AN: FINALLY THE NASTY ONE HAS COME BACK TO FANFICTION!
What's up everyone? Hope you guys are all excited for the New Year, cause I know that I am! And to celebrate this I decided to post another chapter for this story, since I felt that I shortchanged you guys with the short terror mission chapter. Anyway let's jump right in then!
Chapter 10: Operation Forgotten Thunder
== On the Skyranger ==
The five selected members for the mission were seated securely in the Skyranger as they headed to Mexico to take care of the abductions taking place there. The Commander decided to go heavy on the leadership for this mission, since it was classified as a Very Difficult mission for a reason. Because of that, the first three members of the squad were no surprise as it was Lt. Kim "Cargo" Green the American Support soldier who was stocked up on Medikit supplies to cover injuries, Sgt. Tatyana "Prototype" Zaytseva the Russian Heavy who had her SAW locked and loaded and had her Nano-Fiber Vest secured underneath her armor, and Sgt. Daniel "Cobra" Cohen the Israeli Assault soldier who had switched back to his Remington 870 MCS for this mission, and also snagged a vest for himself since he'd be getting up close and personal with the aliens.
The other two members of the squad came as a surprise to the three veterans, but they trusted the Commander's judgment and went with it. The first choice was Sq. Cheng Chen the Chinese Support soldier who hadn't seen any action since Operation Hot Whisper when he saved Flores from being killed when her cover was destroyed. He carried his usual M4A1 assault rifle, as well as an extra Medikit in case Cargo ran out of supplies, though his had only enough for one usage. The final squad member was the sole remaining XCOM rookie that was recruited after Collins and Kuumba's deaths in Operation Bloody Apollo.
Said rookie was named Moon Kim from Seoul, South Korea. Kim was 23 years old and stood at a miniscule 5' 7'' but made up for it with a decent amount of muscle due to his career in the South Korean military. His black hair was stylized into a military buzz cut and he was always professional and cold to those around him since he didn't know when or if they would be killed. Kim served in the Republic of Korea's Marine Corps, ROK Marines, in the 2nd Marine Regiment known as the Yellow-Dragon regiment. On the back of his uniform he had the ROK Marines' flag inscribed underneath his country's flag. Kim also carried the standard rookie gear, but added an S.C.O.P.E to improve his accuracy since there wasn't a sniper on the mission with Longbow getting a much needed day off.
The squad now pulled up a hologram of the area of landing and noticed that it was a bar and grill restaurant that had cars parked out in front of it, and along its left side. Following the left side led to a delivery truck which allowed a view of the restaurant's back alley that had numerous ladders leading to roof access. The squad decided that going left behind the car cover leading into the alley would be the best course of action as it would have the best cover, and would allow for them to scale the roof and surprise any enemies out in front of the restaurant.
"Touching Down Strike One." was the warning from the pilot, as they approached the Earth and landed just to the Southwest of the restaurant near the left side. The ramp descended as the squad disembarked to counteract another alien attack on the inhabitants of Earth.
== On the Ground ==
== XCOM Turn #1/ Alien Turn #1 ==
Cargo and Cobra took point as the squad slowly progressed to the car cover provided by a brown SUV parked facing towards the front of the Skyranger ramp, and an orange SUV that was parked with its front facing the restaurant. Peeking around the corner of the orange SUV, Cargo spots three Sectoids that promptly scurry behind the cover of the large delivery truck near the alley. Deciding to hang back and set up an Overwatch trap, the squad does so, but none of the Sectoids advance far enough to trigger it and are nowhere in sight.
== XCOM Turn #2 ==
Cargo realized that the only way to move safely would be to trigger the Overwatch using Cobra's reflexes. As long as there was only one Overwatch he'd be fine, but if it was two or more he was at risk of being hurt badly. Knowing it was the only way, Cobra accepted the order before kissing Prototype to calm her worries before charging ahead recklessly to an alien device that was equidistant from the SUV and the delivery truck.
== Cohen's POV ==
As I stepped out into the open I saw that one Sectoid was entrenched behind the delivery truck's rear that was closer to the restaurant and he aimed at me to fire. But there was another one that was behind the device I was charging for. Hoping for the best I ran as hard as I could as the shots whizzed harmlessly by me and I made it to the device unscathed. Deciding to return the favor I aimed my shotgun at the closest one and blew him away with buckshot. Before I could celebrate I looked into the alley and spotted three more Sectoids scurrying back into there for cover.
'That's fan-fucking-tastic, another goddamn pod of Sectoids!'
Ending my internal rant, I radioed their location to my squadmates as I heard an explosion come from the brown SUV that had been hit by the shots that missed me. Thankfully the squad had moved away so we were all still okay for now. Now we just had to wait for their counterattack.
== Battlefield POV == == Alien Turn #2 ==
The squad had fallen back and shifted left as the cover exploded and set and Overwatch trap, hoping to kill at least one of the aliens. One Sectoid from the alley mind-melded with one of his buddies and said Sectoid scaled the roof triggering the Overwatch of the soldiers. All of them missed as the guy managed to scurry along the edge of the roof before peeking out and hitting Cargo in the side with some plasma rounds. Another Sectoid ran up to Cobra's position, but didn't do anything except stare downfield as if Cobra wasn't there.
== XCOM Turn #3 ==
Trying to provide Cobra some support, Prototype ran forward to the now destroyed SUV, but is shot by the Sectoid next to Cobra as he was on Overwatch wounding her in the leg. Despite this, she is able to steady her SAW on the smoking SUV's frame and suppress the Sectoid on the roof.
With this distraction, Cobra moves to the left of the device, closer to the truck and blows away the creature that wounded his girlfriend as he riddled it with some more buckshot. With those two out of the picture for the time being, Kim and Chen fall back and Overwatch to cover Cobra, while Cargo falls back behind them and heals her wound with some of the Medikit's restorative mist.
==Alien Turn #3 ==
The suppressed Sectoid's aim is too badly hindered and ends up missing Prototype by a wide margin. The two Sectoids in the alley link together psychically and Overwatch to try and prevent the eventual assault on their position. Having none of that Cobra charges for the truck and dodges their hasty Overwatch once again thanks to his reflexes.
==XCOM Turn #4 ==
Kim and Chen move forward and take shots at the roof using Sectoid, but miss horrendously due to the recoil of their rifles. During this, Prototype and Cargo fall back towards the beginning of the map so that way Cargo can heal Prototype's wounds.
== Alien Turn #4 ==
The roof using Sectoid charges to its very edge and shoots Cargo in the back as Prototype pulls her into cover and helps her heal the wound that has reopened on her side.
== XCOM Turn #5 ==
Needing to turn the tide, Cobra peeks around the truck and discovers the Sectoid from the first group that had gone missing cowering there in fear. The Sectoid looked up only to be met with some burning buckshot as it blew away the upper part of its head killing it instantly.
Meanwhile, Chen misses his shot on the rooftop Sectoid again, but is picked up by Kim as the rookie's aim holds true and the Sectoid is easily dispatched. This allows Cargo and Prototype to move back up behind the destroyed SUV.
== Alien Turn #5 ==
The two Sectoids are enraged by their comrade's death and fire at Cobra who is hit in the chest, but his vest is able to prevent the projectiles from penetrating his skin. The other Sectoid decides to charge the roof and wounds Prototype again as it also reopens her wounds that were already stitched up.
== XCOM Turn #6 ==
Chen then charges towards the alien device and dispatches the Sectoid on the roof as it peeks over the roof edge to assess the situation. Cargo moves up next to Chen and hunkers down to avoid more bullets, as Kim and Prototype Overwatch with Cohen reloading.
== Alien Turn #6 ==
The lone remaining Sectoid misses his shots on Cargo thanks to her heavy cover, and is once again stuck by himself in the alley.
== XCOM Turn #7 ==
Unimpeded due to the Sectoid firing, Chen reaches the truck cover thanks to his Sprinter ability, and dispatches the Sectoid from this life with his M4A1. The rest of the squad decides to reload as they hear Floaters from either inside or near the restaurant's entrances.
== XCOM Turn #8 ==
Taking the provided lack of sight on the Floaters, Cobra leads them on to the roof as the regroup near an air conditioning unit to discuss their next moves. Knowing there is a back door in the alley, Cargo and Cobra head there while Kim, Chen, and Prototype advance to the roof edge and wait for the others' signal to fire.
== XCOM Turn #9 ==
Reaching the door, Cobra opens it and spots two Floaters out in front of the restaurant that don't decide to fly off, but just sit there. Using their inactivity to their advantage he and Cargo fall back and set up an Overwatch trap as they tell the others to do the same.
== Alien Turn #9 ==
One Floater decides to try and access the roof, but it wounded by Chen's Overwatch, before being finished off by Kim. This site causes the other Floater to freeze as it goes on Overwatch to prevent them from charging him.
== XCOM Turn #10
Cargo and Cobra move back up to the door, and spot the Floater still there so Cargo takes aim and misses wildly, as Cobra aims his shotgun and fires across the length of the restaurant and the spread is still small enough to completely hit the Floater ending its existence on the Earth. With those two dealt with, the others on the roof Overwatch waiting for any more aliens as they hear noises coming from the restaurant's far side.
== Alien Turn #10 ==
Two more Floaters come charging out in front of the restaurant, as Prototype lights one up with her SAW sending him plummeting to the Earth in a ball of flames. Terrified the other one stays behind the building and debates its next move.
== XCOM Turn #11 ==
Receiving the information from their squadmates, Cargo charges to the building's edge and peeks out seeing the Floater exactly where he was said to be. Unaware of her being behind him, she raised her rifle and pumped him full of hot lead ending the mission as a resounding success for the XCOM faithful.
== Back at Base ==
Upon the return to base, the soldiers were greeted with congratulations as they completed the mission rather thoroughly. On the bad side, Cargo and Prototype would have to spend eight days in the Infirmary to have their wounds completely heal. But on the plus side the other three came out unscathed and two of them were promoted. Cobra was promoted to Lieutenant thanks to his four kills, and decided upon the Rapid Fire perk to allow him to fire two rapid shots against the same target; Kim was also promoted as he went to Squaddie and chose the role of Support to help keep his comrades alive.
Following that, China and India both went to the maximum panic level thanks to the Commander ignoring India's request for support. Next, the Power Generator was finally constructed allowing for the Engineers to begin constructing the Laboratory in the final open slot of the first level, as well as constructing the access lift down to the second level.
== Two Days Later ==
Experimental Warfare was finished by the research staff, so the Commander instructed them to commence the autopsy of the Sectoid to learn more about it since they had more staff members on call now.
Later that day, two of the three Satellites that were being constructed finished down in Engineering, and the Commander had to decide where the two would go. He went back through his requests, and found that both Germany and Russia were requesting one and decided to honor their requests by giving them to them. This further infuriated the Chinese and Indian governments. In order to cover the new Satellites, two more Interceptors were ordered for Europe as well as the construction of 6 Phoenix Cannons to improve the ships firepower.
== Four Days Later ==
With their Research complete, the scientists discovered the psychic link between the creatures and how they could use this benefit to increase the aim for Interceptors when they were pursuing enemy ships. Although this process of replicating the Aim function would cost three of the Sectoid bodies being kept in storage. With nothing else to report, the scientists started on the research of Beam Weapons.
The Engineering department began working on excavating the second level as the access left had just finished construction that morning. This process would take another five days.
== Five Days Later ==
The fifth Satellite is finished by the Engineers, and as a peace offering the Commander presented it to China to reduce their panic level and apologize for ignoring their requests earlier.
Later in the day, the Excavations are completed along with the Laboratory which increased the Scientists productivity tenfold. With nothing else on the docket, the month ended as the Council sent over the Monthly Summary for XCOM.
Sadly, India decided to pull out of the XCOM project as it didn't feel enough support from the group and decided to go it alone against the aliens. This lone event brought the grade for the entire month down to a B, but it was still passable enough for the Council as they commended the project on a job well done. On the transmission, the Commander noticed the statistics for this month's activity.
Rewards: + 765 credits, +4 Scientists, +4 Engineers
2 Abductions Stopped
1 Terror Mission Stopped
1 UFO Shot Down and Raided
1 UFO Raided
4 Research Projects Completed
3 Satellites Launched
With nothing else to report, the Council left wishing the Commander good luck in the month to come. As the transmission ended and the country list came back on line, the Commander made note of the updated panic levels:
1: USA, Mexico, Russia, Germany, South Africa, and Nigeria
2: Canada, Argentina, France, Australia, and Egypt
3: Brazil, UK, China
4: Japan
Withdrawn: India
The Commander was walking down to the Memorial wall, as he went over the roster numbers in his head which amounted to 15 Soldiers, 16 Engineers, and 14 Scientists. Reaching his destination, the Commander gazed solemnly over the list which now sported three new names that were the direct result of his decisions made during the missions they took.
Sq. Anne Collins
Rk. Adegoke Kuumba
Rk. Wendy Gardner
'Another three of my soldiers are gone thanks to my carelessness. I was lucky not to lose anyone during that mission to Mexico not too long ago. This is only going to get harder, I need to step up or else this is going to go down the tubes in front of my eyes.'
With a new determined look in his eyes, the Commander started back to his office as he waited for what the aliens would throw at him in May.
AN: And that's the end of the second month of the game. Hope you guys are happy with how the story is progressing and continue to support it moving forward. With the Terror Mission combined with this one we have reached the normal length of one chapter. I tried a new style with this Chapter, so let me know what you guys think about it in a review. Anyway, the next chapter will be the updated active roster, and then the following chapter will be the first May mission. So stay tuned to find out what happens next. I'd like to wish all of you a Happy New Year and I'll see you all in 2016! Until next time, this is "The Nasty One" signing off.
-PRAK #TheNastyOne