CHAPTER 13: Unlucky 13
Director Ikari, reporting another catastrophe. The survivors have just returned from Moscow and are in the sick bay being treated for their injuries. The funeral will be held in an hour, but first I needed to write down this entry and explain what happened.
Only a day or two ago, all was good. Riding on our high from our increased funding, we'd found that March was distinctly lacking in alien threats. That changed on the 8th.
: It's just as we feared sir, another large UFO heading for Russia. Our Interceptors won't reach it in time.
: We don't know that for sure. Launch Red 5 and try and catch up to it.
: Damn it! Ready the Skyranger in case of--
: In case of a terror strike.
: Sir, the last terror mission ended in complete failure for our troops. Are you sure you want to risk another one?
: There's a good chance we lose Moscow's support if we let those aliens attack unopposed. I will NOT lose that funding, Wibble. Launch the Skyranger now.
In defense of my own funding, my own hubris, I let my men march to their doom.
: Simon, moving out in the Lagann-tank! *whirrr* Huh??
*PCHOO*
:
SIMON!!: *cough-HACK* B-bro..?
: It's ok, Simon, I'm here!
: Out of my way *smack* idiot! Willpower won't get you through a scorched torso. Time to see if these medkits really work. *beep beep boop sniktbub sklurt*
: G...GAH! *groan*
: He's out cold, but he'll live. Everyone else get off the ship. Kill whatever did that.
: Some kinda silhouette, I can't make it out! Rocket did nothing!
: I missed too.
*Flish, BZZT*
: Oh bother, you're really all that poor shots! Look, it's just a Sectoid with a hole in its chest!
: Yeah, but... what the hell is that disc? Uriel go check it out!
: Can't.
: Killing that first.
*PCHOO, BZZT*
: Actually, killing THAT first, ma'am.
*BZZT BZZT*
: HOW-DARE-YOU-BURN-MY-BELOVED-LITTLE-BROTHER-SHOT!!!
: YE-HE-HE-HES!!! Feel the burn of my FIRE LASER!
: Great job, you two. Now Uriel, go check out that disc.
: Roger, ma'am. Moving out. Looks like... some kind of weapons platform? *PCHOW*
: URIEL!
: Oh, holy shit! What are those things?!
: Eek! Get to cover, fast!
: Too late! I'll shield you, madam!
*PCHOW PCHOW*
: Oh, bother... *thud*
: Ste-- *PCHOW PCHOW PCHOW PCHOW PCHOW*
: They got the captain! Time to try out the
big rockets.
*KRACKA-KA-THOOOOOM*
: ...Groovy.
: Comrades, I have found a Sectoid! I shall smite him in the name of the X-COM-land!
: Oh dear. *PCHOOOO*
: ASSESSMENT: YOU ARE ALL WORTHLESS SLABS OF MEAT TO BE HUMPED BY FARM ANIMALS. I SHALL CONTINUE THE MISSION ON MY OWN.
*PCHOO*
: USERDAMMIT
: That is IT. X-COM, retreat!
After that, it was a mad dash back to the ship. I was amazed no one else was lost.
Only one body was recovered in the retreat. Stitch's. I can understand Tarvish's reasoning. She was the only other one of the first few waves still alive, besides Shinji. I pulled them all back immediately; no status page will be shown of the debriefing. Suffice it to say we failed. I have decided that there will no longer be any excursions to terrorized cities until the world's governments are willing to commit their own troops to the battle.
Now then, I believe it is time for the Captain's funeral. The newly-appointed Captain Tarvish will be leading the proceedings. Afterwards I have recruits to interview. Director Ikari, logging out.
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...
: *zzwrpt* REBOOTING. CHECKING SURROUNDINGS FOR COMRADES: IT APPEARS THEY HAVE LEFT ME HERE. FUCK.
*EEEEEK*
: BARELY REPRESSED GLEE: IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MORE ALIENS TO SLAUGHTER YET. I SHALL RETURN TO BASE AFTER DISPOSING OF THEM. HOORAY.