New Recruits Tend To Drown A Lot (TFTD Liveblog Thingy)

^

Oh, the ship terror missions. I remember how "fun" they were in Kikoskia's LP of the game. They took like six/seven videos apiece.

Oh, those. You can see the way lovecraft influenced the designers in those.

Tell me about it. This hunt for the last alien is driving me nuts.

http://www.stonepool.com/xcom/

I use this in TFTD whenever that happens.

Meh, I've given up on this bug hunt and reloaded an earlier savegame. Nearly 100 turns, five sweeps, and no sign of the Eek.

Got another shipping-lane attack, but this one's going a hell of a lot better - I actually made it to the second half of the mission this time!

I plan to update the liveblog either after work today or sometime tomorrow.

(I know some people might consider this frustration-induced reload a case of Save Scumming, but when you run into an Eek which - for all intents and purposes - is invisible, what else can you do?)

Evacuate any living passengers, blow up the ship, and recover any salvageable wreckage after its sunk?

^

Yes, but that would be logical! We can't have logic in Vidya Games!

^How true!

Anywho, I've gotten a whole lot done in recent days (including finishing up the terror mission, wahey!), so I have a sleeeeew of updates for you!

insert cracking of knuckles here

edited 16th Aug '10 11:01:37 AM by Ranger Six

TACTICAL COMBAT REPORT - APRIL 26, 2040

Personnel deployed:

Ensign Myst Rose
Ensign Princeps Augustus
Ensign Spencer Tracy
Able Seaman Guido Talbot
Able Seaman Siegfried Farnan
Able Seaman dmboogie
Able Seaman nos
Seaman Arilou
Seaman Parson Gotti
Seaman Jacques Cousteau
SWS - Coelecanth/Gas Cannon

Yana: All right, people. We've touched down; let's make a clean sweep of this place. Talbot and Farnan, you're our heavy-weapons people - if anyone spots Eeks holed up in inaccessible places, you guys toss some HE rounds Eekwards.

Everyone else, sweep the area - if you need heavy fire support, sing out.

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana:What the hell is THAT?◊ It's . . . jeez, it looks like it's wearing an old diving suit. It's not X-Com, that's for sure. Anyone know if this place does diving tours?

Talbot: Not according to the guidebooks I read.

Yana: All right then. I'm assuming it's hostile.

(PSHHEW-KAWHANG)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

Yana: It's down, whatever it is.◊

(KTHUMP)

Talbot: . . .

Yana: Okaaay. Now we know what the Eeks want here - live specimens. Fan out, people - and if you see any Eeks with those weird launchers in hand, kill 'em!

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana: . . . Another one of those diving-suit monsters◊. What is this, some kind of grade-Z Ed Wood movie set?

(PSHHEW-KAWHANG)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

(VWOINK-BZZZ)

Farnan: Ugh . . . I don't feel so good. And . . . I'm hearing voices . . .

Yana: Farnan. Drop your weapon, now!

Farnan: . . . Sir?

Princeps: Do it, Farnan. The Eeks are trying to take control of your mind.

Farnan: Like, make me think you guys are aliens?

Yana: Exactly. Eek psionics cost X-Com a lot of good men in the first war.

(VWOINK-BZBZBZ)

Farnan: No, no, no, no, no!

(CLUNK)

Yana: . . . Well, shit. At least they only panicked him, so he's unarmed.

(VWOINK-BZBZBZ)

Arilou: Aliens, everywhere! EVERYONE'S AN ALIEN!

(VWOINK-BZBZBZ)

Farnan: Kill 'em! Kill 'em all!

Myst Rose: Crap. Wait, I see an Eek. Taking the shot.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Arilou: Ugh, what happened?

Yana: The Eeks got to you, Arilou.

Arilou: Oh, jesus - I didn't hurt anyone, did I?

Tracy: Yeah, there was one casualty - my wits! As in, "scared out of!"

(POINK-CRACKLE)

Tracy: YAUGH!

(VWOINK-BZBZBZ)

Arilou: No, no, oh god, no . . .

Myst: Yana, we've got an Eek in here - I think it might be the one responsible! I don't have a clear shot, though!

Yana: Hang on, Myst - I've got it covered!

(PSSHEW-KAWHANG)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana: Well, hello there Mr. Eek-With-A-Non-Lethal-Weapon.

(PSHHEW-KAWHANG)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

dmboogie: Got something. Taking the shot.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH)

nos: Hey, I've got an Eek near those moai.◊ . . . Wait a minute, what are moai doing out here?

Arilou: Who cares? Kill the bitch - he's probably the one who's been fucking with my head.

nos: With pleasure.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: . . .

Arilou: Thank you.

(CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH)

nos: Whoa, hey, another animated diving suit!

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

nos: Hey, we got a tunnel over here.

Myst: I see something moving in there.

(POINK-CRACKLE)

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

(WHUMPH)

Aquatoids: EEEOW!

(CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH)

(THUMP THUMP THUMP)

Yana: Why are you trying to beat up my tank?◊

(PSHHEW-KAWHANG)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

Yana: Looks like that was the last one. Let's go home, people.

Commander's Log - Supplemental

A decent showing this time out◊. It could have been better - we lost Ensign Tracy - but it could also have been a lot worse, especially if Siegfried Farnan and Arilou hadn't been able to shake off whatever method of mind control the Eeks were using.

Speaking of which, this new form of mind control seems to be a different technique than the one used by the Eeks in the First Alien War - according to the reports from the medical teams, there's no evidence of psionic influence, but there are strangely-elevated levels of assorted neurotransmitters, particularly those tied to aggression and the fight-or-flight response.

This is very troubling. The new approach to mind control seems to be far more insidious, and it appears that our psi screenings will not be effective in determining who is resistant to these attacks and who is not.

End log.

edited 17th Aug '10 8:23:39 AM by RangerSix

Commander's Log - April 31, 2040

The new Barracuda arrived at Redback Base yesterday; the techs there report that it will be ready for action by the end of the day.

Speaking of which, I received the latest report from the X-Com Funding Committee.◊ It seems that, despite our recent losses, they're pleased with how we've been handing matters - especially with the Maldive Island incident, as we managed to keep the Eeks from capturing several members of the Australasian Conglomerate's board of directors (members who were there incognito, I might add).

An unexpected - but admittedly positive - turn of events. I can but hope that things will continue thusly, but it is highly unlikely.

I honestly have no idea how I got such a high score for April, so I just made something up.

Could you actually list which crewmen died when giving a debriefing? It's not always easy to tell who was KIA at times.

Ahhh, the Calcinites. Weird critters, those are.

Yeah, sorry about that. I thought I'd put Spencer's name in the last debriefing.

(By the way, I had my first encounter with the Lobstermen last night. Not a particularly pleasant experience, even though I know from the UF Opedia wiki just how tough they are. Expect more than a little Oh, Crap! in the mission log.)

Commander's Log - May 1, 2040

Location: Augustica Base

Another month, another batch of new recruits. Just in time, too - Redback Base just picked up a distress call from the Brazilian Union vessel Hugo Chavez. They're reporting that an Alien submarine has disabled their engines, and that Alien attackers have boarded the vessel.

I've dispatched Triton-One to deal with the threat, though the Coelecanth will not be deployed; the tight quarters of the vessel means that its utility will be limited.

End log.

COMBAT REPORT - MAY 1, 2040

Personnel deployed:

Lieutenant Kwas
Ensign Princeps Augustus
Ensign Myst Rose
Able Seaman nos
Able Seaman Arilou
Able Seaman dmboogie
Able Seaman Owen Harper
Able Seaman Guido Talbot
Able Seaman Siegfried Farnan
Seaman Parson Gotti
Seaman The Monkey Mon
Seaman Jacques Cousteau

Yana (via remote link): All right people, this is a straight-up bug hunt. Secure the upper decks, then sweep the Chavez's cargo hold. If you see anything that's not crew or X-Com, neutralize it. Get it?

Princeps: Got it.

Yana: Good. Now, get out there and deal with those Eeks!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

dmboogie: Contact! Diving suit monster on the upper deck!

Myst: Let's take the goddamn thing out!

The Monkey Mon: Bringing the rain!

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

Calcinite: . . .

dmboogie: Well, it's not dead - but it is down.

Myst: For now. All right people, spread out. Four by four, sweep this ship top to bottom!

(VWOINK-BZBZBZ)

Arilou: No, no, no, not again . . .

Myst: Snap out of it, soldier!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

(WHIRR-CLUNK)

The Monkey Mon: I'm in the galley.◊ Nothing to report.

(WHSS-THUD)

(WHUMPH)

dmboogie: Now I know why Echo likes to scare people. It's because they suck at baseball.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

The Monkey Mon: SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKER!

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Myst: Speaking of surprises . . .

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

Calcinite: . . .

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

The Monkey Mon: Sorry to interrupt your patrol, Echo, but I've got my orders.◊

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Arilou: Boogie, got an Echo atop the bridge. Take it out, would you?

dmboogie: With pleasure.◊

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEEOW!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Princeps: I know this is a cargo ship, but storing all these barrels of JP-5 in front of this door has got to be breaking half a dozen fire codes, at least!◊

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

nos: Echo by the bridge tower!

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Myst: Echo sighted on the cargo deck!

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP)

nos: Hey, Myst, your diving-suited boyfriend woke up and he's trying to beat me to death.

Myst: One, it's not my boyfriend. Two, why don't you just kill it instead of talking about it?

nos: Hey, I thought you might want a crack at it.

Myst: I'm on the bridge, not in the cargo bay. Can't exactly see it, idiot.

nos: All right, all right, don't bite my head off!

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

dmboogie: Got an Eek by this cargo lift.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

dmboogie: Aww yeah.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Princeps: Excuse me, sir, you're rather in the way.◊

(KZAAASH)

Chavez Crewman: . . .

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

(WHIRR-CLUNK)

Princeps: Another one of those diving-suit critters. I think these Eeks have been watching one too many B movies.

(KZAAASH)

Calcinite: . . .

Princeps: That's him down.◊

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

(WHIRR-CLUNK)

Princeps: Okay, easy now . . .

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

nos: Hey, Princeps, leave some for us, will ya?

Princeps: Don't sweat it, nos. There's plenty more belowdecks.◊

edited 17th Aug '10 10:01:53 AM by RangerSix

COMBAT REPORT - MAY 1, 2040

Part 2: Belowdecks on the Hugo Chavez

Yana: All right, people. Now that the upper decks of the Chavez have been cleared, you need to sweep the lower decks. Take prisoners if you can, but if you can't, don't sweat it. Standard sweep pattern - four-man teams, engage Echo at will.

Princeps: You heard the man! Move out, people!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Harper: Clear!

Talbot: Clear!

Cousteau: Clear!

Farnan: Clear!

(VWOINK-BZBZBZ)

Cousteau: Zee Eeks, zey are trying to give me a 'eadache.

Harper: Hold yourself together, Jacques. Don't let them get away with it.

(KSSHOW-CRACKLE)

Cousteau: 'Arper, I 'ave one by zis sheeping container.

Harper: I got him.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Cousteau: Merci, monsieur 'Arper.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Talbot: Got another one of those B-movie monsters. Taking the shot.

(PSHEWW-THWUD)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

Talbot: One less Eek to worry about.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Cousteau: Monsieur Talbot, there is an Eek above you.

Talbot: I see him.

(PSHHEW-THWUD)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Harper: Eek spotted!

(THWUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Myst: Another Echo!

(THWUPP-CRACKLE THWUPP-CRACKLE)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

(KAKLUNKA)

dmboogie: Excuse me, sir, why are you hiding in this cargo container?◊

Crewman: S-so the aliens don't find me and kill me . . .

dmboogie: Well, don't worry about that. I'm with X-Com, and we're here to deal with your problem.

Crewman: Oh, thank God! I was afraid nobody'd picked up our distress call!

dmboogie: We did. You just sit tight, and we'll have this all sorted out.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Harper: Goddamn, that's a lot of barrels.◊

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Farnan: Contact on the gantry!

Myst: Fire in the hole!

(WHSS-THUD)

(WHABOOM)

Aquatoid: . . .

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Harper: I'm in the engine room.◊ No sign of- HOSHIT!

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

Calcinite: GURRAGHOW . . .

Harper: That was TOO close!

Myst: Oh no you don't!◊

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Myst: Another Echo sighted. Taking the shot.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: . . .

Myst: Echo down.◊

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Harper: Got an Echo down this hallway!

(POINK-CRACKLE)

Harper: AUGH!

Myst: I see the guy that got Harper.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(WHIRR-CLUNK)

Myst: Unarmed Eek in this room. Taking the shot.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: . . .

Cousteau: I shall 'ead up these stairs to ze uppair deck.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Cousteau: I 'ave sighted another alien!

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Cousteau: 'E is no longer among ze living.

Yana: Looks like that's the last one, people. Help the Chavez get back to port, then come on home.

Chavez Crewman: Three cheers for X-Com!

(ASSORTED CHEERING AND WHISTLING FROM THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE FREIGHTER CREW)

Commander's Log - Supplemental

The attackers in this mission were a tenacious bunch, to say the least. They played merry hell with the minds of some of the rescue team - I'm surprised that our only casualty from this mission was Owen Harper. I would have expected it to be much worse.

We did manage to keep them from killing too many of the Hugo Chavez's crew, and I had Triton-One escort the ship to their destination.

The real feather in our cap was capturing two high-ranking aliens and one of their terrorists - a creature which, apparently, is called a "Calcinite".◊

Interrogation of the captured aliens - and the subsequent study of their corpses - should prove most valuable to our efforts to combat the Alien menace.

edited 17th Aug '10 10:40:28 AM by RangerSix

Commander's Log - May 4, 2040

The science team at Augustica Base has been working around the clock to figure out how the engines for the Alien subs work, and they've finally delivered their report◊. Other research will be needed before we can develop our own counter to the alien vessels, but I have a project for them that is of slightly higher priority - namely, developing better armor for the soldiers in the field.

They tell me they might be able to find a way to use the Aqua Plastics and the information from the Deep One autopsy to develop a lightweight diving suit with better protective capabilities than the current standard-issue suits (which are about as effective against alien weapons as the kevlar body armor of the First Alien War was).

Commander's Log - May 6, 2040

You see this?◊ This is Plastic Aqua Armour, a personal protection system developed by the science team here at Augustica Base. It serves the same purpose as the Personal Armour of the First Alien War; however, it is much lighter and more resilient.

It should give our Aquanauts a greater chance of surviving combat with Alien forces.

Commander's Log - May 10th, 2040

A small Alien sub was poking around the South Pacific, and I suspect it was looking for Redback Base.

I had the Barracuda stationed at Redback shadow the vessel, and ordered it to destroy the sub once it was far enough away to no longer be a threat - a task which Barracuda-Three performed admirably.

Commander's Log - May 11, 2040

Our scientists have finished their interrogation of the live "Deep One" we captured in Aberdeen.◊ It has proven most fruitful as we have learned that the mind-control techniques used by this new breed of Alien aggressors is, as we suspected, not the psionic control utilized in the First Alien War.

It shares some similarities, but it relies less on planting images in the target's mind and more on altering their brain chemistry by synthesizing various neurotransmitters and psychoactive substances within the target's bloodstream.

In light of this, the scientists have dubbed the techique "Molecular Control", and they say that they can produce a facility that will allow our own Aquanauts to utilize these Molecular Control techniques.

Commander's Log - May 18, 2040

The scientists have delivered a new armor design, based on their interrogation of the live Deep One.◊ It uses a miniature Ion-Beam Accelerator to cause one layer of Aqua Plastics to expand and contract, much like muscle tissue, while another layer of semi-rigid Aqua Plastics is used as a protective sheathing.

I've asked Dr. Belacqua to have his people begin producing the new "Ion Armor" for our troops in the field, as it is far more resilient than the Plastic Aqua Armor.

Commander's Log - May 25, 2040

Neither the Aquatoid Soldier nor the Aquatoid Navigator captured on board the Chavez earlier this month were particularly forthcoming - all we learned from them was the history of the Aquatoid race.◊

Their companion, however - a Technician from the sub that attacked the Hugo Chavez - was rather more forthcoming, telling us about their Hunter-class submarines and the missions they're sent on . . . and what we've learned disgusts the entire staff here at Augustica Base.◊

The worst part of it was the positive delight the Technician expressed when he saw the interrogators' reactions to the details he provided.

Dear God . . . this new breed of Echo is fouler than the ones of the last war.

Commander's Log - May 29, 2040

Another small sub poking around the South Pacific. Barracuda-Three downed it south of Australia; I've dispatched Triton-One to recover the wreckage and deal with any survivors.

Honestly, this thing is tiny. How hard could it be?

COMBAT REPORT - MAY 29, 2040

Personnel deployed to combat zone:

Ensign Myst Rose
Ensign Princeps Augustus
Able Seaman The Monkey Mon
Able Seaman dmboogie
Able Seaman Arilou
Able Seaman Jacques Cousteau
Able Seaman x2wolf
Able Seaman nos
Able Seaman Guido Talbot
Seaman Parson Gotti
SWS - Coelecanth/Gas Cannon

Yana: This should be a fairly simple operation, people. We're dealing with their smallest vessel this time around, which means a significantly smaller crew than any from previous recovery operations.

The only drawback is that this will be a fairly tedious operation as we hunt for any survivors - we've got a lot of ground to cover. With that said, I'll take point.

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana: At the risk of tempting fate . . . no sign of Echo in the immediate area. Move it out, people!

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Gotti: I hope I get to kill something this time around. I'm sick of just guarding the sub.

Yana: You'll get your chance, Parson. Just stay calm.

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana: Wha . . . what is THAT?!◊

The Monkey Mon: Looks like a giant lobster to me, sir. Taking the shot.

(THUPP-CRACKLE)

The Monkey Mon: No luck. Try the Coelecanth's Gas Cannon, sir.

(PSSHEW-KAWHANG)

Yana: Direct hit . . . no effect.

(THUD THUD THUD)

Yana: Shit, it's right on top of the Coelecanth!◊

Talbot: COVERING FIRE, NOW!

(PSSHEW-THWUD)

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

(PSSHEW-THWUD PSSHEW-THWUD)

(PSSHEW-KAWHANG)

Talbot: Dear God, we're hitting it with everything we've got! Why won't it DIE?!

The Monkey Mon: Hang on, let me try something.

Yana: What's your plan?

The Monkey Mon: Thermal Tazer to the head.

Yana: All right, give it a shot.

(CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH)

The Monkey Mon: . . . shit, there's another one.◊ Gotta hope this works, then - otherwise I'm screwed.

(KZAASH)

Lobsterman: . . .

The Monkey Mon: Whew. Now to get under cover, and out of the other's line of fire.

Yana: Good idea. And maybe we should try dragging that stunned . . . whatever it is back to the sub so we can study it, and never mind the sub.

Gotti: I second the motion. I mean, I'm all for killing Eeks, but not if they can shrug off the weapons we have right now.

dmboogie: I'll disarm it.

(CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH)

dmboogie: Okay, got him. And his gear.

Yana: Everyone, fall back to the sub!

(KSSHOW-CRACKLE)

The Monkey Mon: YAUGH!

Arilou: Shit, they got Monkey! I'm going back for him!

Gotti: Like hell you are! The man's dead, we can't do shit for him!

(WHUMPH)

Talbot: OW! Fuck, my arm just got sliced open!

Yana: Just get on the sub, Talbot! There's a medbay back at base!

(CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK)

Yana: x2wolf, get us the hell out of here!

x2wolf: Yes, sir! Initiating "getting the hell out of here" maneuver!

edited 17th Aug '10 12:13:38 PM by RangerSix

Commander's Log - Supplemental

This mission did not go particularly well at all.◊ Not because of anything we did wrong, but because the aliens piloting the downed submarine were unlike anything we'd seen before.

We don't have anything in our arsenal capable of doing significant damage to those creatures, short of the Thermal Tazers.

The only good thing that came out of this SNAFU was that we captured a live specimen of this new race, so we can interrogate it back at Augustica Base.

Luckily, Dr. Belacqua's people have finished the first batch of Ion Armour for our people. As soon as we get back to base, I'm issuing it to everyone currently stationed at Augustica Base - save for Seaman Talbot, who's on the injured list for the time being.

MEMO:

TO ALL X-COM AQUANAUTS

It is accepted that nicknames will be given to the various new species we will be fighting against, often something short and quick, or perhaps amusing.

Be that as it may, command demands that all Aquanauts stop referring to the Calcinites as "Big Daddies." And it has been determined that the Aquatoids that they guard, like the Sectoids of the last war, are genderless. Thus, stop referring to them as "Little Sisters."

May 30, 2040

MEMO:

TO ALL X-COM STAFF:

I notice that in the last batch of requisitions forms that there is one for a suspiciously large amount of butter, salt, and lemons.

There had better be a damn good explanation for this.

Commander's Log - May 31, 2040

Location: Augustica Base

This day brings some good news and bad news.

First, the good news.◊ Overall, the Funding Committe is pleased with our efforts thus far, though Free China would like us to step up activity in their area.

The bad news, however, is very bad indeed. Neo-Japan has signed a co-operation agreement with the Alien forces, and withdrawn from X-Com.

Due to this, I am instituting a new policy for all X-Com recruiters; namely, that all Neo-Japanese citizens are hereby blacklisted from employment with X-Com due to their government's collusion with Alien forces, and those currently employed will be redacted from current pay and duty rosters and detained in secure facilities elsewhere.

It may be a harsh attitude to take, but I think we all remember what happened at Euro COM during the First Alien War.

One good thing did come of Neo-Japan's withdrawal, though - shortly after the Neo-Japanese government announced its withdrawal from the project, X-Com agents in Free China intercepted a series of coded transmissions between Neo-Japanese military vessels and an unidentified party located in the South China Sea. From these transmissions, they were able to discover the location of an Alien colony. It's in the South China Sea, between Free China and Neo-Japan.◊

(Now that I think about it, the presence of this colony could explain why Free China's not particularly happy with us right now - with a known hostile force in the area and a former ally providing aid to said force, I'd be worried too. In fact, I am - but I digress.)

We're not quite prepared to hit the colony just yet, but we'll be taking it out during the coming month. It'll be a quick strike: get in, blow the colony's command center, and get out, never mind any loot or corpses.

End log.

edited 21st Aug '10 6:01:01 PM by RangerSix

Commander's Log - June 1, 2040

Another small sub was detected a little while ago, this time in Egyptian Cartel territory. Echo's up to something, I can feel it in my bones - but what?

We'll find out when Triton-One gets there, I suppose.

End log.

COMBAT REPORT - JUNE 1 2040

Personnel deployed:

Lieutenant Kwas Ensign Princeps Augustus Ensign Myst Rose Able Seaman Siegfried Farnan Able Seaman dmboogie Able Seaman Arilou Able Seaman Jacques Cousteau Able Seaman x2wolf Able Seaman nos Seaman Parson Gotti

SWS - Coelecanth/Gas Cannon

Yana: All right, people, we've got another small sub here. Let's hope we don't run into any bipedal lobsters this time, eh?

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana: No sign of Echo in the immediate area.

(CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK CRUNCH CRUNCH)

Gotti: Nothing to the northwest of the sub.

Farnan: Northeast looks clear too.

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

Yana: Well, there's the Alien vessel.◊ No sign of Echo nearby, though.

(WHIRR-CLUNK)

Farnan: Eek sighted!

(PSSHOW-CRACKLE)

(PSSHEW-THWUD)

Aquatoid: . . .

Farnan: Man, did we get lucky today!

Yana: I'll say!

Kwas: Why, what is it?

Yana/Farnan: IT'S AQUATOIDS!

(WHIRR WHIRR WHIRR)

(WHIRR-CLUNK)

Yana: There's two more in the sub. Lining one up.

(PSSHEW-KAWHANG)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

(PSSHOW-CRACKLE PSSHOW-CRACKLE)

Yana: HAH! You MISSED!

(PSHEEW-KAWHANG)

(PSSHOW-CRACKLE PSSHOW-CRACKLE)

Yana: Oh, THAT stung!

(PSSHEW-KAWHANG)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Arilou: Movement to the north!

(PSSHOW-CRACKLE)

(THUPP-CRACKLE THUPP-CRACKLE)

(WHUMPH)

Yana: Arilou, report!

Arilou: . . . I hit some barrels. They went boom.◊

Farnan: Don't worry, Arilou. I got'cha covered.

(PSSHEW-THWUD)

Aquatoid: EEEOW!

Yana: That was the last one. Nice work, people - let's get this thing back home!