Chapter 19: Operation Use the Force
The Commander pinched the bridge of their nose tightly between their fingers. The act served as a last-ditch effort to keep themselves awake as they read and reread the previous page of the report hoping the information would finally sink in enough for them to retain it.
At this point it seemed like a hopeless effort and they allowed their hand to fall to the desk, their tablet slipping from their open hand onto the desk. What they wouldn't give for the old pen and paper system at times like these, at least then there was some catharsis to be had from tearing the report to shreds when you were finally done with it. No such luck with modern tablets, the replacement costs were proving too great to justify to the Council.
Checking their watch, the Commander noted that it was time to report to the Situation Room for the regular readiness review meeting. The reality was that most of the meetings served as little more than an opportunity for the XCOM statisticians to delve into immense detail regarding the logistics of XCOMs world spanning operations in an effort to continue justifying their departments funding. Still, anything had to be better than reading any more reports.
Rising from their desk the Commander checked their pistol at their belt, a habit quickly adopted after the alien's raid on the base necessitated a certain level of increased awareness. Dr Shen and his team had done an outstanding job in the construction, creating a custom-built plasma pistol with a grip moulded specifically for the Commanders hand. Nothing but the best for the Commander they had insisted.
Stepping out of their quarters the Commander was met by their detail of two XCOM security guards, another operating procedure instigated in the wake of the attack. The difference today was that rather than the usual navy-blue uniforms standard to internal security personnel these soldiers were dressed in white armour with black trim and face concealing helmets. There was no established uniform for XCOM security personnel, allowing for a certain degree of personalisation, this was still unexpected.
Putting it aside, the Commander stepped behind their escorts and began walking down the familiar corridor towards the situation room. As the neared the end of the corridor one of the escorts stopped suddenly in their step. Fearing an attack, the Commander reached for the pistol at their hip-
"Look sir, droids" the soldier raised their hand to point further down the corridor, watching as a formation of S.H.I.V.s rolled past the intersection.
Once more setting the bizarre occurrence to one side the Commander continued their walk towards the Situation Room unabated, that was at least until they were met by two figures approaching from down the corridor. Dressed in long brown robes their faces were concealed beneath the shadows cast by their deep hoods. The guards called for them to stop.
"Halt, identify yourselves" the guard raised his hand to stop them.
One of the figures peered out from beneath their hood. "You don't need to see our identification" the figure said with an ethereal pass of their hand in front of them.
"We don't need to see their identification" the guard responded monotone.
"We aren't the ones you're looking for" the figure continued.
"They aren't the ones we're looking for" the guard repeated.
"We can go about our business" the hooded figure said.
"You can go about your business" the guard said.
"Move along" the figure said.
"Move along" the guard stepped aside, waving the pair of them past.
The Commander wasn't certain whether the display had been an act and what was genuine Psionic influence. As they continued towards the Situation Room the Commander secretly hoped that George Lucas never found out about this. The classified nature of the project made such an eventuality unlikely. Still, they were not eager to be summoned to Disney vs XCOM. Disney had some pretty frightening legal clout, in some ways scarier than the aliens.
Entering the Situation Room, the Commander found the logistical heart of XCOM awash with so many odd-looking creatures they were almost tempted to reach for their pistol. Among them was an orange creature with face tentacles, another portly blue thing with wings and a long snout, even a green figure with head tails and an outfit which almost certainly was not regulation. It came to something when the most normal looking one in the room was the guy dressed head to toe in green armour with a rocket strapped to their back.
The Commander was lead towards their seat in the Commanders chair overlooking the Situation Room. It seemed that in the time since the last review meeting the chair had gained certain new additions. Of greatest note, was the XCOM projects Chief Scientist Dr Vahlen knelt down beside the command chair. She was dressed in a gold tinted bikini and accompanying chain secured to a collar around her neck.
"Count yourself lucky they couldn't find one that fit Bradford" Dr Vahlen remarked as a way of greeting to the Commander.
The Commander took a seat in their command chair as the presentation began.
"Thank you all for assembling" Operations Officer Jacob McKnight presided over the meeting. "First item on the agenda, a request from Workshop 6-A for the allocation of additional technical staff. Their justification is that it is necessary to achieve the latest production quota. Any objections?"
"Significant funds have already been allocated to the engineering department" Researcher Alexandria Hart interrupted, sitting to the side of the room dressed in the same chestnut brown robes as those they had passed earlier. "While at the same time the research labs have been operating with out of date software for months"
"Engineering have put forward this request before and their production facilities are critical to the success of XCOMs operations" Communications Officer Pritchard interjected. "Given their importance to the project we should not be so quick to dismiss them. If we strike them down, they may prove far more powerful than we could possibly imagine"
"Noted" McKnight replied. "Moving onto the next item on the agenda. The research departments proposal for the design of a new aircraft navigational system utilising the Earths gravitational field" McKnight glanced down at his tablet. "The design document simply reads 'The Force shall guide us'"
"Once more you see the vanity of the science team even as Engineering is denied their rightful place" Engineer Richards protested from across the room, dressed in the same cloak tinted to a jet-black colour.
"It is the path of Science that shall lead us" Hart countered. "If science is to take that place at the expense of engineering then so it shall be"
"Then it seems we are at an impasse" Richards declared. "We must settle this matter that has gone unresolved between us for too long!"
"That we shall" Researcher Hart replied.
Hart reached beneath her cloak and withdrew a device, a prototype stun baton the research team had originally used to demonstrate the Arc Thrower technology. The long shaft glowed with a deep blue light of arcing electricity. Richards reached beneath his cloak to withdraw a similar weapon, although his had been modified to glow with a deep red colour.
Hart was the one to make the first move, lunging into the strike Richards deflected the attack with the edge of his baton. Richards moved to initiate his counter, sweeping forwards only to be met by open air as Hart dodged his attempt to retaliate.
Hart stepped back to gain some ground between them. Richards made his next attempt, driving for another decisive blow even as Hart swept past his attack with almost unnatural speed. It soon dawned on the both of them that they were too evenly matched to overcome their opponent in open combat. Instead, Hart chose to unleash her secret weapon.
Hart readied her power from deep inside of her, the product of MELD enhancement empowered her skin with a powerful electric current. When directed in the correct manner the mutation gave the effect of projecting lightning from one's fingers when close to an appropriate conductor similar to a Faraday Cage. While not strong enough to act as an offensive weapon the display created an exciting light show for those who witnessed it.
Hart used the momentary distraction to climb up onto the holoprojector platform, the hologram dispersing and reforming as the surface was perpetually broken.
"It's over, I have the high ground!" Hart declared.
Richards maintained his stance, his weapon raised and ready. "You underestimate my power"
Richards countered with his own unique ability, utilising the product of the research departments work against them, using a MELD enhanced jump to leap over his opponent to land on the far side of the holo-platform. Richards prepared to deliver the surprise attack against his opponents open back. Hart turned to face him, their batons striking and sparking off of eachother as they fought for control. That proved the final straw.
The Commander raised themselves from their command chair. "Alright everyone, very funny" the Commanders voice projected across the Situation Room, the two combatants turning to face the Commander. "While I appreciate that a lot of effort has clearly gone into this I'm sure I don't need to remind you all that we still have a war with an alien invasion to win. So, if we can get this all cleaned up and return to the normal duties of saving the Earth it will be very much appreciated"
Without protest, the non-essential personnel dispersed while those others set about resuming their normal duties at the array of consoles and workstations around the Situation Room. The Commander retook their seat at the command chair. The Commander glanced over at Dr Vahlen still seated beside them. Despite the position of responsibility she held within the XCOM project and knowing how bad it would look, the opportunity was too good for them to pass up.
"Doctor, may I?" the Commander asked.
Dr Vahlen couldn't help but roll her eyes before handing over the end of the chain to the Commander. The Commander allowed themselves a certain indulge in the sin of pride at the sight before him. It's good to be the Commander.
XCOM Rule 1138: All XCOM staff are prohibited from undertaking extended parodies of popular sci fi series while on duty.
1138a: These aren't the rules you're looking for.
