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

Operation Perilous Throne

They were a pretty motley crew sitting there, listening to the Commander as he explained the importance of the next mission.

"...The aliens are moving around the world, capturing citizens, and doing something with thm we simply don't understand. We know they are mutating them into guards and possibly more. If we don't find out what they're doing, the entire human race will fall into the hands of..." Pritchett yawned. She'd heard it all before. She just wanted to shoot things.

As the Commander was winding down, the door opened, and a new face brought the meeting to a quiet and awkward moment. A newly recruited Pugh paused just slightly before moving confidently in the room and standing at attention, "Commander – you have a priority message from Council that you need to take from your chambers."

The Commander nodded and made his way out. The squad sort of sat there, not sure what to do, until Pubentz finally broke the silence. "And who are you?"

"I'm Pugh."

"I'm Pubentz, and this is Ranger Van Dyke, Heavy Van Dyke, Zalewski and his screeching banshee of a project, and Pritchett." The squad nodded in turn. "What are you in for?"

"Shooting things. I like to shoot things."

Pritchett finally perked up. Something finally caught her interest.

"You shoot things? I shoot things. We may have something in common!" A smile slowly spread across her face.

Pubentz saw the smile and quickly stepped in. "Don't worry about her. I'll show you how to REALLY take care of business."

Pritchett wasn't about to let a potential hunting mate get away and barged back into the conversation, "Her? She's a glorified medic. She can't hurt anything."

Pubentz glared back, "I'll remember that next time you get blasted by a robot, like oh, I don't know, THAT one!" as she pointed at Bastion who Zalewski had been forced to power down during briefings after the last encounter.

Pritchett just glared at Zalewski who quickly looked away, pretending like there was something important to look at on the ceiling.

"Stick with me, I'll make sure you get home in one piece."

Just before Pritchett was about to retort, the Commander strode back in, "Ok all, dismissed. Except Ranger Van Dyke. And you, newbie."

"Her NAME is Pugh, Sir."

The Commander gave Pubentz a look that would have melted steel. Pubentz didn't flinch. The Commander spoke again. "Newbie, take a seat, you're in on this one. Pritchett, go get Halverson and Bomber Van Dyke."

Pritchett looked up, "Are you serious?!? When do *I* get to go kill something!"

The Commander gave another glare and Pritchett just walked out, muttering unintelligently under her breath as she left.

***

OPERATION PERILOUS THRONE
Halverson – Squaddie Sniper
Bomber Van Dyke – Squaddie Heavy
Ranger Van Dyke – Corp Combat Ranger
Pugh – Rookie

***

The Skyranger bumped along, the team all strapped in. It was an uneasy silence. Everyone looked over to the Ranger, who was messing with his new ionic axe. Even above the dull roar of the Skyranger engines, the low hum of the ionic axe could still be heard. It looked to be one mean piece of equipment.

As he looked around, he could see the unasked question. "Ok, the first person who asks about the med kits will be in need of one and won't get it. Understood?"