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** Bradford plays the guitar.
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** Bradford plays the guitar. [[spoiler:He's also a recovering alcoholic, implicitly after a mission went horribly wrong.]]
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Changed line(s) 79 (click to see context) from:
* PaintingTheMedium: In the final battle, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal speaks entirely in '''bold text''', as long as it's in the Buster suit. Also, Ultron gets precisely one line, in large, monospace text. And when the Cuckoos pull the UE into a psychic "metaspace" illusion, the story becomes center-aligned, and present-tense.]]
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* PaintingTheMedium: In the final battle, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal speaks entirely in '''bold text''', as long as it's in the Buster suit. Also, Ultron gets precisely one line, in large, monospace text. And when the Cuckoos pull the UE into a psychic "metaspace" illusion, the story becomes center-aligned, and present-tense.present-tense, so clearly "off" even before the dream-logic kicks in.]]
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Changed line(s) 79 (click to see context) from:
* PaintingTheMedium: In the final battle, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal speaks entirely in '''bold text''', as long as it's in the Buster suit. Also, Ultron gets precisely one line, in large, monospace text.]]
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* PaintingTheMedium: In the final battle, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal speaks entirely in '''bold text''', as long as it's in the Buster suit. Also, Ultron gets precisely one line, in large, monospace text. And when the Cuckoos pull the UE into a psychic "metaspace" illusion, the story becomes center-aligned, and present-tense.]]
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* BigSisterInstinct:
** [[spoiler:Ivanna Vanko becomes a sort-of-mentor to Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl) offscreen, presumably because she empathized with a (young) woman who lost her parents. She expresses similar sentiments toward Wanda.]]
** Quill [[spoiler: secretly arms Doreen with a plasma sword that saves her life, and says Bradford needs to stop treating her like a kid sister. Presumably ''he'' lost his parents in this universe too. Also, her nickname in XCOM translates to "little sister".]]
** [[spoiler:Ivanna Vanko becomes a sort-of-mentor to Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl) offscreen, presumably because she empathized with a (young) woman who lost her parents. She expresses similar sentiments toward Wanda.]]
** Quill [[spoiler: secretly arms Doreen with a plasma sword that saves her life, and says Bradford needs to stop treating her like a kid sister. Presumably ''he'' lost his parents in this universe too. Also, her nickname in XCOM translates to "little sister".]]
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** At the end of Arc 2, [[spoiler:Tony suspects Schmidt is Captain America's granddaughter from an illegitimate child. He's wrong, but his theory is remarkably similar to the origin of Ultimate Red Skull, Cap's illegitimate son.]]
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* OnceASeason: Every Arc ends with [[spoiler:a base defense mission. Specifically, Arc 1 ends with XCOM defending themselves. Arc 2 ends with XCOM and SHIELD simultaneously defending themselves, which both fail. Arc 3 ends with XCOM defending their Moscow base against aliens, while ''they're'' simultaneously assaulting the Ethereal mothership.]]
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* CloneAngst: In the climax, [[spoiler:Schmidt/Rogers taunts Diamondback by pointing out that she (and the other Sentinels) probably a genetically altered cyborg clone. And thus, disposable to the Ethereals. Diamondback almost feels conflicted, but the brainwashing - and/or her own denial - kicks in.]]
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** Eamon is technically an alien from another universe riding around in the body of a Ferris-verse woman. [[spoiler:The BigBad turns out to be an Ethereal riding around in the body of a woman.]]
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Trying to keep in in roughly chronological order.
** Levin says he is gay, and may have faced covert discrimination, but Schmidt hired him anyway. He wonders how many other members of XCOM wouldn't fit in a more conventional force. [[spoiler:In the MCU, the Howling Commandos were a bunch of men (and one woman, if you include Peggy) that were all marginalized by the standards of the time.]]
* RuleOfDrama: Inverted. In the Epilogue, [[spoiler:Eamon/Irene asks why he doesn't have the body dysmorphia (from being in a body of the wrong race and gender), and the literal AuthorAvatar says "[[Film/{{Inception}} It seemed neater.]]" In other words, he avoided adding another subplot to a story that already has a lot of dramatic balls in the air, two of which[[note]]Irene's own romance, and Arnadottir's "apprenticeship" under a gay mentor[[/note]] ''already'' involve LGBT characters.]]
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* TakeThat: Averted. In Chapter 31, ''Ascendant'', [[the bulk of the chapter takes place on the roof of Trump Hotel, in Chicago, though it's never explicitly described. The authoritarian aliens decided to put their surveillance/communications tech there, which might read like a shot at Trump. The author note at the end of the chapter says the location was chosen years prior, long before Trump was elected, because he saw a construction documentary. The implication is that it's not ''actually'' a political reference, just random chance.]]
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* TakeThat: Averted. In Chapter 31, ''Ascendant'', [[the [[spoiler:the bulk of the chapter takes place on the roof of Trump Hotel, in Chicago, though it's never explicitly described.described as such. The authoritarian aliens decided to put their surveillance/communications tech there, which might read like a shot at Trump. The author note at the end of the chapter says the location was chosen years prior, long before Trump was elected, because he saw a construction documentary. The implication is that it's not ''actually'' a political reference, just random chance.]]
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* ProductPlacement: Parodied. The fic mentions ''Angry Birds'' and Jack Daniels whiskey a lot. [[spoiler:The "End Credits" thank Rovio and Jack Daniels distillery for PromotionalConsideration.]]
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* ProductPlacement: Parodied. The fic mentions ''Angry Birds'' and Jack Daniels whiskey a lot. [[spoiler:The "End Credits" thank Rovio Creator/RovioEntertainment and Jack Daniels distillery for PromotionalConsideration.]]
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** HYDRA combines its canon version, the MCU version, and EXALT.
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** In Chapter 38, "Breach", [[spoiler:Eric O'Grady (Ant-Man II) notes that he and Pym are both the same height. This is also true of Michael Douglas and Paul Rudd, because the characters wear the same suit.]]
* PaintingTheMedium: In the final battle, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal speaks entirely in '''bold text''', as long as it's in the Buster suit. Also, Ultron gets precisely one line, in large, monospace text.]]
* ThatMakesMeFeelAngry: Psionic communications often carry emotions as a sort of subtext, especially if the user is very powerful.
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* YouAreTooLate: In the climax, [[spoiler:Cap tells the Uber-Ethereal that XCOM could just use the Bifrost to destroy the Temple Ship, or get Hank Pym's help to smuggle nukes on board somehow. XCOM is not on a kill mission, they're on a ''capture'' mission. This inverts the usual trope. And it also means XCOM can just destroy the ship as a last resort.]]
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* YouAreTooLate: In the climax, [[spoiler:Cap tells the Uber-Ethereal that XCOM could just use the Bifrost to destroy the Temple Ship, or get Hank Pym's help to smuggle nukes on board somehow. XCOM is not on a kill mission, they're on a ''capture'' mission. This inverts the usual trope. And it also means XCOM can just destroy the ship as a last resort.]]
** Later on, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal hacks Tony's suit. Tony tries to directly edit the code through his neural link, but UE's already gotten root access and locked him out.]]
** Later on, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal hacks Tony's suit. Tony tries to directly edit the code through his neural link, but UE's already gotten root access and locked him out.]]
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* SueDonym: [[spoiler:Stephanie Rogers took the fake name "Paula Schmidt", which is just "Paula Smith" in German. Several readers [[RedHerring thought she was secretly the Red Skull (Johann Schmidt), or a descendant]]. And in religious terms, the apostle Paul is introduced watching the coats of the mob that lynched the apostle Stephen.]]
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* ChekhovsGun: [[spoiler:In the first two acts, XCOM never quite manages to get the flight systems working in their armor. In the final battle, Schmidt says "Avengers: Ascend." Because "Tony, Irene, and Vanko had finally ironed out the kinks in the flight module."]]
** In the final battle, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal steals and modifies Tony's plans for the Hulkbuster, ''and'' it rapidly modifies its forces to deal with XCOM's abilities. Oh, and it can modify "Buster" too. In short, it does what XCOM does, but ''better''. Cap does ''not'' appreciate [[HoistByHisOwnPetard the irony]].]]
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* NotSoDifferentRemark: In Arc 3, [[spoiler:XCOM ends up using basically the same terrorist tactics as HYDRA did at the start of the fic. In Chapter 32, Miss Smith points this out to Captain America, to the latter's discomfort.]]
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* NotSoDifferentRemark: In Arc 3, [[spoiler:XCOM ends up using basically the same radicalization and terrorist tactics as HYDRA did at the start of the fic. In Chapter 32, Miss Smith points this out to Captain America, to the latter's discomfort.]]
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* PowerCopying: In the finale, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal imitates XCOM's pseudo-psionic packs after she sees them in action. Except for telekinesis, which she already has.]]
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* PowerCopying: In the finale, [[spoiler:the Uber-Ethereal imitates XCOM's pseudo-psionic packs after she sees them in action. Except for telekinesis, which she already has. She also imitates their weapons development methods (but much faster), and uses a modified "Hulkbuster" suit that Tony forgot to delete the plans for.]]
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** Due to the opening assassination attempt, XCOM gets early access to not only laser weapons, but precision lasers (sniper rifles) and scatter lasers. They put it to good use.
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** Due to the opening assassination attempt, XCOM gets early access to not only laser weapons, but precision lasers (sniper rifles) and scatter lasers.lasers (shotguns). They put it to good use.
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* TokenMinority: Parodied. XCOM is very diverse, but Eamon-as-Irene notes that Irene is a ''very'' mixed-race middle-aged female engineer (who's working under a rich white straight guy). [[spoiler:Then he checks her social media and finds out she's bisexual. Late on in the fic, he points out that he's technically ''also'' transgender. Just not in the usual sense.]]
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* TokenMinority: Parodied. XCOM is very diverse, but Eamon-as-Irene notes that Irene is a ''very'' mixed-race middle-aged female engineer (who's working under a rich white straight guy). [[spoiler:Then he checks her social media and finds out she's bisexual. Late on Later in the fic, he points out that he's technically ''also'' transgender. Just not in the usual sense.]]
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* YouAreTooLate: In the climax, [[spoiler:Cap tells the Uber-Ethereal that XCOM could just use the Bifrost to destroy the Temple Ship, or get Hank Pym's help to smuggle nukes on board somehow. XCOM is not on a kill mission, they're on a ''capture'' mission. This inverts the usual trope. And it also means XCOM can just destroy the ship up as a last resort.]]
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* YouAreTooLate: In the climax, [[spoiler:Cap tells the Uber-Ethereal that XCOM could just use the Bifrost to destroy the Temple Ship, or get Hank Pym's help to smuggle nukes on board somehow. XCOM is not on a kill mission, they're on a ''capture'' mission. This inverts the usual trope. And it also means XCOM can just destroy the ship up as a last resort.]]
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** In "Ascendant", [[spoiler:[[https://www.deviantart.com/jon-wood/art/XCOM-MCU-FERRIS-Army-Men-Chapter-Banner-716696695 the chapter banner]] foreshadows that three members of the team will be killed by the end of the mission. The team leader [[DrivenToSuicide won't be killed]].]]
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* ResidualSelfImage: In Arc 3, [[spoiler:some of the protagonists gather in an Asgardian "metaspace" for a remote meeting. Their avatars are based on their self-image. Eamon's self-image is...confused, considering that he's using the body and memories of someone he's very different from.]]
* TokenMinority: Parodied. XCOM is very diverse, but Eamon-as-Irene notes that Irene is a ''very'' mixed-race middle-aged female engineer (who's working under a rich white straight guy). [[spoiler:Then he checks her social media and finds out she's bisexual. Late on in the fic, he points out that he's technically ''also'' transgender. Just not in the usual sense.]]
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* YouAreTooLate: In the climax, [[spoiler:Cap tells the Uber-Ethereal that XCOM could just use the Bifrost to destroy the Temple Ship, or get Hank Pym's help to smuggle nukes on board somehow. XCOM is not on a kill mission, they're on a ''capture'' mission.]]
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* YouAreTooLate: In the climax, [[spoiler:Cap tells the Uber-Ethereal that XCOM could just use the Bifrost to destroy the Temple Ship, or get Hank Pym's help to smuggle nukes on board somehow. XCOM is not on a kill mission, they're on a ''capture'' mission. This inverts the usual trope. And it also means XCOM can just destroy the ship up as a last resort.]]
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* NoOSHACompliance: None of the organizations featured are really subject to OSHA, but the trope gets a nod in Arc 3 when [[spoiler:some XCOM auxiliaries (so to speak) [[BavarianFireDrill infiltrate an Ethereal construction site as OSHA inspectors]].]]
* ProductPlacement: Parodied. The fic mentions ''Angry Birds'' and Jack Daniels whiskey a lot. [[spoiler:The "End Credits" thank Rovio and Jack Daniels distillery for PromotionalConsideration.]]
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** Chapter 31, ''Ascendant'', takes place in and around Chicago, and anyone familiar with the area may realize [[spoiler:most of the action is set on the Trump International Hotel. When a shot comes from the only higher building in Chicago, one character says it "came from the South, across the river". Which is roughly the correct direction for Willis (Sears) Tower.]]
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** Chapter 31, ''Ascendant'', takes place in and around Chicago, and anyone familiar with the area may realize [[spoiler:most of the action is set on the Trump International Hotel. When a shot comes from the only higher building in Chicago, one character says it "came from the South, across the river". Which is roughly the correct direction for Willis (Sears) Tower. Ironically, the writer seems to have mistaken the 16th floor restauraunt and lounge for the rooftop one. The top floor is actually a penthouse.]]
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* TakeThat: Averted. In Chapter 31, ''Ascendant'', [[the bulk of the chapter takes place on the roof of Trump Hotel, in Chicago, though it's never explicitly described. The authoritarian aliens decided to put their mind-controlling communications tech there, which might read like a shot at Trump. The author note at the end of the chapter says the location was chosen years prior, long before Trump was elected, because he saw a construction documentary. The implication is that it's not ''actually'' a political reference, just random chance.]]
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* TakeThat: Averted. In Chapter 31, ''Ascendant'', [[the bulk of the chapter takes place on the roof of Trump Hotel, in Chicago, though it's never explicitly described. The authoritarian aliens decided to put their mind-controlling communications surveillance/communications tech there, which might read like a shot at Trump. The author note at the end of the chapter says the location was chosen years prior, long before Trump was elected, because he saw a construction documentary. The implication is that it's not ''actually'' a political reference, just random chance.]]
