-Operation Flying Fear-
South Africa
25th of May, 2015
5:09 PM
Our mission was not a supply ship. Rather, it appeared to be one of the ships responsible for the alien abduction missions. Our forces were dropped off right outside, and immediately moved in.
It seems our landing zone was right outside the ship's control room, as we immediately encountered two Outsiders. BoB, putting his shiny new rifle to work, promptly burned a hole straight through the first one. Jiro moved forward and around a piece of flaming wreckage, and eliminated the second.
Everything seemed smooth, which of course was a precursor to some horrors.
Moving forward, BoB spotted three Chryssalids. What they were doing outside the main control room is unknown, as they did not strike our research team as likely pilots. Deciding it best not to take them on alone, BoB retreated back into the control room where the rest of his team was on Overwatch, and wait.
One of the Chryssalids teleported behind our squad (I frelling hate this glitch), then rushed up through them an through a nearby doorway. En route, it passed between MacLeod and Coleman and got itself a plasma burn for its effort. After exiting through a side door, it ran back into the room and stood next to BoB. Shortly thereafter, one of its brethren came and sat down next to MacLeod, licking its chops as it anticipated its meal. And the third rushed up and attacked BoB, with neither sniper being able to get a sight through the doors they were at, apparently.
This situation, not being bad enough, was joined by a Floater who came out of nowhere (possibly teleported, I'm not sure), who was picked up by our Snipers, but wasn't hit by their Overwatch shots because they are silly crazy people who didn't spec for Opportunist, and took position right inside the door next to Vivi. And, while our troops were watching the Floater, they caught a glimpse of a trio of Thin Men outside, though they quickly faded from view.
So, with three Chryssalids and a Floater inside, and three Thin Men outside, our team was considering its options. BoB quickly realized that this was no time to be a hero. While he could possibly stun the Floater, the chances were too low, and it would leave the team vulnerable. Ronnie took the first action, unleashing two loads of buckshot into the nearest Chryssalid, the one who had taken a bite out of BoB. Vivi peeked around the corner at the Floater sitting right next to him, and blew him up with a cool, calm flanking shot, earning himself a promotion to Major. BoB turned around and fired a double laser blast into the Chryssalid right next to him (yeah, he had two on him), but his wound threw him off enough that only one hit.
Jiro rushed around the corner, drew a bead, and ended the second Chryssalid, leaving MacLeod with a tough choice. There was a Chryssalid alive right next to the squad, but there was also a wounded BoB, and three Thin Men outside. If he healed BoB, the team would be pretty well covered for health, but would suffer plentiful attacks, and the Thin Men might be able to flank them, as there was little cover and their point of entry would be unknown. However, if he burned the Chryssalid, one shot from an enemy would wipe BoB from the team...
MacLeod took the chance, and burned down the Chryssalid with a laser discharge. The team held their breath... And no riposte came. The Thin Men did not retaliate. MacLeod immediately rushed to BoB's side, healing half his wound, and preventing the poison from seeping further into him. The rest of the team reloaded, hoping that the Thin Men would remain hidden.
Their hope held true. The Thin Men did not emerge again. However, the Floater they had eliminated before was apparently not alone (though we never spotted the rest of his team, even in the wake up animation, yet one of them fired, which they never do if they discover you that turn), as two more rushed in. The first took a precarious position in the rear, near the ramp up from the floor of the control room, where he was easily flanked by several team members. The other closed in on BoB and took a flanking shot on the wounded soldier... Which missed by a mile and destroyed some of the side of the ship in the next room. Now, here was a potential for the Arc Thrower to do its job.
Vivi, having already earned his promotion, and being graceful enough to be neither an Experience Hog, nor a glory hound, contented himself with a 2 damage critical from his pistol into the Floater that had fired at BoB. Jiro, already in a spot for a good flanking shot, put down the Floater by the ramp (seriously, it looked like that in the glam cam. Not a kill, but putting down a raibd dog, or an execution).
BoB, knowing he still had MacLeod and Coleman for backup, unslung his new tool, pointed it at the Floater, and pulled the trigger. SUCCESS! The Floater was stunned, its weapon remained intact. MacLeod took the opportunity to heal BoB a bit more, and Coleman went to Overwatch, on the lookout for the Thin Men.
The first Thin Man poked into view near the door, unfortunately still beyond Coleman's sight. Jiro, however, had a beautiful line on him, and fired a shot that split the alien's glasses, wiping him from our considerations. The team reloaded, and BoB moved forward to the next room. Another Thin Man shot at him as he moved, but his Lightning Reflexes let him dodge, and they ripped apart the wall instead. MacLeod then moved forward and burned down the second Thin Man.
BoB then did some consideration. There was only one Thin Man remaining, and his Arc Thrower had a second charge. Would there be a better target than the final Thin Man?
Thinking not, the forces moved to try to reach it. Unfortunately, it was outside a large bulkhead. Our forces split up, trying to flank it. MacLeod was the first to spot it, and started Suppressing it so BoB could get closer. However, the Thin Man's return shot tore through MacLeod's new Carapace armor (6 damage crit from a Suppressed shot? Cheap luck). Choosing to heal himself rather than Suppress the Thin Man again, our forces got into better position, but did not stop the Thin Man's advance. The Thin Man, free to move around, got close to BoB. But, unable to flank him, chose merely to poison him rather than shoot. Coleman snapped a few shots with his pistol, bringing the creature down to the verge of death, and BoB snapped another shot from the Arc Thrower, bringing home our second live capture.
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streme Wheelie
Originally Posted by Skyblade
