- Location
- New England
I agree with both of these.
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
The one thing I'd like to see is some attempt to acquire the third party technologies (advanced materials and anti-titan weapons), but I don't think it's critical right now.
Slayer Command: XCOM with Monsters and Mecha
- Thread starter ShieldCrown
- Start date
- Original
I agree with both of these.
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
The one thing I'd like to see is some attempt to acquire the third party technologies (advanced materials and anti-titan weapons), but I don't think it's critical right now.
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
NaanContributor
Provider of delicious flatbread, and nothing else.
- Location
- Hawaii
Also agreed, I especially want to get the advanced materials data and our own research on it done before heavily investing in new Slayer models, since all such projects would probably be better if we had those materials to incorporate into them. I'd have already gone for them one way or another (and the launcher via Intrigue) if some of the other actions weren't more timely, and since the Thief DCs are relatively high I'm kind of hoping that Eye of the Beholder will do something to improve our chances.
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
KnightDisciple
Love God. Do Right. Fear No Man.
- Location
- Midwest, USA
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
- Location
- USA
Well, let's see what we got.
Turn 4 Results
- Location
- USA
[X] Plan Buff Soldiers
-[X] Military total cost: 450
--[X] Recruitment Drive (Cost: 150)
--[X] Full Mechanization (Cost: 300)
-[X] Research total cost: 250
--[X] Mangler Autopsy (Cost: 100)
--[X] Ultra Autopsy: (Cost: 150)
-[X] Industrial total cost: 250
--[X] Biomorphic Augmentation Facility: (Cost: 250)
-[X] Diplomacy total cost: 300
--[X] Propaganda Machine (Cost: 150)
--[X] Performer Persuasion: (Cost: 150)
-[X] Intrigue total cost: 300
--[X] Eye of The Beholder (Cost: 150)
--[X] Incident Investigation, North America (Cost: 150)
-[X] Personal
--[X] Get to know someone: (Cost: 0)
---[X] (Department Head) Doctor Moira Vahlen
-[X] Total cost: 1550/2125
-[X] Military total cost: 450
--[X] Recruitment Drive (Cost: 150)
--[X] Full Mechanization (Cost: 300)
-[X] Research total cost: 250
--[X] Mangler Autopsy (Cost: 100)
--[X] Ultra Autopsy: (Cost: 150)
-[X] Industrial total cost: 250
--[X] Biomorphic Augmentation Facility: (Cost: 250)
-[X] Diplomacy total cost: 300
--[X] Propaganda Machine (Cost: 150)
--[X] Performer Persuasion: (Cost: 150)
-[X] Intrigue total cost: 300
--[X] Eye of The Beholder (Cost: 150)
--[X] Incident Investigation, North America (Cost: 150)
-[X] Personal
--[X] Get to know someone: (Cost: 0)
---[X] (Department Head) Doctor Moira Vahlen
-[X] Total cost: 1550/2125
Military: "If only we had a way to set up a proper kill zone faster, maybe even set up a pre-fab FOB near these Breaches. I know that our head engineer has some kind of idea for pop-our turrets, maybe…" (2 Actions)
[X] Recruitment Drive: "Director, we lost some of manpower recently, and while I don't desire to sound callous, replacing those losses as soon as possible should be something you should consider." (Cost: 150. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 40. Reward: More Infantry Units.)
Roll: 91+10=101, Crit!
You watched as the ten platoons worth of infantry got settled into the barracks, claiming bunks and getting to know each other. "Well, it looks like we have gotten a significant increase in manpower." You said to Adams, who nodded as he looked over the roster of the newly arrived recruits for the organization.
"Two hundred more souls added to our ranks, bringing our infantry forces up to five hundred infantrymen split between twenty five platoons." The commander said. "We effectively have up to two to five companies depending on how we manage them."
"With around forty troops supplementing our base security." You remarked.
"Well, we could reorganize to have a security company until we get the Bluecaps fully trained up and increase base security." Adams said, grimacing as he thought about the state of security in the HQ. The Bluecaps wasn't quite up to his standard yet.
"In any case, I'll be having them do regular simulated battles to give them time to get used to how we do things and the new equipment to keep them sharp. And speaking of new equipment."
Reward: Gain 10 additional Infantry Units
[X] Full Mechanization: "Director, I believe that in order to increase our effectiveness, we will need to make sure our conventional forces are capable of higher mobility. I have a proposal for how this might be done, but… it's expensive." (Cost: 300. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 50. Reward: Obtain an Unit of IFVs for each Unit of Infantry, Recruitment Actions modified.)
Roll: 94
The motor pool was filled with twenty five sets of four IFVs, all of the funding given to the acquisition of highly mobile vehicles in order to supplement your forces being stretched in order to match the quantity of regular infantry while maintaining enough quality to actually do what you needed them for.
"So much money poured into this, hopefully it'll be enough to make a difference in future operations in open battlefields. Like during our battle in Mexico." Commander Adams said, eyes narrowed as mechanics got to work checking each of the IFVs and making sure each was ready for deployment.
"It'll give our infantry better mobility in the fight, while being able to support our tanks." You said, looking over the tablet and seeing how the IFVs are assigned to each Infantry unit. One platoon of twenty troopers split between four IFVs. "Of course, for anything that's more close quarters, I don't think they'll be as useful. But having an autocannon on your side is better than not having it."
"How the vehicles affect our doctrine is more noticeable. With the IFVs, we could have the vehicle provide overwatch while the dismounts build their defensive positions around the IFV instead of building it from scratch. This should minimize what happened in Vietnam from happening again."
"Lastly, we can replace the heavy machine gun squads, with more AT Rocket teams for killing heavily armored Biomorphs like Ultras and Rollers. The IFVs autocannon are capable enough in mowing down the Manglers that we can have the dismounted focus on Biomorphs that the IFVs struggle in dealing with."
"This should help a lot. Good job Adams."
Reward: Infantry Units converted into Mechanized Infantry Units
Research: "Director, given the surplus of Mangler cadavers we have in cold storage, might I suggest we start on research regarding them?" (2 Actions)
[X] Mangler Autopsy: "Director, we have a number of Mangler corpses. I believe it would be an excellent use of time to do a proper dissection and learn what we can from these specimens. We may obtain some insights and inspiration from their physiology." (Cost: 100, 1 Mangler Unit Corpse. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 40. Reward: Mangler Data, Mangler Augmentation, ???)
Roll: 75+10+20=105, Crit!
"Ah, Director! I'm pleased to say that we have made significant progress in our autopsy projects and have made a number of discoveries and innovations." Dr. Vahlen said as she saw you come into the primary laboratory. "I believe we have found a number of applications for the physiology of the Biomorphs that we can apply to the troops."
"Good to hear the investment was worth it." You said while pulling up your tablet and syncing it with the R&D computers to review the data yourself. "Tell me what you got."
"Very well. Starting with the specimen of the 'Mangler' type, I've found that their physiology favors limb strength and reaction speeds, allowing them to move faster and react in high speed combat." Vahlen said as she pulled up some renders showing the musculature and nervous system, with parts of both highlighted in a bright green. "These Manglers effectively live in a world that moves slower than they do. They're body is almost designed for extreme speed, agility, and a savage take down of other life forms." Vahlen then pulled up a model of a human body, parts of the limbs and the spinal column marked in the same green highlight. "Using the knowledge I've managed to gain from this study, I have devised a bio-augmentation that would give a measure of this power and speed to our own troops, letting them react and move faster and hit harder than they previously were able."
"Not bad, could probably make fighting with Metahumans or Biomorphs in CQC be something more than a pipe dream." You remarked, pausing when you noticed Vahlen giving you a raised eyebrow. "Hey, my Slayers are giant robots fighting giant monsters, that's completely different!"
"Of course, you're absolutely right, Director." Vahlen said in a way that even I know that she is being sarcastic. "I did see some additional potential in using their more obviously exotic features, but finding a way to safely integrate that into a human body has been… difficult. I'll give a report once I've determined how to get around it."
"I'm sure the troops will appreciate your concerns." You said.
"Speaking of concerns, I've found something odd." Vahlen said, pulling up more data regarding her findings. "While I fully expected these Biomorphs to be highly refined in terms of their evolutionary biology, I've found hints of something strange when comparing the Mangler with the Ultra Biomorph against each other…"
Reward: Mangler Data, Mangler "Skirmisher" Bio-Augmentation Gained, 1/3rd of a puzzle. Mangler "Retractable Claws" Bio-Augmentation Research Unlocked
[X] Ultra Autopsy: "An apex life form, these Ultras are quite a fearsome specimen that can be quite dangerous. Of course, we can still potentially make use of the secrets of these creatures for our own goals, Director." (Cost: 150, 1 Ultra Unit Corpses. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 50. Reward: Ultra Data, Ultra Augmentation, ???)
Roll: 96+10+20=126, Crit!
"What is it?" You asked Vahlen as she pulled up the data on the Ultras next. The big and armored creatures looked like they were meant to just walk through a barricade while soaking damage from everything that wasn't rated as Anti-Tank or armor piercing.
"While there are several noticeable differences between Manglers and Ultras, I have discovered that both species of Biomorph share a number of traits on the genetic level, too many in fact." Vahlen said. "It's almost as though what we're seeing may not be necessarily multiple species of hostile extradimensional organisms, but perhaps something more sinister. I'll need at least a few more samples before I can be certain though."
"Okay, what about in terms of the bio-augmentation?" You asked, to which Vahlen moved a bit to the side as she looked over what appeared to be some kind of vest?
"While I am considering less invasive methods of using the biological armor of the Ultras, I have made something that will harden both the flesh and bones of our troops in order to better handle kinetic impacts and physical trauma. While it doesn't make their skin or bones invincible, it would allow them to withstand tremendous amounts of forces. It may be the difference between instant death and a critical yet survivable injury." Vahlen said. "Combined with the augmentation from the Mangler, this could make our soldiers capable of superhuman levels of combat. Hpwever, utilizing too many bio-augmentations at once may have side effects I've yet to realize so until we have a better understanding, I caution that we limit ourselves to one Augment per human."
"Every little bit helps, Dr. Vahlen." You said, before thinking. "You know, we can talk more about your other ideas if you'd like later, I should have some time this month."
"Ah, I see it's my turn then." Vahlen said. "Well, let me know when you wish to talk, it's nice to discuss things once in a while."
Reward: Ultra Data Gained, Ultra "Stalwart" Bio-Augmentation Gained, 2/3rds of a puzzle, Ultra "Super Growth" Bio-Augmentation Research Unlocked
Industrial: "You know, if we had ways to build our own stuff, we'd probably save a lot more than outsourcing it, not having to worry about it be unavailable or the price getting hiked up…hmmm." (2 Actions, 1 Locked)
[X] House of Asclepius: "You want a full-on hospital built into the HQ? Should be better than the basic infirmary already set up. Sure, I can do that for you, Director!" (Cost: 200. Time: 2 Turns. DC: 50. Reward: Hospital Built, Infantry Units and Slayer Pilots recover faster and can survive worse injuries, Medical Grade Cyberware can be installed here.)
Emily was giving you a tour of the finished hospital complex, moving down the halls. "We've got a fully staffed and supplied facility here, though adding in the equipment needed for installing those cybernetic prosthetics was a bit of a pain and getting these medical personnel educated on how to use it was a time consuming process near the end." She said as she brought you to the room for cyberware surgical treatment.
"But is everyone settling in?" You asked while Emily opened up the room and led you into it, showing off the various stations and surgical table. There was a storage unit with some medical grade cyberware arms, legs, and even prosthetic eyes. Those were probably going to be the biggest advancements you could bring out.
"As well as can be, we don't have any big civilian housing complexes." Emily said, going up to the cyberware storage. "Probably going to be a project later on. Anyway, the different kinds of doctors are all briefed and willing to work together. I'm sure our troops will appreciate better medical care, heck I'm glad I won't need to be flown out if something happens in engineering."
"We could probably install some extra rooms for more advanced cyberware once we get around to further decrypting the data." You said as you started to form plans for the future, but turned as you heard Emily scoff.
"Assuming Vahlen is willing to spend time away from her attempts to play Doctor Frankenstein with our people." Emily said with some hostility. "I'm more surprised you aren't working more on the Slayers. Don't get me wrong, every little thing helps, but what Vahlen plans…it doesn't feel right."
"I understand how you feel, Emily. But like you said, we'll need every advantage we can get." You said, while also somewhat agreeing that you wanted to work on your darlings some more. Sure, they've worked so far, but that was with both a numerical advantage and against a known variant of Titan.
You didn't know how long that was going to last.
Reward: Hospital Built, Infantry Units and Slayer Pilots recover faster and can survive worse injuries, Medical Grade Cyberware can be installed here.
[X] Biomorphic Augmentation Facility: "I'm not sure how to feel about this, but I guess we need every advantage we need against the Biomorphs. Your call, Director." (Cost: 250. Time; 2 Turns. DC: 45. Reward: Biomorphic Augmentation Actions Unlocked, ???)
Roll: 96, Crit.
"I hate how fast this was able to get built." Emily said as she gave you a tour through the newest facility that was constructed with blistering speed, something that pleased Dr. Vahlen and made Emily somewhat grumpy.
The main feature was the various rooms that contained equipment that would allow for the splicing of Biomorph DNA into their biology and giving them the augmentations that Vahlen had discovered. There was also some large tanks that could hold the patients and let them acclimate to the changes while providing the bodies with necessary materials by submerging them in specialized liquid developed by Vahlen in a flash of brilliance.
Reward: Biomorphic Augmentation Actions Unlocked, Potential Research Projects.
Diplomacy: "The Metahuman issue in the US isn't looking good, and if what I read in the reports are true then we may have something to worry about in Europe too." (2 Actions)
[X] Propaganda Machine: "Propaganda is such a… heavy word, Laura. I think morale boosting and advertisement might work better, but the idea is the same. We let people know that we are here, we're here to help, and they can help us help them with a few… donations. I might even help out the good Commander with his recruitment ideas." (Cost: 150. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 60. Reward: Public favor gained, chance of getting funding from public donations each Turn, +10 to Recruitment Drive if taken at the same time.)
Roll: 94
"The World Needs You!"
"Le monde a besoin de vous!"
"Die Welt braucht dich!"
"世界はあなたを必要としています!"
You watched the advertisement campaign, done up in multiple languages for each of the nations that support your organization. It was a simple yet powerful show of various personnel across the departments, mostly the military division and the Slayers, but with parts of the research, industrial, and even the diplomatic departments. You note the lack of any of the covert ops department, which you think Twilight would appreciate.
You also chose to stay out of it, you just couldn't work in front of a camera.
Josephine walked up to you and joined you in watching. "'The Anti-Biomorph and Breach Containment Task Force' is a mouthful you know." Josephine said. "And the acronym of A.B.B.C.T.F. just isn't all that catchy."
You rolled your eyes even as you agreed somewhat. "Fine, I'll go think of something. Or I could just ask for suggestions from the staff."
"Whatever it is, make sure that it isn't something that would get us sued for copyrighy infringement." Josephine called as you walked out of her office.
[] Write-In Organization's new name
Reward: Public favor gained, chance of getting funding from public donations each Turn, +10 Added to Recruitment Drive.
[X] Performer Persuasion: "We have a few agents of Twilight guarding the meta-human dancer, the irony of having some of our assassins acting to protect a potential target is not lost on me. However, we could use this to earn some favor among the Meta-Humans, we just need some time to talk to them." (Cost: 150. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 50. Reward: ???)
Roll: 92
Continued in Interlude: The Diamond Dancer
Intrigue: "With the leads we have on the metahuman havens in Europe, it appears that they are beginning to form factions. And we still know little about the initial incident in South America…" (2 Actions)
[X] Eye of The Beholder: "I can get some agents sent out to infiltrate and gather Intel on what's going on with the rest of the world, though if we want more in-depth reports, we'll need to focus our attention. Still, this will help us stay up to date beyond looking at the news." (Cost: 150. Time: 2 Turns. DC: 60. Reward: World News/Rumor Mill expanded; basic Spy Network established around the world. Actions Unlocked.)
Roll: 3, Fail!
Twilight growled as he sat at his desk, a large number of reports being fed into a shredder.
"No luck?" You asked him, the spymaster of your organization sighing as he leaned back into his chair.
"Worse than that, multiple agents reported that they might have been compromised and under surveillance. One of them was even almost captured, but he manages to destroy any incriminating evidence before his safehouse exploded, with him in it." You can see that this is a hard pill for Twilight to swallow. No one likes to lose people, especially if it was avoidable.
"Seeing how dangerous it is, I ordered everyone to go to ground and hide for and to find their own way back to HQ. In the meantime, I won't be able to use them until they returned back here on their own." He said, a scowl marking his face.
"Reward": 1 Intrigue Action locked for 1 Turn
[X] Incident Investigation, North America: "While we have a few leads that we can follow, further investigation into what happened during that protest should be considered, Director." (Cost: 150. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 60. Reward: Intel on Anti-Meta Forces and Meta-Humans of note.)
Roll: 100, Nat Crit!
"And the situation in North America? We get any more info on that?" You asked Twilight, who simply nodded.
"Actually, that investigation had gone completely smoothly. We managed to get a number of leads and could get a great deal of information regarding the riot and those involved." Twilight said, pulling up a different report and handing it over to you,
"'Pure Blue World'? Great, we already have a friends of humanity style group." You said as you looked over the report. It seems that this group was an Anti-Metahuman organization made of radical members who believed that Metahumans were some kind of Biomorphic Infiltrator or turn coats who sold out to the 'alien menace' in exchange for unnatural powers. "Oh, there are even some religious nuts who think the Biomorphs are demons and Metahumans are damned souls who made a deal with the devil."
"More than that, we've found potential connections to Breacher Cults who are trying to use them to destabilize civilization by inciting conflict between the humans and Metahumans." Twilight said. "Unfortunately, there are also some politicians with plans to use the conflicts to run up support for their own interests."
"We also get information that the performer has connections to Eden Sanctum and from what has been gathered, it appears to be a group of Metahumans trying to form communities of themselves separate and protected, away from major human population centers in order to escape the potential and now active discrimination and violence against Metahumanity. The performer, a Crystallokinetic, was looking into acquiring a way out of the country in the event the situation in the states deteriorated further for him and other Metahumans he knew. The contact he was talking with is only known as "Permafrost", a code name obviously."
"So we now know who to talk to to get in touch with Eden Sanctum? I'm sure Josephine would be happy to get started with contacting the Meta-human communities."
Reward: Information on Pure Blue World and Eden Sanctum, Unlock Contact 'Permafrost' Diplomatic Action
Personal: Hey, you have some time to yourself! Now how are you going to spend it… (1 Personal Action.)
[X] Get to know someone: You're going to be working with them, you might as well learn more about your subordinates and co-workers. (Cost: 0. Time: 1 Turn. DC: 50)
-[X] (Department Head) Dr. Moira Vahlen.
Roll: 91
"All I'm saying is that we can learn even more from a live specimen than a dead one." Vahlen said, a cup filled with something you thought might be an experimental blend in one hand while you drank some traditional coffee from your own mug. "And scans aren't as thorough as I like them to be, especially in the chaos of the battlefield."
"Emily is already kind of concerned about the Bio-Aug facility." You said. "Best to keep plans like making pens for Biomorphs on the back burner until it starts showing its worth in a clear way. But I do understand your woes, I've had to endure quite a few problems before my darlings would be built."
"I do have to applaud your ability to design something like the Slayers, they are technological marvels on a scale I doubt many would believe possible in our current age, myself included among them." Vahlen said. "Truthfully, your ability to push the limits of what we know of science is one of the reasons I was so willing to sign on to this organization, beyond the chance to further some of my own fields of study."
"Well, I'm glad to know I impressed you." You said with a smile. "Your own work certainly caught my eye, I can only imagine what you could pull off as our facilities grow and advance."
Vahlen seemed to get thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, the possibilities of what we could achieve, even if they start out as ways to combat these Biomorphs, could hold the keys to advancing humanity to a new age of discovery. Not only that, but if we could successfully negotiate with the emerging metahuman population and learn more…" she trailed off.
"Dr. Vahlen?" You called out to her, feeling concerned. Vahlen shook her head and took a sip of her own drink.
"Oh, forgive me. I was just lost in thought." She said, giving you a reassuring smile. "Thinking of the future, as they say."
Reward: You think you and Dr. Vahlen are on friendly terms. Dr. Vahlen's Traits Revealed.
Modern Frankenstein: When gaining Bio/Cyberware Augmentations, Gain a Chance of Automatically Gaining a Second Augmentation. Augmentation Actions Get 1 Re-Roll.
Eternal_0bserver
(Unverified Bookworm)
- Location
- Earth, Northern Europe
... Did an anomaly spontaneously appear above our base, draining the luck of people from all over the world!?
And look, even our own agents may not be immune from this effect! They were probably already on the mission when it started.
Glad to see Dr. Valen's research is so successful. Especially with the increased reaction speed, I'm sure the pilots will appreciate it.
... I hope that our employees were warned that they might have to undergo some "modernization" in the course of working here, and they understood what they were getting into. Otherwise, it can become really embarrassing.
- Location
- A place
[X] Write-In Organization's new name
-[X] XCOM (eXtranatural Command Of Mankind)
-[X] XCOM (eXtranatural Command Of Mankind)
- Location
- USA
…Well, wait for the Rumor Mill coming up (relatively) soon.
NaanContributor
Provider of delicious flatbread, and nothing else.
- Location
- Hawaii
[X] Breach Containment Force (BCF)
[X] Write-In Organization's new name
-[X] Breach cOntainment Slayer Squadron (B.O.S.S)
-[X] Breach cOntainment Slayer Squadron (B.O.S.S)
- Location
- New England
[X] Breach Observation and Mitigation Batallion (B.O.M.B.)
- Location
- Queensland, Australia
Well. In a way, finding this out is going to be absolutely great because if the 'Pure World' folks become a bigger danger (they will), we can use these to shoot them in the foot. On the other hand, this sort of thing is going to radicalise those who think that what they were told was right, it's just their leaders were leading them into sin to discredit them/it was lies to supress them/etc, etc. Not that the folks who join up with them aren't already one of the groups which find themselves very easily radicalised.
Noooo, my Space Marine rip-offs!
Warmach1ne32
Machine of War and Quests
- Location
- Indonesia
Once we learn more about Biomorphs cells, we could deem them safe enough for multiple augments per human. This research is still in its infancy so better safe than sorry.Noooo, my Space Marine rip-offs!
Hence the
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
[X] Breach Containment Force (BCF)
- Pronouns
- He/his/him
[X] Breach Observation and Mitigation Batallion (B.O.M.B.)
[X] Breach cOntainment Slayer Squadron (B.O.S.S)
[X] Breach cOntainment Slayer Squadron (B.O.S.S)