Chapter 32: Operation Hermit Crabby

Somehow the halls of the AVENGER seemed even more alien at night. Although, given the international nature of XCOMs operations, it was fast becoming harder for those aboard to maintain a sense of time let alone a consistent day and night cycle. Even so, walking through the deserted part of the ship Cpl Amanda Sterling and Cpl Kyoko Avalon could not help but feel the looming sense of tension which came with uncovering an unexplored place after hours.

The two of them had become fast friends since joining the revived XCOM, mainly over a shared love of anime and British comedy. During their off hours, Avalon would translate any old copies of animes they'd found in place of the terrible subs while Sterling explained the cultural significance of why a man hitting his car with a tree branch was the funniest thing to a British person.

"This is quite literally a treasure trove of alien secrets" Avalon said with barely contained glee as she scanned her light over the dust caked walls of the alien corridor. "Imagine what we could find down here"

It seemed that despite yawning geographical and culture distances some traditions transcended both international boundaries and even alien invasions. One such tradition was the Test of Courage.

Sterling recalled they had a similar rite of passage in the UK, but rarely did it go so far as to have a coherent name. Usually it amounted to little more than goading your mates into an adventure, getting scared and running away screaming at the first sign of something weird. And that was what they had decided upon tonight, exploring the untapped bowels of an alien spaceship in the hopes of uncovering something weird and wonderful. If it just so happened to prove useful to the resistance, all the better.

"They searched the ship pretty thoroughly when we came aboard" Sterling said. "If there was anything worth seeing you think someone would have found it by now"

"But who says they found everything?" Avalon contested. "We could be the ones who discover the weapon that wins the war for humanity. Imagine that…" Avalon threw her arms out in a dramatic fashion. "Avalon and Sterling: The Soldiers Who Saved the Earth"

"Why do you assume you'd get top billing?" Sterling asked.

"Because it sounds better that way" Avalon clarified. "Besides, first place always goes to whoever actually made the discovery"

"And what pray tell makes you think it'll be you who even makes the discovery" Sterling questioned.

"This" without another word Avalon tore off running down the corridor at a blinding pace. Sterling was quickly forced to follow suit as she pursued her companion. The sound of their boots hammering against the metal deck drowning out their harsh pants of exertion.

As they turned the corner they were met by a blinding light, the two of them ground to a halt on the polished metal as their hands instinctively rose to shield their eyes. The voice of a ghostly apparition called out to them from behind the blinding light. Thing is, neither of them had ever heard tale of a ghost that swore before.

"Oh, bloody kids"

The punishing light fell away from them. As their eyes slowly adjusted they were met by a sight most would think unimaginable. It was Central Officer Bradford, dressed in a faded olive drab t-shirt and shorts. His short dark hair was a matted mess and his face awash with a thick layer of stubble. He held his custom-built assault rifle ready before begrudgingly lowering the weapon and replacing the safety catch.

"Bradford? Sterling asked. "What are you doing down here?"

"What do you think?" Bradford protested hoarsely. "I live here"

Avalon glanced further down the corridor behind him. Through open access door she could make out the signs of makeshift quarters made up in one of the rooms.

"But why down here?" Avalon asked. "Most of the rest of the crew have set themselves up around the communal bunk area"

"You two only joined recently" Bradford clarified. "When we first found the AVENGER we first set ourselves up wherever we could. Once the bunk area was established Tygan, Shen and the rest moved out. I just kind of, never left"

"But why stay here?" Sterling persisted. "Surely you'd be more comfortable with the rest of us"

"Because I like the quiet" Bradford explained. "And if it meant I didn't have to deal with this kind of nonsense all the better" Bradford turned to go back into his room. "Now you two head back to the main deck. That's an order"

"Yes, sir" Avalon and Sterling replied before slinking away back the way they had come.

"Kyoko" Sterling whispered as soon as she was sure that they were out of earshot. "Let's agree to never speak of this again"

XCOM Rule 768: No disturbing the senior staff in their private quarters.