like they were human. "Mind control...I know, just like those monsters. But I can also do this." She picks up the rat with her left hand and places her right hand over it, waves of energy flowing from it into the rat. "I'm afraid this rat has been through one to many experiments, and has cancerous cells in every part of its body." Sora closes her eyes and concentrates. After a few minutes, she places the rat back into the cage, and it starts running around with the energy of the other two rats.

Alice stares at the rats in fascination. "That's amazing, Sora. How did you do that?"

"I searched out the cancerous cells, manipulated the mitochondria in them, and ordered them to commit apoptosis."

Duncan raises an eyebrow. "Can you explain that again in English, please?"

"Programmed Cellular Death," Alice says. "She ordered the cancerous cells to commit suicide." She looks up at Sora and asks, "Sora, have you tried this..."

"Absolutely not!" Sora looks away in shame. "And I never will. I don't want these abilities! I just want to be a regular human, not some psychic freak. And if word got out..."

Jake steps behind her and places his hands on her shoulders. "You don't know that. We're experimenting with that thing we got from the base, trying to give the alien's abilities to our people. If we're willing to do that, why wouldn't they except you."

"Because they weren't the ones that gave me these powers." Sora turns to Jake and stares him in eyes, daring him to tell her she's wrong. When he can't, she buries her face against his chest, crying softly. Jake wraps his arms around her and holds her tightly.

Duncan let's out a long sigh. "I hate to admit it, but a bit of caution would be for the best." He looks down at his cybernetic hands. "I'm often surprised at how many people look down on me because of how different from them I've become, despite the fact that they're the reason I've changed. That doesn't mean I think they'd just throw her in a cell and start experimenting on her like in some sci-fi movie, but it's better to err on the side of caution. Maybe after we get more psionic soldiers walking around, we can get a meeting with the Commander. He's a reasonable man, and..."

"Why?" Sora pulls away from Jake and gives Duncan a questioning look. "We don't have to tell anyone. I'll just stop using my powers, pretend they don't exist."

Jake shakes his head. "But what happens if you slip up and use them? Or you lose control? Or come across a situation where you're compelled to use them?"

Alice nods. "Jake is right. There is a good chance you'll be found out eventually. I'm sure the Commander would be a lot more reasonable if we came to him then if he found out we were hiding it from him, don't you think?" Sora doesn't answer, and Alice walks over to her. "Sora? Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Sora remains silent. "What's wrong Sora?" Jake asks. He kneels down in front of her. She looks frozen in a state of shock, staring forward like a deer in headlights. "Sora!?" He shakes her lightly. "Snap out of it! What's going on?"

Without changing her expression, Sora whispers, "Something's wrong. Some...something's coming."

"What's coming?" Duncan jumps up and peaks out the door. Ducking back in, he says, "Something is going down. People are running around like chickens with their heads cut off out there."

"They're here!" Sora yells. She grasps her head and falls to her knees, screaming in pain.

"Sora!" Alice tries to examine her, by Sora knocks her hands away. "Please Sora, let me help you!"

"Can't help!" Sora cries out. "Coming to destroy! Coming to KILL! Already here! In base, in us!" She clenches her head tightly. "Trying to get in me! Telling me to destroy! I don't want to hurt you! Can't keep them out! Please, GET AWAY!"

"Sora, we won't leave you." Jake grasps Sora's shoulders. "Fight it, whatever it is. You're stronger then it."

The door to the room slowly creeks open. In the doorway, Hitomi and Rei look at the others, their faces blank, their eyes glazed over. They lift their arms, each holding a handgun in their young hands.
 
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ZombieSplitter53

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Voices in my Head: Part Ten

Duncan darts forward as the girls fire, the rounds punching into his chest. He snatches the guns from their hands and tosses them to the side. With the snarls of animals, Rei and Hitomi leap forward, tackling Duncan to the ground. "Duncan!" Alice yells.

"I'm fine!" Duncan struggles against the girls. "The bullets didn't make it through my armor, but my body isn't exactly designed for civilian pacification. I can't get them off me without hurting them."

Jake and Alice reluctantly leave a writhing Sora and grab the girls off of Duncan. "Damn them," Alice says, struggling against Hitomi as she kicks and punches. "They have no shame, controlling children."

"What are we going to do with them?" Jake asks. Rei bites Jake's hand, and he drops her. She darts to the side, grabbing the pistol and pointing it at Jake.

"NO!" Sora extends her hand as Rei fires. A field of energy momentarily forms around Jake, and the bullet is deflected. "Let my friends GO!" Purple tendrils of energy flow from Sora into Hitomi and Rei. A backlash of power flows back from them into Sora, and all three girls collapse.

As the group catches their breath, an announcement rings out. "Attention everyone, this is Central Officer Bradford. X-COM HQ is under attack. This is not a drill. The Commander has been secured, but alien forces have infiltrated the base. All civilians and security to designated shelter areas. All soldiers to central command. Subdue anyone acting suspiciously, but do not kill them. They are under alien control, and are not responsible for their actions. I repeat, subdue anyone acting suspiciously, but with non-lethal force only."

"I've got to go," Duncan says. "Will you two be okay?"

"We'll be fine." Alice smiles. "Give them one for each of us."

Duncan takes off, and Jake reaches for Rei and Hitomi. "We've got to get going too. "I'll carry these two, can you get..." He looks around in a panic. "Sora? Where'd she go?"

Alice scans the room in confusion. "I don't know. She was right here. She looked like she was out cold."

Jake looks back and forth as though he had missed her in the small room. Biting his tongue, he says, "We...can't stay here. We have to get these two to safety." The words feel like a punch to the gut. Alice reluctantly nods. The two grab the girls and take off for the shelter area.

(Two hours later)

"...I repeat, the main alien forces have been eliminated. All soldiers, report back to Central Command. All X-COM staff and civilians, remain in the shelter areas until a thorough search of the base can be completed."

Jake let's out a sigh of relief as Haven steps to his side. "Good work, Jake. It looks like we pulled through. How's everyone doing?"

Jake looks back into the room. "Good. They're scared, obviously, but calm. How about Stevens?"

Haven shrugs. "Kasumi was a bit too overzealous when she was subduing him, but he'll be fine. He'll just be wondering how he broke his arm." Placing a hand on Jake's shoulder, he says, "Take a break, and go check on your friends." Jake starts to protest, and Haven adds, "That's an order."

Alice sits the floor by Hitomi and Rei, still unconscious and laying on a pair of blankets. Jake takes a seat next to Alice, asking her, "Have they come around at all?'

Alice shakes her head. "They stir every now and then but..." The girls do just that, but this time theyir eyes slowly flicker open. They slowly look around in confusion. Leaning over them, Alice says, "It's okay, girls. You're safe. How are you feeling?"

The girls suddenly spring to life, sitting up and looking around in a panic. "Sora?" They both cry out. In unison, the two ask Jake, "Where's Sora?"

Jake shakes her head. "I'm not sure, but I'm sure she's safe. She's smart, I'm sure she's in one of the other safe zones. We'll find her right after we leave here, okay?"

Rei shakes her head. "You don't understand. She's in danger." She points to her head. "When those things were controlling us, it was like we were watching our bodies from the outside, fully aware what we were doing but unable to stop it."

"But then we heard Sora in our heads," Hitomi adds. "It was like she was a part of us, and was practically screaming at them to get out."

Alice nods. "Yeah, I saw her do...something to you. She drove those things out of your minds."

"No!" Rei gives Jake and Alice a pleading look. "She didn't. When she went in our minds, the aliens, they got...I don't know, excited. It was like...like they, um..."

"It was like they had a handful of old coins." Hitomi struggles to explain. "And when they heard Sora in our heads, it was like they found an ancient coin made of pure gold. Sora didn't free us. They left us to swarm her like a pack of wolves on a wounded animal."

Eye's wide with fright, Jake leaps to his feet and runs for the exit. As he nears it, Haven yells, "Jake, stop, where are you going?"

"A friend of mine needs help," Jake answers. "I think she's in danger."

"Well, you can't go out there." Haven runs up to him and grabs his shoulder before he can exit. "There's some trouble in cargo hold four. Some stragglers our soldiers are having a problem with. If they missed them, there's no telling who else they missed."

Jake nods. "Cargo hold four. Got it, thanks." He pulls away and takes off.

"Have you lost it?" Haven yells after him, to no avail. As Jake disappears around a corner, Haven turns back and walks towards Alice.

Jake jogs through the hallways, every terrible possibility going through his mind. Reaching the cargo hold, he see's several soldiers in cover halfway in. Seeing Duncan, he crouches next to him and asks, "What's happening?"

"Jake? What are you..." Duncan shakes his head. "Whatever. A few aliens, three Sectoids, and some really tall thing we've never encountered before, holed up in the back. We're afraid to get too close. That four armed freak has incredibly strong powers. I'd bum rush them, but my mech was too badly damaged. I'd love to just end this all with a well placed rocket, but we can't."

"A hostage, right?" Jake cautiously looks over the cover. "Is it Sora?"

"How did you...yeah, it is, but..." Duncan shakes his head. "I'm not so sure about the hostage part." Looking enraged, Jake leaps over the cover and walks towards the aliens. "Jake!" Duncan yells. "What the hell are you doing?!"

As Jake nears the back, a Sectoid steps out of cover and levels it's weapon towards him. "Stop." Sora steps forward. 'Let him come."

[But what if it is a trick.]

"It's not." Sora smiles. "I know him. And all he cares about is me." The Sectoid steps back into cover, and Sora slowly walks towards Jake. As she steps out of the shadows, Jake can see a flow of energy extending from the back of the room to Sora's head. "Hello Jake," Sora says, still smiling. "Have you come to save me? Or perhaps to join us?"

Jake shakes his head. "Join us? Who do you think you're fooling. I know you're controlling her. I've come to get her back." His eyes soften. "Come on, Sora. Fight them. You don't have to let them control you. I beat one of those Sectoids, and you're a hundred times stronger then me. I don't care how strong that thing is, you can beat it."

Sora laughs. "'Beat it' he says. You seemed to be confused. I probably could beat them, but I don't want to." She slowly walks around Jake, skipping lightly as she does. "We've had time to talk, and I've come to realize how wrong we've been. The aliens, they don't want to hurt us. They want us to join them. If we laid down arms and accepted them, not a single human would be hurt anymore. They can bring out the true 'us', show us what we can be."

"That's very interesting Sora," Jake says, watching Sora as she prances around him. "It's also a far cry from what you were saying a few hours ago. You were scared. You hated these powers. And after only a few hours of 'talking', you've not only accepted your powers, but joined the aliens? I don't buy it." Jake grabs Sora's shoulders. "Sora, listen. I don't know if this is just a trick, and I'm just talking to an alien, but if you are Sora, the alien is corrupting your thoughts. If you really believe what you're saying, then have the alien release you and then tell me you still want to side with them."

Sora jumps back and giggles. "Oh, you're clever, Jake. That's one of the many things I've always loved about you. But I'm not so easily fooled. The moment I'm released, you grab me, and the others blow up my friends, regardless of what I have to say." Sora wags a finger at Jake. "You'll have to do better then that. You forget, I've grown. Don't let my appearance deceive you. Mentally, I'm as old as you now. Maybe older." She looks down at herself. "But looks are everything, aren't they? You wanna see something neat that they showed me I could do."

Sora closes her eyes, and a light red glow radiates from her skin. As Jake stares in shock, her body grows taller, her hair longer, her feminine features more pronounced. As the glow fades, she collapses to the ground, panting heavily in pain. Jake steps forward. "Sora? Are...are you..."

Sora laughs, slowly raising to her feet. "They, uh, they warned me about trying to do too much at once. Said it would be painful. But I couldn't help it." She stands up straight, her body now that of a young adult. She looks at her clothes, bound tightly to her skin. "Oops, didn't really think about this, but now I'm going to need brand new cloths." She brushes her hand through her air, having grown from the middle of her neck to bellow her waste. "And a hair-cut."

Jake takes a step forward. "Sora, what have they done to you?"

"What do you mean?" Sora looks at him in confusion. "I did this for you. Now I'm as old as you, give or take a few months. I mean, I could have gone older, but I wanted to be your age. Or do you prefer older women?"
 
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