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

Operation Ice Age

The second Avatar darted across the field of fire, sprinting for additional cover in front of the dug-in group of marines, its shining armor gleaming under the alien translucent light that the aliens so favored. Gunner didn't care. She unloaded, transforming the pristine armor of the Avatar into a cumbersome outer layer. Gunner smiled but it didn't seem to phase the Avatar in the slightest.

Pubentz watched the sprinting figure. She'd had more than enough practice in leading targets with the Caster and fired. The electronic hum of Pubentz's Arc-caster shot out sending electronic charges surging through the figure. It still didn't phase the sprinting Avatar.

Zalewski peeked out from behind the wall after the electric bolt sailed over his head. Seeing an opportunity, he quickly sent Bastion into action. The upgraded droid efficiently tracked down the Avatar, sending a trio of electric shocks into the figure before being batted away.

That short pause was all Corbin needed to invade the Avatar's mind, tearing and ripping into what she hoped was the psyche of the thing. It didn't take long before the Avatar recovered though and tossed Corbin out with a jarring sensation, but the Avatar looked shaken.

And that final pause was all Pritchett needed. She shot the avatar straight between the eyes. There was one distinct moment of confusion before the Avatar crashed to the ground missing the back side of its head.

The team cheered in victory, but the job wasn't finished. The Commander scanned the battlefield and spotted the final Avatar. "Quite the chatter ladies! We've got one more to go! Use everything you have and TAKE IT OUT!"

Zalewski ducked down behind cover, reloading his plasma rifle, he muttered to himself, "I'm not a lady...."

Flanked by its honor guard of flying archons, the final Avatar drifted into view. The squad spread out slightly and prepared for the final onslaught. The archons flew high overhead, preparing to rain explosives down all over the squad. The Commander looked only at the Avatar.

Pugh looked around at the shadows of impending destruction that were focused on the entire front line, "Sir, we need to move!"

"Concentrate on the Avatar!"

"But Sir!"

"EVERYONE SHOOT THE TARGET! NOW!"

Pugh watched as the rest of the squad took aim and fired. Gunner fired her final grenade and destroyed the Avatar's cover, ripping up its armor in the process. She watched as Pubentz, Zalewski, and Pritchett all fired tearing deeply into the Avatar's frame.

The Commander summoned up a psychic ball you could actually see. With intense concentration, he grew the ball again and again until it met the size he was comfortable with. After a moment's hesitation, he threw the ball where it enveloped the Avatar.

Pugh still had her rifle aimed, but kept looking to the sky. Impending explosives may not register with the rest of the squad, but Pugh wasn't so sure. The Commander looked over, seeing the hesitation, "SHOOT IT. NOW!"

The training she'd acquired over her time in the war kicked in. She didn't think. She simply aimed and fired. The shots found their mark across the chest of the avatar. As the missiles came barreling down towards the dug-in line, they watched the Avatar struggle. It attempted to run for cover, but dropped to its knees. It returned to its feet before dropping to its knees again and then slumping to the ground.

As the bombs hit the ground, the squad scrambled for additional cover, but the bombs just kept coming, and the world went black.

The lights returned to their normal level and the entire squad sat in chairs watching as the Commander entered from a door in the back of the Danger Room. He looked around in satisfaction before beginning, "And that is how we expect this war to be won. I'd like to thank everyone for attending the orientation. I expect the first missions to be sent out shortly. Any questions?"