Update 23: Element of SurpriseThe first two UFOs for the month of June were detected near-simultaneously, and originated from the approximate area of the alien base. Due to the close proximity of the base to Morning Star, we did not wish to alert the aliens to our presence in Asia, especially as the Mind Shield there was still under construction.The Lightning and Interceptor at Evening Star were instead sent to intercept them, rather than risking the Morning Star interceptor.The Lightning was able to destroy the Small Scout……and doubled back to bring down the Medium Scout over Siberia. For now, our Interceptors were being outclassed by the Lightning, but the Firestorm would soon change that.Of course, one thing that the Firestorm didn’t offer was the ability to carry troops. The Lightning’s role as troop carrier significantly cut down on recovery times, sometimes by hours.UFO-24 crash landed Jun 1 in Siberia
Soldiers: Foley, Hal Devios, Richard Muller, The Poet, Frank Braeden, Crandel
The mission was pretty routine, but of note was the fact that some of the Snakemen were unarmed.Command decided to use this opportunity to promote some soldiers and beef up our command structure, which was decimated in the Havana mission.Later in the day, the rookies from China Base arrived. We would need extra soldiers to take on the alien base.The new rookies were equipped and the Skyranger launched within minutes. With the terror scout earlier in the day, we suspected that the aliens were gearing up for another attack.What we didn’t anticipate was the long travel time across Asia, taking nearly nine hours. Although Morning Star was equipped with a hyperwave decoder, our scan strength in the vicinity of the base was weak, and we couldn’t tell if any UFOs had launched.X-COM attacks Alien Base on Jun 1
Soldiers: Naomh O’Dristoll, Foley, Hal Devios, The Poet, Rion Chrisson, Frank Braeden, Dakam, Crandel, Dave, Wyoming Jones
Frank: Ok, so those glowing tiles over there are gravlifts. Just jump down, and spread out to avoid grenades.
Crandel: Why did we split up?
Frank: Because there were two lifts. The other team should be south of us.
MEANWHILEJeremy: Okay, I’m going down first.
Jeremy: Looks clear to me…
Jeremy: Oh wait, I see a Floater.
Jeremy: The plasma cannon kicks ass. I still have about 250 shots left!
Dave: See anything yet?
Hal: No. Besides, if there was an alien, it would have shot us already.
Rion: But you never know what
they’re thinking.
MEANWHILEFoley: Oh shit, backup!
Foley: BACKUP!
Naomh: You called?
Naomh: Uh-oh. More backup!
Frank: That thing just absorbs the plasma!
Frank: It’s down. How many of those things are there?
Crandel: Hey, an alien garden!
Crandel: AHH!
Crandel: Aliens in ambush guys, look out!
The Poet: Yeah, I need backup!
The Poet: Whoops!
The Poet: Retreat time!
Frank: I see another Floater.
Frank: The big one’s down.
Crandel: That’s weird… two dead ends over here.
Jeremy: Floater here!
Dakam: A gravlift in here!
Foley: I’ll get that Floater.
Foley: Another one down!
Frank: I’ll take this Floater. This seems to be some kind of specimen storage area, or something like that.
The Poet: Another Floater in ambush!
Foley: I’ve got it.
Foley: Nothing here.
Foley: Another Floater! Get back!
Jeremy: Floaters are real easy to kill! They don’t even turn around to check their surroundings.
Hal: Will you guys walk faster?! We’re missing out on all the kills!
Crandel: Nothing but more dead ends over here. Where are all the aliens?
Foley: Alright, I’ve got these two. Door breaching time!
Foley: Wow. Alien disco?
Foley: Another guard down over here. Maybe this place is important?
Frank: I think this side’s clear too. Don’t see anything moving.
Jeremy: So is this side – more dead ends.
Frank: Looks like the base isn’t as big as we thought. Dakam, you there?
Dakam: Yes, still here. I’m going up the lift.
Dakam: Four doors up here!
Dakam: This looks like some science equipment.
Dakam: FLOATER!
Dakam: Floater down. These guys really don’t have good reactions.
Dakam: Also, new weapon. With a really big gun.
Dakam: The rest of this place just looks like a storage area for parts.
Frank: Keep searching, we’re moving up to assault the central room now. And stun those guards, we don’t need them anymore.
Dakam: What?
Frank: Not you!
The Poet: Sometimes I think having a single comms channel is more trouble than it’s worth.
Naomh: Hey, are we ready to breach yet?
Dave: Wait for us, I want some kills too!
Frank: No, we’re stunning the aliens inside. This place looks important somehow, and capturing the command staff would be good for research.
Jones: Alright, I’m in position.
Foley: More science stuff here, and a huge lift.
Foley: That should take care of whatever’s hiding up there.
Foley: Two still standing; backup!
Frank: We could just mind control them, you know.
Foley: Right. I forgot.
Jones: Like fish in a barrel!
Jones: One of them’s still conscious, backup!
The Poet: He’s out.
The Poet: We’re clear!