=Chapter 14 – The Commander's Duties=
{Commander's Log, Date - Unspecified}
{It is my job as the Commander to oversee the addition of new personal to the XCOM project, as well as award promotions to those who deserve it. However, I find myself in this… interesting position… in that the promotion being given, is one that has never been done in the history of XCOM.}
{Needless to say, the decision is final… I cannot take back what I have decided upon, nor would I take back my decision in any way.}
{Being the Commander of XCOM has its perks, I fear but one single individual in the entire world, and I do not even know his face… for good reason. It's the face you never see, that you both respect and fear the most.}
=Promotion=
(Mercy's PoV)
"I don't understand, why must we wear our full armor?" She asked Puppy as she and Sharptooth finished dressing in their 'basic' armor.
"It's the rule, all active squad soldiers and personal prepare for a promotion ceremony in the Memorial room." Sharptooth said nonchalantly.
"I bet you the Commander's finally promoting me!" Puppy said eagerly, having been released from the Med Lab the day before.
They'd returned to the Avenger two days ago after losing Perce and Gabriella, as well as losing XCOM HQ. Many questions were asked, but the only ones fit to answer were Hawkeye, herself, Puppy, Falcon, and Sharptooth. The Commander had ordered the information as classified to command level operatives and colonel ranked operatives.
Only an hour after they had returned, everyone tuned in to their screens to watch the 'Name Addition Ceremony'.
She had never seen such a somber moment in her life, as only one individual was present in the entire room.
A heavily robed person, and the Gremlin that belonged to the Commander, so she assumed that he was keeping his identity a secret to everyone.
She heard his sad voice through the Gremlin as he spoke of Perce and Gabriella, how they were among the few remaining XCOM agents from the 'old days' that still fought. He spoke of their bravery, their strength, and above all their devotion to their duty to humanity and Earth. As he finished his speech she watched him use the Gremlin to engrave their names onto the wall, among the dozens of other names that were on it.
Yet this time, they were being called to the memorial room for a 'promotion ceremony'?
"What is ceremony for?" She asked.
"As it says, promotion in Ranks, and with higher ranks comes access to better gear!" Sharptooth said with a chuckle. "That's why our Puppy never gets to use anything good because she's still the Rookie!"
"Laugh it up Sharptooth, you just watch, I'm going to get promoted today, and then we'll see whose laughing!" She said.
Mercy 'chuckled', taking up the habit by being with her human allies for so long now. As Sharptooth and Puppy walked out while she continued to finish putting on her armor, she paused for a moment, before slowly resuming tying her armor on her tail.
She never realized it before, but she had become exceptionally 'used' to being around these XCOM agents. In fact, now that she looked back over the past two days, she's not had one single glare or 'silent treatment' from any of the personnel on board their floating vessel. It was the first time she ever thought about it, but she had grown accustomed to being in XCOM now, fighting alongside them and even aiding in their attempts to fight Advent.
*When did I become so 'used' to them?* She asked herself quietly as she finished tying her armor onto her tail. *In fact… when did they become 'used' to me?*
She sighed again before slithering over to leave the armory.
Exiting she found Hawkeye leaning against the wall, reading his book and wearing his own Kevlar armor. "About time you showed up Mercy." He said, closing the book and looking up at her. "So, ready for the big ceremony?"
"I am dressed properly, but I still do not know who is being rewarded." She said as she and Hawkeye began going down the empty corridor toward the staircase.
"Oh don't worry, you'll learn soon enough." He said warmly. "So tell me, what you thought of becoming here when you joined our humble crew of 'terrorists'?"
"Becoming here?" She asked her kindred human.
She thought about that question for a bit, before glancing at Hawkeye. She had to admit, she deeply admired him, not only for what he could do, but what he's done for her so far. Sparing her life, saving it, encouraging and protecting her as she chose to join XCOM. He faced his allies and even stared down against their enemies with her, and all the while he treated her no differently than he would another of his kind.
"Uh… Mercy?" He said as he looked at her. "You're staring at me."
"Oh… uh… forgive me… was thinking." She said quickly, not understanding 'what' she had indeed been thinking, or why she was thinking such thoughts. "I guess… never thought about it… I just wanted to live another day."
"Well… looks like you've lived several days now." He said as they walked down the staircase, all the way to the memorial room, which also served as the 'bar' for the humans here.
Although she's never been in the bar before.
"Yes… I have." She said, before thinking about her Hierarch Mother's orders, and wonder what she thought of her decision to join Advent's enemies.
She had not paid her any attention, or made any comment down in the XCOM HQ, in fact she seemed not to have noticed her at all. Either she didn't realize she was truly on the resistance's side, or she did not care.
*No matter which way it is, she did not hesitate to have her forces try to kill me…* She thought sadly. *I am truly dead to Advent now… even my Hierarch Mother no longer cares for me… all I have left now… are XCOM and…*
She glanced at Hawkeye again as they reached the floor where the Memorial Room was again, and again felt something in her chest stir.
Hawkeye opened the door first, and the first thing she noticed was that the hallway was very dark, with most of the lights off.
"Huh, I guess they're running maintenance on the lights down here." Hawkeye said in a surprised tone.
"Again?" She asked him. "Why so much maintenance?"
"You know how things are, they break, they malfunction, and things just don't work properly sometimes." He said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Shen must be very busy." She answered as they walked down the hallway and toward a closed door.
Hawkeye opened the door first and walked through, temporarily blinding her as the light poured from it. Then as she slithered through, trying to clear her eyes, she widened them as she beheld a strange sight.
It was as if every single XCOM personnel was in the room, all of them standing in two rows on either side of the doorway and at attention. Some of them were the wounded Gamma Raptors, and the rest of the Land Sharks. Everyone she'd ever seen, the rude engineers in engineering, some random maintenance crew, weapon's personnel, even the cleaning crew and cooking staff. All of them were standing at attention.
At the forefront, in front of the Memorial Wall, was a robed person with every part of him completely covered to prevent anyone from seeing his face, and next to him was a floating Gremlin. Next to him was Central Bradford, Chief Engineer Shen, and finally Dr. Tygan. All of them were standing at attention, with exception to the Commander, and looking down at her.
"Sorry it took so long sir, she was a little slow leaving." Hawkeye said, saluting the Commander and Central.
"Its fine… take your position Agent Hawkeye." Central said.
Hawkeye nodded and walked over to stand with the rest of the Sharks, before standing at attention just like them.
[Attention Everyone!] The Commander's Gremlin declared, getting everyone to look at them now. [Today… marks the forty seventh Promotion Ceremony, held here aboard the Avenger. But this one is a most special one, for this day marks the first time, a non-human has ever been considered worthy of the honor, of being promoted within the ranks of XCOM.]
At that Central, Tygan, Shen, and even the Commander looked at her, even if she didn't see the Commander's face she knew he was looking at her.
[For the first time, since XCOM's founding, has an 'alien' ever joined our ranks. By our organization's very nature, it is most 'unusual' for us to even be standing here, with one we have been sworn to protect Humanity against! Yet, the truth cannot be denied, nor can we hide it from ourselves… we stand with one who was once our enemy, as an ally, and friend.]
[Agent Mercy… come forward…]
She gulped and moved forward between the two rows, and with each person she passed they raised their arms and saluted her. As she passed Puppy, Hawkeye, Sharptooth, Eagleeye, T-Rex, and even Falcon, they all gave her a faint smile, or in Falcon's case a nod.
When she reached the small platform she placed her hands behind her, as the other personnel were doing and stared into the shadowed hood of her Commander.
Knowing that she was now face to face with him, she was severely intimidated by his presence. She was staring at the one, sole individual, on the entire planet, that could possibly lead her and her fellow 'resistance' soldiers to freedom from Advent. He was the shadow leader of XCOM, and he lived up to his reputation even now.
[Agent Mercy… when you came aboard this ship months ago, you were a prisoner of war. I told you that you were the first ever of your kind to enter the heart of the resistance. A week later you joined us as a member of our crew, working for our organization. Your decision was fueled by your desire to survive, to live, to merely exist in the universe for another day. Out of fear for your life, you joined us here, and became a traitor to your own kind, to Advent… but in joining us, you have gained something that Advent never offered you and we have given to you… not easily, but nonetheless we have given to you.] He nodded to Central, who pulled out a small case from behind his back and opened it.
Inside the case was a small badge, next to it was a pin, both of which bore an insignia on them.
The insignia was a coiled snake, with a single star below it and a moon behind it.
[For the actions you have taken in the name of XCOM, for the kills you have claimed fighting alongside the Land Sharks in the field, and for the bravery you showed against your former allies… I award you with the rank of 'Sergeant'… with all the rights and privileges that come with it.]
{Indeed…} A mysterious voice declared suddenly, and she looked around with everyone at a large screen on the wall, and beheld a human whose face like the Commander was shrouded in secrecy.
All she could see of him, was his hands, which were cupped, and his suit, which was black. His face was digitized in a way that made it impossible to see who he was, and his voice was masked to prevent her from recognizing it. But she didn't need to know those things, because she could feel him 'looking' at her.
She felt terror from witnessing the face of this 'person', he looked like one who had supreme power over everything before him. If she had feared the Commander for his secrecy, and his capabilities, then this person truly made her wish she could curl up and hide, because she doubted there was not a single thing about her that he did not know.
He was powerful, and she feared him far more than the Commander. At least he allowed her to see him 'physically'.
{Viper, named 'Mercy'… this decision was not one even the Commander could make on his own. He had to convince 'me' in order to give you this… honor. And I am not one to be easily 'convinced' about anything.} He said calmly, but with great authority in each and every syllable that made her hang on his every word. {I hope that you will not misplace my 'faith' in you… accept this honor, and enjoy the power it gives you… but remember you are XCOM now. Always live by this motto, 'Vigilo Confido', we are relied upon and we are watchful. Do not rest your guard against our enemy, and remember this above all.} He leaned forward toward her, and she knew he was speaking 'directly' to her. {'We'… will be watching.}
Then the screen turned off, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
*There is someone even more powerful than the Commander?* She thought nervously. *I hope I never see him again…* She thought about his final words, and shuddered at what he hinted at. *'We'… will be watching.*
[Now then, with a new rank and position as an XCOM agent… comes the trust and privilege that your rank gives you Agent Mercy.] The Commander said, and this time Shen walked over, pulling a rather large case with her and opening it with her Gremlin's help.
Inside Mercy beheld a spectacular weapon. It looked like the XCOM's old model Plasma Sniper Rifles, but it was modified slightly. The magazine only held one round, the barrel was longer, and the aiming laser sights were removed and replaced with silencers. Next to the rifle were strange rounds, each one a varying color.
[As the first 'Cobra Class' in XCOM's history, we have created a special rifle for your use and your use only.] He continued.
"This is what I call, the VP S. Rifle MK1, a modified plasma sniper rifle for your use." Shen said as Mercy picked up the rifle and held it. "This number, has been modified with the most sophisticated silencers technology can create. Capable of firing, 14 mm plasma tipped rounds, all while capable of running in what I refer to as 'silent mode'. The recoil on the rifle has been reduced by seventy percent, and thanks to the extra length of the barrel, has an increased accuracy of twenty five percent at long range. Not only is the accuracy increased, but the range as well, capable of firing at a fifteen percent range increase over our normal Plasma Sniper Rifles. While in silent mode, any weapons fire you use with this weapon, will be almost undetectable until you fire a plasma bolt. The silent mode is meant to be used with the samples of modified rounds you see before you. Even if you're discovered, so long as you avoid line of sight, anyone being shot by this will have a very difficult time finding where you are."
"As for the more 'interesting' rounds you've noticed, I have designed several bacterial agents and poisons from the various 'Vipers' we have had aboard our ship. Thanks to them, I have created a variety of toxins with varying effects that you may find quite useful in the field." Tygan said as she examined one of the rounds, and noticed how 'thick' the liquid was inside the thin round. "Each round is capable of having various effects, from a quick acting poison, to some affecting the mind of the target. Because of how they're designed, they can be fired without alerting anyone to your position, due to how silent the rifle is. Furthermore upon being fired, the heat from the blast will cause a special acidic layer inside the round to 'melt' it, leaving no trace of what hit the target until the toxin begins to take effect. As you progress through the ranks, I'll be able to provide more 'variety' in your toxin rounds, with the Commander's approval of course."
[This is a special rifle only you are authorized to use Mercy, furthermore as you are now a 'Ranked' soldier in XCOM's database, I am assigning you to the Land Shark's squad as an official member of their squad.] The Commander said as she held it, and simply stared at the magnificent piece of engineering before her. [You will find your new bed there, consider the space in those quarters yours to do as you see fit. If you wish to test your weapon, you are authorized to use it in the firing range whenever you see fit. I hope you find this… satisfying.]
She looked at it one final time, before looking up at the Commander, and did the only thing she could think of to thank him for what he has given her.
She bowed before him, the only more honorable thing she could do was call him a 'Hierarch', for indeed he was the closest thing she had now to a 'Hierarch'. He led her down her path in life, he gave her purpose in the world, and she owed him and Hawkeye everything now.
"I am… I cannot find the words to express my gratitude." She hissed. "I am eternally loyal to you… Commander…"
The Commander only chuckled as he extended a gloved hand toward her. [It's alright Agent Mercy, I have just one final thing to say.] He said as she shook his hand. [Welcome to our family, welcome to XCOM, Sergeant Mercy.]
"Welcome to the family!" Puppy yelled.
"Welcome to the crew!" Hawkeye said as everyone walked over to congratulate her, and Puppy marveled at the rifle she was holding.
(The Commander's PoV)
The Commander floated out with the 'Commander' along with Central, Shen, and Tygan while the rest of the XCOM personnel celebrated with Mercy for receiving her promotion.
[Thanks for posing for me.] He said to his bridge officer.
"Sir, how come we need to do this, doesn't everyone on board know of your position by now?" He said, his voice muffled by the robes.
[I have my reasons, not everyone needs to know the truth about me just yet.] He declared. [That and Mercy has yet to discover the truth, I still have to be cautious if she decides to turn on us.]
"If you're suspicious of Mercy, why promote her?" Central asked.
[Keep your friends close, and enemy closer.] He responded. [She's easily swayed depending on which option gives her the best chance to live. She wouldn't have joined us if there was another way she could live.]
"Either way, that rifle was a nightmare to finish in two days Commander." Shen said in a tired voice.
"Indeed, making those toxins with the intensity for such small amounts was not an easy feat to do Commander." Tygan declared.
[I knew you could pull it off.]
As they separated, Central going to the bridge, Tygan to his lab, and Shen down to engineering, he made his way up to his room.
=Hiring=
{Commander's Log, Date - Unspecified}
{It is one of the duties of the XCOM Commander to keep the number of soldiers at his disposal for any mission as high as possible. After the failure to protect the Western American cell, I have no choice but to recruit former agents to our cause.}
{While recruiting former allies back into the fight is nothing new to me, this particular operative has been one that I have been reluctant to call upon for reasons which I will not put into my log.}
{Needless to say, getting this particular operative to cooperate will be a challenge…}
(The Commander's PoV)
He floated down alone into the depths of the Grey Market, following the robed individual that had asked him variously vague questions, to which he answered just as vaguely.
As they neared the fifth floor, he led him to a door, and opened it, revealing a low table with only a single light to illuminate it. Sitting across the table opposite of him, was a woman in old earth clothes, with a heavily modified Plasma Sniper Rifle hanging from her back, and a Plasma Pistol hanging from her waist.
[Good to see you again, Agent 007.] He said as the door closed behind him, and he floated over to his seat.
"It's not good to see 'you' again Commander." She said dully. "Why the floating target, afraid of speaking to your former 'agent' face to face?"
[You did read the file I sent you, correct?] He asked her.
"Naturally, I just don't much care about your 'condition'." She replied, sitting straight now and looking at him. "So tell me, why do you want me back out of retirement? You know I stopped fighting for your 'organization' when XCOM HQ was overrun. I gave Central the same speech when he tried to recruit me years ago."
[Yes I know… you prefer to work 'alone' Agent 007.] He said. [I see you still prefer being called by your agent name.]
"Secrecy saves the lives of our family and friends!" She answered automatically. "Rule thirty seven of the XCOM Handbook. We all call ourselves by our Agent Names to prevent anyone from hurting those we leave behind when we swear to secrecy in the name of protecting Humanity from its unknown enemies from the stars. I know the rule inside and out."
[Which brings me to what I ask for you.] He said. [I want you to rejoin XCOM Agent 007… we need your help. We've all but lost the Western American resistance cell…]
"Do you remember how many missions I've gone on for your organization Commander?" She interrupted suddenly.
[Of course… fifteen.]
"Fifteen… fifteen covert missions to infiltrate and destroy Exalt cells across the globe." She said in frustration. "I've been across the globe for you, from the desert sands of Arabia and Egypt, to the jungles of South America and snow fields of Russia. I've killed over a hundred 'Humans', signing up to fight for 'XCOM'. I joined to fight Aliens… not humans. And yet the first thing I'm ordered to do for my very first mission as a 'Covert Operative', is to infiltrate a human organization and gather data on them… and then 'shoot' them."
She looked up at him with anger in her eyes, he had to give her credit. Not many individuals dared give him that look.
"I was one of thirty three Covert Operatives working for you Commander, but I'm the only one that ever survived the missions you sent 'me' on." She hissed. "So when XCOM fell, I did the only thing I could do, I went underground, hid from my enemy… and then when the dust settled, I did what I was trained to do. I blended back into society, I searched for my targets… and I gathered data before eliminating them."
He let her ramble because he knew it was all true, he sent operatives on missions, and often they ended in failure, with the operatives being killed. Only Agent 007 ever survived her missions.
"Seven… I was the seventh operative you hired… out of thirty three you employed. But I'm the only one left alive… not counting the other one…" She said in a voice of forced calm. "So… what's the job you've got lined up for me Commander?"
[It's a simple one… kill Advent Aliens and soldiers.] He said.
"Kill 'more' humans you mean?" She said simply. "Or is there 'one' in particular that your looking to kill?"
[You mean our little 'turncoat'?] He asked her.
"Yep… he's risen through the ranks since he left us twenty five years ago." She said. "I've been watching him rise for quite some time… and I have to say, if there's one human I'd love to kill… it's him." She hissed as she pulled out her plasma pistol and checked it. "Bastard was an operative like me, but he sold us out the moment XCOM HQ fell, thanks to him, nearly any of the other Agents who would've kept up the fight were 'eliminated', except for me."
[I've been keeping an eye on him as well… Big Sister is always watching.] He said with a chuckle. [No, I won't have you kill humans, besides 'him' at least… the troopers are clones, cloned soldiers that resemble humans. So there's nothing to worry about. What's your answer Agent 007?]
She sighed and holstered her pistol. "If I'm coming out of retirement for you, I want my old rank back, full rights and privileges. I also want my 'pay' for each Alien I kill, no assists or anything. Oh… and triple my usual fee."
[You drive a hard bargain, the only problem I see is the Bar, not sure how much liquor I can spare for a 'single' operative's fee.] He said. [But I need you more than that liquor… so you've got a deal. Welcome back Agent 007.]
She extended her arm and shook his hand, wearing what was the closest he ever saw to a smile from her today. "I have a few targets left to eliminate before I join you Commander, I'll send you a message through Big Sister when I'm ready to be picked up."
[I know Eagleeye will be happy to see you alive and well again.] He commented as he prepared to leave.
"Eagleeye's still alive huh?" She asked with a smirk. "I remember him… I caught his eye when we were younger… he was too fat."
[I'll await your message Agent 007.] He said.
=Big Sister's Watchful Eye=
{Commander's Log, Date - Unspecified}
{I once heard the line that said, 'Information is Ammunition', and that line has been with me every day since I became Commander of the XCOM Project. One of my most important duties, is to examine and check for any new information to aid our cause.}
{Up until a few years ago, Central and I have been relying on informants within the cities for potential targets. However, in more 'recent' weeks, I've come to rely on one very reliable, undetectable, source of information.}
{Big Brother may watch over one's shoulder, but Big Sister watches in more 'subtle' ways than Big Brother ever could, and she can be found in far more places than Big Brother could ever reach.}
(Big Sister's PoV)
The Camera zoomed in on the meeting chamber, and focused on two individuals sitting in the center of the room. The meeting chamber of the council of aliens within the Advent Alliance had ended, and now the screens were starting to shut off one by one.
One individual was a Human, roughly five foot seven and wearing specialized armor that marked him as a 'Commander' of a division of forces. His name was Roberto Concerto, he was classified as a former XCOM operative, and a servant of the Elders.
The other individual next to him, was a Viper, orange colored scales, and wore specialized armor as well. She was classified as the Hierarch Mother, and considered the highest ranked Viper in all of Advent.
"The next time you decide to… implement your own plan…" She hissed dangerously to the human Roberto. "Warn me… so that I can prepare counter measures. This entire plan was you're doing, and because you did not involve me in it until the very end, we have lost not only a large army of cloned forces, but also the last refuge XCOM could have fallen back to. Now they will never leave their floating fortress."
"How was I to know that the Commander would destroy the base, in fact how could I have known that there were two XCOM Agents still alive and in stasis?" He said nonchalantly. "I had planned for all of XCOM to enter the base and then kill them all in one swift stroke. Either way, what does it matter, we were going to kill them all."
"It matters because The Commander was among them!" She hissed furiously. "The Elder's orders for me, are to ensure his safe capture and return to them at 'all costs'. I will not allow any harm to come to him, from anyone or anything!"
He turned to look at her with a glare. "I did precisely what I had to do, in order to eliminate the XCOM threat!" He declared. "We are to stop XCOM so that we can resume the Avatar Project! If that means we must eliminate all of XCOM, including its Commander…"
Before he finished that statement the Hierarch Mother swung her tail and pointed the tip dangerously close to his eye. Yet he did not flinch the slightest inch. "Do not… question… the Elders' will…" She hissed. "I am to capture the Commander… alive… and unharmed. You are lucky the only 'casualties' from your operation, were two 'relics'. If you had killed the Commander, I would have killed you the instant you entered my sight!"
"How do you know he's not dead, we only confirmed that the same seven individuals who entered the base also left it." He growled.
"Because I can still feel him…" She whispered warmly, before removing her tail from his eye. "Even if his chip has been removed… my chip still remembers his faint memory pattern… I can still feel him ever so subtly… he is like a drop of water vapor, at the tip of my tongue. I can barely taste it… but the taste is all the sweeter because of it!"
"You may be interested in catching old people like the XCOM Commander, but I still say we should eliminate him with the others! As long as he is alive XCOM will not fall. Even if you capture him, they will do all they can to rescue him again. Then you'll be right back where you were. But if we eliminate him once and for all, the threat of XCOM ends, they are no match without their Commander leading them. Now that they're fighting you, they are barely a threat anymore."
"Do not question my orders… 'Traitor'." She hissed warningly. "I know what my orders are… and I will not disobey them because 'you' fear his retribution. You are a traitor to them… a traitor is all you will ever be no matter how many Advent legions you command. And a traitor's death is all you will receive." Then she smiled warmly again. "I wonder if the Commander will kill you personally should he capture 'you'… his ferocity in combat is well known to me. After all… I followed his every battle while he was still in stasis, 'all' of his battles. He is quite notorious for seeing that which he should not be able to, and it gave him many an advantage."
"You seem to admire this Commander greatly Hierarch Mother…" He hissed just as angrily as she hissed at him. "Perhaps your motives are driven by more than just 'loyalty' to the Elders' plan."
She only smiled wider at that statement. "At least 'I' recognize greatness… whereas you only recognize the winning side… traitor." She hissed, before leaving the room.
As she left, all information was downloaded and saved in the central database, and the camera turned off, before it was all uploaded.
(The Commander's PoV)
He finished watching the recording and chuckled lightly. [Indeed… notorious for seeing that which I should not be able to.] He said. [So 'you're' the one to blame for Perce and Gabriella's deaths Roberto. You came up with the ambush, and she perfected it… I can't wait to see you dead for what you made me do. There should have been 'no' deaths, but you forced my hand. I would not have minded losing the technology that made Gabriella and Perce possible… if only I could have kept them alive.]
He turned off the screen and looked over the latest intel report on the new 'walker' that Central and Shen have given him so far.
It wasn't good, but they needed to know more before he could plan an attack on it.
[I need more information… I can't bring this thing down until I know how to kill it!]
He continued to read over reports, mostly concerning how large it was, where it was spotted, and above all its next target.
The Eastern American resistance cell, it was targeting the nest next. If they didn't stop it before it reached the nest, the resistance on one entire continent would be crushed. He had to stop it before it reached the nest.
=SHIV Problems and Solutions=
{Commander's Log, Date - Unspecified}
{When it comes to overseeing XCOM's weapons and updating our standing forces, it is my job to determine where we allocate our research and engineering teams. While we typically use the weapons that our enemies create against them, we also modify them in a way so as to make them unique and different.}
{We need look no further, than the SHIV design that we recovered from XCOM HQ. This piece of engineering, created by Shen's father, is one of the finest pieces of engineering humanity has ever created to support our standing forces, as well as to displace the number of personnel we risk in operations.}
{However when it comes to 'this' particular SHIV that we recovered, it is rather difficult trying to implement it and duplicate it, as the model is a unique one, and is meant to be unique.}
(Commander's PoV)
[Alright, what's going on 'this' time?] He asked Shen as she and the SHIV were on opposite sides of the engineering room, with said SHIV aiming its Plasma Cannon at her.
[Commander, as your personal S.H.I.V. I must protest Chief Engineer Shen's request to dismantle my chassis!] The SHIV declared in an angry tone. [I am designed for your personal use on the battlefield, I am not to be taken apart and replicated like the other S.H.I.V. models.]
"I just want to figure out how your turret is able to fire such powerful projectiles without overheating!" Shen complained loudly. "Based on your model you should not be able to fire such variety of projectiles without some kind of negative side effect. Yet not only are you able to use repeater rounds and even sniper rounds, you can also use powerful plasma blasts with the explosive yield of grenades, and even toss grenades! If I could figure out how my father managed that I could seriously improve all of our weaponry!"
[And make me obsolete, I don't think so!] The SHIV shouted angrily. [I am not letting you take me apart just to make me obsolete!]
[SHIV, she's not going to make you obsolete.] He said in an exasperated tone. [She just wants to see what makes you 'tick' is all. Just let her examine your turret functions. Don't make me order you just so I can go back upstairs and examine data.]
[But Commander, I was built to be special and only used by you sir, if she goes and takes me apart, I'll lose what makes me special.] The SHIV said in its sweet ten year old voice. [I can't let her use me like I'm just some kind of hardware she can play around with!]
[SHIV… let her examine your turret… or I'll shut you down and take you apart myself!] He said in just as sweet, yet a deadly serious tone.
[Y…y…yes sir!] The SHIV answered nervously, backing up into a corner of the engineering room.
With the argument settled, I walked out with Shen to discuss her requests that he 'really' came down to discuss. "Thank you Commander, that SHIV has been a pain working with for the last few days. Won't let me anywhere near it with a screwdriver."
[My SHIV has some priority programming that makes her defensive when concerning anyone else touching it.] He told her. [It's only natural for it to be protective of itself.]
"Well, that's actually what I've been wanting to ask about. You see I did some small scans to check for any damages internally, and I discovered something weird about your SHIV." Shen said as she pulled out a datapad and showed him an x-ray of the SHIV from the side. "I found this strange… compartment, which seems to serve no purpose other than to simply 'be' there."
[Oh… and have you determined if it 'has' any purpose?] He asked.
"No, that's what's strange, it's not linked to any systems, it's not connected to any of the onboard armaments, it's too small to hold any ammunition, in fact it doesn't even seem to matter at all, yet it's there." Shen said while shaking her head. "It's like a pair of shoes that you never use, this compartment is just there, like it has no other purpose to exist than to simply be there. The inside space of the compartment is barely larger than a playing card, and only about two centimeters thick, and it's completely isolated from every other part of the chassis. It's like there's something 'in' there but, until the SHIV lets me open it up to see what's inside, I can't tell what is in there."
[Well, did you detect anything dangerous inside of it?] He asked her.
"No, nothing, only thing inside that I can detect are just some light plasma readings, very faint, completely harmless." She said in a sigh. "I just don't understand why my father created this piece of engineering, but built something that's almost completely pointless. It's as if he made that small compartment just so something could be 'put' in it. Only thing is, I can't think of what he could possibly have put in it that could fit inside such a small space."
[Well, I see nothing wrong, just leave it until you detect something else that may warrant a look inside.] He said nonchalantly. [So, have you figured out a way to deploy our SHIV out into the field? The Skyranger is getting rather cramped nowadays, now that I've increased the maximum number of operatives I'm putting out on a mission to seven.]
"That, I can say I've come up with some interesting ideas!' She said with a grin, before leading him back into engineering, and consequentially the SHIV as it still sat in the corner. "I've been thinking of something interesting that you may like Sir. The Firestorm you sent back to us is currently sitting in the hanger, and while I haven't touched it, it has given me an idea."
She tapped some things on a console and brought up the Firestorm schematic with some modifications on it.
"What I was thinking, was remotely piloting the Firestorm high over where you guys are. Using the simple method of gravity for deployment, we attach a claw to the Firestorm, and during any mission, we can simply drop your SHIV onto the field at any time you request it." She said with a smile. "Because of its low profile, and running on plasma, Advent won't pay it any attention to it on radar or scanners! Only problem, once the Firestorm drops down from its high altitude to deploy the SHIV, they'll instantly spot it and know your there. We could deploy it anywhere on the field you can give me vision to so I can remote drop safely."
[Impressive, and because my SHIV uses a plasma engine to hover, it can easily cushion and land safely on any terrain.] He said.
[I can't wait to be deployed in battle Commander!] The SHIV said excitedly.
[You won't be if you keep giving Shen a headache.] He declared.
"Well, with your approval sir, I'll begin examining your SHIV's turret to see how my father pulled off what he did." Shen said as Rover flew over with her toolkit. "Based on what I'll find, I can probably come up with some new munition types for our current weapons. If I have more time, and some additional help, I could also modify our current standing armaments with the new stuff I learn to make them more effective. It will also take time to actually figure out 'how' I can safely attach your SHIV to the Firestorm so it can fly in at a high speed and drop it with precise aim, if I could get more help I could probably get it done faster."
[I'll see who we can spare to help you Shen, I'm already pressing the other engineers to dismantling some of the older weapons we recovered for parts and materials.] He declared.
"There is one other thing I want to discuss with you sir." She said. "Though we lost the actual schematics for the older SHIV models, I can use your current model as a template, to make a simple, basic, SHIV model that can run autonomously using simple targeting programs and algorithms for combat. It won't be anywhere 'near' what your SHIV is running, but it may actually help various resistance cells around the world. When we visit the various cells around the world, we can trade our supply of SHIV's in exchange for extra supplies."
[Very well… I'll see what I can do, for now, get to work on the turret.] He declared, before floating out and leaving Shen to her work.
Minutes later he floated into Tygan's lab, where he and his assistant Doctor Theodora were examining a database.
"Ah… Commander, good to see you." Tygan said.
[Pleasure Tygan, so you had something you wanted to talk to me about?]
"Yes, you see Shen and I discovered your SHIV had a small cache of data stored in its vast AI." He said as he pointed at the screen, which showed work that the previous head of XCOM's science division, Doctor Vahlen, had worked on. "This cache contains details about the Gene Modifications and MEC Trooper creation, using the element called Meld."
[I'm not turning our soldiers into weapons Tygan if that's what you're thinking.] He answered instantly.
"Nor would I ask you to, no, without the element, and all of her research, I cannot reproduce the procedures for either. However… using the data that was stored in your SHIV, I can however, procure some interesting items that Shen can create, which while are nowhere near as effective as the genetic modifications are, can vastly improve our forces in the field." He said.
"Commander, we've only examined a small snippet of this database, but from it we've already come up with an improved Medical Kit, capable of rapidly increasing the healing rate the skin and muscle regenerates at by at least two thousand percent!" Theodora declared proudly. "It is only temporary, and while we have yet to perfect it so that the subject won't experience long term damage, the potential is enormous!"
"Yes Commander, with your permission, and some additional staff to assist in analyzing the data, we can expand on this long lost research." Tygan said. "As for the MEC Trooper research, I believe Shen can use the data more than I can, but she could perhaps use it to improve the armor our forces are wearing, or even procure even more effective armor."
[I see, very well, I'll see what I can do Tygan. For now, keep working on that database and the Medical Kit you spoke of.]
"Of course Commander." Tygan declared.
With that, he floated out of the lab and back up to his room.
=Enlisting=
{Commander's Log, Date - Unspecified}
{Being the Commander of any force, means recognizing when my current standing forces are not enough for a task. I have to remind myself many a times, that I am the leader of a resistance force, but at the same time, my XCOM is not an 'army', and cannot handle large scale warfare that some situations are destined to devolve into.}
{Upon learning of the size of the escorting force protecting the 'walker' that one of my engineers, Athena, had been working on prior to being discovered, I had no choice but to seek out those with the necessary skills and resources to assist me.}
{While finding an army is not an easy task, especially to deal with a powerful threat like this walker which Central and I have nicknamed, the 'Widow', due to its resemblance to an earth spider, I have my own resources that I can call upon to help me with this endeavor.}
{The only problem is convincing him that such an attack is worth the price. It is one thing asking a group of six individuals, highly trained, well equipped, and with the element of surprise into an operation. It is another to ask at least one hundred individuals to risk their lives against overwhelming firepower, when they do not have the luxury of our technology aiding them.}
(The Commander's PoV)
"Ah my old friend, it is good to hear your voice again!" The clearly drunk 'general', General Thomas Jones, declared.
[Good to see you two General.] He declared over the coms as he spoke to his friend over the resistance network.
His general friend was one of the last remaining generals alive from the old days. However, upon the United States surrendering and joining the Advent Administration, he and his standing forces became a bunch of terrorists, striking at Advent wherever they could. His XCOM and the 'Paine Boys' as he called them, never got along very well because of their methods.
"So, what you need from me today kid, another round of scotch?" He asked him boisterously.
[No, actually I need your assistance in dealing with a critical threat to the resistance effort Thomas.] He said in his most serious and official voice.
Hearing the tone of his voice the general lost his drunk look almost instantly and became very serious. "How serious are we talking?"
[Twelve days ago, a single mechanical Sectopod walker, referred to as the 'Widow', along with its support force destroyed almost the entire Western American resistance cell.] He said quietly. [As far as we know, there is no longer a Western American resistance cell, but until I hear word of the casualty reports, I'm running under the assumption that they have been wiped out.]
"Damn… wiped out entirely… bastards must have hit them hard." He replied in a quiet tone.
[As you can expect, this walker is now heading its way toward the Nest… the Eastern American resistance cell.] He continued. [If we lose the Nest general, we lose the resistance on the continent. If word spreads that North America no longer offers any resistance to Advent, the other cells will be effected, and it will be a domino effect. We cannot allow the nest to fall if the resistance is to stand a chance.]
"So why do you need me Commander?" Thomas asked. "Your forces are meant for quick strike operations, why do you need my boys to assist in beating this thing down?"
[It's as you just said General, my force aren't meant for such large scale battles. The protecting force accompanying this thing numbers roughly a hundred plus. Even against such overwhelming firepower of the Widow by itself, those numbers make it almost impossible for us to even get near it, let alone destroy it. If my forces are to destroy it, we need to deal with it when the Widow is alone and unprotected.]
"Which is where my boys come in." He finished. "Alright, I suppose it wouldn't be good to just let our resistance movement roll over and die. But I've got one question to ask… how dangerous is this thing?"
[It's more dangerous than jumping into a pool of starving sharks with a fresh cow's leg in your hand.]
"Okay… and on a scale of one to ten… how likely are we to come out of this alive?" He asked now.
[You're more likely to survive jumping in front of a train running toward you and jumping out of the way, then coming out alive.] He said honestly.
"Alright… and the chance of success if we pull this off?"
[Even if everything goes according to plan, without knowing its weaknesses, my Gremlin estimates only a six percent chance of defeating this thing at this time. As for assuming if we knew its weakness, it estimates only a seventeen percent chance of success.]
"So basically a plan that's immensely dangerous, with a large chance of death, and a small chance of success… well… what are we waiting for?" He boasted loudly. "I'll get my boys to the Eastern American region by the end of the week, should be enough time for you to figure out how to bring it down Commander!"
[Thank you, happy hunting General.]
"Commander, when this is over with, I owe you a drink!" He said cheerfully.
[I've got a brandy that's from nineteen twenty that I've been wanting to pop.] He replied. [I'll see you then.]
As the transmission ended, he sighed, and began heading back to the bridge to discuss his plans with Central.