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

Operation Dying Thunder

The Commander rubbed his forehead. The recent series of attacks had really taken a toll on his squads. The recent state of events had made his job of choosing the correct squad for the job very easy: whoever was healthy enough for the job was sent. Soldiers were going into the med-lab faster than they were coming out, and supplies were beginning to dwindle. He really didn't know what he was going to do.

As he rubbed his temples, the alarm sounded in the control room. People scrambled everywhere trying to pin down the source. One of his controllers had finally turned off the siren, but the red flashing lights were still an indicator that something was wrong. He looked up at the assistant expectantly. The assistant looked up from the geoscope and frowned. "You'd better take a look at this Commander..."

The Commander sighed and got up, drudging over to the geoscape. This wasn't likely to be good. "What do we have?"

The assistant quickly zoomed in on an alien response alarm on one of the rebel camps to the north of their position. "We are showing incoming attack vessels headed to our northern camps. There's no way they'll be able to retaliate against them effectively."

The Commander sighed, drumming his fingers against the railing at the Geoscape.

"Who do we have available?"

The assistant quickly scanned through the roster, which he transferred to the large console on the wall. The amount of red was very unforgiving. The assistant began rattling off the few names that were available, "It looks like we have Pugh, Gunner and Ranger Van Dyke, Svangerko looks ready to go, and Campbell."

The Commander frowned. This wasn't the best lineup for this type of mission. He continued drumming his fingers against the handrail.

"Commander?"

The Commander slowly turned his head.

"You ARE planning to help this group right?"

The Commander sighed. If they were going to lose the war, might as well do it with integrity.

"If we must."

The assistant nodded and quickly began issuing orders.

***

Operation: Dying Thunder
Pugh – Corporal – Support
Gunner Van Dyke – Lieutenant – Gunner
Ranger Van Dyke – Lieutenant – Combat Ranger
Campbell – Corporal – Sniper
Svagerko – Corporal – Stealth Ranger

Debriefing Journal: Operation Dying Thunder
Combat Ranger Van Dyke

I can't believe I'm still having to write these stupid things. The Commander keeps thinking that he'll learn something new by everyone writing down the exact same thing after every mission. Yet every mission, we all have to come back, have a debriefing up front, then have to write it all down and send it to him...JUST in case there's something we forgot to actually TELL him. I mean, COME ON COMMANDER! How much time do you really want us to waste? If we thought it was important the first time...oh, I don't know, we would have TOLD you?!?

Ok Commander, I know you're going to simply sit me down for another interrogation...err, debriefing again if I don't do this – and I really don't have anything else to do in the med-ward at the moment ANYWAY, so here you go.....

I was awoken by the blasted alert. I'm really beginning to hate that thing. I knew the last copule of squads had really gotten beat up, so it wasn't a surprise when I get called up. Not only did you need people, you needed the best – and well, I'm one of the best you have. I'd like to have a little time off to tell you the truth.