//------------------------------// // Intermission: 20 Years Ago - Pt. 1 // Story: XCOM: Ranger // by Wanderer D //------------------------------// Ranger Intermission: 20 Years Ago - Pt. 1 By Wanderer D Far beneath a mountain in a certain National Park, Chrysalis stared at the holographic display of Earth as it slowly rotated in place, casting bluish light on the rocky roof of the large cavern-turned-Mission Control. Her fingers drummed on the bars overlooking the device, and she gritted her teeth in frustration. This was her world. The world she had sworn to protect the moment she had been given command of XCOM… The world that wanted her to fail. "Commander," Bradford spoke up, walking up behind her. "We have an incoming transmission from the Council." "What for?" Chrysalis snarled. "They already ordered us to stand down." She motioned at the map, where a large, red holographic display of the gigantic alien ship the troops had dubbed 'The Temple Ship' marred the calm, blue surface of the planet. "All it took was one ship. One. And no matter our track record so far, they choose to surrender!" "Now, commander, they only—" She smashed her fist down on the top of a console. "Imbeciles! Don't they see what they have done to us already? The abductions? The experiments? They expect us to just stand down and bow our heads? We discovered Psionics, Bradford! We took down a battleship!" "I know, commander," Bradford said. "The troops and I agree with you, but I still think you should talk to the Councilman." "Again," Chrysalis shook her head, sliding down against the wall. "What for? It's a waste of time." "Chrysi," Sunset Shimmer said, walking into Mission Control and smiling at her friend. "Listen to the man, what's the worst that could happen?" She extended a hand, motioning for Chrysalis to take it. Chrysalis snorted, but rolled her eyes and took the offered hand to stand up. "Come on," she said to Sunset, motioning towards the exit. "Bradford, get Shen and Vahlen, he might as well talk to all senior staff." "Yes, Commander!" Bradford said, saluting and giving Sunset a thankful nod before heading out. Chrysalis sighed but followed Sunset out of Mission Control, and into the comforting, anthill-like structure of XCOM HQ. She had always felt comfortable here, underground and with the tunnels, where the only people she needed to talk to answered to her first. 'Well, most of them,' she thought, glancing at Sunset, who smiled at her as if she knew what she was thinking. "Don't worry, I'm not reading your mind." "Then how did you know what I was thinking?" Sunset laughed, wrapping an arm around Chrysalis' shoulders. Even with the recent news of the world governments agreeing to a ceasefire to parlay with the invaders, Sunset's attitude of being absolutely and definitely irreverent towards rank, or at least Chrysalis' rank specifically, hadn't changed. "Because we've been friends since we were kids? And you have the most adorable suspicious look out of anyone I have ever met." Chrysalis made a mental note of the name of the Engineer that had snickered as he walked past them. He would suffer. Oh yes. He would suffer. "Can you believe what they did?" Chrysalis finally asked. Sunset grimaced, letting her go and simply walking next to her. "I can. I don't want to, but I definitely can. Politicians only want two things: money, and to not risk anything. If the aliens cut a good deal… I can see that happening." "That they could be so easily intimidated, they're the worst type of cowards, Sunset." Sunset shrugged. "They still haven't made up their minds yet." They reached the end of the hallway and stopped by a door. "Then we need to make sure their minds focus on kicking the aliens out of here rather than becoming their slaves." Chrysalis entered the code into the panel, and the Situation Room opened up for them. "They only know what they've read in reports, they don't really understand the depth of the Elder's intentions," Sunset said, sitting down on one of the available chairs. She paused. "Our… friend is distressed, he says that the Temple Ship contains a tremendously strong Ethereal, easily his superior in strength." Chrysalis gave her a look. "Is he… here?" Sunset tapped the side of her head. "Watching, and listening. Fading away..." Chrysalis shuddered. "I can't even begin to imagine what it's like sharing your mind like that." Sunset was about to reply, but closed her mouth, turning her face slightly to the door. "The others are here." Sure enough, the door opened and Raymon Shen, Moira Vahlen and Bradford all stepped in. "Commander. Colonel," Vahlen said politely, sitting across from Sunset and nodding at both. "I heard the news," Shen said, shaking his head and sitting next to her. "I can't believe they would even consider this." Vahlen snorted. "That is your problem, Raymond, for all your genius, you can't fathom the depth of human cowardice." "On that, we agree," Chrysalis said, nodding at both scientists. "Bradford, plug them through." The screen fizzled and the shape of the Councilman appeared. As always he was showered in shadows, where his face couldn't be distinguished at all thanks to strategic lighting. "Hello, Commander. As you heard earlier today, the governments of several countries are sending a delegation to meet with the Ethereals in Europe. While the rest of the Council was… eager… to embrace our enemies, I remain unconvinced of their motives. "Perhaps this is the end of the XCOM project, but ever since your assignment, you have outperformed and outdone yourself on every front, Commander. It had been an honor to watch you fight the invaders." "An honor you chose to spit upon," Chrysalis remarked, brow darkening. "I understand your frustration, Commander, and I assure you, you are not alone. While… most of the Council has left, a few of us have decided to make… a statement." The mood in the room changed. Vahlen and Shen leaned on the table, looking intently at the screen. Bradford frowned, crossing his arms, and Sunset looked almost eager. "What kind of statement?" Chrysalis asked, a vicious smile slowly spreading through her face. "The type that puts things into perspective, Commander," the Councilman said, pausing for effect. "The Temple Ship is hovering over Earth, ready to destroy anyone the Alien Invaders decide is their enemy. If they are destroyed, it would send a clear message not only to the Aliens themselves, but also to the governments of Earth." "The temple ship is almost impregnable!" Bradford said, unfolding his arms and staring incredulously at the Councilman. "Almost being the keyword here," Chrysalis said. "Commander, with all due respect—" "I will leave the planning to you, Commander," the Councilman interrupted Bradford. "We have limited time, so I trust you'll make the most of it. Good luck, Commander." The screen went black. "I know, Bradford," Chrysalis said, motioning for her Central Officer to sit down at the table. "We have very little chance to do anything right now. But we have to do something." "So," Sunset spoke up. "What are our options?" "Shen? Vahlen? How are our armaments?" Chrysalis asked. The scientists exchanged glances. "We finished a functioning prototype for the Psi Armor," Vahlen spoke up first. "It's still missing some plating, but I'm sure Raymond's engineers can finish it up soon." Shen nodded. "I also managed to create a laser prototype of each style of weapon… I was planning on throwing them into production before the council news had arrived just a few hours ago." "How about the… Blaster Launcher you designed after Operation Slingshot?" Shen shrugged. "It worked in theory… and it's been put together, but never field-tested." Chrysalis hummed. "Commander," Bradford said. "That's barely enough armaments to get a squad ready." "Well, we do have plasma grenades working now," Sunset spoke up, and there's the other prototype armors. "But the problem is how do we get past the first few defenses? I don't like our chances with laser weapons, as superior as they might be to our usual fare." Shen tapped the table with his pen. "Since this is more of a statement… we could arm the Skyranger. It's large enough to handle more than one laser cannon, and we could also install that defense matrix we designed earlier in the month for the Ravens." "As long as the pilot doesn't use any of the weapons until they're there, I foresee no problem with this," Vahlen added. "See to it," Chrysalis said. Shen and Vahlen stood and left, leaving the three officers alone. "Commander…" Bradford said slowly. "You do understand, Commander, that whoever goes there to make this… statement… is never coming back." Chrysalis crossed her arms and looked away. "I'll ask the troops for volunteers." "You won't have to," Sunset spoke up. "I'm volunteering Stardust." "No," Chrysalis said immediately, standing up and slamming her hand down on the table. "You're not going, we'll need you to—to train other Psi-ops." "I'm not the only one," Sunset spoke up, standing up and levelling a look at Chrysalis. "Annette has the power. Geist is almost as powerful as I am… but you need the most powerful Psi-op right now, and that's me. Remember what is waiting up there." "Leave us, Bradford. That's an order." Bradford grimaced, hesitating, even though it was a direct order from his commander. Sunset turned and smiled at him, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "Go on, John… we'll need you ready." Bradford took a deep breath, grasping Sunset's hand on his shoulder briefly before nodding and heading out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, Chrysalis turned on Sunset. "You can't! I know you're the most powerful Psi-op, but you also carry it, or whatever is left of it after so long, inside!" She paced around the room, trying to formulate words. "Sunny, you're my best friend!" She finally said, rounding up on her highest-ranking soldier. "Please, I'm sure—can't you transfer it onto someone else?" "That is why, in part it has to be me," Sunset said. "Not only does it help the troops see that we make sacrifices too… but it can help me fight off the Ethereal's attempts to control not only me, but my squad. Even Geist couldn't do that without two more psi-ops and that's not a guarantee." Chrysalis sat down, burying her face in her hands. "Sunset… Sunny… I can't lose you. We've… lost so many good people fighting these things..." "I know," Sunset said, walking over and embracing her friend in a tight hug. "We can't let that happen again. You are needed… now, and you will be needed in the future… you and Bradford… and others." Chrysalis buried her face in her friends long, red and golden hair. "You know something." "I know something." Chrysalis chuckled, not letting go. "This mission really is suicide, Sunset. And you're taking the best people we have…" "Because we need to make that statement," Sunset insisted. "For those that have fallen, and those that will come. We will meet again, Chrysi, someday, somehow… I might not be exactly the same but…" "You'll always be my Sunset… my friend," Chrysalis whispered. Sunset chuckled, tightening her hug for a few seconds. "Always. Just... remember to give me a chance before you shoot me, next time we meet." "I don't know what that even means," Chrysalis said with a half-laugh, half-sob. "But... okay?" "That'll do." o.0.o End Chapter o.0.o