X-Com – The Unknown Menace
Chapter Twenty-Four – The Enemy Within
February 12th, 2001
Unknown location, Geneve, Switzerland
As Number Two looked at the faces around the table, he was secretly bemused by everyone's reactions to the latest events, which went from complete astonishment to full rage. That was much evident from the effort that most of the individuals in the room were trying to do in conceal such emotions.
The news of the detection and take-over by X-Com troops of the alien base in New Mexico had made quite an impression over everyone. Some showed pure shock, others seemed as if they were about to explode in anger. Number One was the most neutral of them all, in no doubt trying to assume the fatherly figure, who corrects the children's mistakes, so that we could use the advantage to retrieve the latter protagonism of Three.
"I take that you all have heard from the situation on New Mexico. Why have we failed to detect that possibility and how did X-Com find out about the base are my questions. Would anyone care to answer them?" The words weren't actually a question but a simple test. Failing it could mean the loss of power and prestige or something even worse.
Number Seven made an attempt to start. "The day before the attack our agents reported that a high-ranking CIA officer traveled to New Mexico and met a former FBI subdirector there, who is presently working for X-Com. They were under orders to keep them under surveillance and act if it was necessary…."
"Stop making excuses for yourself you fool!" Three's voice cut through the speech. "They got ahead of us on this one and that's a fact! Our agents have been unable to prevent them from finding the base, which means that they are as good as dead. Their strike team left on the early hours of the following day and we were only informed on the attack while it was in progress! They were just too fast for us to react on time". Another thought came to One's mind and he considered for a second the possible consequences if he had taken a different course of action. It came to him that while Three talked, some did what was necessary around here.
"You were supposed to have them under watch, you guaranteed that they wouldn't be a threat to our plans. The aliens will sure react to this like they attacked the Japanese base. And where might their next target be? Just imagine if they decide to eliminate all of the human opposition and take out this location killing all of us at the same time?" The accusation and fear on Number Eight's voice was clear for everyone to hear.
"The aliens will do nothing!" Two decided it was enough and was time to intervene. "We said nothing to them when they decided to take control of that facility several years ago without asking for our opinion. And X-Com had a fluke of luck. Or they are not as stupid as some of ones claim and must have somehow plotted the possible course of the Supply Ship they shot down and figured out to where it was heading.
They might actually have done us a favor. We all know what was going on the base and X-Com probably discovered that the secrets it contained were probably better if they stayed buried forever".
Three threw a quizzical look at Two, wondering what he was about, but he continued. "The only mistake we are committing here is of not considering X-Com as an important part to our plans so we constantly underestimate them. On the contrary, the aliens seem to take them very seriously now. We have information that they shot down of one of X-Com's planes shortly after the takeover. Most likely it's the beginning of retaliatory raids, something that they have shown to be perfectly capable of, when they feel directly threatened as we saw in Siberia. And their use of Mutons on the attack on the Japanese base shows that they are taking the measures that seem fit to them to deal with X-Com. I say we act accordingly".
"What are you proposing?" Three was suspicious at this turn of events.
"Our friends have taken upon them the task of dealing with X-Com. We have already seen that the nature of the organization and its secrecy precludes any direct interference on them. But we can influence them through other ways, namely the countries on the Council. Time will soon run out for them, either taken by the aliens or us or both!" Two looked at One and Three, who nodded as expected by him. In a time of crisis showing a solution was always appreciated and by the rest of the leadership, particularly when things went out of control. Even though that support was more akin to trusting to take a step into quick sands and still keep your head afloat.
However, some of the other members weren't fully convinced and Four's forehead became wrinkled. Nine and Seven didn't also try to hide their own suspicions. "Like you said, X-Com has become powerful, if misguided and missing the whole picture of the events. And this CIA agent, this Williams has turned into a liability. How do we know that they won't track this whole event back to us?"
One took the turn to respond. "As we all know, power has no rival to match its own. I'm sure our associate has already foreseen that possibility about Mr. Williams". Two nodded to One's underlying statement, knowing that one day or the other everyone would come to his same conclusion over Williams. Competition for the numbers was the strength of the group, either from the inside or the outside. Pity and protection only made the ones who gave it weaker. The CIA analyst would soon find out about that, even if he didn't know about it.
One kept talking, but now turned to number Seven. "Furthermore, I take it that all necessary safety procedures were taken by the agents involved?" He trailed at the end of the sentence, to make sure that Seven understood that it wasn't a question, but a matter of fact. If any blunder had been made he would pay with his life for it.
"Of course. The two operatives had no indications on them that might lead to us. In any case, they are more likely to be considered base sentries, since they were hybrids. That will also be a confirmation of their theory about an alien 'fifth column' already established. Since there were none of our personnel left at that base for years since the confrontation there will be no trace to us. And we can always make new clones to replace the ones we lost". Seven looked around to the top numbers, wishing to be considered again as reliable. One and Two didn't say anything, in concordance, but Three had stopped paying attention. He was already making future plans on how to deal with both old and new players in the game.
February 15th, 2001
Pollock ANGB, West Virginia, US
As the Skyranger landed on the wet tarmac of X-Com North American Eastern Base main runway, Colonel Johnson looked at the rest of the staff that he had chosen to accompany him to the Eastern X-Com base, all like him dressed in parade uniform, still unsure of what to do. One of the first presidential orders issued by President Vaughn on his first day of office had been a request made to visit the X-Com's US facilities responsible for dealing with the extraterrestrial situation and hear a personalized report from the US commander. Only apparently Vaughn hadn't been properly briefed about the legal status of X-Com or any of its bases: it wasn't a part of the US military and the base was now under the administration of the United Nations. The captured Sectoid officer that was being held at Papoose Lake was too much of a security risk. Since its capture at New Mexico, the alien had managed to mind influence in a few occasions the biologists that were investigating him. There was no way that Johnson could allow for the possibility that the US President might be Psionic influenced by the alien. The resolution of the whole matter had required the intervention of the UN's Secretary General, who managed to conciliate both parts with a bit of common sense using his diplomacy skills. The visit and meeting had been set instead at the other X-Com base in the US, an initiative that had been deemed as 'acceptable' by the presidential staff.
He had decided to take with him Markovitch, Hopkins and Crossett, leaving the other senior officers back at Area 51 in case the aliens decided to take some action while he was gone. Markovitch was sitting by him while the other two soldiers were on the other side of the Skyranger, taking use of the available space. The Sergeant had decided to take off his suit and spread his bulk around several seats to take a nap during the flight, while Crossett seemed to be relaxed although Johnson knew that the man would be quick to react to any event.
The Skyranger taxied on the runway and headed for the area reserved for parked aircraft, passing by the blue and white 747 that was the President's official airplane, the Air Force One. That struck Johnson as odd, since Vaughn was supposed to arrive after him, according to the schedule, not before. Markovitch picked up his surprise and put her hand over his. "I know what you are thinking: don't worry, things will be fine". He looked back at her and at that moment the Skyranger's ramp begun to lower itself, making everyone inside the plane to get up and check their uniforms.
When the officers begun to get off the aircraft another surprise came up to Johnson. He was expecting Colonel Jackson or some other high-ranking X-Com officer to greet them upon their arrival but instead he found a group of Secret Service agents all dressed in black suits and sporting MP-5 Heller and Koch submachine guns in plain display. When they approached the group, the agent in charge stepped forward and said: "Colonel Johnson?"
"Yes, what's the meaning of this? Where's Colonel Jackson?" The agent ignored his query and kept speaking. "You will have to leave your sidearms with us, sir. No one is allowed to carry weapons near the President".
Markovitch nearly jumped at the demand, while Johnson frowned. Hopkins took a step forward and spoke. "The Colonel is the commander of this base. You cannot tell him what to do, son". That brought an automatic reaction from the agents who tightened their grip on their weapons. Looking at the corner of his eye, Johnson saw that Crossett and Markovitch were getting ready to draw their sidearms.
"Everyone cool off!" He ordered. "Mister, we haven't been informed of this and like the Sergeant said, I'm on charge of this base". The agent didn't soften a bit. "Security procedures. We will have to take hold of your sidearms while you remain at the base, one way or the other" he pointed the submachine gun directly at the group, leaving his intentions quite clear.
Markovitch came closer to him with her arms raised, trying not to make any move that might be classified as hostile and spoke to his ear. "We are all carrying plasma pistols. There's no way we can allow them access to the weapons". Johnson nodded and made a decision.
"Mister, for your own security I can't allow you to guard the weapons since they can be a threat to anyone not trained in dealing with them. May I suggest that we leave them on our plane while we stay here?" The agent looked hard on him for a second and nodded.
A few minutes afterwards the group of X-Com soldiers was storming to the main building of the base, with everyone furious about being searched by the agents for concealed weapons after they had left the plasma pistols onboard the Skyranger. The building looked more like a bunker, but in front of it three flagpoles carried the flags of the UN, US and the official X-Com patch, full black with a red cross on a white circle on its middle. The US flag was on the middle, standing two feet higher than the others, something that made Johnson think also.
The doors in the front opened and he felt more relieved, seeing Captain Hunt coming through them to greet the visitors and saluting as he approached them. "Colonel Johnson. Welcome to Pollock. Pleased to see you sir!" He smiled but it was obvious to everyone that he wasn't also enjoying the situation.
They all returned the saluted and the compliment, shaking hands with him afterwards. "Thank you Captain. Now can you tell me what is going on around here?" The smile on his lips quickly disappeared and was replaced by a face of apprehension. "Beats the hell out of me Colonel. When the President arrived, two hours before what was scheduled, the Secret Service immediately started issuing orders. All the weapons and armor have been placed into storage and there are two armed agents guarding them". Johnson frowned and Hunt quickly added: "Don't worry, I have a couple of troopers seeing that the dumb heads don't try to do anything funny like retrieving a couple of heavy plasmas".
"And Colonel Jackson authorized all of this to happen?" Markovitch asked.
"The Colonel wasn't too pleased at the beginning but when he met the President he simply ordered us to do as the Secret Service told. He has been talking to the President on his office from ever since". He stopped. "What is going on Colonel? I mean I don't know much about protocol but these guys are acting like if they run the place. And I never heard of anything like this happening on a regular military base".
Johnson shook his head. "I don't know Leo. How are the troops seeing it?"
"Well, some of them got pissed at their arrogance, specially the ones detached for security. You don't just get here and disrespect who's doing their job. To tell you the truth a confrontation nearly broke out between some of the men and the agents". That got everyone looking back at him in astonishment. "Don't worry, it got defused really quick. The nom-coms and junior officers are taking an eye on the hotheads, and they are few since it seems the majority of the troops seem to like Vaughn".
"I see. Well it's time that I finally meet Vaughn and get some things straight out of this mess". The other officer took out his black beret and raked his fingers through his hair. "I hope you do Colonel. This way please". He pointed towards the doors and the X-Com troops started to follow in to the inside of the building.
When they finally reached the Jackson's office they found it closely guarded by a number of more Security Service agents. Only Johnson was allowed inside and he had to submit to a body search for concealed weapons, something that he only acquitted after deciding not to enter more clashes with the President. When he walked inside he saw Vaughn and Jackson already standing up and waiting for them. He saluted both men and Vaughn immediately approached him and smiling, offered his hand. "Colonel Johnson, finally what a pleasure".
While shaking it, Johnson kept staring at Vaughn, trying to decide if the compliment was sincere. "Thank you sir. I was also expecting this meeting".
"I apologize for it not happening sooner but my other duties have occupied my time. However, now we can start talking about all of this situation". He pointed to an equal number of chairs and the three men sat down on them. When Vaughn sat down he started speaking. "I'm here by myself because I want to have my own opinion of the leaders of our forces that are dealing with the alien problem. General Thompson and several other key personnel already told me their opinion about both of you. I also prefer not to have a group of aides buzzing around me the whole time".
The sentence made Johnson think and he gave a side look at Jackson. The other officer seemed completely absorbed into the President's words. Vaughn didn't miss it and he added. "I can assure you that there's nothing to worry about Colonel. I've already talked to Colonel Jackson and I've seen that he's the excellent officer that they told be that I would find here. And I have complete confidence that you will not disappoint me either".
"I'm doing the best I can at my job to defend North America from the alien threat, Mr. President".
Vaughn stopped for a second, thinking of something. "Now we can start by there. You're not protecting North America, Colonel. I believe that your job is to defend the US and, naturally the countries that border it, our neighbors and allies".
"I will have to disagree with you on that sir since we are not a US force. In fact, we are X-Com's North American force, in the true meaning of the word since we also have some Canadians among us". Vaughn's voice dropped a tone and his demeanor was less cordial, as if he had been offended "Colonel, I don't need a lesson on semantics please.
"I apologize, sir. However I must insist on one point: as soon as all of us joined X-Com, we stopped to respond to the US chain of command". Vaughn raised a finger. "Point well taken, Colonel. But it's also true that you are on…" He looked in the air for one second. "…temporary leave for assignment to a multinational force, if I recall the charter correctly. You still belong to our military". Johnson saw Jackson nodding and came to the conclusion that the other officer seemed to sympathize with Vaughn's ideas.
"And our current status will remain so, unless the force is dissolved by decision of the Council or if the officer decides to rescind his commission or if he is found to be unfit for the duties to him assigned. I also know the Charter, sir".
Vaughn stared at him. "Legal technicalities Colonel. The Charter doesn't mention a lot of things also, namely the fact that you have been chosen by us to the position that you now occupy because of your loyalty. In fact, that document is missing on a lot of other things". Something on the tone of his last phrase disturbed Johnson but he couldn't say what it was. "Sir, what's the point of all of this is?"
Locking his fingers on his lap, Vaughn replied. "Colonel, you know what has been happening around our country in the last months. To be sincere I believe that our political and military strategy to deal with the alien situation is completely wrong. Yes, I've read your reports about how X-Com believes that there's an alien base out there in the solar system and that we need to destroy it to stop their attacks. But in my opinion that's a complete waste of time and effort". Johnson only wished to tell him what they had already found out about Mars and the base somewhere located there that controlled the whole invasion. Taking a deep breath he restrained from speaking since the information was X-Com's greatest secret and probably the only way for the victory since the rate of UFO activity only seemed to increase every month.
Pointing his finger down, Vaughn continued. "The problem is here, Colonel, on this planet. Not in the middle of space. There is no massive alien invasion that is going to happen. If it was, they would have made it years ago and wouldn't have allowed that we developed weapons based on their technology. That's what the aliens want us to think and that we make wrong decisions based on that preposition. If they have the resources to conquer us, why haven't they done it yet? Can you answer that question?"
"I don't know sir. However their activities are increasing every day. They have started to perform terror attacks on cities on a monthly basis…"
"Of course! As the time passes we became more strangled into a strategy that is outdated and poorly conceived! And meanwhile, they gain more strength from our weakness. I see this as the same situation as Vietnam, Colonel. They are using the same type of guerilla warfare that has brought us to our knees before. Even if we find that base and destroy it the effect will be that same as if we had invaded and conquered Hanoi. The enemy will just keep fighting until we loose the will to fight. Each time the aliens gain more support to their cause while we have to work with not so secure allies. The enemy is also within us Colonel and that's where we must begin to fight it. That's why I made the announcement on the campaign, for the Americans to be informed that they should start questioning things. The same way that you should be".
"And what should I question sir?"
The next words came down as a hammer. "The future of this force. Two of its funding countries are already gone and there's no assurance that more wouldn't follow the same path. If X-Com gets disbanded one should ask what would happen if the work of the last two years wouldn't suffer the same fate. Most likely Earth would suffer a major set back giving the aliens more time to secure their position until it's too late". Until that moment Johnson had never seriously considered that possibility but he immediately rejected it, shaking his head off.
Vaughn reached over and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Colonel, I don't like that hypothesis also but one must prepare for the worst. Like everything in life X-Com has good things and bad ones. I consider you one of the best soldiers this nation has but we risk that Vietnam repeats itself: we have the men and the equipment but our general strategy is wrong. Two years ago we created a multinational force out of bad compromises. There's no effective leadership to it: the US was the most logical choice to be place ahead but for the sake of consent it was placed upon the UN. And because of it General Illyuschenko spends more time squabbling over Council meetings making him unable to recognize the errors on X-Com's strategy. The scientists have done a terrific job analyzing and replicating the alien technology but for what? Right now your force is too dependent on Elerium, a material that they tell me it isn't available on Earth. Take it away and we will have no weapons to defend ourselves against the aliens. We should have concentrated more into developing Earth's technologies allowing us to equip large forces capable of defeating any alien intrusion. Instead we have less than a hundred soldiers equipped and trained to defend the US".
Confusion was racing through Johnson's mind. He heard Jackson's voice on the background. "We should be placing battalions of troopers on the alien's probable targets. Then we would see if they even tried to attack us". Looking back at Vaughn, Johnson asked. "So what are you exactly proposing Mr. President?"
"Right now I think that the most urgent matter is to restore the confidence between the US elements of your force and the Pentagon. You simply can't be running operations on our country without the necessary authorization". Johnson looked at him realizing how Vaughn had managed to go all the way through to the presidential office. The man's arguments sounded good, he concluded, but were they solid enough? "I came here also wanting to solve that, sir. But I must insist that we are under UN command".
"I can assure you that I am completely aware of that Colonel. Don't worry and keep on doing your job as good as you have done so far. Things might seem complicated at the moment but I trust that in the future they will be resolved. Just remember where your loyalties are Colonel". After discussing some minor issues the meeting ended. After Vaughn had left Johnson and Jackson also talked for a while, taking the opportunity to discuss operational issues until that finally was over. He then headed for the cafeteria where they told him that the rest of his entourage was waiting.
He found Markovitch and the rest over there, seated on metal chairs with coffee mugs on the table in front of them. As he approached them, they rose and she moved towards him. She asked with a concerned. "How did it go?"
"I'm not sure. He has got me thinking into a lot of stuff. But right now it's not the time to worry about them. Let's grab our ride and head out for the base". They trailed him, throwing concerned glances at one another.
February 23rd, 2001
Mother One, Black Forest, Germany
When both physicians finally came out of the infirmary Illyuschenko and Colonel MacTaggert were eagerly waiting for them outside, standing in the base's medical center lobby. Turning to them, he asked immediately. "So?"
Both psychiatrists looked at one another before the one on the left replied in a low voice. "This is one of the worst psychiatric cases we've ever seen Commander. He simply has all of the major clinical symptoms: esquizofrenia, paranoia. This man is hopelessly insane and has lost all touch with reality. I doubt he even will be able to remember who he is". Both doctors shook their heads. "Doctor, can we ask the lad some questions anyway?" MacTaggert asked but their expressions were disapproving.
"He has a completely unreliable behavior. We had to examine him completely tied down to a bed because he has had violent seizures before. And any question about what he experienced will only trigger such attacks. I doubt that any medication will have any effect on him, because the problem. It seems to be more psychological than physical, although the encephalograms and CAT scans show some irreparable damage to the brain cortex. In any case it's hopeless Colonel".
"Doctor, we need to know what happened with him and his platoon. We just lost eleven men, not to mention a tank and a Skyranger. And he is one of the best platoon commanders on this base. I can't accept what has happened to incompetence".
A tortured scream came from the room that the doctors had just left. The other physician shook his head again. "He was one of the best, Commander. I'm sorry to say this but medicine can't help him now. He's living in a nightmare now that he'll never wake up from. I'm afraid that only death will bring him any comfort now. Now please excuse us because we have other patients to attend to". Excusing themselves both doctors left the two officers who stood looking at the door from where sounds of a fight could be heard.
Watching the other men leave, both officers stood there at the front of the door. "I don't bloody understand". MacTaggert seemed filled with rage. "A platoon should been able to deal with that large scout even if they had lost the tank". Illyuschenko seemed deeply concentrated. "I'm more concerned about the identity of the aliens Colonel. Your report says that you found no trace of them, only the bodies and the wreckage of the Skyranger".
"Aye. Besides the landing marks of the UFO there was no other physical evidence of them. But the rain must have washed everything because we didn't even find a trace of their blood or footprints". A series of loud screams cut him off. "We only found him hiding in a hole and the remains of the men that the aliens left behind after cutting them up". Illyuschenko looked upwards towards the sky. "Issue a warning to all teams: a new species of aliens seems to have appeared". He looked at the front doors for the medical center and checked his watch. "We should go back to the command center. We are already late and I only wish that the damn machine was operational two days ago".
February 21st, 2001
Spitzbergen Island, North Atlantic
The Skyranger was about to land close to the Large Scout that had been detected hours earlier by the radars of European Command. Making its way through a cold weather front that was crossing the Atlantic, the plane had now gone 'dry feet', meaning that it was now overflying dry land. Not it mattered much to the soldiers inside. The windows of the plane were covered with drops of heavy rain glowing with the interior red lights. And the lousy weather that was characteristic of the North Atlantic at this time of the year was constantly jerking the aircraft, as the pilot tried to get them to their destiny.
The commander of the platoon, a Spaniard called Fuentes was growing restless as the drop call already came. He had orders by Colonel MacTaggert to retrieve the Elerium engine from the landed UFO intact, something that was bothering him. Large scouts could be deadly inside since they had small rooms where the aliens could simply wait for a soldier to step in and take him out with a heavy plasma blast. And at close quarters the armor of the power suits would be hard pressed to resist such power. The most logical thing to do would be to step inside the craft and use their own heavy plasmas to cut holes through the walls and surprise the waiting crew. But the need for Elerium dictated otherwise, meaning that they could also only use explosives in case of an emergency.
Looking to the back ramp he saw that the Heavy Weapons Platform that they had brought along for the operation was already operational, with its laser turret swinging from one side to another. The artificial intelligence inside the machine's thick chassis was monitoring the radio channels used by the pilot to announce imminent touch down. It had already reacted to the warning and had powered itself automatically and performed a check-up of its systems. The rest of his platoon seemed to be also ready: the troopers were finishing locking down the helmets on their power suits and inserting ammunition clips into their plasma weapons. Passing his eyes through his laser rifle, Fuentes also saw that it fully energized and ready to fire.
A more severe shook of the plane, accompanied with a thud on one of the walls told him that the aliens seemed to be ready also. The pilot's voice followed afterwards in a Germanic accent: "Lowering the ramp…. The landing zone is very hot Kapten! Good luck". Another thump accentuated his warning. He activated the platoon channel. "Black squad, left flank. Green squad, right. UFO is to the northeast. Tank is pathfinder".
The lowering ramp started to come down and everyone assumed their positions behind it. Fuentes was on the last row, together with Private Morelli, an Italian that was his fireteam mate and the platoon's heavy weapons specialist for the mission. He was carrying a heavy Carl Gustav 84mm rocket launcher and his backpack was loaded with extra rounds. Fuentes didn't think that the weapon would be useful because of the terrain. Located on the middle of the Atlantic, Spitzbergen Islands were nothing more than the above water top of long extinct submarine volcanoes. Most of their terrain was made out of granite, basalt and other rocks formed from the hot lava as it cooled down by the Arctic climate. In some areas there was actually soil, allowing for plant life to grow and the islands were actually inhabited by a small fishing community but there was nothing else out there. The UFO had landed on a clear spot in the middle of an area covered by medium size boulders. The rocks would make it hard for Morelli to actually hit a target hidden behind it.
After a couple of seconds the back door of the Skyranger finally came down and the tank rolled outside into the rock and ice terrain. Immediately it became bathed with heavy plasma fire, that colored the view of the gray landscape with green. "Targets". The mechanical voice started to report, without a trace of concern for being under heavy fire. "Nine, one and six o'clock".
The troopers started also to descent the ramp as the tank moved to acquire and engage the major threat. "First contact targeted: unable to identify. Firing". That made Fuentes puzzled since the electronic systems should be able to recognize the race of the alien that it had just encountering. He wanted to leap out as soon as possible to have an idea to the battlefield but two more rows of troopers were still in front of him, dropping off the ramp to the sides and taking cover.
The noise of the confrontation started to increase, as laser and plasma rounds were exchanged, together with the loud explosions of grenades being tossed around. A louder sound was suddenly heard coming from ahead, followed by the sound of metal being twisted. Realizing what might it be, Fuentes started to worry. When he finally jumped off the ramp he saw what he feared: the wreckage of the tank stood ten meters away from the craft, releasing smoke into the middle of the storm that was pouring rain down on the battlefield. The body of the HWP showed heavy craters from plasma fire, together with peppered holes that could only come from a grenade.
Other screams followed, only these time more human in nature. Looking around he saw that his platoon was getting under cover amongst the larger rocks that filled the flat terrain around him. Trying to see the direction of the aliens he noticed that they seemed to be everywhere, pinning them to the ground. "Joder! What are we facing?"
The sergeant of Black squad replied to him. "No idea sir. I haven't seen one of them yet but Bjorn has some major injuries from their fire and Andreas is dead". The voice of another troopers replied to his questions. "Floaters. I've seen the caped figure of one on the air. Took me three plasma shots to bring it".
Floaters? Fuentes asked himself, thinking that he had never heard of one taking three plasma shots to finally came down besides the fact that the aliens seemed more smart and aggressive than before. Looking around he saw that he was down to two squads plus himself. Considering that they were facing the crew of a large scout he figured that they had even odds against them.
The X-Com team was arranged in a semi-circle around the Skyranger, whose bulk covered one of their sides. They needed to break out and head for the UFO, whose dimmed shape could be seen to the northwest of the Skyranger. "Morelli! Make use of your launcher to clear the path towards the UFO. Black squad move out. Green squad surpress fire".
Fuentes watched Morelli move out of the rock where he was standing and direct the heavy weapon at the direction of the UFO. Resting the barrel of the launcher on his armored shoulder, the soldier pointed the weapon and fired.
The recoilless launcher contained the energy of the launch of the launch and the only indication that Fuentes had of the discharge was when the high explosive projectile hit its target, some hundred meters away from them. The blast hit a medium boulder where the officer had just seen a shape taking cover and shattered it into several smaller pieces that came flying out of the expanding fireball. And a roaring sound was heard, something that none of the X-Com soldiers had ever heard until that moment and that made some of the men in Black squad hesitate for a moment before they started their advance.
Moving into the direction of the UFO, the gray figures of the X-Com soldiers were covered by the heavy rain that had already set down the fires from the rocket blast. A number of plasma shots coming from both sides rose as well but Green squad immediately replied to the alien fire, scoring a number of hits among the darkened figures that rose from behind the rocks that littered the battlefield. The ice on the rocks and ground became melted by the heat of the exchanges, the water joining the puddles and small streams that where present everywhere.
Moving quickly and firing as they advanced Black squad finally managed to reach the cross shaped UFO, using the both arms of the craft for protection. Another trooper had been brought down in their effort and he laid halfway in-between Fuentes' position and the UFO. But soon the fighting outside would be over and they could assist him. Black squad's position meant that the aliens would be forced to leave their positions and start heading back to the craft, unless they wanted to allow that the X-Com team assaulted their way of getting off Earth.
"Green move out!" The remaining troopers started to move out of their positions, covered by the other squad's fire. Advancing in the middle of the squad, Fuentes noticed a caped figure about to fire at them on his right. Slowing his pace, he turned his laser rifle and fired first at the alien. He wasn't expecting to hit it, since he had hardly taken aim and he was moving but one of the three-shot salvos that came out of the barrel hit the alien bringing him a smile on his lips.
However, his mood quickly changed as he saw that the laser hit didn't had any effect on the alien, who simply ignored it and fired its heavy plasma back at the lead running trooper. Fuentes watched in horror as the corporal raised both his arms before falling into the ground. One of Green's two remaining privates slowed as he approached the fallen soldier's position but Fuentes ordered him to continue his march. "Nikolas! Keep on moving! You're only making a target of yourself. We'll pick him later!"
Reaching him he pushed him forwards and they both kept their pace, finally approaching the UFO. Black squad kept firing to cover their approach, standing close to one of the craft's arms. On the other arm Fuentes could see the rectangular outline of the UFO's door through the amplified scope on his right eye. There were only seven X-Com troopers left and one of them was injured but they still had enough numbers to take care that the aliens wouldn't be going anywhere.
Then, all of the sudden, Fuentes saw Morelli stop in the middle of his run, twenty meters still away from the UFO. He was about to order the soldier to move forward but instead what happened next made his speechless.
Without even bothering to point or Morelli simply brought up his rocket launcher and fired at the UFO. The Carl Gustav rocket flew the space between the soldier and the craft in less than a second, detonating afterwards. Right in the middle of the three X-Com soldiers of Black squad who where using the fuselage of the craft for cover.
Fuentes simply didn't hear the explosion. He stopped his pace and watched as the explosion ripped through the troopers' armor and sent them sprawling into the ground where they laid down without moving. "Morelli!" He screamed on the microphone.
The other trooper's response was to turn at him and drop his weapon. When his voice was heard the words came out in stress and in the middle of heavy breathing. "Captain! I can't control myself! Something is making my arms move by their own!" Fuentes didn't have time to consider his words. The door in front of him suddenly slided upwards and a caped figure stepped outside brandishing a heavy plasma on its limbs.
Turning his laser rifle towards it, Fuentes unleashed a salvo of amplified light towards it. To his amazement one of the red streaks of light simply stopped a few centimeters from its target, while the other two hit but having no apparent effect on the creature. They cut circular holes on the gold and orange garments that covered completely the alien but it had been hurt underneath it didn't show.
It simply fired back; killing Morelli with a shot on his head that left a dark and bloody hole on the side of the helmet that was hit. As it turn towards Fuentes, the officer saw two bright eyes burning at him in the middle of darkness that filled the dark opening of the hood that covered the alien's head. He felt his inside freeze, a glacial feeling that seemed to crush his chest and fill it with dread. Inside of him, a fear behind everything he had ever experience erupted. Panic overwhelmed him and his rationality ceased to exist. He dropped his weapon and started to run towards the direction of the Skyranger, trying to escape the monsters that were all around him.
March 3rd, 2001
Area 19, Nevada, US
The Papoose Lake facility still gave Johnson a bad feeling every time he went there, remembering him of the late General Smith. In fact, in the debacle of the New Mexico base he knew now for certain that something very wrong was affecting the US, eating at it like a hidden cancer. Someone had poured millions of dollars into building and sustaining these secret research facilities and no one in Washington seemed even aware of them. He had forwarded requests to everyone regarding any information to base occupied by aliens: Department of Defense, CIA, FBI, NSA, no one seemed to ever know about their existence. For more than thirty years it had stood right in the middle of the US but no one had noticed its presence or even acknowledged having entered into previous contact with the aliens. It was one of the reasons that made Johnson extremely distrustful to the US chain of command: either someone was lying or they were simply being manipulated. Taking in consideration all things, some of Vaughn's ideas seemed logical and right. However he still wasn't too sure about them because he felt it was just wrong to throw away the international cooperation developed in X-Com. Even if it was the work of the powers that were siding with the aliens on the conflict. And what troubled him more was that he couldn't discuss the situation with anybody because of the security level of certain aspects of it. Only the regional commanders, Dr. Chevereux and Colonel Robinson were aware of the full information about Mars and the alien base there. They had all made an oath stating that they would only reveal the secret by common agreement or if X-Com was disbanded. He was waiting for a chance to talk back to Williams about a lot of things and set the record straight between them but the opportunity hadn't arrived. Johnson trusted the CIA man more now, after the information he had given to them was correct. But his actions also showed that he had decided to follow a path different from the one President's Vaughn was defending and Johnson couldn't tell yet if it was coincident with X-Com's.
The lift that linked the ground floor to the underground levels stopped and he got out. Taking the corridor that lead into the office where he and Young had the conversation that changed most of what he thought of the world. Moving down the lightened passageway, he wondered where the captured Sectoid leader was being held.
Young looked very tired when Johnson entered the office. "Colonel. Thank you for coming. Have a seat please". Sitting on the same chair of their last meeting, he paused for a second before setting down. The hybrid smiled. "Still afraid that I will mind-control you Colonel?" Johnson jerked backwards but he controlled the reaction immediately. "Bad joke Doctor". The hybrid raised his arms and apologized. "Sorry. But I don't know how you will react to what I'm going to tell you concerning the captured alien".
"Are Robinson's people done with him?" As soon as their initial investigations had revealed how the Sectoid could be more securely contained, the intelligence personnel had moved forwards to perform their own interrogations. The results had merely confirmed the existence of the alien base on Mars, although they had been unable to retrieve any further information concerning its location or the general alien plans. "They are. In fact..." he brought up his wrist and looked at his watch. "…our guest has left us permanently fifteen minutes ago since we have extracted everything we could from him".
"And that includes the mind control research". The whole matter had thrown shakes through X-Com. No one was expecting that humans could be able to use the Psionic powers that certain Sectoids had demonstrated. Young had stated that to his knowledge it would be impossible. However after they had analyzed the information that the retrieved scientist at the New Mexico had left behind or told to Markovitch it showed that humans could do it.
"We were lucky to have captured Attila, as the late Dr. Finkel called him. Otherwise the findings he left behind would be nothing more that theoretical speculation and almost impossible to believe or even to prove". It was exactly what Johnson feared. The whole matter would be one of the most disturbing things ever discovered, leading to worldwide fears of manipulation and control. Images of Hitler and Nazi Germany went through his head, only this time a better method of mass control seemed to have been developed.
Young looked stressed with his shoulders sagged. "I share your feelings Colonel: this is something that will probably change our world when its secrets are revealed. However, for now I propose that we consider on how we can use it against the aliens. And let the future generations decide if we did the right thing on uncovering this. But there's a factor that will prevent and control its application".
"I can't possibly imagine what it might be Doctor, since I feel that its application for harmful proposes will only be dependent on the will of the one who decides to use it. But tell me".
"I've tested over fifty persons right now to determine their level of Psionic strength, a biological indicator that shows the level of resistance or ability to use the powers. They all where selected randomly from the base personnel and without knowing what was it for. Based on the results I've come up with a zero to one hundred scale, the maximum reading that I've encountered. For you to have an idea of the scale, the captured Sectoid had a value of forty". The number didn't seem too big for Johnson. "And the humans?"
"In average they score a twenty, with some notable exceptions. In some cases it's simply zero, while in Captain Markovitch's case she's over ninety". That surprised and scared Johnson. "She can read the minds of anyone? Control people?"
The scientist realized the reason for his apprehension. "Not exactly Colonel. I realize your preoccupations. I do listen to base rumor". He smiled. "However, you would be able to feel if she tried to fool you. The person using these powers can read and even perceive the other person's sensations. He can encourage some feelings present or, on its full power, even take full control of his target. But the more the subject is forced to do something against his will the more he will suffer psychological damage". Johnson started laughing. "So in either case I'm nuts for being in love with her. I had already figured that one out".
"Women do exert some sort of control over men in any case". Young shared his grin but after a moment his expression turned serious. "However, you might not like to hear the rest". Johnson stopped and looked at him. "What else have you found?"
"I've included some of us in the same tests also without them knowing the reasons why. They have all came up in the range of sixty". That made Johnson completely change his mood and he started to get up from the chair. "Colonel please sit down!" He raised his arms with his arms wide open. "I had to do it Colonel. And you needed to know also so that you can judge if we are still trustworthy or not".
Johnson shook his head. "I want to be tested". The scientist shook his head in agreement. "The same to all base commanders, combat troops and security personnel also. And the results should be revealed to everyone so that each one knows with what he can count on".
"I've already notified Dr. Chereveux about the results of the research. I'm sure he and Commander Illyuschenko will think the same way".
"Good". Johnson tried to control his briefing. "Doctor?" The scientist lowered his hands. "Thank you for your effort and sorry if I offended you".
"No harm done Colonel. I started to suspect, since the Sectoids seemed to have reason of their own for leaving us hybrids in the dark about the psionics. I considered if I should do it for some time until I decided that it would be better if you knew about it than leaving it to one of us discovering by accident. And to further assure you, Psi energy leaves a trace behind in one' brain that can be checked to see if the person has been tampered with".
"Good to hear". The scientist paused for one second and Johnson frowned. "Anything else that I should know about?" Passing his hand through his chin, Young contorted his mouth before answering. "Are you a religious man Colonel?" Johnson found the question bizarre. "Not really. Why?"
"There are some extremely controversial conclusions that can be taken from all this research. As I ran the tests I also checked a number of mammals for psi levels, such as pigs, dogs, cats and monkeys. They all turned to zero and the same happened to the Snakemen and Floaters we have locked in the containment area. They can be controlled since psi energy acts upon the sensations felt by any living being. However, this power only occurs on humans, Sectoids and hybrids". The whole thing didn't make any sense to Johnson. "What does it has to do with religion?"
"The preliminary results of the Human Genome have been made available to X-Com. It's propose is to type the entire group of genes that define man. I've compared it with some of the genotyping we've made out of the aliens and the hybrids. Again you, me and the Sectoids share about a thousand genes, a smaller number if compared to the overall but still meaning that it can't be a coincidence".
"I don't understand. We belong to the same species?"
"No. Too many different genes. But you and I share genes that don't exist on Earth. The only way that they can have come here is because the aliens interfered on mankind's evolution, most likely when you were still primates".
"Jesus!" The world seemed as if it was about to change for Johnson. "He was wrong in some things also, Colonel". Looking above as contemplating the stars, he continued. "Now I don't think intelligent life developed on this planet by accident. Or that it was a coincidence that the alien activity started to increase to visible levels after World War II. When we blew the first atomic bomb they must have seen that we had become too intelligent and since then they decided to take care of their own animal farm and put things into order. Throw both God's creationism and Darwin's theory of evolution into the trash: we are here because the aliens made us".
March 15th, 2001
Mother One, Black Forest, Germany
After months of hard research Commander Illyuschenko and the officers of X-Com's European Command were now all gathered to see their newest device in the war against the aliens. The idea had sounded absurd at first to the Russian who refused to believe that they had broke into the extraterrestrials code and detect and listen to the alien's ships. Nevertheless he had demanded results before authorizing the construction of the first device and upon seeing them authorized the project.
A large new section of the base had been dug up to house the hyperwave detector. The whole concept had been developed from both the concepts of the UFO navigational system, discovered at Area 51 and the discovery of the tachyon particles made at Mother One. Apparently the aliens used tachyons for their UFOs to identify themselves and transmit information. The code-breakers had only been able to decipher a few parts of the code but they had figured out which information related to navigational data.
On one corner of the base a highly specialized liquid rested in a metal chamber large the size of a school bus. The material inside didn't actually consisted of a liquid, but something that the scientists were calling a new state of the matter. Illyuschenko couldn't remember the name of the state or the liquid inside but it didn't matter to him. The only thing that mattered was that as the tachyons transmitted by the Elerium engines moved through it special detectors built into the chamber would record their passage. And taking measure of certain variables they could determine the position of the UFO to the receiver as well as the tiny variations that contained the alien messages. Those changes would then be processed by a supercomputer that would translate them into human measures.
Looking at the board in front of him and leaning on the rail, Illyuschenko noticed that a UFO had been tracked over the Baltic. Another one was high-speed racing over Eastern Europe, too high and fast for even the Firestorms to intercept it. Turning to Colonel Paqua, the dark-haired French responsible for Air Operations, he shouted: "Time to engage the machine. Let's see what it tells us about these UFOs". The Colonel nodded and passed the order to the technicians operating the consoles.
At first the red dots moving over the map of Europe suffered no change but the color of the background turned from black into a gray, indicating the range of detection. It stretched in a circle that compassed the Azores Islands in the middle Atlantic to European Russia from west to east, with the middle portion of Libya and Egypt the Arctic Circle defining its southern and northern borders.
The two red dots that marked the UFO's positions were identified simply as "LRG SCT" and "LARGUFO, denoting a Large Scout and a craft of large size, its type still undetermined". Below the designations, boxed series of numbers gave information on their speed, altitude and bearing. However, a few seconds later the computer redefined the information based on the readings from the hyperwave detector. The first one still had the same ship tag but now underneath it read several more codes, indicating the race, mission and area of operations of the craft: MUTON/RTLIATN/EUROPE. The second on its turn had changed into SUPPLYS/SECTOID/SUPPLY/FEASIA.
"Bloody hell!" MacTaggert's voice came from behind Illyuschenko who found himself also aghast by the change. "Commander!" Paqua called from one the console that he was watching. "The first UFO is looking for us! The second is on a supply run for an alien base on Asia! This can't be right!"
Dr Chevereux moved closer and said. "I will have them check the detector. It can be a glitch". Illyuschenko's grabbed his arm to stop him. "China. The aliens must have built a base there. Can we detect it?" Chevereux thought for one second. "Not using this system. However we can put a tachyon detector on board one of the Skyranger and, if the aliens are using Elerium to power the base, we can detect it and triangulate its position. It won't be much for accuracy but it will give us an idea of its location. The plane will have to came closer then".
"We'll use Stalingrad base's planes. Please start working on that immediately". As the scientist left he shouted. "Colonel Paqua, scramble a fighter before that scout pick us up to shoot it down". The French officer nodded. "And also alert Stalingrad about the supply ship. See if they can track its landing on their radars". As the Colonel turned to the console, he stood looking in astonishment at the board quiet. "Mon dieu!" Illyuschenko turned to look at the board.
Where before only two enemy contacts were present, now the screen was blinking with six other targets that had been undetected by the base's radars. Two were increasing their altitude and speed and read: BATTLES/???????/INFLTRN/EUROPE. Another one was completely its entry in Earth's atmosphere, too high to be intercepted: SUPPLYS/SNAKMEN/ALIENB/STHAMER. And the fourth was proceeding the opposite direction, heading into the depths of space: TERRORS/???????/INFLTRN/EUROPE.
"Commander! We have an 'OVNI' on its way to South America to deliver supplies to the construction of an alien base. The other three 'OVNI's are on an infiltration mission and appear to be departing".
"Paqua! What's the race inside these Battleships". The Colonel went back to the technician, pointing the finger at the console and firing up questions that the man operating it tried to respond as much as possible. After some threatening gestures to both the console and the operator, Paqua turned back to Illyuschenko. "Undetermined Commander. He says that our computer can't translate the race signal of these UFOs".
"Paqua! Send one of our conventional fighters against the scout. Both Firestorms are going against one of those Battleships, you decide which but I want it brought down at all costs! MacTaggert! Get all of the platoons ready! We will bring all of them down to retrieve the wreckage of that Battleship". A few seconds later, the full military personnel complement was put into full alert, with the soldiers running to the armory while the pilots and support personnel got their craft ready.
Thirty minutes later the aerial battle was over with mixed results. The scout had been easily brought down by the conventional fighters and had crashed in the North Sea, its remains sinking under the dark waters. But the Battleship had destroyed one of the attacking X-Com's Firestorms and had successfully exited the area afterwards. The X-Com pilots had hit the UFO with their Fusion Missiles, a weapon whose warhead consisted of Elerium surrounded by a reflective carbon coating to increase its destructive power. But it had been insufficient and as they approached into range of their plasma cannons, the UFO had retaliated, inflicting critical damage into one of the Firestorm and vaporizing the other out of the skies. Its pilot didn't even have time to eject the craft.
Still standing at the monitor in front of him, Illyuschenko felt miserable. What have you done you idiot? If you wanted to commit suicide why did you asked others to perform what you can't accomplish? Why didn't you order the second Firestorm to abort its attack with plasma cannons when the UFO had already shown to the first the power of its weapons? I should be court-martialed because of this and relieved of my position.
Paqua's voice interrupted his rumblings. "Commander, we almost did it. That UFO destroyed one of our craft but it paid hard for it. If our fighters had stayed into battle and scored more hits it would have been brought down. We need the Avenger sir". Opening his eyes again he turned his head and focused them on the officer. "What was the name of the pilot?"
The Colonel thought for one second. "Watts. He joined from the RAF almost one year ago after flying air-defense Tornados for years. His family was killed on the alien terrorist attack on Coventry". Watts. Now a whole family has been destroyed. Watts. "He was good sir. You have to take this to the Council to prove them our need for the Avenger. We have no defense against these Battleships otherwise".
Still speechless, Illyuschenko slowly nodded his head, his gaze looking lost in front of him. Paqua looked at him in apprehension but as he was about to speak Illyuschenko merely stated. "We need it". Turning around he walked towards the exit, without even dismissing Paqua. We need to finish this once and for all. No more listening to the politics, they will never really understand what is going around here. We need to do all we must to finish this war before it's too late for the rest of us. No more conditioned decisions, no more remorse, only victory matters now. And the rest, I'll deal with it afterwards.
André Galvão, 2002