Chapter 7: Operation Sideways Scuttle

"Final weapons check. Prepare for entry"

The rhythmic click and harsh strike of metal against metal resonated in the confined corridor, made all the more claustrophobic by the presence of over half a dozen soldiers in full combat armour.

"Ok on my mark. Three… two… one… BREACH"

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"Ladies and gentlemen" the loudspeaker enhanced voice resonated through the large cavern dug deep beneath the rolling hills of Eastern Europe. "Welcome to the 3rd XCOM Chryssalid Derby. I am your commentator Jack Ryder. We are coming to you live from a cavern at the bottom of the XCOM base located in- no one needs to know"

The centre of the rocky cavern was dominated by a makeshift racetrack built from supply crates and whatever else could be procured from around the base. A group of tamed Chryssalids that would serve as the days runners lingered at the starting grid.

Lieutenant Jack Ryder, leader of this underground betting ring, sat atop his makeshift announcer's chair built from the same random assortment of crates and supply boxes. From there he could broadcast commentary to those present through the speakers spread across the cavern.

"We have some great scuttlers on the track today. As we prepare they're under starters orders" Ryder raised a laser pistol into the air above his head, firing a shot into the cavern ceiling in a flurry of displaced dirt. "And they're off!" The pack of racers broke from the starting area amid a thunderous cheer from the crowd as they set off down the first straight.

"And straight out of the gate we have Acid Reflux followed by Scissor Hands, My Other Racer is a Horse and Blade Runner coming up on the outside as they approach the first bend"

The Chryssalid racers skidded around the first bend, their sharp talons screeching to find purchase against the freshly cut rock floor. The two racers bringing up the rear oversteered on the bend and slipped, crashing into the makeshift barricade in a tangled heap. This soon devolved into a flail of claws and talons as each competitor fought to break free.

"Looks like we have some infighting breaking out in the back between Blade Runner and Chockfullodrugs but I'm sure nobody wants to see- oh, who am I kidding. We all love to see that"

Returning to the head of the pack those still in the race were now locked in a dead heat for first position. "Back at the front it's still Acid Reflux with My Other Racer is a Horse moving into second and coming up to challenge is Beetlemania. Technically speaking the Chryssalids are more closely related to arachnids but don't blame me folks, I didn't come up with the names"

As the homestretch approached the race became a hotly contested bout between the remaining leaders. "Turning onto the home straight Acid Reflux went a bit wide there and has been overtaken by My Other Racer. So, it's My Other Racer followed swiftly by Acid Reflux, Acid Reflux and My Other Racer. Its goanna be close and as they approach the finish line its-"

"Break it up!"

All eyes swiftly turned to the back corner of the cavern as the first of the black clad soldiers burst through the access tunnel into the cavern.

"It's the cops, cheese it!" a startled cry called out.

Despite what one might have anticipated, those present were not master criminals or escape artists. When the raid struck, whatever contingencies may have been made, whatever clever plans may have been devised, shattered amongst an equal distribution of stunned bewilderment and panicked scrambling.

Those who tried to make a run for it were the first to be targeted, the strike team soldiers rushing forward to contain the situation before it could descend further into chaos. XCOM base internal security was generally handled by a dedicated security staff, leaving the strike team to focus on the worldwide threats from the aliens and EXALT. Sometimes the strike team were summoned to deal with a situation requiring rather more firepower. Such instances included alien attack, EXALT infiltration and breaking up an underground gambling ring.

A combination of daily physical exertion and MELD enhanced vitality made the XCOM troops both faster to react and swifter on their feet, able to traverse the uneven terrain of the cavern floor like a wild beast bred for the irregular environment.

Even underground the skies were turned to their advantage. Once the half dozen soldiers had taken up positions to surround the main group of revellers another of the strike team erupted from the group guarding the door, carried on the flaming gold wings of the newly developed Archangel armour. With unmatched speed and grace, they wheeled around the fleeing group to cut off their escape route deeper into the cavern, forcing them back towards the other soldiers. Those caught quickly realised the reality of their situation as they were herded like panicked sheep.

The remainder of the soldiers kept their sights trained firmly on the pack of Chryssalids still ambling around the finish line of the makeshift racetrack. Their apparently docile nature did little to deter them from keeping their distance and their weapons drawn on the creatures.

As the dust settled it soon emerged that of all those present only Ryder remained unconfined, keeping to his seat in his announcer's chair. "Alright" Ryder called out, holding his open hands aloft. "It's a fair cop" tapping the control on his mike he silenced the caverns speakers. "Let's lower the guns and be civil about this"

The strike team leader stepped forwards from amongst the group, surveying the open cavern before them. Confident that it was safe they pulled off their heavy helmet, allowing their long blonde ponytail to escape from its confines. Ryder recognised her as Colonel Maria Townsend, a true by the book ground leader of XCOMs strike forces and an absolute ball breaker to boot. Despite this being off duty hours and technically under international jurisdiction no doubt she would be taking thorough note of those present and submitting a full report to XCOM command.

"Area secure" Townsend spoke into her COM link. "Bring in the doctor"

From the access corridor at the far side of the cavern Dr Vahlen was escorted in by yet more members of the XCOM strike force. They must have brought in nearly half roster for this op.

"Lieutenant Ryder, I presume?" Dr Vahlen asked as she approached Ryder.

Lieutenant Jack Ryder, formerly of the United States Marines before being sent to XCOM. Most Council nations who sent operatives to support the XCOM project generally selected those with exemplary military, academic or industrial qualifications to serve as best examples of their countries to fight the alien threat. Ryder was something of an exception. Speak to a group of his colleagues and you would hear a new story every time.

Some said that he had stumbled across a classified intelligence report, the contents of which could lead to war between the US and Canada over the disputed Machias Seal Island. In order to keep this under wraps the higher ups decided it would be prudent to transfer him somewhere he would be unable to make use of this information.

Other times they claimed he had been unknowingly standing in the way of promotion for the son of some prominent Senator. A few discreet phone calls to the Department of Defense and daddy's little boy soon found himself on the path to a cushy office position at DARPA.

A few said he was here to escape creditors back in the states, must be some pretty nasty people to be in debt to if fighting aliens is the safer option.

One soldier even claimed someone matching his description had ties to British Loyalist militias still operating on US soil, hoping to return the wayward colony to the bosom of the empire. Rumours circled that the government's attempts to curtail these activities included transferring him to a position with a less optimistic chance of survival.

And then there was the occasional person who assured those around them that the guy was just here to fight the good fight and do his bit for humanity. There were not many of those people.

"Quite the operation you've built for yourself down here, Lieutenant" Dr Vahlen commented as she took in the sheer expanse of the cavern around her and the amount of equipment repurposed for this use.

"It keeps the people entertained" Ryder replied. "Everyone enjoys a good race"

"Indeed" Dr Vahlen turned back to face Ryder. "But I'm afraid, for you, the race is over"

"Is that so?" Ryder shifted in his seat.

Seemingly at his command his personal tamed Chryssalid scuttled up to stand dutifully at its master's side, it's open maw leaving a slobbering trail as it moved. Townsend reactively raised her rifle to point squarely the new target.

"It's ok, he's friendly" Ryders idle petting of the creature's head like some trained puppy did little to dissuade her of the necessity of keeping a weapon trained on it at all times. "So, what finally brings you down here, Doctor?"

"We've actually been aware of your operations down here for some time now" Dr Vahlen reached into her pocket to retrieve her datapad, consulting the readout with a quick flash of her eyes across the screen. "Berserker boxing"

"An excellent opportunity for XCOMs Psi operatives to practice their mind control abilities in a safe and controlled environment" Ryder countered.

"Thin Mans buff" Dr Vahlen continued.

"An opportunity to train in proper stealth tactics" Ryder countered once more.

"Whack-a-Sectoid?" Dr Vahlen spoke the last one more as a question over whether anyone could really come up with such an idea.

"I'll admit" Ryder threw his hands up in admittance. "That one's just for a laugh"

"I'm confident most of these would constitute clear breaches of the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war" Dr Vahlen said.

"I'm fairly sure the drafters of the Geneva Convention never considered the treatment of prisoners based on armed conflicts with alien species" Ryder said.

"You really are very pleased with yourself about this aren't you?" Dr Vahlen said as she lowered the datapad in her hand.

"This is just my normal face, Doctor" Ryder replied with the same unassuming tone that ensured you could never quite tell if he was being deliberately insulting or merely obtuse.

"Regardless, we're still going to need to shut down your operation and remove your 'pets'" Dr Vahlen said. "The Commanders orders"

"So, you're the Commanders executioner now?" Ryder asked.

"Merely overseer" Dr Vahlen indicated Townsend standing beside her. "Colonel Townsend and her people will be responsible for actually carrying out the operation" Dr Vahlen rescanned her datapad. "I have signed orders from the Commander for your review"

"Better give those to me" Ryder held his hand out to accept the offered datapad. "Rex here might try and take a bite out of it if you leave them anywhere"

"You named the Chryssalid?" Townsend asked in barely contained disbelief.

"Of course, he's got to have a name" Ryder replied.

"Even so, it won't be exempt from what is about to happen" Dr Vahlen said with a genuine hint of mournfulness.

"Seriously?" Ryder queried. "How can you say no to that face?" like a child trying to convince an unwavering parent to let them keep some new pet Ryder leant down to cuddle his face against the Chryssalids scaly exoskeleton, the creature letting out a low hiss of seeming approval.

"You know this needs to happen, Ryder" Dr Vahlen persisted.

"Ok" Ryder held back a sniffle, whether merely put on or real, it was convincing. "Just, give me a chance to say goodbye" stepping down from his raised dais Ryder moved to kneel in front of the Chryssalid, grasping his hands on what could be considered its shoulders. Townsend could not help but roll her eyes at the spectacle, even as she kept her rifle trained on the creature. "Sorry buddy, it looks like this is it. This nice lady is going to take you and your friends to a farm upstate" another sniffle. "You be good, you hear?"

The Chryssalid gave another approving hiss. Whether it could actually understand human speech had yet to be confirmed.

"It'll be ok" Ryder said. "Things are going to be al-"

The crack of an Alloy Cannon, the first Chryssalid falls. Townsends team moved with practiced precision, some holding positions near the entrance to ensure none escaped while others moved through the cavern systematically eliminating all those they came across.

Ryder could only stand and watch next to Dr Vahlen. A nudge from the doctor drew his attention, she held out her hand expectantly.

"Alright, here's your race winnings, Doctor" Ryder retrieved a bound pack of universal credits from his pocket and handed it over.

"Danke sehr"

XCOM Rule 208: All XCOM personnel are prohibited from arranging any alien based sporting event including (But not limited to): Chryssalid Racing, Berserker Boxing, Thin Man's Buff, Whack-a-Sectoid and Muton Jousting

208a: All XCOM personnel are prohibited from placing bets on the outcomes of said events

208b: Even if Dr. Vahlen did make a tidy profit on the 3rd race, it's still banned