XCOM: The Hades Contingency

Objective: Capture Sectoid

The Citadel, Mission Control

The Commander frowned at the glowing hologlobe. "It just landed?"

"Correct," Bradford nodded. "We detected it half an hour ago. Based on low heat and energy signatures, it's likely been there for a few hours."

"How large?"

"About the size of the last one we raided."

"Well, whatever they're doing, we're going to stop them."

"I'll prepare a skyranger," Bradford promised. "I assume you'll want to assemble a squad."

"Yes," the Commander nodded. "I'll take care of that."

Bradford made some notes on his tablet. "Got it. I assume your call with the Prime Minister went well?"

The Commander smiled. "That it did. We now have Israel as an ally. They'll be sending several Mossad agents within a few days."

"I'm sure Zhang will be happy," Bradford shrugged. "Though I'm not sure we should be sharing our technology with them."

"We're sharing our old technology," the Commander corrected. "I'm well aware that Israel has their own agenda. We just have use them wisely, drip-feed our technology a little at a time."

Bradford frowned. "That could backfire, the Prime Minister strikes me as someone who would not take kindly to being manipulated."

"I wouldn't call it manipulation yet," the Commander amended. "Israel is benefitting more from our arrangement. For the moment. But once he receives some advanced schematics he's going to run into a problem very quickly."

Bradford pondered that. "Weapon fragments and alloys?"

The corners of the Commander's lips turned up. "Correct. And barring him from sending out his own forces to fight aliens, there is only one place to acquire them."

"XCOM." Bradford stated.

"XCOM," the Commander repeated. "And we may be so inclined to hand over some of ours, provided they give us something in exchange."

"Still," Bradford didn't sound convinced. "What happens once he realizes he's been played?"

"I wouldn't worry about that," the Commander assured him. "Nowinski is an intelligent leader, but he is predictable. His motivations are clear as day. He wants control of the Middle East and

will go through quite a lot to ensure that happens. All we have to do in convince him we're helping him reach that goal."

Bradford leaned back. "But what happens when they do decide they're ready?" Bradford asked.

"They won't," the Commander shook his head. "Especially if their supply of fragments and alloys stops if they pull something as stupid as that."

"Well, you're the political expert here," Bradford shrugged. "I'll take your word for it."

He nodded. "Very well. I'll assemble a squad."

Bradford nodded and he walked off.

There was another advantage of provide resources to Israel. The more he invested in their army, the more influence he held over it. If Israel ever developed laser weaponry, Nowinski would know exactly who to thank for it. And the more the Prime Minister relied on him, the more he could be manipulated.

Israel would be an excellent tool if other countries gave him issues and the best part was that it likely wouldn't take much convincing for Nowinski to carry out his "requests". The best allies were the ones who believed they were acting on their own. A risky move, but potentially gaining a second army was worth it.