Top Secret Log of Marshall XXXXXXXXXXXXX
January 1st, 1999
I regret this posting immediately.
Though suggestions for bases varied wildly, the majority favored Japan. Specifically, Northern Japan, on the island of Hokkaido. At first I was favorably impressed by the strategic advantages of that choice: the island was in easy range of a number of high-population cities, but was relatively lightly populated and the center was quite mountainous, making it easier to keep our presence as secret as possible.
With the location and name set, construction began and was finished in record time.
I was favorably impressed by the resources at our disposal. Two top-of-the-line jet fighters, a VTOL transport, laboratories, a workshop, and plenty of storage and living space. I put in some orders for expansion, and then turned my attention towards interviewing our first recruits...and discovered that they were , for the most part, utterly insane. Some of them used their real names, or a nickname from their time in the armed services...: "So Mr. Hauser, is it?"
"Call me Foxy.": "...right. Well, your physical abilities seem well-rounded. You should make an excellent rifleman."
"Thank you, sir.": "Welcome aboard."
: "'Redshirt'...isn't that some sort of reference?"
"I think so, sir. I never bothered to look it up.": "Probably for the best."
Others...did not.: "So why are you here, um, Superfly?"
"I had to get out of the business, man! I can't be a dealer my whole life!": "Why...why are you wearing that?"
: "You got problem with Cirno cosplay?": "No no, of course not!"
: "You seem well-balanced. Why'd you sign up for a dangerous job like this?"
"NO ONE SAID THERE'D BE DANGER!! OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD": "Could you put down that stick of dynamite, please?"
"No.": "What the christ."
:
"HAI MARSHALL-SENPAI I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED TO BE HERE! CALL ME SUPER SPECIAL KAWAII BLUE--": "No."
:
"WITCH TEMP...what?": "Your name is now Mud."
"Awwwwww.": "Weren't you the homeless guy attacking employees out front with your cane?"
"Aye.": *sigh* "You're hired, I guess."
And more are due to arrive within a week or so. I need a drink.
January 1st, 1999 - Later that day
We've found something.
There it was, clear as day. An unidentified craft, refusing to respond to any hails.
The thing was flying over the ocean, heading towards land. As soon as it got closer, I dispatched an interceptor to shoot it down.
A single missile brought it down. I ordered the fresh recruits onto the Skyranger and to the crash site.Operation Leather Diplomacy: "Alright soldiers, your mission is simple: eliminate any remaining alien forces. We're not sure what they look like or what their capabilities are, so stay alert."
"What about taking some of them alive, sir?""Unfortunately the shipment of stun weapons has not arrived yet and the containment facility is still under construction. If they surrender, take them along. Otherwise, shoot to kill."
"Roger that. Okay people, look alive! File out and spread out!""I think I see something...""Holy shit! It's an actual alien! It looks like it's carrying something, might be a weapon. I'm going to try to communicate.
HELLO THERE! WE COME IN PEACE!""An alien? Where? I wanna see!""OW! Fuck, it shot me! Returning fire!": "Redshirt, what happened? Redshirt, respond!"
"It's okay, sir! Just grazed me. I missed him, though I can still see him.": "Soldiers, you are clear to engage. Eliminate with extreme prejudice."
"Moving around to flank.""That how done.""Lucky shot, grumble grumble...wait, was that it?"That was it. The UFO had been almost completely disintegrated in the crash, and we found little of value. Our scientists believe that it was a minor miracle that the single alien survived.
Redshirt received a promotion for getting wounded in action, while Cirno picked up X-COM's very first kill and a promotion as well.
We have irrefutable proof. Aliens are here. The only question is, what are we going to do about it?