[center][h1][color=cyan]T H E W A R F O R E A R T H B E G I N S[/color][/h1] [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exWNztpgfIw[/youtube][/center] Commander Anderson held a data-pad in front of him, looking over the influx of recruits into each XCOM base. A week since the Battle of Berlin and not a single glimpse of a UFO on their satellites. For more reasons that he could list this troubled him deeply. A week of little contact with the aliens has allowed them to nearly fully staff their bases and prepare counter-measures. Why issue such a blatant declaration of war then allow the defenders to fortify? The voice of Bradford broke up his thoughts [color=f26522]"Commander, you need to see this."[/color] A urgency in Bradford's voice inspired the Commander to put down the data-pad and turn his attention to the GeoScape where the sight made his eyes widen [color=f26522]"Multiple UFOs contacts have appeared coming through the atmosphere scattered across the planet."[/color] Anderson admired the professional way Bradford spoke when during these tense moments [color=6ecff6]"What are we looking at Betty."[/color] He ordered, eyes watching as several red UFO-shaped objects moved across the GeoScape. A holographic image of one of the UFOs replaced the GeoScape momentarily "[color=a187be]The majority of the UFOs do not match the signature of the one that attacked Berlin and are of a much smaller design. Their projected flight patterns suggest they are moving to civilian targets, likely to deploy more of the pods we saw in Berlin."[/color] A female, electronic voice came over the command center. Once she had finished speaking, the GeoScape returned to a global map and the red blip gone, their last locations over civilian centers just like Betty had predicted. Anderson's eyes narrowed [color=6ecff6]"Bradford, I want every base on alert now. Tell them to get their teams suited up and ready to go ASAP."[/color] He ordered with absolute authority, hands turning into tightly clenched fists [color=f26522]"Roger, Sir. I'll relay the message to the other bases at once."[/color] Bradford dutifully replied. No matter what the Aliens' were planning, he would not allow another death toll like at Berlin. He sent a piercing gaze up at the GeoScape [color=6ecff6]"Just you wait you alien bastards...we're coming for you."[/color] He muttered quietly under his breath. [img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/xcom/images/b/b3/Sky_Ranger_EU.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121008231843[/img] [@Jangel13] You and the rest of the Swift Vipers had just managed to unpack the last of your things, when the monitor that Nico had been looking at suddenly changed. A large information panel replaced the previous long list of squad names that was on the previous screen. This changed had only just occurred when a deep, robotic, male voice flooded the room from a speaker in the ceiling [color=a36209]"Swift Vipers, report to the Hanger for deployment. Your briefing will be received en route to the mission location."[/color] As quickly as it came, the voice faded away leaving behind a feeling of tension and excitement in the barracks. Nico took one last look at the monitor and turned to face the squad [color=a36209]"Get suited up quickly. Once your armor is on, report directly to the armory for your weapon and equipment then proceed to the landing pad in the hangar. Got it? Now move!"[/color] He spoke quickly but fluently, then walked to his own locker and started putting on his armor [color=c4df9b]"First day, first mission. My hands are tingling already...How about you Angelo?"[/color] Allen asked as he started putting the pieces of his standard-issued XCOM armor on. The rest of the team was doing the same, wasting little time on anything else. [@Zoey White] Reyes face brightened up a little at Nian's enthusiasm, his smile twisting in to a half-grin. It wasn't long before that faded along with the more serious tone of her voice. A look instead appearing that hinted he may have regretted his attempt at a joke. Once Nian seemed to perk up again, this look left his face and his friendly expression returned [color=8dc73f]"That's music to my ears."[/color] He replied lightly at Nian's claim of excellence. A patch, in the same spot where Nian had her signature red cross, was sewn on his fatigues. The design featured a double-side long-sword with wings coming out from both sides [color=8dc73f]"Not quite, I'm a ranger actually. Once I get in close, there's no stopping me!"[/color] He let out a loose, soft chuckle. [@Evil Snowman] Donovan laughed at her gracious offer[color=a36209] "Don't start sweet talking me already." [/color]He replied teasingly before the conversation moved on to the other guy in his picture. A small smile broke out on his face as he held the photo up to the inside of the locker and pinned it with a magnet "[color=a36209]My older brother and best mate in the whole world. I suppose I have him to thank for getting me here. This picture was actually taken when I just special forces training."[/color] He turned to look at you [color=a36209]"Before you ask, He hasn't kicked the bucket just yet. After he got wounded in Afghanistan, he got sent home and should be working on the family farm right now."[/color] His eyes looked over the cap you currently held [color=a36209]"He always said 'Soldiers got two families: The one they are born with, and the ones they fight alongside.'. Not much a poet I know."[/color] He grinned. [@Evil Snowman][@Zoey White] A banner began to flash on the monitor, flashing red, that said 'Red Dragons, prepare for combat and report to the hangar immediately' . This was quickly followed by an overhead voice of a indiscriminate Asian female, a distortion in her otherwise lovely tone [color=f7976a]"Attention Red Dragons. A UFO was observed moments ago dropping off troops and abduction pods in Sydney, Australia. Retreive your weapons and equipment and proceed to the Hangar as soon as possible. Further briefing will be given on the flight there."[/color] The voice cut off and Lt. Ji-Hwan looked at his squad [color=8dc73f]"Any more unpacking can wait. Equip your armor and head straight for the Armory. I'll be waiting at the Sky-ranger for you all."[/color] A small bow of his head and he exited the barracks in the direction of the armory. [@HachiRoku] The small amount of alochol was downed by the newly minted squad, the glasses placed back onto the coffee table. It seemed to be more part of a ritual than any form of actual drinking, perhaps the squad leader's way of honoring their first meeting as a team. Introductions however did not last very long [color=f7941d]"I hope we have a long service together as we-"[/color] Zhu Yun was in the middle of saying when the screen on the monitor changed in a instant. One thing was very clear from its display: they were no longer on standby. A voice filled space of the barracks, seeming to come from every direction [color=82ca9d]"Black cobras you are to ready up and proceed to the Skyranger waiting on the hangar immediately for your first mission. There is no time to waste."[/color] The electronic distortion of its voice was enough to deduce this was the base's A.I., simply named 'Kami', and its tone leaned neither towards male or female. The relaxed expression on the squad leader's face faded as he quickly stood up "I'm going to kill the aliens if its only to share a stiff drink once in awhile. Alright Cobras, put your armor on and head straight for the armory." He lamented as he did the same, taking out his armor [color=8493ca]"You ever kill an alien?"[/color] Ichihara asked dead-serious as she slipped the torso piece on, simply looking forward into the metal depths of the locker. [@AdmrlStalfos19] The roar of the Skyranger's engines continued to increase until at last you could feel extra weight being pressed down on your shoulders as it began its vertical take-off. A patch on the side of the solider's shoulder-pad indicated he was a sergeant, at least within XCOM [color=f26522]"Anytime someone comes in contact with the aliens, we find out one way or the other. I only know the basics of your background, Miss Lawson, but I can assure you that XCOM command knows [i]everything[/i]. They are very thorough with their recruitment process."[/color] He replied in a professional manner. The weight that was on your shoulders shifted to your waist as the Skyranger launched forward [color=00a99d]"...I lost him to cancer three years ago. The last thing he told me was 'If you ever get lost in the dark, find even the smallest light and chase it. Do that, and the world will never seem bleak.'"[/color] The man from before spoke again to the female recruit sitting next to him. Despite the heaviness of the subject, he didn't drop his smile. "[color=00a99d]I don't think I'll ever be able chase it so fearlessly like he did, but I've done my best so far."[/color] A red warning light suddenly turned on inside the craft [color=00aeef]"Two UFO signatures on approach vector!"[/color] The voice of the pilot came over the speaker. The craft shook heavily as something slammed into the side, the lights flickering off and on [color=00aeef]"Dammit!"[/color] A loud curse following the hit. A different voice came over the speaker [color=0072bc]"Viper-1, fox two. Take it you bastards."[/color] It was presumably the voice of their fighter escort. A large explosion shook the entire craft, the sound wave piercing though the insulated walls [color=0072bc]"Enemy down. Moving to-"[/color] He was in the process of saying when [color=0072bc]"Shit! How the hell did it-"[/color] A second, different sounding explosion erupted outside the Skyranger followed by static. Worry began to show in a few of the recruits faces, perhaps wondering if there service in XCOM was going to end right here and now [color=f26522]"Stay calm everyone! Everything is goin-"[/color] The Skyranger violently rocked as a explosion erupted very close, sounding like its engine, and suddenly felt as though it was losing altitude as a immense heat could be felt coming from the cockpit. It took only a few moments before the Skyranger fell out of the sky and crashed into rice field in western China. As if by a miracle, the craft leveled out preventing a nose-dive into the marshy ground. Just as quickly as it had started, they had stopped moving. Miraculously, no one in the craft's hold seemed to be mortally injured. [@thedman] Kathryn smiled and laughed along with you as she pulled a few pieces of videogame memorabilia out of her bag and decorated the inside of her locker with it [color=f26522]"I hear that, hopefully the aliens will oblige us for just today."[/color] While clearly sarcastic, the joke took a different turn when the Monitor no longer displayed 'On-Standby' for the Iron Talons. Instead 'Prepare for Depoylment' in red replaced those words, the screen changing to display their squad name at the top. Underneath laid information about the deployment zone and supporting squads [color=f26522]"So much for that..." [/color]She said, feeling like she had just jinxed them. A voice followed quickly after the monitor changed [color=silver]"Iron Talons. A UFO was detected off the shore of Florida. Intel suggests it has attacked a cruise liner heading for Europe. Gear up and head directly to the landing pad, additional briefing will be given en-route"[/color] The voice you remembered from the orientation. The base A.I. appropriately called Liberty. Bradley pulled open his locker, and began putting on his combat armor "Well you heard the lady, get suited up and head on to the armory for your weapon and equipment." He simply said. Patrick shook his head with a disbelieving smile [color=0054a6]"No rest for the wicked.."[/color] He said audibly but soft like a whisper. Soon the entire squad was suiting up in their armor, Joe's armor was had more plating than the others whereas Patrick's seemed to be a stripped down version of it. Kahele had just finished putting his torso piece on when he look around to everyone [color=fff200]"We watch each other's backs we'll come back in no time. Then we get to see how well they stocked the base's bar, eh?"[/color] A wicked smile came on his face at the last sentence. While it was against the rules to be intoxicated, that mainly referred to getting drunk like a freshmen party girl. [@McSamsonite] Cyril nodded [color=662d91]"Seems like a perfect match then."[/color] He stopped his questioning right there, not deciding to pry any further [color=662d91]"My role in the squad is Assault. Suites me just fine getting up an close with those freaks."[/color] A sliver of anger slipped into the last word. The last of Cyril's possessions were put in the locker, it seemed he didn't bring a whole lot with him [color=662d91]"Let's bring the hurt down on them, yeah?"[/color] Soon after you answered him, the monitor was no longer showing the list of all active XCOM squads. It shift to a large information panel about the Hell Hounds specifically, including the new status: Prepare to Deploy highlighted in red. Major Holzer was quick to see this and wasted no time [color=00aeef]"It looks like its time for battle! Get your armor on and we'll head straight for the armory! Let's move!"[/color] She hounded before moving towards her locker. The A.I. voice washed over the room [color=fdc68a]"Hell Hounds. You are to-"[/color] It had began to say before Holzer yelled out [color=00aeef]"Late again Arthur. We're already moving."[/color] while pulling the torso piece over her right shoulder [color=fdc68a]"A pleasure as always, Maj. Holzer."[/color] With that it was gone. [@Ciphra] Mauss simply stood still as you replied, staring at you directly in the eyes. Once you gave your answer, she appeared to contemplate for a few moments not breaking her gaze [color=a187be]"I'm impressed with your answer, Duponte. I see too many recruits come in thinking that we'll be able to make them invincible against the alien threat."[/color] Her voice did not shift from the tough, neutral tone it currently had. His answer made her question however what it was exactly he had seen of the alien. [color=a187be]"That is all I needed to hear. Make yourself at home, who knows how long..."[/color] She began to pace a little around the barracks couch when she saw the monitor change, from the yellow indicator that meant 'On-Standby' to the red one that alerted them that they were about to be deployed. She turned her head back to Cole [color=a187be]"Looks like I'll get to see you in action sooner than I thought."[/color] From all around the inside of the barracks came a voice [color=fdc68a]"It appears as though not all of the Grim Crows are present. Cpt. Helene Mauss, assemble your team and prepare for take-off."[/color] The male voice was brisk and proper, though one could get a touch of rudeness from it [color=a187be]"I'm aware, Arthur."[/color] A slight of irritation was in her response. [color=a187be]"Your locker is over there. Get your armor on and follow me to the armory. The rest of the team will catch us on the Skyranger.[/color]" Mauss walked over to her own locker and began suiting up, the armor of the crows however was not the same tan as the newer squad. The black color was a testament to the veterancy of the squad, one that Cole too would be donning.