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

X-COM 2: Reaper Rendevouz

Solis smiled. It wasn't a pretty smile. It was a smile of confident, aggressive, and deadly intent. With a running sprint, she jumped off the overpass, blade held high, right on top of the assassin. The assassin blocked most of the strike, but several inches of steel pierced the assassin. The two struggled for a few moments, the assassin trying to get free before the stopped and looked Solis right in the eyes, "Not bad... for a beginner." And suddenly Solis was holding nothing.

As Solis wiped off her sword, the howling began. Svagerko lowered a rope and Solis climbed it as the Lost began moving in. Gunner, looking over Pritchett protectively, called out, "Now would be a good time for an EVAC!"

The team huddled up around the overpass protectively. The Lost began swarming across the overpass, climbing up the sides all up and down to begin a ring of death. And then the firing began. When the Skyranger finally started descending, a couple dozen LOST corpses surrounded the loading zone. Wartenbach continued firing as the teams started loading up. Solaris stood next to him firing along-side. The Skirmisher shoved the Reaper back as he unloaded his rifle into another Lost. "Go! I'm right behind you!" Solaris looked around once and sprinted for the open doors of the Skyranger. As she jumped on, she pulled out her sniper rifle again to support the Skirmisher. Just as he was about to jump, an invisible force took him to the ground. The Assassin stood there, an evil smile on her lips, "I'm sorry, this little lassie here has a date already. But don't worry, we will be seeing you soon." She winked once and the pair of them disappeared.

***

Gunner tossed down her pack next to her locker, its contents a mess after her brother had rummaged through it earlier that day. She'd have to clean that up later. She carefully placed her minigun next to it. She'd have to clean that later as well. She was a hot, sweaty, grimy mess. She would have to clean herself up as well. But all she wanted at the moment was a few quiet moments to relax. Her brother slid down next to her. He didn't look any better than she did. The two shared a glance and a little smile. There was something about shared misery that brought people together.

Svagerko had escorted the doc and Pritchett to the infirmary, and Solis had been swept aside by the Commander for debriefing. That left a companionable silence between the two that they both seemed to enjoy.

It was broken by the sound of running feet heading their direction. Gunner just prayed they'd keep on running. They didn't.

Corbin stopped in front of the two, looking slightly guilty at the pair lying exhausted on the floor. She cleared her throat, "Uh...guys, Commander says there's time to rest on the way to your next mission. One of the camps are being attacked, and you two are the best we currently have.."

The Ranger spat back, "Are you KIDDING ME?!? We can't win the war by ourselves you know! Send someone else!" Gunner looked up and nodded, "Isn't there anyone else they can take? Don't you want to go on this one?"

Corbin shifted her feet back and forth, "Commander's orders. Solis and Pubentz are already loaded."

"Well, isn't there ANYBODY else?"

"Pritchett and Zalewski are in med-bay, and you KNOW doc won't let them out until they are 102% perfect. Bomber and Svagerko are on their way for a secret mission. That leaves you four."

Gunner just looked at her feet. She hadn't even taken her boots off yet. "Campbell?"

"Commander didn't deem we needed two long-range shots on this mission."

The Ranger just laughed and slowly brought himself back to his feet. "Alrighty then..." He held out his hand and began helping Gunner to her feet. She smiled, "SEE! You CAN be civil every now and then!" The Ranger looked around and unceremoniously dropped her.

"WHAT THE HECK?!?"

"If you insult me like that ever again..." He looked over at Corbin, "We'll be there in a minute. Give us a chance to regroup and we'll be there." The Ranger turned unceremoniously and began repacking for another operation.

***

Svagerko's scowl began to hurt her face. She hadn't stopped since the Commander began briefing her and Bomber on their operation. The scowl had continued to deepen as the Commander continued to talk.

The pair sat there for a few seconds in silence after the Commander had finished the briefing. Svagerko sat there in silence, trying to comprehend the insanity of their assignment. Bomber just looked out the window. In as businesslike manner as possible, Svagerko leaned forward.

"So....let me get this straight... You want us to go back into the city."

"Yep."

"Where we are wanted."

"Yep."

"To gather information on this Beethoven character..."

The Commander paused, then figuring out the reference, "Yep."

'This character we don't really know..."

"Yep."

As Svagerko was about to continue her line of questioning, Bomber broke in, still looking out the window, "Will we get to blow things up?"

"Yep."

She clapped her hands once, "I'm in! Let's go!"