BFI selected, with D has a backup plan.B) A small underground base. We will largely keep our heads down, behind a large shield made of a lead-aluminum alloy which has been determined to block psychic powers. This will allow us to build up a small elite force in relative secret, but will limit how many operations we can run and our resource gathering.
We expect several other resistance groups, fully disconnected from our own. Should our main base fall, survivors may be able to flee to another group and carry on.
F) Make them leave ourselves. Hopefully they won't get annoyed and glass Earth on the way out.
D) Abandon Earth. It hurts, but this will likely be the easiest way to earn our freedom. All we have to do is get a ship, either by hijacking one from vicious psychic wolverine-bears and loading it with everything a self-sufficient colony needs before the Zhuul are alerted, or by reverse-engineering their ships and secretly building a giant vessel in an underground hangar. Then flee pursuit, and find an undeveloped world before it breaks down.
I) (Power focus) Small fusion generators. Great for keeping a base quiet and self-sufficient, and a step towards next-gen tanks.
Civilization level 85: Billions of humans lie dead, and many cities are glowing craters. But the bombs seemed to be aimed more at crippling our morale than at crippling Humanity. Much of our industrial capacity is largely intact, if not fully usable due to resource shortages or missing workers. It would take a global effort, but we could likely still set foot on the moon in a decade, if the Zhuul suddenly died off tomorrow. The current largest threats are rampaging Zhuul spawn and disorganized slaving/pillaging.
The Zhuul spawn are a new and constant threat. The governments are currently focused on trying to combat them to maintain some degree of normalcy, and to keep the farms running.
The most significant rebel leader is Commander Thousandmasks. He is something of an anomaly, in that he could forgive the many atrocities the Zhuul have wrought, if an alliance would bring our descendants to a position of strength on the galactic stage.
You are in command of Base Salvation. You will drive the Zhuul away from Earth, while preparing an exit strategy to ensure Humanity survives.
What are the biggest strengths of the base? 2 expected, any non-all number possible if you wish to split it.
A) Laboratory - One of the most advanced laboratories in the world, scavenged from a nearly-complete state-of-the-art facility.
B) Engineering (Wide) - You have a wide array of tools, documentation, and blueprints, technically capable of rebuilding modern civilization from raw materials. So long as you have supplies, your base will be able to supply all it needs, and easily restart outside infrastructure.
C) Engineering (Quality) - Exquisite manufacturing facilities, which should be capable of rebuilding alien technology. Knowing the Zhuul, rebuilding it better than when it was "new."
D) Engineering (Quantity) - Extensive manufacturing lines tooled for mass-production. Whether guns, tanks, aircraft, or supplies, you'll be able to supply a good sized fighting force.
E) Extensive Hidden Tunnels - You have hidden tunnels leading miles away, and fake facilities near the other entrances, primed to self-destruct. You'll be harder to locate, and have a get-out-of-jail free card.
F) Extra Air Capacity - You'll be able to store, maintain, and field plentiful aircraft from hidden launch bays.
G) Large Military training fields - You can train and house a small army of soldiers in secret. This would be very welcome for other resistance groups.
H) Full Warehouses - You have a great deal of supplies and materials stored.
I) Logistics & Planning Center - Comes with skilled planners. Very useful for keeping things running outside of your base.
J) Military Ops Center - Comes with skilled strategists and tacticians, as well as advanced computers for planning and simulating battles.
K) Hydroponic farming array and supply backbone - With this and your fusion plants, you could hide away for years with no surface contact.
Do you have any military plans for the immediate future? Carries varying levels of risk of discovery, which you might not learn about until later.
L) Help clear out local Zhuul spawn.
M) Disrupt local slaving operations. Highest chance of discovery, although the incompetence of underlings is unlikely to draw the ire of those higher in the command chain, and you wouldn't be a priority target yet.
N) Provide relief aid for local civilians.
O) Aid other resistance groups.
P) Just overstock on materials.
Q) Recruit more skilled personnel.
R) Tech stealing? The Zhuul have more tech, you might be able to learn something from them.
It's time for R&D!
S) Miniturize fusion reactors - One step between powering a tank and being sized to fit infantry powered armor.
T) Starship Structure - It's your backup plan, and you might want some warships to get rid of the Zhuul. This is a start.
U) Starship Weapons Theorizing - You can't just strap wet-navy cannons to a starship and hope to hit something light-seconds away. Lay the ground-work for future advances.
V) Better AA cannons - Zhuul slavers usually come down in smaller disc ufos. You could save some people by purpose-building AA cannons to distribute to cities or resistance forces.
W) Military Plasma - Now that you have effective fusion, you should be able to use the principles to create plasma weapons or engines. After you figure it out, anyway.
X) Fighting Zhuul Spawn - Pour through data looking for patterns, trying to find out better ways to fight them or limit the damage they can cause.
Y) Zhuul cultural study - It should help with diplomacy or reverse-engineering their tech.
Z) Laser Weapons - You have plentiful fusion power. Weaponize it.