Andromedons: Unit

Battlefield Engineer

"Don't wound Andromedons, kill them outright. Otherwise they'll just get fixed by those red-tinted bastards."

- Fakhr al-Din, XCOM soldier

XCOM Autopsy AND02

Species: Andromedon

Unit Identity: "Battlefield Engineer"

Codename: Comstock

Alien Autopsy Overseer: Head of XCOM Research and Development Dr. Moira Vahlen

Suit Disassembly Overseer: Head of XCOM Engineering Dr. Raymond Shen

Audio Notes of Dr. Moira Vahlen

"Physically, this Andromedon is identical to the ones we extracted from the Soldier-variant suits, which leads me to theorize that they have a non-natural way of reproduction much like the Sectoids, or perhaps the ancient Ethereals. However, unlike the Soldiers, these designated "Battlefield Engineers" have far more cybernetic enhancement than others."

"The extent of this cybernetic enhancement is unknown, save for the fact that it is all concentrated in the brain and there are several visible ports that could connect to external sources, similar to how our own MECs link with their suits. While it does appear that these Andromedons can connect to their suits, none of the corpses we recovered actually were."

"However, they did have other implants of unknown function attached, which we are still figuring out. Shen has speculated that it may be a way of storing specific knowledge, or controlling the drones that fly over them. Disassembly is still proceeding."

"These Andromedons have been observed performing a purely supportive role, and are generally not seen on the front lines, though when pressed, they are present and supporting the aliens with their significant mechanical skills. On its own, this Andromedon does not pose a threat, but from experience, it appears that only one Battlefield Engineer can ensure that the aliens win, if for no other reason than their suits can be repaired indefinitely, which our own soldiers cannot replicate on our own."

Audio Notes of Dr. Raymond Shen

"Compared to the suits of the Andromedon Soldiers, they seem advanced to an entirely new level. On the outside, they appear little different with the exception of the red-tinted helmet and places for storing tools and parts, but internally, it is one of the most sophisticated pieces of technology I have ever seen."

"In the right hands, these suits have the capability to be as mobile and precise as our own MECs, and every single function is designed to potentially be accessed by the pilot. Indeed, there appear to be means for the Andromedon to physically connect and control the suit, though oddly enough, that has not been something we've observed in the pilots we've recovered."

"Another interesting note is the drone that flies overhead. I theorize it is to assist in repairs, but there have been reports of Andromedons using the drone to attack or harass, so it clearly can be modified to have some offensive capabilities. However, unlike the Soldiers, there only appears to be non-weaponized attachments such as welders and assisting appendages on the armor, no chemical dispenses or rocket launchers, which I'm sure will come to the relief of our soldiers."

Report:

Now that the suit has been entirely disassembled, as have the drones and implants found in the Andromedon pilots themselves, we can make far stronger theories about the exact level of threat they pose to us.

The implants appear to be a mix of signal emitters and data storage caches. Shen has theorized that the caches might hold technical information or precise details that might otherwise be forgotten by the pilot. This would imply that these Battlefield Engineers actually have limited applicability, and have to prepare for each battle. It is also curious that they would rely on such measures, unless their memory is worse than we originally believed?

Regardless, the other main implant is without a doubt used to control the drone, through a means that Dr. Shen is still working on. But it appears to give the Andromedon complete control over it. The drone itself also appears to be completely unique to each Battlefield Engineer, with a range of functions that do not conform to an understandable standard.

Some are purely for assisting in repair, others have miniature plasma cannons built into them and are used offensively. It is impossible to know for certain until actually seeing the drone in action. In all respects, they hold the same strengths and weaknesses as the suit of the Soldier, but is not as offensively capable.

It is likely that they can be overcome with telepathy, but it would not a stretch to wonder if the Andromedons could enhance the implants to slave the brain to specific commands if the pilot was compromised. A more crude application of the Manchurian Program, I presume. More research is required, and preferably a live specimen to experiment upon.

Addendum – Aegis' Notes

There is little I can add to this that would be of interest to you, Dr. Vahlen. You correctly and accurately noted the role of the Battlefield Engineers and their importance to Andromedon combat. Andromedons take casualties seriously, and thus the Battlefield Engineer is arguably the most important unit in their arsenal. An army that cannot die is one that will eventually win.

Concerning their implants, it is more a matter of efficiency than poor memory. On their own Andromedons are highly intelligent, especially Battlefield Engineers, however having the ability to recall the exact blueprints on a specific suit could save precious time in repairing it than relying solely on a fallible memory.

While this doesn't entirely relate to the subject at hand, you did comment on the origins of Andromedons, so I can answer that all modern Andromedons are grown in tanks. Their system is similar to Imperial breeding, but the creation of batches of Andromedons is discussed on a Union level, at least regarding the exchange of genetic material and research. All Unions have their own breeding facilities, but it would be a mistake to call all of them clones, as they make a point not to do so and consider each Andromedon a true individual.

Indeed, it is one reason they consider themselves superior to the Sectoids, and yet another reason to dislike the Hive Commanders.

Collective Species Report 00AF

Subject: Andromedon Technical Interest

Report Author: Zar'vizor'yaharam

Zar'Chon,

I do not like to bring attention or cast doubt upon our allies, but nonetheless I feel it appropriate to bring some matters to your attention, which is namely the Andromedon interest in Collective equipment. This is not specifically related to Vitakara technology, but Sectoid as well, and potentially Ethereal (Which includes the Gateways-although they won't be able to figure out much there).

Presumably, it is for their Battlefield Engineers so that they can more efficiently repair any damaged equipment that might be suffered in a battle, but if that were the case, they could have simply gone through J'Loran who would almost certainly be willing to provide them with what they wanted. But instead they appear to be attempting to gather this information on their own, manually.

They haven't attempted any unauthorized hacking or access, but they have instead made requests for inspection of various spacecraft and technology, and have been observed performing some kind of scan on it. It might be simple diagnostic checks, but it is also entirely possible that they are attempting to build their own schematics of Collective technology from scratch.

Their reasoning could be genuinely to improve the efficiency of their Battlefield Engineers, but considering that J'Loran seems unaware of this, and the Andromedon obsession with contingency plans, I do not think it appropriate to simply ignore this if they are gathering information on us so blatantly. Part of me questions this because it seems so obvious…but I'm not sure chances can be taken, especially with such a species.

I recommend you forward my findings to J'Loran and the Battlemaster. If any Andromedon can figure out what the actual goal is, it would be him. Names and Suit IDs of identified Andromedons have also been disclosed in this message.

"Fighting Andromedons is like fighting a cockroach that runs away and heals itself every time it scratches its armor. I would almost find it funny how squeamish these aliens are if they didn't seem to be so good at killing us. Seriously, it seems as if even the paint is scratched, they immediately run away to get fixed up by those Andromedons in the back."

"Cowards. But smart cowards, if that makes any sense. Guess we know their secret weapon now, and apparently without these repair Andromedons, they won't be able to fight nearly as well. I wonder what they'll do when they realize they can't take stupid risks. Maybe not stand out in the open? Eh, probably not. They seem a special bunch. Almost too arrogant for their own good.

Makes it all the more satisfying when one of them blows up. I hope there's a special place in hell for these death-defying cowardly aliens. The irony would be amazing."

- Samuel Yi, ADVENT Officer