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

Operation Dying Mask

Pritchett scanned around. Nothing moved other than the tumbleweed that rolled across her boot. "It's a lot of room for nobody to be around..."

Out of nowhere, there was a sudden metallic screech. The entire squad had weapons out and trained on Zalewski's GREMLIN. Bastion seemed to work the kink out and continued to hover. They all seemed to note it hover a bit closer to Zalewski who looked around innocently? "Is there a problem?"

Pubentz gritted her teeth before turning to Pritchett, "Go hit the roof, the rest of you, head out."

Pritchett smiled. It was finally time. From the roof, she was able to gain sight on everything in the area. Through her scope, she slowly began panning her way up the street. It started at the train parked nearly right in front of her. It looked to have been here for a little while as the open storage containers were in various stages of unloading. She paused there for a second, they looked to be shipping containers for live animals, no...people. They were shipping PEOPLE here. Remembering she had a job to do, she continued her survey.

It was then that she saw them. A snake-man and a grunt idly patrolled the near side of the train yard, blissfully unaware of the target Pritchett now had on their head. She whistled once, alerting the rest of the team of the sighting, then ducked down, preparing herself for the massacre to come.

While Pritchett held position on the roof, Ranger Van Dyke slid into position just across the street from the alien pair, taking cover behind a street barrier. Zalewski and Pubentz slid in slightly behind him loaded and ready. Gunner Van Dyke took position behind a nearby tree on the far side of the street and waited for the signal.

That signal came from Pritchett whose shot hit the snake square in the chest. She was disappointed. She was looking for the heart shot, but must have missed by a few inches as the snake still moved. Gunner Van Dyke popped out of cover from across the street and unloaded on the unsuspecting grunt killing it instantly. Zalewski, too busy fiddling with Sebastion's screeching, realized there was a threat and half-shot at the snake, further injuring it with a lucky rebound. Ranger Van Dyke just rolled his eyes and fired – killing the snake quickly and efficiently. He took a quick look around before hopping the low wall protecting the tracks and stooping to collect a new stock for the team's rifles.

Pubentz stepped up next to him, her eyes scanning for hostiles, "Whatcha got?" Ranger Van Dyke compared the stock. "Will need to review, but it looks like this could increase our aiming. I'll let the eggheads look at it when we get back." He looked over to Pubentz, "We going further in?"

Pubentz looked around. They were surrounded by buildings and it had been entirely too quiet.

"Let's take a look around first, just in case. We sure don't want to be flanked when we head into the factory..."

Ranger Van Dyke just shrugged. "Let's move."

The squad began moving along the rail lines, following the parked train. They had gone just a few cars when they saw more movement. The squad didn't need to be told this time, and they all scrambled into cover. They saw a brief glimpse and Gunner Van Dyke and Pubentz looked at each other.

Gunner spoke up first with disbelief.. "There is no way...."

Pubentz quickly silenced her. If what she thought she saw was true, they'd need the element of surprise. But there was no way it was what she thought it was. Was there?

Just then, the pair of aliens came into full-view. Pubentz's and Van Dyke's fears were laid to rest. It was indeed what they feared it was.

"SNAKE KING! TAKE COVER!"