X-Com's Finest (An X-Com 2 play through)

Operation Regal Beast

Central paced quietly back and forth across the room. The normal banter that was usually heard was strangely silent. The seriousness of the mission came more from Central's silence than anything he could have possibly said.

Finally, after what felt like 10 minutes of silence, but was more likely no more than two, Central finally stopped and looked over at his small team.

"We HAVE to get the doctor out of this situation. At all costs. I will be taking along who I feel the most qualified. Pubentz, Van Dyke – no, you, the one with the gattling gun, grab your equipment and meet me in the Skyranger in ten. I'll also take..."

There was a pause as he reviewed the qualifications of who he had left.

"Campbell. You're up."

Campbell jumped. She'd just gotten out of med bay and was surely not ready for this kind of assignment. "But sir...."

"What part of 'you are up' do you not understand Squaddie? Grab Bonnie and meet up in the Skyranger in 10. Make that 8 with all your whining. Now go!"

There was some muted mumbling from Pritchett and a sigh of relief from Halverson.

Campbell quickly jumped to attention to go about her duty.

***

OPERATION REGAL BEAST
Central
Pubentz – Sgt Combat Med Support
Van Dyke – Cpl Heavy Gunner
Campbell – Squaddie Sniper

Pubentz looked over at Central who was still deep in thought as the Skyranger thundered on towards its destination.

"What exactly are we looking to encounter here Central?"

Van Dyke and Campbell perked up with the question. They had received very little information regarding the mission, and only Pubentz really had enough clout to ask Central directly at this point.

He was quiet for a moment before turning and responding quietly, barely loud enough to hear, "I'm honestly not sure. But I'm expecting the worst. I wanted the best I had on this mission, but had to leave a little in reserve," there was a short pause, "just in case. Ok, get ready team, this could get ugly."

The Skyranger hovered over the deployment zone for no more than 20 seconds before pulling ropes up and ascending back to a safe location. The squad quickly fanned out to defensible positions in front of a large cave like opening. There were no audible sounds and the lack of light gave the entire situation an eerie feeling.

Central looked around, "Move up."

Without hesitation, Pubentz and Van Dyke moved forward, with Campbell covering until nothing had been spotted. Then Central leapfrogged closer to the cave complex when something caught the corner of his eye. He was silent for a moment when Campbell chirped in, "What is that?"

"That is a xenomorph. I'm going to fire. I want everyone ready. We have no idea what we're about to hit here."

Campbell rolled over on her back, her mount next to Van Dyke's ear. "It looks like a snake. I don't like snakes." Van Dyke, her gun readied, shot back, "Get READY, we're about to get into gear here."

The Central announced, "One..."

"No, you don't understand, I REALLY don't like snakes. They are slimy and scaly and that tongue...." Her hands had started shaking and sweat had started dripping down her forehead.

"Two...."

"Look they aren't REALLY snakes, they just have a snake tail, and tongue, and eyes...but they have hands and hold a gun!"