Post by Firestorm on May 7, 2016 22:26:37 GMT
Operation Crypt Breaker Season 3 Episode 19 (Blacksite)
*Resistance Comm Transmission*
- Designation: Firestorm -
- Secure Network Access: Confirmed -
Since I've been assisting with the avenger command deck the last few days I thought I'd let you know about this as a priority. Xcom have known about a blacksite for months now. Apparently it's the end of the rail network for the East African zone and so secretive there's not even mention in advents own files. I had the good fortune to be on the command deck with Central officer Bradford and the commander himself as they directed ground ops. My official capacity was to monitor advent communication spikes that could signal enemy reinforcements on route. However this allowed me to view so much information on the op... from soldiers personal battle cams to data on the facility and more. Essentially I got as good a view of what was going on as the rest of the room and it's been a unique experience. As you might expect for a facility the aliens keep hidden even from advent there's no record this time. Instead you'll get my relatively long summary of events!
According to Central the soldiers sent on this mission were the best of the best with multiple missions under their belts. Firebrand dropped them almost on top of the facility near a main vehicle access point. It appears advent forces patrolling the site were pretty confident of its secrecy as they pretty much had their guard down! As the main squad advanced taking high ground on an outlying building another squad was dropped off. This secondary squad moved to previously scouted outbuildings to the south of the facility targeting one of the main power and communication relays. This second groups task was to install a data tap to get us live feeds from advent security and allow us to monitor hostile comm chatter. The sniper on this mission seems to have a massive fixation with graffiti and the commander repeatedly had to tell her to put the spray paints down. I found the banter reassuringly humorous and the lady in question retorted she'd paint the walls with advent blood instead. It's nice to see this kind of camaraderie and banter in a group and it reminded me in no small part of home in Wales.
The squad initially laid low on the rooftops to observe advent patrol patterns. One group comprised two sectoids with an odd purple slash of colour across their chests. Another nearby was viper led troopers and I have to say... having not met a viper in the field before that they look rather disconcerting. It hammers home that we're fighting aliens when you see a giant frickin snake with a plasma rifle. As enemy patrols split up the commander gave the order to engage, the sniper who central informed me was named 'Nikki Gagneux' opened fire living up to her promise earlier. I saw on her combat cam as the magnetically propelled slug blew one of the sectoids head into literal fragments. The remaining sectoid took burats from two mag rifles and a mag shotgun and was essentially shredded. I've not seen such a gory ambush site for quite some time.... it was simultaneously unnerving and awe inspiring. The squad didn't have as much time for procrastination as I had sat safely on the avengers command deck however. Attracted by the gunfire a muton and accompanying trooper arrived on scene signaling the start of a firefight that would rage on and off for near another hour. In a combination of grenade shots and co-ordinated fire the squad took down the muton and appeared to severely wound his companion. However the terrifying scream of chryssalids echoed through the comm unit as two of the monstrosities rushed to assist. Of all the aliens you know I hate these the most. My blood ran cold just looking at the battle cam seeing them there. Chitinous... monstrous. Bloodthirsty.
The lone advent trooper returned fire on the squads rooftop position wounding 'Michael Yamazaki' who remained exceptionally steady under enemy fire. So much so in fact that his return fire outright slew a chryssalid and then a follow up pistol shot killed the trooper. Central informed me earlier with somewhat a smirk that the commander insisted the man wear armour hand crafted to look like Predator from the movies.... and he seems really enthusiastic about it. Not sure how Yamazaki feels but hey given what the commanders said to be capable of a little oddity is acceptable. Combined fire from the rest of the squad slew the remaining chryssalid heralding a break in combat. Almost simultaneously I got confirmation the second squad had installed the data tap and was holding position. With the physical link we managed to compromise advents internal communications for a brief yet critical window. This left their forces unaware of our positions and hunting aimlessly rather than mounting a concentrated counter attack. I confirmed previous engaged enemies hadn't had time to report our positions which was just as well. Moments later the previously spotted viper patrol gained the rooftop with our squad. Fortunately everyone was on point and blasted the exposed reptile to shreds with concentrated fire. After a swift and to my eye flawless reposition the remaining advent soldier perished in similar fashion. I don't know what training they do here on the avenger but this squad in particular moved with a fluidity and grace that I've not seen in some time. It was almost as if they could read each others minds and knew exactly where to go and what to do.
Entering a lul in combat the commander ordered the squad to rapidly rappel down the buildings face. Leaving 'Gagneux' up top for covering sniper fire the squad cautiously advanced on stationary rail carriages. As the squad gained sight of the main facility contact was made with a hostile, officer led, advent group to the right. Opening fire initial shots were mostly evaded and unfortunately a group of two sectoids and a viper advanced from the left. Whether this was a deliberate enemy pincer move or coincidence is unclear but I know I'd have struggled to keep my cool down there. The commander issued a flurry of orders, 'Hjerpe' the groups specialist scattering for better cover before launching a wrist mounted rocket into advent positions. The resulting blast blew dust and debris high into the already smoke filled sky. I've noticed Xcom like to hit hard and fast and while initial subtlety is employed when things go loud... they go loud. Half the compound behind them was aflame and the two unfortunate soldiers caught in the rocket blast were rapidly dispatched by Xcom fire. The squads heavy 'Szuszik' laid down supressing fire on the advent sniper whose return fire proved inefficient. Meanwhile the viper covered the sectoids advance, one managing to psi-attack Hjerpe inducing a state of panic that sent her scrambling for better cover. The squads return fire managed to slay the viper before it could affect the battle as 'Hawk' the teams ranger, whose combat prowess allegedly the commander can't stop talking about, ran across the combat zone. Repositioning on the advent snipers flank the poor sod didn't stand a chance taking shotgun shots point blank. Unfortunately for her however an advent turret was directly above her and activated on approach. I noticed the data spike as it activated and mapped the signal so in future command can tell when remote systems activate if we have an uplink. Unfortunately at around the same time the facilities distress beacon was activated triggering an automatic alert to an outlying outpost. While we managed to heavily supress the initial comm signal it appears advent had a backup system we're not aware of. Somehow they managed to get the distress call out which prompted our forces to be more hasty and aggressive as they prepared to breach the main compound. Whilst I was monitoring the readings the sound of rapid turret fire and Hawk's pained cries echoed through my headpiece as the turret shredded her armour leaving her heavily wounded but thankfully alive. The commanders quick thinking likely saved her life as the specialist directed the robotic drone they call 'gremlins' to deliver first aid remotely. This patched up her wounds temporarily and with an enraged scream the woman charged past one sectoid, drawing her sword as she decapitated the other one. Frankly I've not seen anything like it before.... poor fucks don't even wear armour! The other sectoid received a sniper shot followed by a burst of mag rifle fire and went down. The commander ordered the squad to advance and enter the building via the left, avoiding the fixed turret on the right hand side, as I monitored and tracked the progress of incoming hostile drop ships.
As the main squad grouped on the left door ready to breach Gagneux managed to down the turret with precision sniper shots. Interestingly the turrets destruction also triggered the already active facility alert. As the squad repositioned and Gagneux finally left her sniper perch to advance the squad surveyed the area. Combat cams showed a heavy concentration of supply pods clustered around a central rail deposit. A train stopped there indicates this is indeed what advent are moving around and the contents were unknown. The commander sent Gagneux topside of the facility via grappling hook where she encountered two advent mechs and two troopers. Fortunately her appearance spooked these forces which scattered off the rooftop for cover. Repositioning up top she managed to get a bead on one of the troopers below, dispatching him with a swift pistol shot. Simultaneously down below Yamakazi inflicted heavy damage on the mech and slew the other trooper in a spray of gunfire. Szuszik managed to fling an acid grenade onto both mechs, shredding their armour as corrosive fluid burnt through both hostiles and the facility walls. A combination of shotgun fire and the corrosive acid proved decisive ending the threat from the mechs and disabling the units. I'd not realised how tense I was just from watching until the last mech went down. After the brief engagement the squad took to the roof, viewing the facility below through a large skylight. What they saw and what I witnessed through them will stay with me for the rest of my life. Row upon row of storage pods being lowered into vats of green liquid, glowing with some kind of chemical treatment. The glow revealed the contents. Humans. Skeletons, partially decomposed bodies, whole bodies, some that almost looked alive, suspended in a sickly green ooze their forms floating within. The mood on the bridge changed instantly and the revelation all but eradicated our achievements fighting to that point. Where did all these people come from? Were they abducted? Is this where all those missing people went? Just the sight made me feel nauseous. Down there were peoples brothers, fathers, sisters, mothers.... encased in cold alien storage devices, afloat in sickening green ooze and being used for what? Experiments? Shen chimed in suggesting it appeared to be a processing facility. A minute or so must have passed as everything sank in. I was torn from my thoughts as the perimeter squad reported hostile drop ships on rapid approach signaling that they were falling back. Meanwhile a trio of chryssalids entered the main chamber and were fired upon from above. However the speed of the monsters movement caused most fire to miss them as they immediately gained the rooftops. Fortunately they were met by a HE grenade courtesy of Yamakazi which sent them tumbling below to their deaths, shredded by the explosion and buried in rubble from the collapsing roof as they fell two stories.
The secondary squad had in this time moved to the facilities rear laying down a secure area for an extraction zone. Sending up a flare to 'Firebrand which swooped in to the LZ as the second, recon team moved away from the facility to set up an observation post. This team I was informed would monitor advent response to the sites damage for two days before hiking to a rendeavous point with local resistance cells. As the main squad located the LZ the commander sent Hawk down into the facility to extract a prominent sample of material from within. Located on a pedestal and seemingly key to the facilities production it was deemed mission critical to extract with the sample. However just as the sample was obtained and extraction seemed uncontested the drop ships arrived on scene. Buzzing past firebrand the advent craft performed a rapid fly by, dropping off a fully armed mech squad. Fortunately these forces weren't quick enough to prevent the squads rapid advance to the LZ as they boarded Firebrand and extracted. Parting fire caused minor damage to Firebrand and Hawk and Yamakazi were injured in the mission. However by all accounts it was an overwhelming success and I was extremely impressed and honoured to be a small part of it. As Firebrand confirmed successful exfiltration the command room erupted into jubilant cheers. The sense of relief was palpable. But we all saw what was down there. As Central said this was a place no human was meant to see. Not alive at any rate. I'll have to remember to visit the wounded pair in the infirmary and pay my respects. Hawk's apparently British as well so maybe she'll appreciate seeing a fellow Brit. I'm honestly hoping they keep me up here on tactical duty now to be frank. Anyway this transmission is long enough! It's July 3rd right now and the avengers on route to finish establishing contact with European cells as I type this for the mainframe. I assume we'll be in touch directly, securely and much more frequently once they manage to get you on the network. Oh and also... Tygan the chief scientist seems pretty keen to get any scientists on board. So if you know anyone promising see if they're interested? Personally I can't wait to see the man decrypt the advent datafiles they keep recovering. There's a huge back log in the system but the only common factor is the word 'Avatar' and fuck knows what that means. As I finish typing this an avenger wide alert went out over comms.... apparently advent has put a UFO in the sky to hunt for us. I've been informed I'll not be being dropped off at Madagascar as they can't afford the diversion whilst being pursued. Guess that means I'm redeployed! But fuck my life.... this is because I commented on how surprising it was they got away with flying around! Why did I mention air superiority... I jinxed it.
- Upload to ResComm Complete -
*Resistance Comm Transmission*
- Designation: Firestorm -
- Secure Network Access: Confirmed -
Since I've been assisting with the avenger command deck the last few days I thought I'd let you know about this as a priority. Xcom have known about a blacksite for months now. Apparently it's the end of the rail network for the East African zone and so secretive there's not even mention in advents own files. I had the good fortune to be on the command deck with Central officer Bradford and the commander himself as they directed ground ops. My official capacity was to monitor advent communication spikes that could signal enemy reinforcements on route. However this allowed me to view so much information on the op... from soldiers personal battle cams to data on the facility and more. Essentially I got as good a view of what was going on as the rest of the room and it's been a unique experience. As you might expect for a facility the aliens keep hidden even from advent there's no record this time. Instead you'll get my relatively long summary of events!
According to Central the soldiers sent on this mission were the best of the best with multiple missions under their belts. Firebrand dropped them almost on top of the facility near a main vehicle access point. It appears advent forces patrolling the site were pretty confident of its secrecy as they pretty much had their guard down! As the main squad advanced taking high ground on an outlying building another squad was dropped off. This secondary squad moved to previously scouted outbuildings to the south of the facility targeting one of the main power and communication relays. This second groups task was to install a data tap to get us live feeds from advent security and allow us to monitor hostile comm chatter. The sniper on this mission seems to have a massive fixation with graffiti and the commander repeatedly had to tell her to put the spray paints down. I found the banter reassuringly humorous and the lady in question retorted she'd paint the walls with advent blood instead. It's nice to see this kind of camaraderie and banter in a group and it reminded me in no small part of home in Wales.
The squad initially laid low on the rooftops to observe advent patrol patterns. One group comprised two sectoids with an odd purple slash of colour across their chests. Another nearby was viper led troopers and I have to say... having not met a viper in the field before that they look rather disconcerting. It hammers home that we're fighting aliens when you see a giant frickin snake with a plasma rifle. As enemy patrols split up the commander gave the order to engage, the sniper who central informed me was named 'Nikki Gagneux' opened fire living up to her promise earlier. I saw on her combat cam as the magnetically propelled slug blew one of the sectoids head into literal fragments. The remaining sectoid took burats from two mag rifles and a mag shotgun and was essentially shredded. I've not seen such a gory ambush site for quite some time.... it was simultaneously unnerving and awe inspiring. The squad didn't have as much time for procrastination as I had sat safely on the avengers command deck however. Attracted by the gunfire a muton and accompanying trooper arrived on scene signaling the start of a firefight that would rage on and off for near another hour. In a combination of grenade shots and co-ordinated fire the squad took down the muton and appeared to severely wound his companion. However the terrifying scream of chryssalids echoed through the comm unit as two of the monstrosities rushed to assist. Of all the aliens you know I hate these the most. My blood ran cold just looking at the battle cam seeing them there. Chitinous... monstrous. Bloodthirsty.
The lone advent trooper returned fire on the squads rooftop position wounding 'Michael Yamazaki' who remained exceptionally steady under enemy fire. So much so in fact that his return fire outright slew a chryssalid and then a follow up pistol shot killed the trooper. Central informed me earlier with somewhat a smirk that the commander insisted the man wear armour hand crafted to look like Predator from the movies.... and he seems really enthusiastic about it. Not sure how Yamazaki feels but hey given what the commanders said to be capable of a little oddity is acceptable. Combined fire from the rest of the squad slew the remaining chryssalid heralding a break in combat. Almost simultaneously I got confirmation the second squad had installed the data tap and was holding position. With the physical link we managed to compromise advents internal communications for a brief yet critical window. This left their forces unaware of our positions and hunting aimlessly rather than mounting a concentrated counter attack. I confirmed previous engaged enemies hadn't had time to report our positions which was just as well. Moments later the previously spotted viper patrol gained the rooftop with our squad. Fortunately everyone was on point and blasted the exposed reptile to shreds with concentrated fire. After a swift and to my eye flawless reposition the remaining advent soldier perished in similar fashion. I don't know what training they do here on the avenger but this squad in particular moved with a fluidity and grace that I've not seen in some time. It was almost as if they could read each others minds and knew exactly where to go and what to do.
Entering a lul in combat the commander ordered the squad to rapidly rappel down the buildings face. Leaving 'Gagneux' up top for covering sniper fire the squad cautiously advanced on stationary rail carriages. As the squad gained sight of the main facility contact was made with a hostile, officer led, advent group to the right. Opening fire initial shots were mostly evaded and unfortunately a group of two sectoids and a viper advanced from the left. Whether this was a deliberate enemy pincer move or coincidence is unclear but I know I'd have struggled to keep my cool down there. The commander issued a flurry of orders, 'Hjerpe' the groups specialist scattering for better cover before launching a wrist mounted rocket into advent positions. The resulting blast blew dust and debris high into the already smoke filled sky. I've noticed Xcom like to hit hard and fast and while initial subtlety is employed when things go loud... they go loud. Half the compound behind them was aflame and the two unfortunate soldiers caught in the rocket blast were rapidly dispatched by Xcom fire. The squads heavy 'Szuszik' laid down supressing fire on the advent sniper whose return fire proved inefficient. Meanwhile the viper covered the sectoids advance, one managing to psi-attack Hjerpe inducing a state of panic that sent her scrambling for better cover. The squads return fire managed to slay the viper before it could affect the battle as 'Hawk' the teams ranger, whose combat prowess allegedly the commander can't stop talking about, ran across the combat zone. Repositioning on the advent snipers flank the poor sod didn't stand a chance taking shotgun shots point blank. Unfortunately for her however an advent turret was directly above her and activated on approach. I noticed the data spike as it activated and mapped the signal so in future command can tell when remote systems activate if we have an uplink. Unfortunately at around the same time the facilities distress beacon was activated triggering an automatic alert to an outlying outpost. While we managed to heavily supress the initial comm signal it appears advent had a backup system we're not aware of. Somehow they managed to get the distress call out which prompted our forces to be more hasty and aggressive as they prepared to breach the main compound. Whilst I was monitoring the readings the sound of rapid turret fire and Hawk's pained cries echoed through my headpiece as the turret shredded her armour leaving her heavily wounded but thankfully alive. The commanders quick thinking likely saved her life as the specialist directed the robotic drone they call 'gremlins' to deliver first aid remotely. This patched up her wounds temporarily and with an enraged scream the woman charged past one sectoid, drawing her sword as she decapitated the other one. Frankly I've not seen anything like it before.... poor fucks don't even wear armour! The other sectoid received a sniper shot followed by a burst of mag rifle fire and went down. The commander ordered the squad to advance and enter the building via the left, avoiding the fixed turret on the right hand side, as I monitored and tracked the progress of incoming hostile drop ships.
As the main squad grouped on the left door ready to breach Gagneux managed to down the turret with precision sniper shots. Interestingly the turrets destruction also triggered the already active facility alert. As the squad repositioned and Gagneux finally left her sniper perch to advance the squad surveyed the area. Combat cams showed a heavy concentration of supply pods clustered around a central rail deposit. A train stopped there indicates this is indeed what advent are moving around and the contents were unknown. The commander sent Gagneux topside of the facility via grappling hook where she encountered two advent mechs and two troopers. Fortunately her appearance spooked these forces which scattered off the rooftop for cover. Repositioning up top she managed to get a bead on one of the troopers below, dispatching him with a swift pistol shot. Simultaneously down below Yamakazi inflicted heavy damage on the mech and slew the other trooper in a spray of gunfire. Szuszik managed to fling an acid grenade onto both mechs, shredding their armour as corrosive fluid burnt through both hostiles and the facility walls. A combination of shotgun fire and the corrosive acid proved decisive ending the threat from the mechs and disabling the units. I'd not realised how tense I was just from watching until the last mech went down. After the brief engagement the squad took to the roof, viewing the facility below through a large skylight. What they saw and what I witnessed through them will stay with me for the rest of my life. Row upon row of storage pods being lowered into vats of green liquid, glowing with some kind of chemical treatment. The glow revealed the contents. Humans. Skeletons, partially decomposed bodies, whole bodies, some that almost looked alive, suspended in a sickly green ooze their forms floating within. The mood on the bridge changed instantly and the revelation all but eradicated our achievements fighting to that point. Where did all these people come from? Were they abducted? Is this where all those missing people went? Just the sight made me feel nauseous. Down there were peoples brothers, fathers, sisters, mothers.... encased in cold alien storage devices, afloat in sickening green ooze and being used for what? Experiments? Shen chimed in suggesting it appeared to be a processing facility. A minute or so must have passed as everything sank in. I was torn from my thoughts as the perimeter squad reported hostile drop ships on rapid approach signaling that they were falling back. Meanwhile a trio of chryssalids entered the main chamber and were fired upon from above. However the speed of the monsters movement caused most fire to miss them as they immediately gained the rooftops. Fortunately they were met by a HE grenade courtesy of Yamakazi which sent them tumbling below to their deaths, shredded by the explosion and buried in rubble from the collapsing roof as they fell two stories.
The secondary squad had in this time moved to the facilities rear laying down a secure area for an extraction zone. Sending up a flare to 'Firebrand which swooped in to the LZ as the second, recon team moved away from the facility to set up an observation post. This team I was informed would monitor advent response to the sites damage for two days before hiking to a rendeavous point with local resistance cells. As the main squad located the LZ the commander sent Hawk down into the facility to extract a prominent sample of material from within. Located on a pedestal and seemingly key to the facilities production it was deemed mission critical to extract with the sample. However just as the sample was obtained and extraction seemed uncontested the drop ships arrived on scene. Buzzing past firebrand the advent craft performed a rapid fly by, dropping off a fully armed mech squad. Fortunately these forces weren't quick enough to prevent the squads rapid advance to the LZ as they boarded Firebrand and extracted. Parting fire caused minor damage to Firebrand and Hawk and Yamakazi were injured in the mission. However by all accounts it was an overwhelming success and I was extremely impressed and honoured to be a small part of it. As Firebrand confirmed successful exfiltration the command room erupted into jubilant cheers. The sense of relief was palpable. But we all saw what was down there. As Central said this was a place no human was meant to see. Not alive at any rate. I'll have to remember to visit the wounded pair in the infirmary and pay my respects. Hawk's apparently British as well so maybe she'll appreciate seeing a fellow Brit. I'm honestly hoping they keep me up here on tactical duty now to be frank. Anyway this transmission is long enough! It's July 3rd right now and the avengers on route to finish establishing contact with European cells as I type this for the mainframe. I assume we'll be in touch directly, securely and much more frequently once they manage to get you on the network. Oh and also... Tygan the chief scientist seems pretty keen to get any scientists on board. So if you know anyone promising see if they're interested? Personally I can't wait to see the man decrypt the advent datafiles they keep recovering. There's a huge back log in the system but the only common factor is the word 'Avatar' and fuck knows what that means. As I finish typing this an avenger wide alert went out over comms.... apparently advent has put a UFO in the sky to hunt for us. I've been informed I'll not be being dropped off at Madagascar as they can't afford the diversion whilst being pursued. Guess that means I'm redeployed! But fuck my life.... this is because I commented on how surprising it was they got away with flying around! Why did I mention air superiority... I jinxed it.
- Upload to ResComm Complete -