July 25, 2015.
A relatively quiet month for alien activity. Part of me hoped they've been monitoring our TV broadcasts, saw "Independence Day," and decided it'd be bad luck to attack in the month of July. That all changed 4 hours ago. Interceptors shot down another craft. Thor Larssen has gone to join his sister on the memorial wall.
Vittorio Conti managed to bring back two live aliens for interrogation. I've promoted him to Colonel and granted his request to assist with the questioning. Dr. Vahlen complains that his methods are unscientific. I advised her that he's gaining insight into how the aliens react to baseball bats and blowtorches. Apparently, he'd been pinned down and Larssen was running to his aid when they got him. I'm not overly worried about it.
The Council requested our assistance with a matter in Perth. Aliens have hijacked a cargo truck. It was a numbers-perfect operation. Promotions for new members of the team Marilyn Wallace and Mustapha Canaan.
The boffins have cooked up a new kind of armor: One with a built-in grappling line. Our troops come one step closer to becoming Batman and winning this thing.
August 1, 2015.
Monthly meeting with the Security Council went better than I expected. Our increased satellite coverage has convinced them to grant us additional funding. With this money, Dr. Vahlen thinks she can use the strange alien crystal we recovered months ago to tap into their communications. I've greenlighted the project.
Dr. Shen has modified one of the aliens' plasma weapons into a heavy plasma cannon. Colonel Walker is quite eager to field test this new weapon.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Journal of Douglas Chambers. Vol. 6
June 6, 2015.
Our Interceptors managed to shoot down a small craft about 200 miles from X-Com HQ. Since this is the closest thing we have to what might be considered a "milk run," I've asked Captains Conti and Scott to lead a squad of recruits on their first field op. Both men are good at leading from the front, (Captain Conti told the greenies "Here's the first rule of coming back alive: Don't get too close to me.") so I don't think I have much to worry about entrusting them with or new peoples' lives.
There was a bit of conflict between Captain Conti and Dr. Vahlen earlier today. Vahlen is still keen on obtaining subjects for study and since the Captain's methods tend to be up close and personal, she asked him if he'd be willing to bring live specimens back for study. Loud and harsh Italian words came up until I told him "We want to make them talk." After that idea sunk in, he nodded and agreed to carry a stunner into the field as part of his standard mission gear. I told him that it would wait until the next mission, that this time, he should just concentrate on training the new recruits, but he didn't seem to be listening. The idea of extracting information from one of the creatures that killed his brother seems to greatly appeal to him.
While monitoring the op, one of my worst fears came to pass: The aliens CAN control minds. A new recruit named Hayabasa was taken over by one of the Sectoids and opened fire on the rest of the squad. Another of the new recruits, Hans Vos, opened fire without hesitation and put her down. He then broke cover and took down the alien who'd been controlling her. I'm not sure whether to commend the man or drum him out of the service. I suppose there was no guarantee that killing the alien first would have snapped her out of it. For now, any disciplinary action is pending.
Our Interceptors managed to shoot down a small craft about 200 miles from X-Com HQ. Since this is the closest thing we have to what might be considered a "milk run," I've asked Captains Conti and Scott to lead a squad of recruits on their first field op. Both men are good at leading from the front, (Captain Conti told the greenies "Here's the first rule of coming back alive: Don't get too close to me.") so I don't think I have much to worry about entrusting them with or new peoples' lives.
There was a bit of conflict between Captain Conti and Dr. Vahlen earlier today. Vahlen is still keen on obtaining subjects for study and since the Captain's methods tend to be up close and personal, she asked him if he'd be willing to bring live specimens back for study. Loud and harsh Italian words came up until I told him "We want to make them talk." After that idea sunk in, he nodded and agreed to carry a stunner into the field as part of his standard mission gear. I told him that it would wait until the next mission, that this time, he should just concentrate on training the new recruits, but he didn't seem to be listening. The idea of extracting information from one of the creatures that killed his brother seems to greatly appeal to him.
While monitoring the op, one of my worst fears came to pass: The aliens CAN control minds. A new recruit named Hayabasa was taken over by one of the Sectoids and opened fire on the rest of the squad. Another of the new recruits, Hans Vos, opened fire without hesitation and put her down. He then broke cover and took down the alien who'd been controlling her. I'm not sure whether to commend the man or drum him out of the service. I suppose there was no guarantee that killing the alien first would have snapped her out of it. For now, any disciplinary action is pending.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Journal of Douglas Chambers. Vol. 5
'May 26, 2015.
It's always been my policy that, within reason, X-Com's activities are public knowledge. The kind of power that the UN has entrusted me with could easily be abused if not subject to public scrutiny. Further, I believe that X-Com's transparency makes it clear to humanity that someone IS out there, doing SOMETHING to save them from the aliens. When I knew it'd be ages til our satellite coverage was up to snuff, I instituted an 800 number that people could call to report alien sightings. (1-800-767-9266, or "1-800-SOS-XCOM.")
That said, the fact remains that SOME activities need to be kept classified. After all, it would just be stupid for me to hold a press conference and announce where X-Com is going to be searching for alien activity. Once the need for secrecy has passed, leveling with people is the best course of action, and today, I got to do just that.
After over a month of setup, research, training, and planning; the raid on the alien base went off without a hitch. Promotions have been recommended for Lt. Conti and Squaddie Ryan.
There was a definite party atmosphere in the control room. Dr. Vahlen was somewhat reserved about celebrating too soon. I pointed out to her that yes, killing Bin Laden didn't END Al Queda, but hey, we got Bin Laden. Let the men have their party for tonight.
It's always been my policy that, within reason, X-Com's activities are public knowledge. The kind of power that the UN has entrusted me with could easily be abused if not subject to public scrutiny. Further, I believe that X-Com's transparency makes it clear to humanity that someone IS out there, doing SOMETHING to save them from the aliens. When I knew it'd be ages til our satellite coverage was up to snuff, I instituted an 800 number that people could call to report alien sightings. (1-800-767-9266, or "1-800-SOS-XCOM.")
That said, the fact remains that SOME activities need to be kept classified. After all, it would just be stupid for me to hold a press conference and announce where X-Com is going to be searching for alien activity. Once the need for secrecy has passed, leveling with people is the best course of action, and today, I got to do just that.
After over a month of setup, research, training, and planning; the raid on the alien base went off without a hitch. Promotions have been recommended for Lt. Conti and Squaddie Ryan.
There was a definite party atmosphere in the control room. Dr. Vahlen was somewhat reserved about celebrating too soon. I pointed out to her that yes, killing Bin Laden didn't END Al Queda, but hey, we got Bin Laden. Let the men have their party for tonight.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Journal of Douglas Chambers. Vol. 4
April 13, 2015.
Dr. Vahlen was able to reverse-engineer some of the alien communication technology and we have located am alien base buried inside a mountain in Mali. The temptation to storm the facility right away is unbearable, however, I am awaiting research on the alien weapons tech to proceed. The laser weapons the engineers have developed are proving adequate for field ops, however, if I'm going to send men into the Lion's Mouth, I want them to have better firepower.
The discussion was cut short by reports of an alien terror attack on Rio de Janerio. A sixth man has joined the squad now, Vittorio Conti. I hope to give him the revenge he asked for. I caution the men before deployment that there are civilians under attack in the area.
April 16, 2015.
An alien ship landed and we were able to recover some actual alien weapons rather than fragments. This may be what our research team has needed to arm the men for the actual assault. We've begun construction of a foundry for mass-producing our new equipment.
May 3, 2015.
The foundry is up and running, however, getting it built and bringing it online has cost our entire monthly budget allotment from the UN. I've contributed what I can from Chamberscorp's coffers, though it is clear that we'll need to come up with additional revenue streams.
May 5, 2015.
I've got it! X-Com action figures! These men and women are heroes, and there are additional benefits with regard to humanity's morale. My own staff members have commented that their children are waking up in the middle of the night with nightmares about the alien invaders. Knowing that not only are there real people working to save them, but you can play with their action figures? Might help them sleep better at night. (Mental note: Find some way to keep them from being "collectibles." 1: Children should actually be able to PLAY with the figures, they shouldn't be snatched up by some asshole who's going to keep them in the box for 50 years expecting to retire on them. 2: Since those kinds of people will be inevitable, I don't want to hear any stories about "Oh, Spencer Malone was killed in action. His figure's gonna be worth a fortune!")
May 7, 2015.
Reports are coming in that the aliens are stepping up their terror attacks. Advising Dr. Vahlen to hurry up with those damn weapons. Taking out that base would be just the kick in the ass humanity needs to remind itself that X-Com is still here to serve. Team has been deployed to Bloemfontein, South Africa to assist. Final count: 10 aliens brought now, promotions for Sgts Conti and Scott, and zero X-Com casualties. Conti bagged three kills by himself. I know that Americans are taught that seeking revenge is a bad thing, but when you come from a culture with a deep and philosophical understanding of it, it can be a very effective motivator.
Dr. Vahlen was able to reverse-engineer some of the alien communication technology and we have located am alien base buried inside a mountain in Mali. The temptation to storm the facility right away is unbearable, however, I am awaiting research on the alien weapons tech to proceed. The laser weapons the engineers have developed are proving adequate for field ops, however, if I'm going to send men into the Lion's Mouth, I want them to have better firepower.
The discussion was cut short by reports of an alien terror attack on Rio de Janerio. A sixth man has joined the squad now, Vittorio Conti. I hope to give him the revenge he asked for. I caution the men before deployment that there are civilians under attack in the area.
April 16, 2015.
An alien ship landed and we were able to recover some actual alien weapons rather than fragments. This may be what our research team has needed to arm the men for the actual assault. We've begun construction of a foundry for mass-producing our new equipment.
May 3, 2015.
The foundry is up and running, however, getting it built and bringing it online has cost our entire monthly budget allotment from the UN. I've contributed what I can from Chamberscorp's coffers, though it is clear that we'll need to come up with additional revenue streams.
May 5, 2015.
I've got it! X-Com action figures! These men and women are heroes, and there are additional benefits with regard to humanity's morale. My own staff members have commented that their children are waking up in the middle of the night with nightmares about the alien invaders. Knowing that not only are there real people working to save them, but you can play with their action figures? Might help them sleep better at night. (Mental note: Find some way to keep them from being "collectibles." 1: Children should actually be able to PLAY with the figures, they shouldn't be snatched up by some asshole who's going to keep them in the box for 50 years expecting to retire on them. 2: Since those kinds of people will be inevitable, I don't want to hear any stories about "Oh, Spencer Malone was killed in action. His figure's gonna be worth a fortune!")
May 7, 2015.
Reports are coming in that the aliens are stepping up their terror attacks. Advising Dr. Vahlen to hurry up with those damn weapons. Taking out that base would be just the kick in the ass humanity needs to remind itself that X-Com is still here to serve. Team has been deployed to Bloemfontein, South Africa to assist. Final count: 10 aliens brought now, promotions for Sgts Conti and Scott, and zero X-Com casualties. Conti bagged three kills by himself. I know that Americans are taught that seeking revenge is a bad thing, but when you come from a culture with a deep and philosophical understanding of it, it can be a very effective motivator.
Audio Transcript: Operation Rotting Sword, radio communications.
X-Com1: LZ secure. Proceed with caution, men.
GW: Roger, X-Com1. Ok, men, fan out and take cover.
SM: Hey, Mr. 1? Why can't you just leave that thermal thing you do at the end of every mission on? Would save us loads of time.
X-Com1: Dr. Vahlen and her boffins say the aliens' sensors would be able to detect the scan and trace it back to the source, making the satellites vulnerable to attack. We don't dare it for more than a few seconds at a time. Same reason we don't issue you NVGs.
OD: You happy now, Spencer? Can we focus on the BEMs?
SM: Affirmative.
FS: Must've missed that briefing. What the hell's a BEM?
GW: Bug Eyed Monster. Cut the chatter, you have your orders.
(Sound of footsteps.)
GW: Spotted two targets. Looks like one of those Thin Man things and a Sectoid. Firing. (Sound of machine gun fire.) Fuck, missed!
SM: Let me try mine, sir. (Rifle fire) There ya go. Looks like we spooked that little ET-lookin' fucker. He's falling back to the ship.
GW: Roger that. Snipers, get in position.
OD: Copy.
TL: Copy, sir.
SM: I hear something up ahead.
GW: Roger that. Checking on it. (Machine gun) X-Ray down.
FS: Downed vehicle spotted. Lots of smoke coming out.
X-Com1: Confirmed. Thermal Burst Scan indicates at least 6 targets inside.
GW: Ok everyone. Prepare for door breach.
SM: Is that what that thing is? Looks more like a force field.
FS: Have you ever actually SEEN a force field?
SM: No, but I read comics. And that sure looks like one. Anyway, door down. Hit it!
(Footsteps.)
TL: Room secure. Looks to be some kind of power facility.
Dr. Shen: A chance to study the aliens' power source would be key to understanding their technology. Team, please do whatever you can within reason to return that technology intact.
Dr. Vahlen: From the design of the ship, the next room must contain the flight computer as well. Please avoid damaging it.
OD: Ok, but only cause you said please.
(Sound of opening door.)
GW: Look alive. Three contacts!
(Multiple gunshots.)
SM: One down.
FS: BEM down. Is that how ya say that?
TL: Dette er for min søster, du dritt. (Gunshot) Kill confirmed.
OD: Room secure. I don't see anything that looks like a control panel or instruments. Must be in that smaller room. Prepare to breach door...er...field...eh, door.
(Door sound)
GW: One of those things that disappeared at the last crash site.
(Running footsteps, electrical sound.)
FS: Target stunned. Vahlen said she wanted one of these back alive, right? I mean, that's what the report said.
SM: You actually bother to read the reports?
X-Com1: Thermal Burst indicates no additional targets. Secure perimeter and stand by for salvage team. X-Com1 out.
GW: Roger, X-Com1. Ok, men, fan out and take cover.
SM: Hey, Mr. 1? Why can't you just leave that thermal thing you do at the end of every mission on? Would save us loads of time.
X-Com1: Dr. Vahlen and her boffins say the aliens' sensors would be able to detect the scan and trace it back to the source, making the satellites vulnerable to attack. We don't dare it for more than a few seconds at a time. Same reason we don't issue you NVGs.
OD: You happy now, Spencer? Can we focus on the BEMs?
SM: Affirmative.
FS: Must've missed that briefing. What the hell's a BEM?
GW: Bug Eyed Monster. Cut the chatter, you have your orders.
(Sound of footsteps.)
GW: Spotted two targets. Looks like one of those Thin Man things and a Sectoid. Firing. (Sound of machine gun fire.) Fuck, missed!
SM: Let me try mine, sir. (Rifle fire) There ya go. Looks like we spooked that little ET-lookin' fucker. He's falling back to the ship.
GW: Roger that. Snipers, get in position.
OD: Copy.
TL: Copy, sir.
SM: I hear something up ahead.
GW: Roger that. Checking on it. (Machine gun) X-Ray down.
FS: Downed vehicle spotted. Lots of smoke coming out.
X-Com1: Confirmed. Thermal Burst Scan indicates at least 6 targets inside.
GW: Ok everyone. Prepare for door breach.
SM: Is that what that thing is? Looks more like a force field.
FS: Have you ever actually SEEN a force field?
SM: No, but I read comics. And that sure looks like one. Anyway, door down. Hit it!
(Footsteps.)
TL: Room secure. Looks to be some kind of power facility.
Dr. Shen: A chance to study the aliens' power source would be key to understanding their technology. Team, please do whatever you can within reason to return that technology intact.
Dr. Vahlen: From the design of the ship, the next room must contain the flight computer as well. Please avoid damaging it.
OD: Ok, but only cause you said please.
(Sound of opening door.)
GW: Look alive. Three contacts!
(Multiple gunshots.)
SM: One down.
FS: BEM down. Is that how ya say that?
TL: Dette er for min søster, du dritt. (Gunshot) Kill confirmed.
OD: Room secure. I don't see anything that looks like a control panel or instruments. Must be in that smaller room. Prepare to breach door...er...field...eh, door.
(Door sound)
GW: One of those things that disappeared at the last crash site.
(Running footsteps, electrical sound.)
FS: Target stunned. Vahlen said she wanted one of these back alive, right? I mean, that's what the report said.
SM: You actually bother to read the reports?
X-Com1: Thermal Burst indicates no additional targets. Secure perimeter and stand by for salvage team. X-Com1 out.
Journal of Douglas Chambers. Vol. 3
April 6, 2015.
The moment I've dreaded since accepting this position has happened. Today, I sent two people to their deaths. Giacomo Conti and Elke Larssen were killed in action against an alien abduction team in Perth.
I don't know who's taking this harder. Me, Lt. Walker, or Elke's brother. I half expect the man to storm into my office and punch me in the face. I wouldn't even put up my hands to block it if he did. At least Conti's mother screamed curses in Italian at me until her other sons took her away. One of Giacomo's brothers, Vittorio, stayed behind and asked me if he joined X-Com, would he have a chance to avenge his brother. I nodded and after the service, put in a message to HR to fast-track his application.
This won't be the last time I have to do this, I know. It won't get any easier. At least, for my own sake, I hope it doesn't.
April 10, 2015.
One of our interceptors managed to take down an alien ship. I am reluctant to send troops out again so soon, but must remind myself that this burden is part of what I signed on for.
Thor Larssen is spoiling for some payback. I couldn't refuse the man. In addition, a new arrival, Fergus Scott, will be accompanying the team. I hope he lasts long enough to become an old arrival.
Journal of Douglas Chambers. Vol. 2
March 5, 2015.
We received reports from Shanghai of a woman, Anna Sing, who'd escaped from the aliens. Apart from showing Ms. Sing's courage, it also shows us that the aliens are just as fallible as humans, and given the intel she could provide, I have dispatched the team to extract her.
The team encounted some new species of alien. Apparently genetically engineered to be infiltration units, their awkward appearance gives them away. They look "almost" human, as if someone had TOLD the aliens what humans are SUPPOSED to look like and they created these beings based on second-hand descriptions of humans. Apart from taking down two of them, the team bagged 3 more of what Malone calls "Them creepy little E.T.-looking fuckers" and Dr. Vahlen calls "Sectoids." I prefer Malone's description, but Sectoid probably looks better on official reports.
The Council has approved the inclusion of a second satellite for our purposes. I have ordered this one be put into orbit over India, as it appears the aliens have a special interest in Asia.
Dr. Vahlen suspects that she can interrogate these creatures and has requested we make an effort to bring one in alive. I'll authorize the team to make the attempt and issue them stunners while the engineers build adequate containment facilities. I've made it clear, though, that any one of their lives is more valuable than a chance to speak to one of these things.
With two successful ops under their belts, I have recommended promotions for all four of our current field operatives. THe men have gelled into their team roles nicely. Walker was a natural for heavy weapons, Conti has displayed the kind of sand we need for a door-kicker, Dodge's marksmanship skills have made him a reliable sniper, and despite Malone's cocky attitude, he's proven to be a capable field medic.
March 15, 2015.
Satellite coverage is paying off already. A UFO was detected over Nevada. We scrambled an interceptor, and despite taking some damage, it was able to shoot down the target. Team is being dispatched to the crash site.
We encountered yet another new type of alien. Dr. Vahlen has said that she would love to study it. To quote Malone, "Well, doc. Love in one hand and shit in the other and see which fills up first." 5 more kills for the team.
March 21, 2015.
Malone incurred some injuries in the last op. His recovery has been going well, though the docs in the medical bay are complaining that he won't put out his cigar. It's clear to me that we need to expand the team. Two new members have been brought on board, twin special operatives from Norway, Thor and Elke Larssen. Loathe as I am to put more lives at risk, there ARE jobs that four people can't do on the battlefield.
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