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Topic: X-COM Monday Nights Campaign (Read 4469 times) |
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Jenniza
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In some ways, Jane felt like this was standard scouting; but, in many ways the actual combat itself was something she was ill prepared for. She was used to being perched up in high look-out points looking for trouble at relatively stationary sites or clearing out possible ambush points on a route by travelling along rooftops while a caravan of limosuines might travel below or even far behind. This travelling in close-quarters wasn't her specialty; but, she had some training in it. She was also trained more in air and land vehicles, including mounts, rather than foot traffic. This was going to be a tough assignment for her.
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vanya mia
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Hmmm... good old US of A and their cheery pep talks. Leaning against the wall Catalina's gaze wandered over each in turn. The Russian had an expression like thunder, the sort only a slavic could produce. The woman doing the cheerleader bit looked like she'd be handing round apple pie any minute. The balding guy seemed to be unsure as to whether to be pleased with himself or be sick, and quite possibly could choose both. And the medical types didn't seem much better. Still, credit where credit was due.
"It was a good move, fella, don't sell it short." She said, giving Buzz a lantern smile. "But I'm with you, we very nearly had our backsides handed to us on a plate. I'm not sure I believe the whole alien bit, but the fact is we acted like a bunch of amateurs." Catalina pushed herself away from the wall. "Which admittedly some of us may be, but I think we probably can't afford for that to continue."
"A first step might be for us to learn what each of us can do, define some roles, and stick to them as far as possible. And a second might be to be properly prepared." She brushed at the filthy suit, and turned her eyes to the nearest soldier. "On which topic, is there anywhere I can slip into something more comfortable?"
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 21, 2008, 5:01PM » |
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chiz
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on Apr 21, 2008, 5:00 PM, vanya mia wrote:"It was a good move, fella, don't sell it short." She said, giving Buzz a lantern smile. "But I'm with you, we very nearly had our backsides handed to us on a plate. I'm not sure I believe the whole alien bit, but the fact is we acted like a bunch of amateurs." Catalina pushed herself away from the wall. "Which admittedly some of us may be, but I think we probably can't afford for that to continue."
"A first step might be for us to learn what each of us can do, define some roles, and stick to them as far as possible. And a second might be to be properly prepared." She brushed at the filthy suit, and turned her eyes to the nearest soldier. "On which topic, is there anywhere I can slip into something more comfortable?" |
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Jim followed up. "We've never worked together before, so our expectations probably shouldn't have been that high our first outing. But Catalina here is right about us fighting like a bunch of amateurs. I'm a doc, not a military guy, but even I know a few things about tactics."
"Here's a couple of points. We should try to provide maximum firepower on our targets without providing an easy area-effect target for the enemy. We need to keep maximum firepower on target with minimum exposure. We have to stay close enough to be able to coordinate and concentrate our weapons on a single target. We need to be able to recognize enemy movement, and be able to counter it. That means no rushing into rooms where there are multiple enemies ready for us. Instead, draw them out to us, where we can hit them one at a time."
"Fire and movement works on the basis of two or three of us suppressing the enemy with an appropriate level of fire, while at the same time, another two or three of us advance. In the US armed forces, this is called overwatch. An ideal overwatch position provides cover for the unit, and unobstructed lines of fire. It may be on a height of ground or at the top of a ridge, or in an enclosed space someplace with cover but good lines of sight."
"Let's also remember the basic drill if we come under fire:
In the US services, the basic drill is:
* Double tap
* Run two or three steps
* Drop to the ground or into cover
* Crawl a few yards (or move under concealment/cover)
* Observe
* Shoot (identified targets of opportunity within effective range)
* Move
* Observe
* Shoot
* Repeat until issued orders
Everybody in the US services learns this, you guys get this too?"
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 21, 2008, 9:03PM » |
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Smart Alec
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'Good in combat'? As a compliment, it fell drastically short of the mark. Had he not been buried in brooding thoughts of the training area disaster - a humiliation he hoped his superiors never heard about - he would have scoffed. But the embarrassment of almost blowing himself up - jostled by others as they careered back down the corridor, heedless - that was enough to chew on as it was. Embarrassing, and painful.
There had been resentment, too. Towards him, as if he had been at fault somehow. That they needed 'better tactics', as if that was some sort of magic key that would make everything suddenly work. Combat was not like that, he knew, not some puzzle to be solved. Against 4 opponents covering a corridor, there was only one tactic - suppress, move fast, shoot straight. But hesitation and uncertainty had frozen them. Some had been left out in the open, unsupported. Others had hung in the doorway, afraid or unsure - or had frozen up when the enemy fire got thicker. Weapon accuracy had been variable. Their opponents had been almost untouched by the suppression fire, free to march up and take them apart.
Only at the end had they managed to show any form of competence, laying down enough fire to prevent the big artificial monster from tossing the explosive balls - and even that had been let down as they walked into a trap not thirty seconds later.
Six spetsnaz could have walked through that training course blindfold, he knew. But these people in this vehicle with him... were simply not soldiers.
He listened to the doctor - the doctor, of all people - give everyone in the van a fire drill lesson, and curbed the urge to snipe.
"Yes," he rumbled. "I get it."
Mother of god, he thought, what kind of bizarre paramilitary agency needed these... civilians?
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 21, 2008, 9:18PM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane saw some of the reactions on the others faces to what she said and knew she accomplished one of two goals... one was to get them to start interacting amongst each other more and thinking over the exercise... the other lessso, she hoped to cheer them up even for an instant; but, she saw it backfired; but, in that came a realization that they really had gotten their butts handed to them like a bunch of disorganized amateurs... out of it might come a unity and desire to get better.
Jane replied to the others, "Maybe we ought to all hit the computer libraries in our spare time and do a little research on any manuals we can find and incorporate them along with them with the training they are going to be teaching us on war tactics. We are going to be needing all the basics we can get as well as all the specialized traing they can offer. We can then share what we've learned. We also have a plethora of real world expereince that we each bring with us from our professions and training."
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Jenniza
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ooc guys, i got distracted with a phone call during game .... while my character was doing shopping.... i ended up buying a lot of grenades and forgot to get armor.... may i trade grenades or something with any of you in case i don't have enough to get decent armor? i think i might still have some coins left, i don't know. LB yanked me out of the shop before i was done in the shop
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Lazybones
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I'll let you exchange with Musa's store prior to the start of the mission, Jenniza.
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Lazybones
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Ken Yushi's words come over the intercom as you strap yourselves into the Skyranger. "Okay, coordinates place us in Zion National Park, in southwestern Utah. That's only about 200 miles from our base, so we'll be there in... about 20 minutes."
As the engines of the transport fire up, you each hear a ping on your communicators, indicating a high priority e-mail message.
FROM: Kimberly Wagner, X-COM Research Chief
TO: Alpha Team
RE: Research and Manufacturing Priorities
Team members: per our briefing earlier today, you will be asked periodically to provide input on X-COM mission priorities. Director Garret has expressed confidence that your particular skills will help us to maximize our limited resources in these areas.
I shared two of our current research projects at the briefing, and Chief Engineer Thelon has asked that I apprise you of a third option that she believes can yield long-term dividends.
For research, here are our current open projects:
- Laser Weapons: Preliminary reports indicate that current-generation weaponry may be of limited utility against the "Sectoid" menace. We believe that we can develop man-portable weaponry from current advanced laser technology under development at DARPA, the European Scientific Colloquium, and the Advanced Technology Labs at MIT. The development of weapons will take time, but our research team indicates that this work is a necessary prerequisite toward the development of higher-order weaponry.
- Motion Sensor Technology: Doctor Sandesh has already developed a proof-of-concept prototype, based on a motion-detection technology used by the British S.A.S. Dr. Sandesh has suggested that this technology, once perfected, may yield useful battlefield application.
- Heavy Weapons Platform: Chief Engineer Thelon has submitted a brief for the development of a HWP based on the U.S. Army's TALON remote platform used in the Iraq War. Our plans involve the development of this technology into a semi-autonomous, compact armored weapons platform, capable of accompanying X-COM operatives into combat situations. The advantages of such a technology should be obvious. Engineer Thelon's brief includes two possible models, one mounting a 20mm semi-automatic, armor piercing cannon, the other a 40mm grenade launcher.
Naturally we will continue to pursue all of these projects as practical, but it is necessary to select priorities for this organization.
Another message regarding manufacturing priorities will be sent shortly. I understand that you are about to commence a field operation, but get back to me when you can with your input. |
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 22, 2008, 11:45PM » |
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Lazybones
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The next e-mail comes as the Skyranger is just beginning to come down into a high-velocity turn, somewhere near the Nevada-Utah border.
FROM: Kimberly Wagner, X-COM Research Chief
TO: Alpha Team
RE: Research and Manufacturing Priorities (continued)
Here are our manufacturing projects, as submitted by Grace Thelon, X-COM Chief Engineer.
- Base Capacity: As you know from your initial tour, the X-COM facility is still under construction. We are continuing to develop the site, and have three areas where we can expand our capacity. These include: a) research capacity; b) manufacturing capacity; c) medical capacity. Improvements in these areas will expand our ability to respond to future developments.
- Base Defense: As stated in the mission briefing, we have not fully analyzed the capabilities of the "Sectoid" foe. However, it is clear from the destruction of the Chinese base that they possess an ability to strike with decisive force. While we intend to research defensive technologies in the future, we currently have the ability to install a Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) based on the PAC-3 missile. Implementing this system will involve considerable expense and effort, but it may be worth it for the peace of mind such a system can offer.
Your feedback on these priorities is welcome. More options will be provided as new developments are submitted by our Research Department. |
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 22, 2008, 11:44PM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane read through the emails carefully, then spoke, "We need to weigh ou the strengths and weaknesses of why these three weapon systems were proposed: Earth's superpowers sent out their best militaries against the Sectoids and got their butts handed to them. Conventional ammunition may not cut through their defenses possibly, hence, they are considering lasers instead of bullets, missiles and grenades. Speed may be another issue... they may simply be too fast for our targeting systems and visual cortexes to process, hence the proposal for motion tracking systems. The third option is sheer numbers: having an extra buddy along that you can send in place of you that can withstand more punishment or fight alongside you is a nice plus... keep in mind, if you go down, it's semi-autonomous... it'll stop functioning too in all likelihood. All three options are needed eventually, the question is a matter of priority: we need to help them decide which to begin working on first. Perhaps this interview with the ranger will shed some light on our answer to this decision rather than making it blindly like just saying, 'Oh, let's pick lasers. It worked in most science fiction movies.'"
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 23, 2008, 12:25AM » |
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vanya mia
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"If they're too fast for our visual cortex to sense them, then we're screwed," Catalina remarked looking up from her own examination of the emails, "If that's the case motion sensors are going to be a waste of time, as surely they will be gone before we see the readout. Mind you, it could be that they have some camouflage technology, in which case the things would be useful. However," she grinned a little, "Since aliens were mentioned I've been unable to get that scene with one of the things blipping out of my head, so maybe that's clouding my judgment?"
She tapped her fingertips against her lips looking thoughtful. "A little puppy to follow us around might be nice, but what if they've tried those proposed weapons before and they haven't been effective?" She shook her head. "Plus how good is it going to be over uneven terrain, or up and down stairs? It would waste time having to look for a disabled ramp. Unless they're saying it's going to be a little robot it could be slow."
"No, all things considered I think I'm keen on the lasers. Aliens or not, the one thing they really seemed to be certain of was the potential ineffectiveness of current weaponry against this threat. Besides," the amused look again, "it works in most science fiction movies."
The dark head dipped to look down at the second email once more. "As for the base, I like the idea of extra research facilities if that is going to get us all of the contents of the first email more quickly, but a flattened base can't research much. So maybe the defense system?"
Catalina lifted her head and glanced at Jane. "Either way, I think delaying any decision until after this mission is foolish, when the time we spend here could be time they spend in research. Personally I think we should make a decision before we land. If we learn anything during the mission, then I don't see why the information couldn't mean the research or work is suspended and resources diverted to a new aim."
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 24, 2008, 11:26PM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane looked at Catalina and nodded, "Good, I was hoping someone would say just that. Decisions can always be changed up to a point. Indecision is time wasted. Let's make a decision before we land then and have them get started. Anyone else with additional ideas about weapon systems or do we have enough to go on to decide?
Also, Catalina brings up extremely valid points about the base capabilities... our mission objectives might get a bit fuzzy since we are a bit new to this and we might stir up a hornet's nest so to speak. We don't want what happened to the Chinese military base when they were wiped out to happen to us, simply because we blunder into some aliens and piss them off and they track us down and try to blow up our base.
Base priorities should include defenses near the top of the list. Since our mission objectives are in order:
- investigate & gather data
- research & analyze
- intercept & destroy
I think Catalina might agree research and/or medical should come first, with manufacturing either in tandum or last.
These decisions need to be made sooner rather than later. So we should act quickly before we land, in case we run into trouble and can't contact them for awhile."
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 24, 2008, 11:55PM » |
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Smart Alec
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The big russian, after scratching his head and painstakingly frowning over the message, finally pipes up. "Seem to me that to make things, we need ideas first. So, we make more space for idea men. Yes?"
He tucks the X-Phone back into the pockets of his fatigues. "And, speaking as soldier, having bigger gun very rarely is work wasted." Vasily pauses, and leans back in the contoured seat, looking a little more thoughtful. "This 21st century, it about time Human race have lasers."
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 25, 2008, 1:35PM » |
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Jenniza
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Jane began typing up a possible proposal for the group and was ready to share it with the others. She looked around for additonal feedback before sharing to get their approval to make any changes and send.
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Jenniza
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Jane showed the proposed emails to the others.
--------------------------
FROM: Jane Swift and the rest of Alpha Team
TO: Kimberly Wagner, X-COM Research Chief
RE: Research and Manufacturing Priorities
While enroute, we read over your emails and discussed them as a team. We understand the concerns for the different weapon systems:
- Laser weapons might cut through better than coventional physical projectiles.
- Motion Sensor Technology might help us keep up better with their fast speed.
- Heavy Weapons Platform might provide us extra combatants at our side or into areas that we'd prefer not to go first.
As per your briefing's evidence, please advise Chief Engineer Thelon our views of the research priorities as follows:
- 1) Laser Weapons: It is time that the 21st century herald in the dawn of laser technology as portable gun systems on Earth to face this new threat.
- 2) Motion sensor technology - useful, but not as useful as lasers... if the Sectoids are too fast for the human eyes to perceive, machinces might not be of much help. We're not sure.
- 3) Heavy weapons platform - It has problems, like following complicated orders for doing certain tasks that a human would understand or going certain places and distances unassisted. If the human operator goes down, the unit goes down as well.
As new threats arise, and new information comes in, we could always change these priorities should the need arise; but, for now, we think this should be the priorities.
Next message will follow shortly.
-------------------------------------------
FROM: Jane Swift and the rest of Alpha Team
TO: Kimberly Wagner, X-COM Research Chief
RE: Research and Manufacturing Priorities (continued)
Again, we understand your concerns for the manufacturing projects:
- Base Defense: The various incursions across the planet that have already occurred are not something that we want to happen to our base in the event we stir up trouble with the Sectoids. This should be our top priority, since we are all new at this game and may be stumbling into them on a moment's notice and this may lead to them tracking us all back to our base.
- Base Capability:
Base capability should be based on our mission objectives first and foremost:
- Investigate & Gather Data
- Research & Analyze
- Intercept & Destroy
These yield the natural idea that we should set our manufacturing priorities to be:
- 1) Medical Capacity: Learn what makes them tick, so to speak.
- 2) Research Capacity: Find ways to counteract them and defeat them.
- 3) Manufacturing Capacity: Build the items needed to defeat them.
Thank you again for making us a part of the team. We'll be landing soon and conducting our investigation.
-------------------
Jane asked, "I'd like your opinions on these emails before we send them in. are there any changes we should make? It's important that we are all in relative agreement on these as these will effect the next few months. Yes, we can change these, of course; but, in the event we don't, it's nice that we agree from the start what these priorities should be and why." Jane looked to the others for their valued advice.
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 27, 2008, 5:21AM » |
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vanya mia
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Casting her eye over the first email Catalina shrugged. "I may not agree on the reasons why but not with the priority. Lasers, motion sensors and the weapons platform is fine by me as an order."
The second email made her frown. "Your email does something of an about face from the way you were talking. I didn't say anything to contradict you before as the big guy here," Catalina nodded at Vasily, "backed you up over research being the priority. My department puts a lot of store in research, but I thought as soldiers your priority would be protecting a base. Hence my earlier suggestion."
She shrugged again. "Given that you didn't seem to be worried about defense before I thought extending base capacity would be the priority, with research first, then medical and then manufacturing. Assuming they have the manufacturing capacity to build the lasers already of course, as if not then manufacturing should come first. Improving base defense could be slotted in as it becomes more of a priority perhaps. That appeared to be what you were suggesting before and is what I would suggest now."
"Of course all of that is based on my own experience and needs. Does anyone have any other ideas?" She grinned mischievously, "I'm generally quite easily persuaded."
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| « Last Edit: on: Apr 27, 2008, 5:28PM » |
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Lazybones
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ooc
A good discussion. I will try to give you options like this after each mission, so that you can have these discussions on the forum in the intervening week. However, you do not have to come to a final decision prior to the start of play. I would wait until everyone has had a chance to weigh in before hitting "Send"; it may be a good idea to establish a plan, and then verify it with the others in the first few minutes of play (we can start in the Skyranger a few minutes away from the landing site if necessary, to allow for a brief discussion of the topic).
All of the research/manufacturing decisions will have an effect on how the campaign develops, and which items are available going forward. I will notify you if the base lacks capacity to manufacture anything that you can research (at the moment, you can build anything you "know"; added capacity just allows you to build more units, faster).
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chiz
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Jim nodded his head in agreement. "I would also select laser weapons as being critical. Anything we can do to improve our range, so we can hit them before they hit us. As to the base, I'm biased in favor of medical research, but of course wouldn't disagree that base defense is important as well."
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As I told LB, my schedule changed recently (contract ended), so I'm pretty free for now. I'll see how the schedule looks with the new job (when I get it) to determine if I'll be able to stick around or not. Until then, expect to see my smiling face. 