Update 4: Needs More Lasers
17th JanuaryResearch into laser pistols is complete. As soon as our current run of Medi-kits is complete, we'll begin a test run of these new weapons. In the meantime, I've ordered a long-overdue autopsy on those aliens we killed.
In related news, loading all of the appropriate gear onto the Skyranger proved somewhat challenging. Apparently my crack squad of obvious lunatics likes to bring along more explosives than can comfortably fit on a cargo plane.
Shortly thereafter, our new living quarters are constructed, and I order two more scientists to round out our research crew. Two days later, the alien containment facilities are completed, though I doubt we'll get the chance to use them.
A day after, on the 20th, our engineers complete the Medi-Kits. Experimental production of laser pistols commences.
21st JanuaryAutopsy and analysis of the alien corpses we recovered is complete.
Apparently we're dealing with an engineered race. Disturbed, I make the difficult decision to look into alien alloys rather than laser rifles. I'd like to see what their craft are made of, and we haven't even seen the pistols in action yet.
Speaking of which...
I feel it may be useful to examine all of the armaments available to X-COM together. Notably, these pistols are now supposedly the most powerful and least accurate weapons in our arsenal outside explosives or heavy cannons.
They also prove surprisingly easy to produce, and soon all of our pistols and most of our rifles are swapped for these new weapons. Stone Cold remains the only soldier using a rifle over a laser pistol or heavy weapon.
Jan 27thUFO spotted in Spain, already on the ground. We should be able to hit it during the daytime. Assuming we can avoid blowing it up entirely, with at least half our squad armed with too many explosives, it should be a relatively quick and easy mission.
I probably shouldn't damn my own troops before a mission by saying stuff like that.
Complications. About halfway to the site, a much larger UFO is spotted over the north pole. I doubt we'll be able to jump straight from the smaller one to the wreck of the larger one.
Fortunately, it's going too fast for our interceptors to catch anyway. I dispatch them anyway, but sure enough it slips away, apparently heading towards Russia or China. I doubt they'll be pleased with that.
At 12:50, the Skyranger arrives.
Right out the bat, we get a Sectoid with its back turned to us visible from onboard the Skyranger.
This is too good to be true, but Maxclone fires off a shot anyway. It goes wide, and he drops off the ramp to the northwest to get out of the way.
Miranda tries out our new laser pistols by unloading indiscriminately at it. I can't speak to its power, but it certainly seems inaccurate but easy to use.
Delicately applied precision firepower once again saves the day.
The ominous sound of doors opening and closing confirms that there are more of the little bastards in some of the myriad buildings around. Hoping to avoid a repeat of the last mission, I order a careful sweep of several.
Maxclone's northwest drop immediately revealed the UFO to him, so several people covered that direction while Xenio, Urist, Maxclone, and Kilroy advanced up the series of shacks leading up to it. Careful sweeping by Xenio revealed the tiny structures to be clear.
Commander GlyphGryph and Commissar Bane, meanwhile, scouted out the area the former Sectoid had been inhabiting. After confirming no hostiles in the immediate area, they made plans to traverse the wheat field to outflank the UFO.
O'Malley began scouring the building directly southeast, with Miranda following behind. Sir Kahn and Bob Bunny began making their way west, giving a cursory glance to ensure nothing was wrong.
The notice of an open door on the structure directly northeast of the UFO, and adjacent to the wheat field the first Sectoid was slain in, all but confirmed its status as hostile. Kilroy began making his way between the shacks to provide his unique services in clearing it.
Commander GlyphGryph, meanwhile, spearheaded the efforts to traverse the field, noticing an alien immediately. He fired at it, missing and causing it to return fire. Unfortunately for it, its shot destroyed the section of hedge Commissar Bane was hiding behind, giving him an easier path to a clear shot. It died in fiery pain soon after.
With the rest of the area seemingly clear, several team members began moving into position to breach the UFO itself. McCannonFodder led the charge, finding the interior to be the classic empty exterior space with two doors leading in. He and Xenio took the north door, while Maxclone and Sir Kahn took the west.
On a rumor, Miranda attempted to put out Commissar Bane's apparently growing fire with a smoke grenade, which succeeded admirably. A second was necessary to take out the patch she missed and save us the trouble of having to explain how many crops and homes we burnt down in our efforts to save everyone.
McCannonFodder breached the second door as well, quickly taking down a visible Sectoid without visible damage to any of the sensitive equipment waiting nearby. Xenio then explored further in, firing carefully, then madly, then casually at another Sectoid that exited from the central room of the ship, all without hitting it. Maxclone and Sir Kahn burst in, and Maxclone quickly finished the job.
Mission accomplished. Casualties: Zero.
Urist McCannonFodder has slain a Sectoid! Urist McCannonFodder has become a Captain!
Miranda Galena has slain a Secoid! Miranda Galena has become a Sergeant!
Commissar Bane has slain a Sectoid!
Maxclone I has slain a Sectoid!
Xenio Nebugolon has become a Sergeant!