One does not simply walk into Cydonia [X-Com LP Final Missions]

Fishman

X-NET Secure Logon: Authorised Personnel Only

Above the skies of Earth, a secret war is being waged.
A war humanity is losing - will lose, unless someone can stop it.
X-Com alone has the will, skill and technology to oppose our invaders.

We are a top-secret multi-national military task force assembled to investigate, interdict and oppose an unknown enemy threat of extra-terrestrial origin.
Our operatives are recruited from the best and brightest individuals worldwide, representing the very best Earth has to offer.
We are an elite unit, made up of the cream of the crop, and Earth's greatest resource for defending against the unknown enemy.

As a shadowy semi-autonomous top secret paramilitary organisation that no government on Earth will publicly acknowledge, it is no longer possible to join X-Com.
Trust us when we say you'll live longer this way.

X-Com Archive:
Click here to access prior X-Com Mission Reports and Log Details
-Archive 1
-Archive 2
-Archive 3
-Archive 4

-System Link to Aquatic Operations Division Archive [TFTD] (chiasaur11)

Fishman

Current Deployments:

Wubble Woo Base

Soldiers - Contact Team Ultima
Col. Bedlam [Heavy Plasma, Grenade]
Col. Moriveth [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Capt. msuitepyon [Heavy Plasma, Alien Grenade]
Capt. Synthetic Orange [Laser Rifle, Grenade, Medikit]
Capt. Indie Winter [Heavy Laser, Smoke, Medikit]
Capt. Woodroez [Heavy Laser/Blaster Launcher, Laser Pistol, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. Burning Organ [Laser Rifle, Grenade, Medikit]
Sgt. Volucrisus Aedrius ('Volyu') [Laser Rifle, Grenade]
Sgt. Nartwak [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. DracoGriffin [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. gurusloth [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. Jedoc [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. Mr. Mojo Risin [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. staleghoti [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Corporal Carl [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Echilda [Laser Rifle/Blaster Launcher, Alien Grenade, Motion Scanner]
Pvt. Caulk Bite 6 [Laser Rifle, AC-Incendiary, Stun Rod]
Pvt. Campion [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Viscount Islands [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. rantlar [Laser Rifle, Medikit]

Theidar System/Launcher

Pilots
Capt. Bogey (Firestorm-1) [Plasma Beam, Laser Cannon]
Lt. MechMantis (Interceptor-4) [Plasma Beam, Avalanche Missiles]


Science Team
Xenology
(Alien Psychology, Alien Biology, Alien Interrogation and related fields)
Team lead: Dr. Monsterror
Research Fellow: Dr. Z0re (Xenology)

Applied Sciences
(Armors, Craft and other original technologies arising from X-Com research)
Team lead: Dr. Computer Generated Faggotry
Research Fellow: MrMonroe (Quantum Gravitational Fields)

Xenotechnology
(Understanding and investigation of alien technologies, science and strategies)
Team lead: Dr. Green
Research Fellow: chrishallett83 'Numbers' (Intelligence Analysis)

Weapons Research
(Reverse-engineering and original weapon research)
Team lead: Dr. Zyrelax
Research Fellow: Dr. Melding (Plasma Technology)

Operational Staff
Lt. Iolo - C&C Officer
Chief of Martian Operations, Project Ares - Chiasaur11
Capt. Cthulu - Quartermaster
Spc. Goatmon - Lead Engineer


Ribaldry Base

Soldiers - Contact Team Ratio
Cmdr. Fallout [Auto Cannon-HE, Laser Pistol]
Col. Karl [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Capt. Veretas [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Capt. Rankenphile [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. Ivar [Plasma Rifle, Smoke, Medikit]
Sgt. Dubh [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. tech_hunter [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade, Medikit]
Sgt. Dux [Heavy Laser, Laser Pistol, Alien Grenade]
Sgt. Tuesday [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Qonas [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Just_Bri_Thanks [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Spectre-x [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Munkus Beaver [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. alternatingAberration [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]

Aedan-class Plasma Hovertank
Antimatter-class Laser Tank

Pilots
Lt. Beef Avenger (Firestorm-2) [Plasma Beam, Laser Cannon]
Lt. timspork's ghost (Interceptor-3) [Plasma Beam, Stingray Missiles]


Flight R&D Test Team
Cpt. Larington


Happenstance Base

Soldiers - Contact Team Terra
Pvt. Sticks [Plasma Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. ASimPerson [Plasma Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Supraluminal [Plasma Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Hobnail [Plasma Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. GrimmyTOA [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade] [injured]
Pvt. Kainy [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Hullis [Laser Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Nova_C [Plasma Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. Rainfall [Plasma Rifle, Alien Grenade]
Pvt. big l
Pvt. APODionysus
Pvt. Ion2Atom
Pvt. Tiphareth
Pvt. Astraphobia
Pvt. Forar
Pvt. chrisnl
Pvt. Jeep-Eep
Pvt. bwanie
Pvt. Decius
Pvt. Marikir
Pvt. Baidol
Pvt. Erlec
Pvt. Chases Street Demons
Pvt. El Mucho

Antimatter-class Laser Tank

Pilots
Lt. BlitzAce1981 (Interceptor-5) [Plasma Beam]


Glossolalia Base

Pilots
Lt. The Judge (Interceptor-6) [Plasma Beam, Laser Cannon]

Soldiers - Garrison


Linksville Base

Pilots
Lt. Fedora (Interceptor-7) [Plasma Beam, Laser Cannon]

Soldiers - Garrison


Former Members

Deceased, WIA or MIA
ForceVoid
YerMum
Rius
see317
El Guaco
Flay
Imperfect
Decomposey
Jintor
Agent Vesago
AMP'd
NotASenator
RabidDeathMoose
Tommy2Hands
snap
Vivixenne
sarukun
Lockout
Seta 3000
Orikaeshigitae
Dsmart
Ten
Der Waffle Mous
Cliffjumper
One Thousand Dicks
ByToady
Wallhitter
Zombies tossed my Salad!
Futore
Tofystedeth
Naporeon
QuestionMarkMan
babyeatingjesus
Dynagrip
Bendery
Khavall
Raneados
J3p
Peter Ebel
Dee Kae
lostwords
Kayne Red Rose
Agent Cooper
PotU
Meta T. Dust
Weaver
Druhim
Zombiemambo
TheLawinator
Mister Longbaugh
Snowbeat

Discharged
arod_77
Cold Salmon and Hatred
Kahziim

Spoiler:

Intelligence Report: Alien Names
ikkonoishi

Fishman

X-Com Arms and Munitions

Conventional Earth-based Weapons
Weapons based on conventional Earth-based chemical/projectile technology.

Heavy Cannon

Spoiler:

A large unwieldy personal projectile weapon capable of firing different types of ammunition. While more powerful than an Auto Cannon, its slow rate of fire and small magazine generally sees it considered less optimal than that weapon. The expense of ammunition suggests that it be deployed in limited numbers.

Auto Cannon

Spoiler:

Similar to the Heavy Cannon, except using smaller, belt-fed ammunition and an efficient loading mechanism to sustain higher rates of fire. Explosive ammunition can be particularly effective against groups of aliens. Like all heavy weapons, ammunition is expensive, so it is suggested to limit use to the role of support weapon.

Rocket Launcher

Spoiler:

The most powerful Earth-based explosive projectile weapon, but also the slowest and heaviest. High cost of ammunition and significant collateral damage generally makes this weapon a restricted use item in the field. However, in the right circumstances its use can be devastating.

Enhanced Earth-based Weapons
Weapons developed on Earth utilising advanced alien engineering techniques.

Laser Pistol

Spoiler:

A compact and light sidearm that allows free use of one hand. Powerful in close quarters, what it lacks in punch and accuracy it makes up for in speed. Popular with scouts and grenadiers, or as a secondary weapon for users of Cannons and Launchers. An excellent weapon for those wishing to improve their skills.

Laser Rifle

Spoiler:

The standard issue weapon of the X-Com front-line soldier. Versatile, accurate, and with unlimited ammunition, the X-Com Laser Rifle is the workhorse of the alien conflict.

Heavy Laser

Spoiler:

Not as versatile as a Laser Rifle or destructive as a Heavy Plasma, but its limitless ammunition, ease of manufacture and high accuracy recommend it for the role of sniper weapon. Can be comfortably used in limited numbers throughout X-Com squads.

Alien Weapon Technology
Alien weapons that have been reverse engineered by X-Com scientists for use by terrestrial soldiers.

Plasma Rifle

Spoiler:

What appears to be a stock mass-produced firearm in use with Extra-terrestrial forces. Common throughout standard crew deployments, the weapon is somewhat simpler and easier to manufacture, use and maintain then the more formidable weapons favoured by Alpha elite combat teams. Like all off-world weapons, its reliance on rare Elerium-based ammunition is a potential weakness for mass-deployment. Availability will depend on supply of sufficient ammunition.

Heavy Plasma

Spoiler:

The most powerful direct-damage firearm encountered in Extra-terrestrial forces. Extremely effective and powerful, but its reliance on rare Elerium-based ammunition restricts deployment amongst X-Com forces to limited use as a Squad Support Weapon. Availability will depend on supply of sufficient ammunition.

Blaster Launcher

Spoiler:

The Blaster Launcher is a tactical munition launcher capable of being deployed on a local engagement scale. Making use of both Elerium-accelerated ammunition and advanced alien micronavigation systems, the wielder of a Blaster Launcher can direct a projectile more accurately and with greater manoeuverability than Earth-based fly-by-wire technologies. The munition carries a charged Plasma field suspended inside an Elerium powered containment vessel. On impact, the Plasma containment field collapses and the Elerium vessel is consumed by the Plasma reaction, causing an uncontrolled Elerium reaction; a high-energy Plasma wave, enriched with Elerium anti-gravitons, causes molecular disintegration of nearby objects, vapourising nearby objects on an atomic scale. The effect is localised by the extremely high rate of decay of the particles involved, most only lasting fractions of millionths of a second. The effect is devastatingly precise and destructive against all known substances.

Owing to the weapon's destructive power and X-Com's conflicting need for well-preserved artifacts for research and intelligence, it is recommended that the weapon sees limited use and deployment as a weapon of last resort.

Miscellaneous Equipment
Special equipment that usually performs a specific purpose

Stun Rod

Spoiler:

Continued research on Extra-terrestrial activities requires study of live alien subjects. Capable of delivering a high-energy jolt capable of rendering an alien unconscious, the Stun Rod is a inelegant yet effective non-lethal weapon that has been proven in the field.

Medikit
Field medical kit capable of treating wounds from high-energy weapons and similar alien technologies. X-Com mission guidelines recommend deploying between 2 and 4 in a standard 8-man squad.

Motion Scanner

Spoiler:

A hand held device capable of providing a tactical intelligence advantage on the battlefield, the motion scanner allows X-Com units to locate and assess enemy numbers and positions without unnecessary risk.

Explosives

Grenade: Conventional personal thrown explosive device.
Smoke Grenade: Thrown device capable of creating large smoke cloud that obstructs vision.
Alien Grenade: Powerful alien explosive device; available in limited quantities.
High Explosive: Powerful military-grade explosive with timed detonator.


Should any soldier wish to request a change to their equipment, they may do so by submitting a requisition form to Captain Cthulu in maintenance. While you're there, remember to get him to service your rifles. X-Com weaponry is state-of-the-art equipment that needs to be delicately handled and thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis by an expert professional.

Fishman

X-Com Craft and Armaments

Intercept and Interdict Craft
Craft designed to fulfill a tactical engagement and combat role against orbit-capable craft.

Interceptor

Spoiler:

Based on a Standard Earth template with several tactical and mechanical enhancements designed to elevate craft performance to a level capable of engaging suspected UFO performance profiles, the X-Com Interceptor is the workhorse of the X-Com engagement fleet. Although unable to match the top speed of even the slowest Alien craft, its formidable payload and widespread use gives the X-Com fleet Interdiction capability over more than half the globe.

Firestorm

Spoiler:

The first earth-designed craft utilising Alien Elerium-Graviton technology, the Firestorm is a small fighter craft with a performance profile unmatched by any prior craft built on Earth. Capable of engaging UFOs during transorbital descent/ascent, the Firestorm is capable of engaging almost every known UFO vessel. The only drawback is the fuel requirement of the graviton powerplant: the ship consumes considerable amounts of rare Elerium to attain its incredible performance, and with a limited supply of the precious materiel, deployment of the craft is necessarily limited.

Avenger

Spoiler:

The Avenger is a supreme craft. Design estimates and simulations speculate that an Avenger operating in Earth orbit could be an even match for a Battleship-class craft, although the risk of failure or time and expense of required repairs following such an engagement would be prohibitive to operational status. Still, if worst comes to worst and the scale of this conflict escalates into a planet-wide engagement, the development of the Avenger could delay Earth's capitulation by as much as a year. However, the most important point is that the Avenger is an armed military transport craft, capable of delivering an entire Platoon of soldiers to another planet with enough armour and armament to deter counter-attack. That is to say, we finally have a craft capable of transporting a Contact Team to Mars to engage the enemy on their home turf for once.

Enhanced Directed Energy Weapons
Weapons based on particle or focused beam technology.

Plasma Beam

Spoiler:

Capable of shredding alien alloys into molten slag in seconds, the Plasma Beam has become the main air-to-air weapon deployed against UFOs. A single Plasma Beam is frequently all that's required against all but the largest alien craft encountered, although many pilots choose to supplement the weapon with additional weapons for variety.

Laser Cannon

Spoiler:

Replacing the common cannon as the most basic weapon in the arsenal of air-to-air weapons, the Laser Cannon shares many of the same benefits of the Plasma Beam: a high rate of fire, nil time-to-target and an essentially limitless supply of ammunition. While it lacks the superior performance and punching power of the Plasma weapon, this is balanced out by the low cost of manufacture, granting X-Com an essentially unlimited number of these weapons for internal distribution.


Conventional Missile Weapons
Weapons based on conventional Earth-based chemical/projectile technology.

Stingray

Spoiler:

Based on mass-produced missile technology used widely around the globe, the Stingray is a readily available all-purpose missile capable of being deployed in high numbers. A single hardpoint can take 6 of these weapons; a payload large enough to score significant damage on a large number of the alien fleet - provided all of the missiles hit. However, even a small number of these missile can bring down smaller craft, and the high number of missiles on a hardpoint means there are more opportunities to hit.

Avalanche

Spoiler:

The superior earth-based missile weapon, the Avalanche has (at present) the longest range of any weapon in the X-Com arsenal. Combined with its high explosive payload and excellent accuracy, this is a highly useful ranged weapon, whose only drawback is the relatively small number of missiles a craft is capable of carrying: a single hardpoint can only carry 3 of these bulky munitions: enough to bring down a small UFO, but not enough to inflict critical damage against the larger spacecraft.

chiasaur11

Mmm. New thread smell.

It's always so nice before rookie blood gets all over everything.

GrimmyTOA

Hey, I happen to like the smell of rookie blood.

That didn't come out as I'd intended it. Goddamn painkillers. Can't wait for them to get my new spleen installed.

Feriluce

Ah, I love the smell of a new thread in the morning. Smells like victory.

Caulk Bite 6

yeah smells like... Butane? Butane and maple.

maybe my smell sense is broken.

YerMum

And so it begins /koth

Indie Winter

gonna have this blasting on the ship's comm systems on the way over

Caladan

I prefer the Mechcommander intro video.

"'Mechwarriors, you should have a visual on us. Form up and look sharp. We have an invasion to go to."

Woodroez

So, you guys, ever since we've started doing these psi-tests, I've started experimenting with various psychedelic drugs to sort of free-up the mind, you know? I've got to tell you guys, a lot of these things that that Rankenphile fella has to say make a lot of sense.

I'm going to tell him to work up some pamphlets after my session in the isolation chamber.

Chases Street Demons

Squee! There I am, in the meat locker at Happenstance Base.

Seems Contact Team Terra is, um...flat, as far as rank structure goes. Room for advancement!

YerMum

Indie Winter wrote: »

gonna have this blasting on the ship's comm systems on the way over

I always imagined it would be something like this:



only instead of peaceful villagers there's sectoids running round

AgentGeej

Yay, Yay new thread!
Fighty time tra la la Fighty time!!

Forar

New thread time!

One express elevator to hell, going down!

Antimatter

No ones gonna take me aliiiiiive

The time has come to make things riiiiiiight

Theidar

The AI cores have continued their work on Projects Ares and Project Nuke it from Orbit.

Additionally our HWP sub-units are in optimal condition and remain ready to assist X-Com.

Apparently the Director has failed to mention our latest upgraded model as well. Unless I received this message from the engineers in error:

GrimmyTOA

Maybe they're, uh, upgrading the software too. You know. New generation of AIs or something. Just thinking aloud. I'm certainly not the one about to pull the plug on you guys. Haha! Whoah, look at the time.

msuitepyon

God damned bucket of bolts... Always fuckin' complainin'.

Trust

4 years, and I only just realised that the primary contact teams are named for "the last resort".

Hullis

Awright, you cumstains better not disappoint me on this mission cause I've got good money on this.

(I bet the over on how many of you would be mind raped)

Supraluminal

Trust wrote: »

4 years, and I only just realised that the primary contact teams are named for "the last resort".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_ratio_regum#ultima_ratio wrote:

The last resort. Short form for the metaphor "The Last Resort of Kings and Common Men" referring to the act of declaring war; used in the names the French sniper rifle PGM Ultima Ratio and the fictional Reason weapon system. Louis XIV of France had Ultima Ratio Regum ("last argument of kings") cast on the cannons of his armies; motto of the 1st Battalion 11th Marines; motto of the Artilleriregementet.

Except we've got Ultima Ratio Terra - the last argument of Earth.

chrisnl

Huh that is pretty awesome. I never put the names together before.

Snicketysnick

So I have just started reading through these old threads and I have to say that god dammit Fishman you are an artist.

Trust

Supraluminal wrote: »

Trust wrote: »

4 years, and I only just realised that the primary contact teams are named for "the last resort".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_ratio_regum#ultima_ratio wrote:

The last resort. Short form for the metaphor "The Last Resort of Kings and Common Men" referring to the act of declaring war; used in the names the French sniper rifle PGM Ultima Ratio and the fictional Reason weapon system. Louis XIV of France had Ultima Ratio Regum ("last argument of kings") cast on the cannons of his armies; motto of the 1st Battalion 11th Marines; motto of the Artilleriregementet.

Except we've got Ultima Ratio Terra - the last argument of Earth.

Or (loosely) "Earth's Last Chance".

Indie Winter

aaaah Fishman that's so insanely awesome I'm kinda freaking out a little

Decius

Sweet I'm on the roster

Decius wants big boom.

Rainfall

Ahhh. The sweet bells of victory are prepared to ring. I'm excited to see how Cydonia turns out even if I don't make it onto the assault teams ( and let's face it, I probably won't.)

chrisnl

I'm really curious to see the results of the psionic training, and how many rounds of said training the Director is going to go through before taking the fight directly to the aliens.

ASimPerson

What happened to the Glossolalia garrison?

Fishman

Project Ares - update

EYES ONLY - UNAUTHORISED ACCESS RISKS TERMINATION


Sir - we have it.

We have long suspected that the Alien forces were orchestrated from a central location; the command structure seems to be a strict heirarchy, with clear rank and chains of command. However, until we encountered the Ethereal race, we never suspected the extent and depth of that command.

From the data recovered by Contact Team Terra, we now understand that the Alien 'empire' is a psychic tyranny, with all actions and activities directly orchestrated from a single, central points of command. There is a single point of authority within this entire Solar System; it commands the Ethereals, who disseminate these commands through the Alien force, from the Mutons to the Sectoids. The control is absolute; all signs of alternate command structures or redundant control mechanisms are treated the same as an insurrection or heresy.

A strike against this central authority would send the enemy force into disarray; the entire command structure would break down, and without a central authority directing their efforts, the Alien invasion of Earth would not just stop; it would collapse completely.

And we have found the location of the Alien command center.



It will still take time to ready and assemble the team, build and equip an Avenger, and prepare a plan of assault, but we now have our target and know that there is a central command weakness that, if neutralised, will effectively cause the dissolution of organised opposition and coordination in the invasion of Earth. For all intents and purposes, it will see an end to the conflict, with all Alien forces ceasing to function and no longer threatening the planet; a complete and total victory for the forces of X-Com and Earth.

All we have to do is protect our forces and survive until we are ready to strike.

GrimmyTOA

Finally. Take it to them, director.

Rankenphile

This means me, right?

Karl

This shit just got real.

Good luck on the Mars mission brah's

Theidar

Since you are one of the top candidates for the team, we await your first hand report of the mission Colonel.

chiasaur11

Well.

This closes the book on most remaining questions from Aquatic. Well, the ones I want answers for.

We needed something that could unseat a species of priest-kings bordering on gods. The Ethereals seem to fit the bill nicely.

And now we have to wipe them out.

They say God protects fools, children, and the United States of America. We're already down to one for three.

Let's hope the fools part holds a little longer.

Iolo

Supraluminal wrote: »

Trust wrote: »

4 years, and I only just realised that the primary contact teams are named for "the last resort".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_ratio_regum#ultima_ratio wrote:

The last resort. Short form for the metaphor "The Last Resort of Kings and Common Men" referring to the act of declaring war; used in the names the French sniper rifle PGM Ultima Ratio and the fictional Reason weapon system. Louis XIV of France had Ultima Ratio Regum ("last argument of kings") cast on the cannons of his armies; motto of the 1st Battalion 11th Marines; motto of the Artilleriregementet.

Except we've got Ultima Ratio Terra - the last argument of Earth.

I wish that awesome-ing this post paid some sort of 'awesome' dividends to Fishman. So fucking cool...

NotoriusBEN

I know its Bill Pullman and its hack kneed writing, but I still get goosebumps... movie came out when i was 13.
Too bad there is no more 'MURIKA! anymore...

chrishallett83

*hackneyed

Munkus Beaver

MY KNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES