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

Operation Bone God

Bastion still looked like a mismatch of parts and pieces. It still had trouble flying straight (thought slightly better). It didn't screech quite as much now with some help from Pubentz, but Zalewski HAD been hard at work.

Zalewski had programmed Bastion with the obvious jolting shock. It had come in useful more than once. Even though Bastion still couldn't fly straight most of the time, most of the enemies they had fought so far were big enough that Bastion just needed to get in the general area. Zalewski had also programmed Bastion with takeover software. On a short-range frequency, Bastion could hack and then take-over enemy robots or mechanical enemies. It had come in useful in a couple of missions so far. Zalewski had also JUST programmed Bastion with heat seeking sensors that would alert the team to enemy positions as needed.

Zalewski just pointed at Bastion at this point. "But...this is perfection! Certainly my work speaks for me!"

Shen just glanced over at Bastion, who was just now rebooting from Spark's backhand. "Indeed, indeed it does..."

The rest of the squad had already begun loading when Shen saw Gunner walking the Ramp.

"YO! GUNNER!"

It had taken some time, but Gunner had finally realized that her position on the team was useful, but second rate at this point. She looked up very business like over at Shen. Shen had promised all kinds of things over the weeks, but had yet to deliver. She was expecting no different today.

"YO! GUNNER! I've got something for you...." She moved and revealed a cart covered with a sheet.

Shen just stepped back and with her hands, invited Gunner to explore for herself. Gunner stepped forward hesitantly. She wasn't sure what to expect and she didn't want to get her hopes up. With a final hesitation, she ripped off the cover, and sitting on the cart was a brand new autocannon. It looked sleek. It looked sharp. It looked deadly. It looked....perfect.

"Go for it, pick it up...."

Gunner picked up the weapon. The weight was much better distributed than her last weapon. And there seemed to be more ammo for this weapon. A LOT more. After a few moments, she looked over to Shen, "And....how well does it shoot?"

Shen just smiled and patted Gunner's shoulder. "Have fun out there... Oh, I upgrade all the auto-cannons, so your sister should grab one as well."

Shen looked over at her mechanical protector who was now examining its own auto-cannon curiously. It took a second for Shen to understand, "No Spark, I did not upgrade yours – there's a little more work to get your done. I'll get on that eventually. Spark....PROTECT Zalewski."

"Order confirmed."

Zalewski was a kid at Christmas as he entered the Skyranger and the cargo doors closed.

***

Campbell sat brooding as the Skyranger bumped along. She was happy Gunner was along at least. Gunner understood smart decision making unlike some of the other superiors. Maybe they could get out of this unscathed. She looked over at their medic, the rookie Pugh who sat across from her.

"So....medic, you bring the meds this time?"

Pugh looked up surprised, the sniper had said nothing the whole trip and she wanted to give her the space she needed. "Yes, I've got the meds right here."

Campbell examined Pugh carefully then called back knowingly, "Well, at least you got that right. How about that monster bolt-caster you are so fond of. I assume you brought that as well?"

Pugh smiled for just a moment before the smile faded...

Campbell just shook her head. "You medics are all the same...."