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Topic: X-COM Monday Nights Campaign (Read 4486 times) |
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Jenniza
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Last On: 07/18/11
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OOC I say do it! both IC and OOC
too tired to write an IC post at the moment, sorry, this will have to suffice.
not to particular to how to divy up the manufacturing points for the week. I trust SA will do a good job.
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 24, 2008, 1:53PM » |
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Smart Alec
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The talk in the common-room is grim.
"... think maybe she right, US got plenty to worry about," Vasily comments. "France over Atlantic, China over Pacific if Dr. Ok speak it right. That two nuclear powers, two big members of UN Security Council."
He huffs, irritated. "I guess aliens taking great care over choosing allies in this one. It all feel... strategic."
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Jenniza
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Now that Jane had thought things over carefully, she agrees with Vasily, "Vasily is right on target here. Two nuclear powers is enough of a threat without us looking for a witchhunt. It proved disastrous with the internment camps in World War II and the Communist Tribunals of the McCarthy Era. We need to focus on what allies we have remaining, not who we can further alienate next. We do whatever is necessary to survive this mess. I intend on keeping my appointment with Dr. Beauvais." She was genuinely sincere in this sentiment.
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vanya mia
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"Divide and conquer, classic tactics. France capitulating is going to throw the whole of Europe into disarray. Trying to absorb refugees alone is going to strain the EU." Catalina nodded slowly at Vasily's comment. "Then there's the strike capability, China is a threat but the French have a large submarine based arsenal, some 200 missiles. " According to my research, I think a French ICBM launched from, say, the coast of Brest could happily reach Washington DC."
She shook her head. "The same sources estimate China only has about 20 ICBMs capable of targetting the US. The Chinese have been a threat for a while but France? I can't imagine the US ever considering them a true threat, but that's a factor of ten increase. This new front has to be making a few backsides twitchy." Catalina looked at the door. "If Drake is anything to go by the US already has plans."
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 24, 2008, 10:23PM » |
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Jenniza
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OOC sorry, I was inspired  this wasn't meant to end the conversation in the Recreation Area. It was meant to take place later...
IC:
Later...
Scene: Dr. Beauvais’s Office
Jane knocked on Dr. Beauvais’s door and Dr. Beauvais seemed surprised, but answered, “Please come in.”
As they sat down, Jane asked, “How are you, Dr. Beauvais?”
The counselor replied, “A bit shook up actually, I suppose the counselor needs a counselor,” as she smiled uneasily, “Frankly, you’re one of the last people I expected to see; but, thank you for coming to see me. Your trust means a lot to me. How are you handling this whole ordeal?”
Jane looked at the counselor, “It does. I’ve been very shook up as well; we have that in common, I suppose. The adrenaline rush of the French betrayal is slowly fading and the realization that we can’t let a repeat of another witch-hunt, World War II internment camps or Communist Hunt circa McCarthy Era take place… we need all the allies we can get. People are individuals and judged based on their actions. Many French people are choosing not to side with their government. I know this decision pains you greatly and I sympathize with you. I’m sorry for thinking you could have done any differently. I was wrong and I apologize for suggesting differently to Alpha Team on the Skyranger when we first heard the news. Letting them know I am keeping my appointment with you is but a mere fraction of how truly sorry I am for what you must be going through right now because of this and everything you must be enduring.”
The counselor smiled at the reassurance, “Thank you, Jane. As I said, I was surprised you even showed up to be honest. I’m sure whatever you said was said out of anger and misunderstanding of the situation. What’s important to me still is that you all regain your trust in me and that we can rebuild our working relationships and get back to work. We have a job to do after all,” she smiled at that, “Now, how are you doing, considering the last mission? I was finally given authorization again to read your mission report. Let’s begin from there.”
Jane took a deep breath, “It was quite a shocker being betrayed like that… at so many different levels we kept discovering we were betrayed… it just kept getting worse and worse. Finally, shock turned to a quick dose of panic, then anger, then settled at calm tactical shoot’em up. It was almost a tad fun, if it wasn’t life or death. I was kicking their butts after awhile. It was time to leave though, so we left as I wasn’t foolish. I regret saying fun though in retrospect… they were fellow human beings, regardless of this being a wartime-like scenario. Am I turning into sociopath or something? What kind of monster has this war turned me into? Granted, at one level I was clearing a path for my team to cross; but at another level, I was simply picking them off simply because I could. Yes, there’s a level of regret for taking human life and all that; but, given the situation again, I’m sure the same adrenaline rush would be there along with the high from knocking out the bad guys whoever is shooting at us at the time… human or alien alike. In my defense, I did try the Stunning Rod against one of the attackers; but, his armor protected him from its effects.”
The counselor considered Jane’s words carefully, “The fact that while you have time to reflect on your actions, you can say such things says a lot about your state of mind. Also, the fact that during combat you had the presence of mind to attempt to use the Stunning Rod suggests that you would have preferred other options, if it were possible. Although I’m concerned about the over-excitement you’re experiencing during combat… if you can try to maintain more self-control and realization of what you’re doing has real impact and not getting lost in the heat of battle; I think you’ll do much better in the long run. You keep me posted if any of this changes though. I want to know if this gets more intense, okay? Promise?”
Jane nodded, “I promise. I don’t want to turn into a homicidal maniac,” she seemed more worried than making a joke about the subject.
The counselor reassured her, “I promise not to let you go off the deep end either. Same time next week?”
Jane nodded and smiled, seeming reassured with the counselor’s words.
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 25, 2008, 3:53AM » |
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Smart Alec
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"Eh, people with rank usually can count," Vasily dismissively says to the suggestion that the US will ignore France. "Witchhunt may be bad, but this talk of 'clones'...? All we got is hope that aliens don't want to totally destroy planet."
He pauses.
"Better hope Pentagon feels same way too."
Another lengthy pause, some nervous laughter.
"So, ah... this 'reactor' idea? Probably pay for itself in time? They keep sending big UFOs at us, we fill stores back up."
The Russian rubs his chin. "All count on Dr. Ok, though." He looks at the Brit woman. "You talk to him. A bit. You see his stuff. What your opinion on this guy?"
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vanya mia
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Face creased a little in a thoughtful frown, Catalina's eyes look up for a moment then focus back on the Russian. "He's a patriot, you know how it goes? One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. One man's dictator is another's political saviour. It's more the direction that you look at someone from than the person themselves in some cases. He may have betrayed a trust, but he did it for a cause and for altruistic reasons." Catalina shook her head a little. "I don't know the man intimately, but I'd say no one could fail to see that Africa would be vulnerable here. If the French have made a treaty, how long before some power hungry African politian finds it a way to rule the continent? He's an intelligent man, he has to see that defeating the aliens takes priority now, and he'll be useful. So for me, I say let him out and use him."
"Besides, the reactor is just the first. You talk about strategy, but as far as I see there are two things we need to do." Catalina she held up the fore-finger on her left hand. "We need to know that if it all goes pearshaped, and someone starts throwing missiles, that we can keep on fighting. For that we need self-sufficiency and the reactor is a big part of that." She held up a second finger. "Our best chance of stopping a world war is to get the little bastards before it happens, and take the fight to them. Defense and sufficiency first, we need the reactor and the laser system badly, but after that we talk to the captive engineer and we get a ship that can take us to them."
Catalina looked at the two fingers and with a hard grin gestured. "Remember Agincourt, you sodding frog eaters. We still have our fingers!"
((OOC - Apologies for the frog reference, but well she's British and she'd be mad!))
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Jenniza
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Despite the tension that was running high, Vasily and Catalina's basic points were on target. Jane realized that and acknowledged that much.
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Lazybones
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Work begins on the new reactor. Grace sends an e-mail reminder that she can use your help on the construction (skill rolls are welcome, as completing the job in just one week will require a very nice dice roll otherwise).
You also get an e-mail from a surprising source:
FROM: Special Agent Inise Drake
TO: Alpha Team Members
RE: Traitors
I know that we haven't always seen eye to eye in the past.
But the fact remains, that we cannot afford to be gentle with those that would betray humanity by their actions, whatever the motivation.
I understand that Grace has asked for the release of Doctor Steven Okwelume to help in her reactor project. While I appreciate the need for the reactor, and support the project, I do not think that her request is logical. I have repeatedly asked for Dr. Okwelume to be transferred to an American facility where he can be properly interrogated. He has information that may be of vital use in the War For Humanity and we must access that information to save lives. Garret is a good leader but naive; he balks at making the tough choices. With your support, I believe that he will accept the necessity of this step.
We're fighting for survival, here. I know that each of you understand this, better than most. |
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vanya mia
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"What?" An exclaimation followed by a profanity in some meditaranian language burst from Catalina. "Guantanamo Bay all over again? Not a chance. No way will I see him handed over to the US for interogation. I'll bet he'd end up in the nice little research laboratory where they are conducting that behind the scenes research for the Department of Homeland Security." She read on. "Nor do I like that War for Humanity comment. Does anybody else have a twitchy feeling about this?"
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 25, 2008, 3:41PM » |
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Jenniza
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ooc skill roll: craft mech +12
Jane sends an email that she'll be joining the reactor team, if we can get it started. Also, if it'll help matters, we should keep 24/7 guards on Dr. Ok while he's working and have people triple check his work to be sure he's not doing anything to sabotage the reactor. If that will suffice Agent Drake for now, perhaps we can transfer him later when this project is done. We need him to complete this project in a week's time.
Jane rolls her eyes after sending the email.
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Smart Alec
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Rather than incredulity, Vasily takes Drake's email stone-faced. His eyes linger on his xPhone, narrowed and thoughtful. It's not until Catalina's comment on the War for Humanity and Jane's rolling of the eyes that he pipes up.
"It is not a war for humanity?" he asks. "Then what is it?"
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Jenniza
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Jane replies, "It is a war for humanity. Agent Drake can have her pound of flesh AFTER the reactor is built. Catalina is right about this base needing an improved reactor for the reasons she listed. Dr. Ok will get us that reactor sooner. Drake will have to wait on the Intel from Dr. Ok. We've set Research Priorities before, this is just yet another."
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 25, 2008, 4:01PM » |
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vanya mia
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"It's the capitalisation, the proper noun, that has me worried what's going on in their little heads." Catalina replied. "I agree we are fighting a war on behalf of humanity, but it's the tone you get from that. The US dropping themselves as at the forefront of a world need is enough to make me nervous. Remember the War on Communism?"
Catalina turned her eyes on Jane. "What do you mean 'transfer him later when this project is done' and 'Drake can have her pound of flesh'? We are going to use him and then send him to his doom? To be honest as a none US citizen here I have a great deal of sympathy for his point of view. I consider it misguided but I empathise none the less. He is not a traitor by doing what he did, he sold to humans not to the aliens. Guard him yes and check his work, it's only sensible, but I'd rather not see him subjected to US justice in this matter."
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Jenniza
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Jane laughed at this idea, "You'll love or hate this idea, Catalina. You want to prove your theory of 'for the good of humanity'? Work with Joan Beauvais and interview Dr. Okwelume this week during his breaks and get as much Intel as Agent Drake wants from him as you can. Prove to everyone that we can be a fully self-sustained agency without needing to be babied all the time."
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Smart Alec
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The big Russian's brow beetles at the mention of the Red Scare, but he seems to brush it aside for the nonce. "Propaganda is weapon like any other," he asserts, "and French playing 'peace' card left U.S. with little ammo."
He folds arms. "Cannot afford to alienate U.S. either, not over one man. Only thing is, he going to work with us if he know he getting hauled off afterward?"
Vasily purses his lips, and his jaw hardens. "Only one way to find out." And with that, he begins walking towards the East Wing, motioning the others to follow him.
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 25, 2008, 4:48PM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane pages Dr. Beauvais to join them over the X-Phone and follows Vasily.
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| « Last Edit: on: Jul 25, 2008, 4:58PM » |
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vanya mia
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"Alright, I'd sooner attempt this than throw him to the dogs. I just want it clear that he doesn't vanish into the ether afterwards." As Catalina followed them she heard a ping on her xPhone as an email arrived. Glancing at it she pursed her lips then frowned a little. "Better make it quick, too."
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As soon as my family life is stable and I can commit to a regular game schedule I will give LB a PM.