Operation: Silent Pipe

March 19th, 2015

2:27 P.M.

Mission Brief: A high ranking UN Official by the name of Peter Van Doorn has been attacked during a convoy in Benin City, Nigeria. The section of Highway he was on is heavily destroyed, and there are many wrecked cars to use for cover. Get in, Get him, and get out. Eliminate anything that gets in your way. He was traveling with a small compliment of troops, so you may have some back up in the field, but don't expect much, they may already be dead.

Squad:

Squaddie Logan Scott (Team Lead)

Rookie Marc Girard

Rookie Jack Johnson

Rookie Fungai Ngele

Big Sky touched down around 2:30 P.M. On the main highway leading into Benin City. Squaddie Scott made contact with the remnants of Gen. Van Doorn's troops shortly thereafter. Attached is an audio log of their conversation.

Audio Log:

Unknown Soldier: "Hey! Over here! Are you the guys who were sent for General Van Doorn?"

Scott: "Yeah, That's us. Any idea where 'e is?"

U.S.: "Not exactly, no. But last time I saw him he was trying to regroup some of our guys a little further down the road... What outfit are you guys from?"

S.: "That's not important. What kind of enemy attacked you?"

-There is a short silence.-

U.S.: "Shit man... I don't know... They looked human, but... they didn't look HUMAN... ya know?"

S: "So... What? They look like us, but not entirely?"

U.S. "Yeah! They're all like... slimy lookin' and shit, but they just kinda look like people."

-Squaddie Scott speaks into his headset-

S.: "Central, be advised we 'ave reports of a potentially new form of E.T., 'umanoid in appearance, but distinctively Alien."

Central: "Copy that, Scott. Proceed with caution, reclaim any bodies you can."

S.: "Affirmative."

-Scott addresses the soldier again.-

S.: "We're making a move for Van Doorn. Are you coming?"

U.S.: "Hell no! I watched my entire squad get killed by those things! Besides, I'm out of ammo."

S. : "Alright, 'ead for the plane over there, and wait. We'll get you 'ome, mate."

U.S. : "Got it..."

-The soldier starts to leave, but calls back to Squaddie Scott-

U.S.: "Oh! And be careful! They have some kinda Poison spray! They release it when they die!"

S.: "Poison spray... Great."

End of Audio Log.

At 2:34 P.M. Squaddie Scott had eyes-on the new Alien form. It quickly retreated, but Scott was able to eliminate it before it escaped. (Video from Scott's camera showed what seemed to be a Tall, thin Caucasian male, with dark brown hair, wearing a suit. Closer analysis shows his skin pigment is very jaundiced, and his movements are almost reptilian in nature. Upon its death, the subject released a large inky cloud of gas. Recommend further research ASAP.)

At 2:36 P.M., Rookie Girard came under fire from a lone Sectiod. He quickly shifted position from the car he used as cover, which had caught fire, to a small barricade, and eliminated the enemy.

At 2:40 P.M. Rookie Ngele made contact with Gen. Van Doorn. The following is the audio log from their conversation.

Audio Log

Van Doorn: "What the hell kinda gear is that?"

Ngele: "Are you alright, sir?"

V.D.: "Yeah, I'm still breathin'. Can't say the same for a lot of my guys though."

N.: "Sir, if we don't get you to safety, there sacrifice will mean nothing."

V.D.: "Yeah yeah... let's get out of here before more of those... things show up. How many people did you bring with you?"

N.: "There are four of us, sir."

V.D.: "Four!? That's it? How the hell are you gonna fight those things off with only four guys?"

N.: "I think we will manage just fine, Sir."

End of Audio Log

During Ngele's conversation, a group of Sectoids had taken postions around them, pinning them in the collapsed road section, and Rookie Ngele sustained minor burns from their attack. Squaddie Scott moved up to support him and Van Doorn while the rest of the team got into position.

With the rest of the squad drawing fire, Van Doorn was able to slip away from the ambush, making it to Rookie Johnson, who was waiting a while back from the fighting.

Squaddie Scott made use of his Rocket Launcher to clear his team, and they started to make their way back to Big Sky.

At 3:00 P.M. Rookie Johnson spotted one of the new enemies landing behind him. He engaged, drawing attention away from Van Doorn.

Rookie Ngele moved ahead, but was ambushed by the waiting enemy, sustaining sever injuries. Rookie Girard moved to support, and eliminated the enemy.

Ngele and Johnson scouted ahead while Girard and Scott took cover with Van Doorn.

At 3:04 P.M. More of the new enemies, referred to by Squaddie Scott as Thin Men, appeared, setting ambushes for Van Doorn. Rookie Girard was attacked, and sustained moderate injuries. Johnson eliminated his attacker, and Strike 1 continued on to Big Sky.

At 3:09 P.M. General Peter Van Doorn stepped aboard Big Sky, along with all members of Strike 1.

Kills

Scott: 3

Girard: 2

Johnson: 1

Bradford's notes: Ngele's in Critical condition, but we got him to the medbay just in time. Thanks to Scott's quick thinking, (And very interesting use of his Rocket Launcher.) He brought the whole team back. I recommend him for promotion to Corporal, as well as promotions for the whole team.

Ngele: Support

Girard: Assault

Johnson: Assault

That new alien type worries me though, why would they try to make something that looked human? The more I think of it, the less I want to know. We've recovered three "Thin Men" Corpses. That has a nice ring to it...

Anyway, as a Thank you, General Van Doorn sent us one of his best snipers; Sgt. Kojo "Pharaoh" Bengu. He seems a little gruff, but if he'll kill aliens, we'll get along just fine.

Non-Combat Information: Satellites are nearly complete, 10 new troops are inbound to XCOM HQ.