Chapter 3: Interceptors, Plasma, and Heavy Weapons Platforms
To: Marcus Herman, Head of eXtraterrestrial COMbat Force
From: H.R.H. The Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
RE: Granting of Knighthood
Dear Mr. Herman,
This letter is written to inform you that you are formally invited to attend the Knighting Ceremony of your employee, Sniper, it is scheduled to take place at 17:00 at Buckingham Palace on the 20th of January. The invitation is extended to you, and you alone. Wear formal clothing and remember your etiquette. We hope to see you there.
Sincerely Yours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This news came as a bit of a shock, at first I had no idea what Sniper had done to get Knighted, I later found out he had written a bestselling novel under a pseudonym and was being Knighted for "services in the field of literary excellence".
I decided to attend, it's not as if it'll be an everyday occurrence to see the Queen. And it was a very elaborate ceremony, when Sniper stepped up to face Her Majesty, I swear I actually felt my chest puff out with pride. As she made the dubbing, there was a bit of shock when she pronounced him "Sir Snipesalot", instead of "Sir Sniper", I cast a glance at Sniper, of course he couldn't see me.
After the ceremony was over, I talked to Sir Snipesalot about it, and he explained he thought it sounded better then "Sir Sniper". I must say, I agree.
Also, one of our Redshirts stepped forward today and announced his name was "Metal Militia". We shall be calling him by that from now on.
He's already been on one mission, maybe he thinks that entitles him to a name.
No sooner had I sat back down in my office, alarm bells began blaring. Aliens were invading, attacking Manila. I ordered our men to suit up and get in the Skyranger. This should be an interesting chance to test out our new Laser Pistols. Also, Spartan 117 left the sickbay today. Lucky bloke, the second he's out of medical care, he's off on another mission!
Obamarama: Contact! Doesn't look like a Grey. Let's see if it'll fry like one.
Obamarama: Certainly does! Got another one a little way up.
Spartan 117: Got it. These guys drop pretty quick, don't they? Everyone! out of the 'Ranger!
Obamarama: I can see another one just under the engines of the 'Ranger.
Undead Benito Mussolini: Taken a shot. It's going down.
Obamarama: There's another one outside a building across the road.
Obamarama: Like fish in a barrel.
Undead Benito Mussolini: What the hell's that thing?! It's massive!
Obamarama: I bet it'll go down to cannon shots just as fast as the others...
Spartan 117: Wait! You're too far away, one miss and you'd blow up a building.
Undead Benito Mussolini: I've got a cannon, mind if I take a shot?
Spartan 117: Go ahead.
*boom*
Undead Benito Mussolini: Direct hit!
Undead Benito Mussolini: Did...did that even scratch it?
Spartan 117: I don't think so. Obamarama, get closer, then open fire.
Spartan 117: Whoa! There's another one.
Obamarama: No problem.
Obamarama: One down, one to g-
Obamarama: Two with one stone...well, when opportunity knocks and all that.
Spartan 117: Good job Obamarama, and Undead Benito Mussolini. How's the rest of the squad doing?
Nirur Torir: Not too good sir! Got two of them bearing down on us!
Metal Militia: Watch out Redshirt!
Redshirt: Arrrggh!
Metal Militia: Dammit! The aliens got the Redshirt.
Nirur Torir: Don't mourn him now, return fire!
Nirur Torir: Got them, see any more out there Militia?
Metal Militia: Coast looks clear from here.
Obamarama: I see another one through one of this building's windows...Hey, you guys ever played pool?
Spartan 117: Yea, if this is chatter, try to avoid it, please.
Obamarama: It ain't. You ever had to make one of those shots between two sets of balls?
Spartan 117: Yea. I really don't see what this has to do with the situation at hand though.
Obamarama: I kick ass at pool. Watch.
Spartan 117: Did...you...just...shoot a rocket through
two open windows, and hit the target?
Obamarama: Told you I kicked ass at pool.
Nirur Torir: Hey, well done Obamara-
Sir Snipesalot: Watch out!Metal Militia: Got it. Was that the last one?
Spartan 117: Doubt it. Keep your eyes open gentlemen.
Obamarama: I see another one! Opening fire.
Spartan 117: You missed. Hey! Go easy on that ammo!
Obamarama: Direct hit!
Spartan 117: That the last one?
Spartan 117: Yes!
DebriefingThis was the first time the X-Com agents have encountered an attack upon an urban area. I must say they handled themselves excellently, with only one loss to report, his replacement is already being flown in (I have word that his name is Tamushin), with another redshirt already on his way here to replace the one we lost in the last UFO raid (I believe his name is Fist McPunch). I have commended the squad on a job well done.
Now, on to the subject of research. I've had a chat with the scientists and there was a slight majority in the number of people wanting to research lasers. I've ordered that they continue researching them. I've also hired a few new scientists to help out.
In the base, I've built an alien containment chamber, so we can interrogate some of our captives.
I've noticed on my walk around there are several motivational posters done by Spartan 117, I must remember to compliment him on his artistic skills next time I see him. They make a nice touch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reader's DecisionSorry, it's not as big a choice as I'd like:
Do you think the pictures should have the DOSBOX border around them?
Or do you prefer it when all you can see is the Battlescape?
Chapter 3 Statistics
Redshirts Left: 0
Obamarama: HWP Driver
-Kills: Unknown, estimated: 7
-Missions: 3
Spartan 117: Current team leader.
-Kills: 2
-Rank: Squaddie
-Missions: 3
Sir Snipesalot: Carries Grenades and Sidearm.
-Kills: 0
-Rank: Rookie
-Missions: 2
Nirur Torir: On the Autocannon with HE Rounds
-Kills: 1
-Rank: Rookie
-Missions: 2
Undead Benito Mussolin: Undead Italian Dictator
-Kills: 2
-Rank: Squaddie
-Missions: 2
Metal Militia: Medic/Techie
-Kills: 3
-Rank: Squaddie
-Missions: 2
Fritz: Medic *
-Kills: 1
-Rank: Sergeant
-Missions: 3
*The reason for the high rank is due to the Redshirt you replaced having a serious case of Badass Syndrome.