Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. Here, we'll be going through the first retribution mission, along with the squad using the Alien Hunter weapons for the first time. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own X-com, Christopher Odd's X-com playthroughs, or any of the characters from the roster.

Operation: Bone Song

Resistance Haven: "Freedom Falls", New Mexico: Sean "Shadow" Walker POV

A haven ended up being attacked by ADVENT forces. In more than likely retribution for the past successful missions Xcom has gotten, ADVENT has launched a "peacekeeping force" to torch one of the camps. In response, the Commander sent out a squad to quell the fires and rescue any civilians still alive down there.

That squad included himself, Sean "Shadow" Walker; Caleb "Chancellor" Carter and Trevor "Professor" Fields, both of whom he worked with in previous missions; and Jasmine "Queen" Saari, who Sean was wondering if she's suicidal at the moment.

"I'm gonna take a swing and say more than one person already commented on your attire…?" Sean remarked dryly, looking over the practically half-naked Indian woman.

"Took a swing, and hit a home run Shadow dear…" Saari responded back casually, leaning back in her seat on the Skyranger.

"So I'm safe to assume that you're completely insane?"

"You wouldn't be the first, and definitely wouldn't be the last to assume that. I don't mind."

Walker let out a sigh at that. From beside him, Carter decided to speak up. "No offense ma'am, and it's probably too late to say anything right now, but… is it really wise to go out there with no armor? You aren't worried about getting shot?"

"Not at all." Jasmine shrugged with a smirk. "I'm not just here to kick the aliens off our planet and back to wherever they spawn from. I'm also here for the thrill of the fight, kicking ass and looking good while doing it. And it would be so boring if I'm out there, playing it safe like the rest of you by putting on some ballistic."

'...Yep, definitely insane.' The Shadow deadpanned to himself, while Carter looked a tad dumbfounded. Fields, as usual, was ignoring everyone else while fiddling with the new bolt-caster appointed to him. One of the new unique sets of gear found during a signal scan the month before; from the original skyranger, from what Walker had gathered himself.

Soon enough, the Skyranger was at the drop point and the squad of four slid down to the campsite. Once they all fully hit the ground, Bradford spoke through their comms. "Menace 1-5, hostile forces are attacking the outpost. Eliminate all enemy units and protect those civilians. ADVENT came in hot, and so did we. You won't have a concealed position for deployment on this one."

Despite Bradford's words, Fields ran up to one of the rusted cars near them. Something that got Walker to nearly groan. "Professor, hold up. Central just said that we don't have a concealed position." He called out to the Professor. With a sigh, he turned to Jasmine. "Mind scouting ahead, Queen?"

"Not a problem…" With a wink and a smirk, the Indian woman ran ahead and went past Fields, swiftly sneaking to the corner of the nearby building. From the distance, Walker could see Jasmine usher a civilian away from the combat zone. "Area clear at my end. Come on up boys."

With that confirmation, Walker and Carter quickly head on up, with the former joining Jasmine while the latter went beside Fields. Just as they did, however, a sectoid and trooper pair got within eye-sight.

The sectoid let out a screech before he and the trooper moved for cover. Fortunately, the trooper moved within Fields' line of sight and was met with a large cross-bolt to the face.

'That thing really does pack a punch.' Walker whistled to himself, impressed. But he brought focus back on the present at the sound of a civilian dying. "Carter, get over here! You should be able to get a flank on the sectoid!"

"Got it! Moving!" The fedora wearing grenadier ran and headed to the other side of the window. Once he was there, he aimed his rifle at the sectoid. "No flank, but I do have a decent shot."

"Take it then. I'm gonna move for a better shot."

With that said, Walker ran towards the door of the building for a potential flank, with Carter taking a shot at the sectoid. The sound of bullets meeting flesh, along with the pain-filled cry of the sectoid, told the sniper that Carter's hit rang true.

When he got to the door, Walker assisted a nearby civilian out of the fight, before opening up the door to get sight of the alien. Unfortunately… "Damn it. Can't get line of sight here."

"I can jump in and hack the skinny bastard…" Jasmine spoke through comms, looking ready to do just that.

But Sean quickly spoke before she could. "Stay back, Queen! We want you to keep your concealment for as long as we can manage!" He ordered in a hush manner. "Head to the roof, and keep low!"

"You're no fun at all, you know that…?" Despite the pouty response from the shinobi, Walker saw her climbing up to the rooftop.

Letting out a small breath, Walker took the time to steady his weapon. He ignored the cry of another dying civilian at the distance, and watched as the sectoid ran to the other side of the building. A shot from the bolt-caster followed right behind it, but it missed; giving the psionic alien to get through the garage door and hide behind the wall near it.

Unfortunately for the creature, Walker actually managed to see a good shot through that cover. One he didn't hesitate to take. Another pain-filled his left the sectoid's mouth, but it was still standing, if only barely.

That didn't last long, with another barrage of bullets taking out the psi-wielder. "Target neutralized!" Carter spoke through comms.

"Nice job, Chancellor." Walker praised the grenadier, before addressing Saari. "Queen, think you scout ahead from up there?"

"Solid copy…" With that said, he heard the sound of footsteps from up above. After a moment, the shinobi began relaying to the rest of the squad. "Got eyes on a hostile squad. Another sectoid, and two more troopers."

"Copy that." Walker spoke in confirmation. "Let's move in, try to get an ambush; or at least better positions before they spot us."

Before they could move, the sound of a plasma shot was heard, along with the dying wail of yet another victim. An angry hiss was heard through the comms, the likely source being Jasmine. "Those bastards… saw them take down another civvie…!"

"Keep it cool, Queen…" In truth, Walker shared her anger with the aliens killing off civilians. But this type of situation was unfortunately not new to him, and knew that they couldn't let shit like this make them lose theirs. "Professor, Chancellor, try to find a good spot to launch your grenades."

"Understood…"

"Will try to find a good spot…"

While Carter moved to the far edge of the building, Walker decided on heading into the interior. Fields took to the rooftop, judging from the sound of climbing behind the sniper; and Jasmine jumped back down to the ground, scouting further and keeping her eyes on the patrol.

Once he got into position, Walker attempted to get a good shot from his position. However, even with Saari relaying where they're located, he couldn't find even a half-decent shot. 'Shit! What's going on?'

The squad then heard another civilian dying. And that one seemed like the last straw for Jasmine. "That's it! Moving to engage!"

Before anyone could say anything for or against that engagement, Walker saw an ax fly towards one of the troopers. That ax landed squarely in that trooper's face, sending it flying back.

That caused the sectoid and trooper to scatter. However, the remaining trooper took cover near a couple of propane tanks; and a shotgun blast to those tanks was enough to set off an explosion that consumed the ADVENT goon.

"Took out both troopers!" Jasmine relayed to the squad, sounding positively smug. "All that's left is the skinny pink bastard!"

"Nicely done, Queen." Walker heard the Commander praise the shinobi. "Carter, take out the wall the sectoid is hiding. Give a line of sight for the Professor and Shadow."

"Yes, sir." The fedora-wearing grenadier grabbed his launcher, before prepping it and aiming down where the sectoid is located. "Here, catch!"

The launch of a grenade entered the air, with the sound of an explosion coming right after. The sectoid let out an angry screech as Fields jumped back down back to their level. From where he was crouching, Walker saw the Professor look up before letting out a curse. "Shit. We got more targets!"

'Well this just keeps getting better…' Sean remarked dryly to himself, before heading up to the interior wall; opposite to where Fields was at. He watched as a grenade was launched at the officer and nearby trooper, taking out the flooring of the former and significantly damaging both. 'Alright. Here's a chance to take out the officer.'

Not wanting to take any chances, Walker took out the newly acquired shadowkeeper, and aimed at the officer. Setting the sight to be 100% percent, he fired; and a billow of smoke burst through the barrel, concealing him and taking out the officer.

Walker couldn't help but smirk to himself. He's quite enjoying these new weapons they managed to acquire.

That smirked left when he saw a trooper hop to the lower roof of the building set right in front of him; right above and flanking Jasmine.

"Queen, behind you!"

The Indian shinobi twirled around, but by the time she noticed, she took three magnetic shots to the gut. Fortunately, that didn't kill her; but it's clear those shots injured her badly, those shots knocking on her butt for a moment.

"Shit, shit, shit!" The sniper heard through the comms, and saw Saari scramble and climb up into the wrecked building in a fit of panic. A slug-shot was shot from that building in that panic, but it missed the intended target: i.e., the trooper that shot her.

And that wasn't it. The injured trooper, the one that got hit with Fields' grenade, moved up and apparently decided it wanted revenge. With a burst from its magnetic rifle, Fields was hit and the impact pushed the Professor onto the wall behind him.

That led to similar results. "Aaahhhh!" With the scream of pain mixed with panic, Fields stumbled to the flipped car, opposite to where the injured trooper was. In his panic, he shot a bolt at the trooper still on the roof-top; unfortunately, he missed too.

'And now it's even more fun…' Was the sarcastic thought that passed Walker's head. With Saari and Fields in a panic, that only left him and Carter; against two troopers, a sectoid, and a resurrected corpse, the last of which he just now noticed.

But he kept himself from joining in the panic fest, and turned to Carter. "Chancellor, take out the trooper up top with a grenade!"

"G-Got it!" Clearly rattled by his injured comrades, but still steady, Carter grabbed his launcher once again and shot another grenade. That was enough to take out the trooper, the impact of its fall killing it ultimately.

Walker aimed at the trooper taking cover by the car, but couldn't find a shot he was confident in. So he moved forward, in hopes of finding a better shot. When he took aim once more, he saw that the sighting was worse.

'Screw it.' Not even bothering to try with his pistol, Sean grabbed his grenade and tossed it at the opposite side of the car. The resulting explosion was more than enough to get the job done.

They weren't done yet, however. While the sectoid scurried off away from their sights, its zombie had dragged itself within close range of himself and Fields.

Before it could attack, however, a stream of bullets from Carter and a slug shot from up above was aimed at it. The slug shot missed, but the bullets sent the zombie stumbling; giving Walker the chance to fall back to the building where Jasmine and the sectoid is at. Planting himself at one of the remaining walls, he twirled himself around and shot. That bullet to the head was enough to take it down.

Letting out a breath didn't realize he was holding, he spoke to Jasmine and Fields through comms. "Queen. Professor. You two alright?"

The first answer came from Jasmine. "Positive. Sorry for the panic love." The woman said weakly. "I used that medpack on me, so I should hold up without flinching every step."

"I'm good too." He heard Trevor say. "Injured, but I can keep going."

"Good to hear. Fields, take overwatch for that sectoid." Walker advised the injured Professor. He then addressed Jasmine. "You were warned that coming out here with only a sports bra on was a stupid move."

"Never claimed it wasn't, Shadow dear…" Jasmine remarked, her tone getting back to her cheery self. "After all, it would be less thrilling if the risk of death wasn't there."

'...Craziest woman I've ever met.' The Shadow decided, shaking his head. Never-the-less, there was an amused smirk on his face.

The sound of the bolt-caster shooting alerted the squad the sectoid got in Fields' line of sight. However, just as the sniper tensed up, a dying alien wail followed right after. "Sectoid down."

"Good job, Professor." With the psi-wielder down, Walker relaxed before contacting command. "This is Shadow. Is the AO cle-?"

He cut himself off when he saw a civilian at a distance started moving and twisting sporadically. For a moment, the sniper looked confused. That confusion turned into shock and slight horror as that civvie… melted and grew into… some type of blob-monster.

"What the fu-?!" Walker bit his tongue to keep himself from continuing. A shape-shifting blob-monster?! Seriously?!

And judging from the sound at another distance, it wasn't alone.

He heard Central and the others talking about these creatures, but he paid little heed to their commentary with the two literal blob-faces (As Carmine would call them) got way too close to his personal space.

Immediately, he scurried away from the two colossal aliens before turning and shooting, nailing one and causing it to real back for a moment. "Fields, frost grenade!"

The Professor readied up the acquired frost grenade, the last of the four new equipment. Meanwhile, Carter took to the high ground and took a shot at the same blob Walker shot, getting it stumbling further; and Jasmine jumped down from the building she was held up, taking her other ax and slicing through that giant blob.

That left Field to launch the frost grenade at the remaining blob. The blast froze it instantly, leaving it a monstrous sculpture.

The sculpture was then splattered by a sniper round, a slug shot, and a spray of regular bullets.

"I'm *really* liking the new gear here…" Jasmine remarked, putting aside her shotgun and swinging around her axe with a grin.

"Won't disagree…" Fields spoke, with a hidden glee that seemed to come whenever grenades were on his mind.

"They definitely proved more than useful…" Walker nodded, taking out and inspecting the shadowkeeper.

The sniper, along with the shinobi and bearded grenadier, took no notice of Carter watching the three awkwardly from afar; unknowing what to think of them admiring the unique weapons almost lovingly.

"Menace 1-5, status confirmed, we're not picking up any additional contacts, the AO is clear."

The Avenger

Due to the lack of an actual infirmary, the ship had to make due with a make-shift one. That meant Fields and Jasmine would be out for a while, the former being out for a month while the latter over that.

Priya felt some sympathy for the grenade specialist professor. Less so for the reckless insane shinobi.

"I told you that you were gonna end up like this! But did you listen? No! You just went out there, standing out for anyone and everyone to shoot at you! You were lucky you didn't get killed!"

The new rogue doesn't know why she's here, ranting at a woman who obviously would give less of a care about her own life. But it's probably one part wanting to say I told you so, another part frustration with the psycho woman, and another part concern for her fellow soldier and Indian woman.

Jasmine, for her part, was taking great amusement in Priya's obvious anger. "Well, if I wasn't in any danger of dying, it would be less fun to go out there, wouldn't it?"

"You-! Do you have any concerns for your life?! At all?!"

"If concern, you huddling in the back line and playing it safe like the others, then none. Not at all."

"AGH!" Priya let out a cry of pure frustration, looking ready to rip her hair out. "Why am I even bothering with you?"

While the two Indian women argued (Well, Jasmine poke-and-prodded rather while Priya raged), another conversation was happening between the others injured and their visitors.

"How are you holding up, Fields?" Walker asked, standing over the stretcher-prone man. Also with him are Carter and Kaycee "Siren" Carmine, the latter taking a seat between Fields and the still-damaged Spectre "Protoform" Protocall.

"I'll live." Fields grunted, one arm around his stomach. "Out for a month, but live."

"It'll be most fortunate once Commander Odd gets the Advanced Warfare Center in development." Protocall stated, the robot sitting up in his own cot. "Alongside further upgrades to protective armor."

"I did hear the Commander making moves to get that built once enough debris is cleared up…" Carter mused.

"That's good to hear…" Walker nodded in approval. It has the potential for things to go poorly if soldiers keep getting bedridden for a month or over.

"Can't believe the blobfaces got ACTUAL blobfaces…" Carmine commented, shifting topic somewhat. "I mean, calling them blobfaces was an insult. Didn't think there were actual blobs."

"And they can shape-shift too…" Carter shuddered. He could only imagine, back in his ADVENT days, the possibility of these Faceless (As they are being called now) hiding amongst the staff in ADVENT's employment; watching for any dissent or disloyalty.

"It explains why ADVENT was able to find that camp; and other camps like it…" Walker sighed. Those shape-shifters would definitely make the search for those hidden camps much easier. "Upside? They don't have guns and are easy to shoot at…"

"Takes a lot of bullets though…" Nevertheless, Fields nodded in agreement to this.

"How are the new weapons, by the way?" Carmine then asked with curiosity. "From what I've seen on the bridge, they seem to be effective."

"Oh, they are…" Walker nodded in confirmation, a small yet vicious smirk across his face. "They definitely made the mission a whole lot more manageable."

"You'll like the bowcaster, if you get the chance to use it…" Fields stated. "The thing packs a nasty punch."

Despite his words, the singer found herself a bit skeptical. Like she said before, they did seem effective on the live feed; and while she can't deny that the frost bomb is definitely a keeper, the bowcaster is still a glorified crossbow. A crossbow against plasma and magnetic weaponry.

"Once you use these bad boys, you'll quickly grow to like them." Walker assured her, seeing the uncertainty across her face. "They may look ancient, but they're definitely effective against the aliens."

"Can cut through them like a knife through butter…!" Jasmine called out from her cot.

That got eyes on the injured shinobi, with them noticing a missing person. "Where is Squaddie Priya Korpal?" Protocol inquired.

"Stormed off a moment ago." Jasmine answered, not looking concerned about it at all. "For her callsign 'Innocence', that girl got a lot of fire in her."

"Considering how much you were riling her up, I'm not surprised…" Walker remarked dryly.

As the group continued to talk, none of them touched on the attack on the camp that had happened. The number of civilians, resistance members, that have died. For many of them (If not all of them), it was nothing new, ADVENT attacking camps like that. In the twenty years since the occupation and the creation of ADVENT, the aliens have shown that they're far from accepting who lives outside their city centers.

So it was no surprise for any of them that they did this retaliation attack; especially since they're unable to get to Xcom itself at the moment. But this attack wasn't gonna make any of them pause, especially since they were able to save a number of civilians. Instead, it'd merely harden their resolve. Their resolve to take down ADVENT, and their alien masters.

And in doing so, avenge all that have fallen over the past few decades.

And that's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. We've passed the first retaliation mission. Next up will be a guerrilla mission. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you later.