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CTD - Paradigm Shift: Offensive Operations


Guest Azrael Strife

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Guest Azrael
[color="red"]EDIT: This post is Cpl. Facehugger's, I accidentally merged it with one of mine. Sorry :([/color]

Intresting. Some nitpicks though.


The first sentence doesn't really flow right, in my opinion. But at I have no suitable alternative at the moment...

[quote]Through the interrogation of Alien creatures captured[/quote]
You may want to say somewhere that you interrogated alien leaders (alien squad leaders? Alien sub-commanders?)

You also may want to be a bit more vague on the alien brain. Like "Reports from the captured aliens seems to indicate there is some sort of directing intelligence guiding the war effort. It seems likely that if we destroy this entity, the alien war machine will wither due to a lack of guidance."

Or something like that. :D Edited by Azrael
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Guest Azrael
I see, the first sentence doesn't seem right, would it be better "Interrogation of Alien officers have revealed..." or something like that?
I was thinking that about the alien brain, too much information, something more vague would be more appropiate, I agree :D.
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Guest Azrael
Let's see how this one works.

THE MARTIAN SOLUTION
X-NET ENTRY//239546.656/ZETACL/TS/A-2/PERSEUSNET/ALIEN/MSOLUTION

Extensive research into the matter of the Aliens’ main base of operations location has finally paid off. Our agents on the field have been able to capture several live Alien creatures, among them, squad leaders, lieutenants and sub-commanders. Interrogation of the captured Alien officers has allowed us to decipher one of the last mysteries we are to resolve in order to stop this war and eliminate the Alien threat once and for all. The enemy’s main stronghold lies on Mars, the fourth planet.

Fragment of Alien squad leader debriefing.
-*slap* *slap*, answer you little bug! where is your main base? *slap*, maybe you wanna taste the stun rod again? -grabs the stun rod and points it at the bound Alien prisoner.
-You’ll obtain nothing from me, pitiful Human, you and the rest of your backward species will soon bow to him.
-Him? Who is He? *Slaps the Alien, with great force*
-You are pathetic, little Human creature…
-That’s it! You asked for it! –Sets the rod for maximum power and shocks the Alien, which instantly faints, shaking violently.
-That should make you more cooperative next time, bring another one!...

The base is completely hidden, that is why our probes and satellites have revealed nothing on Mars, despite the fact that the Alien stronghold seems to have been there for several centuries, our scientists suspect it is underground, so the possibility of missile bombardment is off the table, our operatives will have to conduct an assault in order to destroy the stronghold once the base’s exact location is found.
The base contains the massive equipment used to build the enormous Alien fleet we’ve so far encountered, also our Biochemistry Department strongly believes in the possibility of Alien cloning facilities, used to create the invasion army, if this is true it would mean that any eventual assault will most likely encounter fierce resistance, as the Alien forces haven’t been much weakened, they have only been slowed down.
However, we seem to have found the Aliens’ weak spot; what our Research Division has called the [Central Brain]. Debriefing of captured alien leaders has revealed the existence of an entity which all evidence seems to point as the mastermind behind the Alien invasion. Though we have no information regarding the [Central Brain]’s true nature or intentions, Research Division strongly believes that removal of this entity will inflict a mortal wound on the Aliens’ war machine and most likely put a stop to the Aliens’ efforts to conquer Earth.
Further research into this is vital to Earth’s very survival, our Research Division believes that we cannot obtain more information from low-ranking Aliens, we must interrogate the highest-ranking Alien officers: the Alien commanders, well protected inside Alien Earthly bases.

Edit by Rusted... attached the .RTF version of the latest text found in post #4 :Blush:
Edit by Azrael - Latest file at the top. Edited by Azrael
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Guest Azrael
mmm, still no replies... either my Ct was too good or too bad :D , either way I'm sending it to Breunor to leave it as final, yes!, that's a threat! :devillaugh:
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Oh, oops--well, I meant that part that you labeled the "debriefing." Not trying to nitpick, but I thought I might go ahead and say that a debriefing is an end-of-action...well...briefing. I thought that Sectiod/stunrod thing was intended to be an interrogation, right?
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Guest Azrael
[quote name='The Master Maniac' date='Aug 20 2004, 12:00 PM']Oh, oops--well, I meant that part that you labeled the "debriefing." Not trying to nitpick, but I thought I might go ahead and say that a debriefing is an end-of-action...well...briefing. I thought that Sectiod/stunrod thing was intended to be an interrogation, right?
[right][post="91247"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Perhaps I chose the wrong word, I'll check that, that kind of things will most likely be taken care of by Dipstick or RustedSoul anyway :D
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Guest Azrael
[quote name='The Master Maniac' date='Aug 21 2004, 01:43 AM']Yeah--sorry for the nitpicking.
[right][post="91329"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Don't, I want to hear everyone's opinion.
I'm also interested in hearing the Cpl's opinion. Glad you like it RS.
I'll get the modified file with the Overmind thing as soon as I can get my computer back online.

Az Edited by Azrael151
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Computer trouble? Yeech--I know the feeling. Just recently had to buy a new replacement, as a matter of fact, as the old one (merely a month old, rather) pretty much got fubared by some internal something or other.

As for the CT, I think that entry sounds pretty good, myself. I'm assuming that everything here runs through the editing guys first, of course.
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Facehugger's insight:

You should be even more vague about the alien brain. Like..."Apparently, the aliens have some sort of guiding intelligence that is directing their efforts here on earth."

We don't want to give away too much too early. After all, you could capture a leader fairly early in the game...

And the interrogation seemed kind of...labored. I don't know. Antrhaxus was really good at doing interrogations.
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Guest Azrael
[quote name='Cpl. Facehugger' date='Aug 26 2004, 08:25 AM']Facehugger's insight:

You should be even more vague about the alien brain. Like..."Apparently, the aliens have some sort of guiding intelligence that is directing their efforts here on earth."

We don't want to give away too much too early. After all, you could capture a leader fairly early in the game...

And the interrogation seemed kind of...labored. I don't know. Antrhaxus was really good at doing interrogations.
[right][post="91892"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I get what you mean, maybe I should ask Antrhaxus?, I'll look into it.
I'm not sure how much vague do you want it, it just says that there is an entity that seems to be the one under control, but they don't know anything else, you mean like not naming it yet?, just to call it "a guiding intelligence" or something?. Edited by Azrael151
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I sent Az my take on where this should go.

Just a general recommendation for this and other Interrogation CTDs. It would make sense if they were all of a similar format. I'm not saying my format is the best, but it is fairly comprehensive for a transcripted dialogue.

I think that the Xnet as a whole would look better if all of the similar CTDs (interrogations, equipment reports, base facilities, etc.) had a consistent format within their subgroup. The format that works best for autopsy reports doesn't work for interrogations, and is right out for facility reports. Each type should be customized for that approach and standardized amongst it's entries.
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Guest Azrael
Ok, here's an updated ct, the Alien Leader debriefing is a courtesy of Anthraxus ^_^ , implemented some of Facehugger and Anthraxus' feedback, let's see how you like this :D .

Az


THE MARTIAN SOLUTION
X-NET ENTRY//239546.656/ZETACL/TS/A-2/PERSEUSNET/ALIEN/MSOLUTION

Extensive research into the matter of the Aliens’ main base of operations location has finally paid off. Our agents on the field have been able to capture several live Alien creatures, among them, squad leaders, lieutenants and sub-commanders. Interrogation of the captured Alien officers has allowed us to decipher one of the last mysteries we are to resolve in order to stop this war and eliminate the Alien threat once and for all. The enemy’s main stronghold lies on Mars, the fourth planet of our very own Solar System.

Excerpt from Alien leader Debriefing
(X-NET ENTRY//235836.235/ZETACL/AD/M-5/PERSEUSNET/ALIEN/DEB3451)

Interrogator: [Spc. Mark Dufraine] and [Spc. Eileen Iwosaka]

Spc. Iwosaka (EI): This is the interrogation of a captured and pacified alien leader. Due to the importance of this interrogation, and my high apititude for psionics, I have volunteered to try to establish communication with the alien through telepathic means. I have surrendered my weapons to one of the MPs on guard in the room. They have been ordered to sedate both me and the alien should anything appear to be going wrong. Questions will be prompted and recorded by Specialist Dufraine, in the control room. I am ready to begin.
{Spc. Iwosaka assumes the lotus position, and visibly relaxes. The alien, who had been looking around the room, turns and focuses on Spc. Iwosaka.}
Spc. Dufraine (MD): Specialist Iwosaka, can you hear me?
EI: Yes. I can hear you.
MD: Have you contacted the alien?
EI: I think so. I'm getting some very confusing signals. It wants to get in my head. It's cold.
MD: Are you ready to give it a question?
EI: Yes. I'm letting down my guard a little, let it get inside and see if that makes things easier.
MD: What was the purpose of your ship?
EI: It says that we cannot hope to defeat them. Things will be much easier if we just lay down our weapons and surrender.
MD: What is your name and rank?
EI: Names are meaningless abstractions for sentient beings. It says only a minor race such as humans require names for themselves. It's ship designation was 110011010101.
MD: Where did your ship originate from?
EI: It won't tell me that.
MD: Where was your ship headed?
EI: It won't tell me that either. I'm going to try to push deeper.
{Spc. Iwosaka's face contorts into an expression of painful concentration. A thin trickle of blood begins to ooze out of her nose}
MD: Don't push it too hard.
EI: It.. It's resisting. Fighting back. Let me in you slimy... Ah! I think I see now... Oh no! Get out, get out you bastard. It's burning my mind!
{At this point the MPs step forward and stun both Spc. Iwosaka and the alien into unconsciousness}

Notes: Spc. Iwosaka recovered, but appears to have lost any psionic ability that she had due to her extremely close encounter with the alien intelligence. She reports that the last image she was able to recover from the alien was an view of a reddish planet from orbit. Further debriefing and research indicates that this planet is most likely Mars. Unfortunately Spc. Iwosaka was unable to gather precise location of the alien base or bases on the fourth planet. It is the recommendation of this researcher that future telephatic contacts be conducted by someone with less psionic potential so that they are not as likely to suffer from the mental attacks of the interrogation subject. Spc. Dufraine would be an excellent candidate for this, and should be considered for future interrogations. [...]

The last scan of the Martain surface (Mars Global Surveyor, 2004) did not reveal anything that indicated the presence of an alien base. Our Research Division’s hypothesis is that the base is completely hidden, that is why our probes and satellites have revealed nothing on Mars, despite the fact that the Alien stronghold seems to have been there for several centuries, our scientists suspect it is underground, so the possibility of missile bombardment is off the table, our operatives will have to conduct an assault in order to destroy the stronghold once the base’s exact location is found.
The base contains the massive equipment used to build the enormous Alien fleet we’ve so far encountered, also our Biochemistry Department strongly believes in the possibility of Alien cloning facilities, used to create the invasion army, if this is true it would mean that any eventual assault will most likely encounter fierce resistance, as the Alien forces haven’t been much weakened, they have only been slowed down.
As discouraging as this may seem, several of our scientists have suggested the possiblilty of the existence of an higher Alien entity behind the extraterrestrials’ schemes to conquer Earth, striking the Alien entity would most likely inflict a mortal wound on the Aliens’ war machine. However, there is no solid evidence of this.
Further research into this matter is of critical importance to Earth’s very survival, as we seem to be fighting a losing battle. Our Research Division believes that we cannot obtain more information from low-ranking Aliens, we must interrogate the highest-ranking Alien officers: the Alien commanders, well protected inside Alien Earthly bases. Edited by Azrael151
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Now that's quite a bit cooler. The interrogation has an interesting, imaginitive feel, and the subsequent report of the findings supplements it rather nicely. The only rammifications in using psionics in X-Net entries that I can come up with are potential infractions on the story's continuity. Let's not forget that most things are researched seperately--in fact, I finished the first X-Com game on Veteran difficulty a couple years ago without even knowing it was possible to use psionic abilities yourself. Only on my second playthrough did I discover you can train your soldiers to use psi abilities. Perhaps we could add two seperate entries for this--say, one that extracts the information via psionics (should the player have researched that particular field, of course), and one that uses some other method.

Also, remember that these are indeed pencilnecks issuing these research reports. More often than not, sentence structure would be fairly short and to the point, so perhaps it's a good idea to seperate some things into independant sentences. Maybe we could add something a bit like this:

"Logically, it appears that this Martian base of operations houses the construction of their massive fleet, using salvaged or otherwise extraterrestrial materials for their vast array of technologically advanced components. The aliens' numbers are staggering, and this outpost seems to be the cause. Wherever the base is located, it can only be imagined that the alien cloning facilities found wihtin are immeasurably advanced, their troop output incredible. The evidence of alien genetic modulation we've discovered has only barely stratched the surface--it's clear that they use a fully-fledged cloning facility to produce their soldiers. To this end, it becomes obvious that we're fighting a losing battle on Earth, as it's only a matter of time before we're completely overwhelmed.

It is imperative that we locate the exact position of that base. We have to go for the heart of the alien invasion before it's too late, or Earth is doomed. We have no choice but to locate a higher-ranked member of the alien hierarchy, and maybe then we can pinpoint our objective."

I don't know--minor nitpicks, I guess. Otherwise, that's pretty imaginative. Good work. Edited by The Master Maniac
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Guest Azrael
[quote name='The Master Maniac' date='Aug 31 2004, 04:00 PM']Now that's quite a bit cooler. The interrogation has an interesting, imaginitive feel, and the subsequent report of the findings supplements it rather nicely. The only rammifications in using psionics in X-Net entries that I can come up with are potential infractions on the story's continuity. Let's not forget that most things are researched seperately--in fact, I finished the first X-Com game on Veteran difficulty a couple years ago without even knowing it was possible to use psionic abilities yourself. Only on my second playthrough did I discover you can train your soldiers to use psi abilities. Perhaps we could add two seperate entries for this--say, one that extracts the information via psionics (should the player have researched that particular field, of course), and one that uses some other method.

[right][post="92616"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I was thinking about that in fact :rolleyes: , I'll have to check that with someone from CTD.
Thanks for the feedback, I think I'm not done with the text yet ^_^

Az
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My reasoning with the psionics is that even now we have people who are researching psionic and mental abilities. Anybody can take a Rhine test to determine potential psychic aptitude. I even have a friend who is a professional mentalist, and professes to be able to read minds under the proper conditions.

If this kind of research is going on in the civilian world, why would Xcorp, dealing with a known psionic enemy, not take that kind of information into consideration, even if they haven't specifically dumps scientists to the task. I don't know, it seemed logical to me, and I didn't want to exactly copy the interrogation method from the Alien Commander CTD as that one should be more refined and smoother since it will (normally) occur later in the research tree.

Also most of the races that have leaders don't have any means of communication besides the telepathic.
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Yeah, but I just figured I'd make that simple observation. I leave the complicated stuff to the guys who're actually making the game, you know? ;)

As for the reference to real-world psionics, I'm not sure how well that would tie in with the game itself. After all, if you use the first X-Com as a baseline, you'd know that what we learn about psionics abilities comes from the aliens themselves. Again, continuity is important, but gameplay-wise, do you want psi-capable soldiers from the beginning? Realism versus fun, here. *shrugs*

And I see that you're from Kentucky, Antraxus. I live there, too, so I guess that makes a whopping two of us out of, what, 3,000+ members? :huh?: Edited by The Master Maniac
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  • 1 month later...
THE MARTIAN SOLUTION
X-NET ENTRY//239546.656/GAMMACL/TS/A-2/PERSEUSNET/ALIEN/MSOLUTION

Extensive research into the matter of the Aliens’ main base of operations location has finally paid off. Our agents on the field have been able to capture several live Alien creatures, among them, squad leaders, lieutenants and sub-commanders of the invasion forces. Interrogation of the captured Alien officers has allowed us to decipher one of the last mysteries we are to resolve in order to stop this war and eliminate the Alien threat once and for all. The enemy’s main stronghold lies on Mars, the fourth planet of our very own Solar System.

Excerpt from Alien leader Debriefing
[X-NET ARCHIVE//235836.235/ZETACL/AD/M-5/PEGASUSNET/ALIEN/DEB3451]

Interrogator: [Spc. Mark Dufraine] and [Spc. Eileen Iwosaka]

Spc. Iwosaka (EI): This is the interrogation of a captured and pacified alien leader. Due to the importance of this interrogation, and my high aptitude for psionics, I have volunteered to try to establish communication with the alien being through telepathic means. I have surrendered my weapons to one of the MPs on guard in the room. They have been ordered to sedate both me and the alien should anything appear to be going wrong. Questions will be prompted and recorded by Specialist Dufraine, in the control room. I am ready to begin.
{Spc. Iwosaka assumes the lotus position, and visibly relaxes. The alien, who had been looking around the room, turns and focuses on Spc. Iwosaka.}
Spc. Dufraine (MD): Specialist Iwosaka, can you hear me?
EI: Yes. I can hear you.
MD: Have you contacted the alien?
EI: I think so. I'm getting some very confusing signals. It wants to get in my head. It's cold.
MD: Are you ready to give it a question?
EI: Yes. I'm letting down my guard a little, let it get inside and see if that makes things easier.
MD: What was the purpose of your ship?
EI: It says that we cannot hope to defeat them. Things will be much easier if we just lay down our weapons and surrender.
MD: What is your name and rank?
EI: Names are meaningless abstractions for sentient beings. It says only a minor race such as humans require names for themselves. Its ship designation was 110011010101.
MD: Where did your ship originate from?
EI: It won't tell me that.
MD: Where was your ship headed?
EI: It won't tell me that either. I'm going to try to push deeper.
{Spc. Iwosaka's face contorts into an expression of painful concentration. A thin trickle of blood begins to ooze out of her nose}
MD: Don't push it too hard.
EI: It.. It's resisting. Fighting back… Let me in you slimy... Ah! I think I see now... Oh no! Get out, get out you bastard. It's burning my mind!
{At this point the MPs step forward and stun both Spc. Iwosaka and the alien into unconsciousness}

Notes: Spc. Iwosaka recovered, but appears to have lost any psionic ability that she had due to her extremely close encounter with the alien intelligence. She reports that the last image she was able to recover from the alien was an view of a reddish planet from orbit. Further debriefing and research indicates that this planet is most likely Mars. Unfortunately Spc. Iwosaka was unable to gather precise location of the alien base or bases on the fourth planet. It is the recommendation of this researcher that future telepathic contacts be conducted by someone with less psionic potential so that they are not as likely to suffer from the mental attacks of the interrogation subject. Spc. Dufraine would be an excellent candidate for this, and should be considered for future interrogations. [...]

The last scan of the Martian surface (Mars Global Surveyor, 2004) did not reveal anything that indicated the presence of an alien base. Our Research Division’s theory is that the base is completely hidden, that is why our probes and satellites have revealed nothing on Mars, despite the fact that the Alien stronghold seems to have been there for several centuries. As there is no indication of Alien technology capable of cloaking a base from satellite scans, our scientists agree that the only option is the base being underground, so the possibility of missile bombardment is off the table, our operatives will have to conduct a direct assault through the very gates of the Alien stronghold in order to destroy the stronghold once its exact location is discovered.
The base contains the massive equipment used to build the enormous Alien fleet we’ve so far encountered and the large quantities of the precious Xenium-122 that are used as combustible for the Alien vessels. Also, our Biochemistry Department strongly believes in the possibility of Alien cloning facilities, used to create the invasion army, if this is true it would mean that any eventual assault will most likely encounter fierce resistance, as the Alien forces haven’t been much weakened, they have only been slowed down.
As discouraging as this may seem, several of our scientists have suggested the possibility of the existence of an higher Alien entity behind the extraterrestrials’ schemes to conquer Earth, striking the Alien entity would most likely inflict a mortal wound on the Aliens’ war machine. However, there is no solid evidence of this.
Further research into this matter is of critical importance to Earth’s very survival, as we seem to be fighting a losing battle. Our Research Division believes that we cannot obtain more information from low-ranking Aliens, we must interrogate the highest-ranking Alien officers: the Alien commanders well protected inside Alien Earthly bases.

“I believe there is enough evidence of a superior creature pulling the strings here, I’ve observed the captured alien officers’ brain waves’ patterns, they are similar to those of soldiers who have been mind controlled while on the field, you know?, the brain wave patterns get scrambled and reorganised in a way they’re sensitive to external manipulation, I’m convinced there is something more behind all this, and I’m not talking about Cloaks, oh no, the patterns are in there too, that means that it’s something we’ve never seen before”
Matías Laíno – Biochemistry Department.
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Interesting fluff text there--has a very realistic "human" feel to it. Personally, I like it. However, not to keep railing on, of course, I do have one slight problem with something here:

[quote]As discouraging as this may seem, several of our scientists have suggested the possibility of the existence of an higher Alien entity behind the extraterrestrials’ schemes to conquer Earth, striking the Alien entity would most likely inflict a mortal wound on the Aliens’ war machine. However, there is no solid evidence of this.[/quote]

It, to me, feels kind of like a wild, abstract guess on the scientists' part. Perhaps something a bit more in the ballpark of

"The sheer size and coordination of the extraterrestrial attack suggests there's some greater element at play, here--straying from the theories that proposed a united, cohesive effort brought on by a collective of alien races, it appears that the only feasible way the aliens could orchestrate such a massive undertaking would be in the form of a military-like socital structure. Ideally, the head of the serpent lies in the form of a higher hierarchy, something beyond everything we've seen so far. We might be dealing with a completely different species of alien, or even some form of modified, "higher" race engineered to become leaders somehow. What we've seen so far suggests that the efforts put into action by the aliens we've encountered thus far are definitely the byproduct of a completely different command system from what we'd originally theorized. It seems that there's one large, cohesive effort at hand, brought upon by some group united in purpose. A council of some sorts. The Sect-like structure of the invasion doesn't appear to be built around an individual, so it's quite hard to say what the driving force really is. Is our enemy lead by a group, or by an overlord? Further research pending."

Er, maybe that could be cut down a tad, but I figure that an extra bit of ambiguity couldn't hurt. :wink:
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voilà

THE MARTIAN SOLUTION
X-NET ENTRY//239546.656/GAMMACL/TS/A-2/PERSEUSNET/ALIEN/MSOLUTION

Extensive research into the matter of the Aliens’ main base of operations location has finally paid off. Our agents on the field have been able to capture several live Alien creatures, among them, squad leaders, lieutenants and sub-commanders of the invasion forces. Interrogation of the captured Alien officers has allowed us to decipher one of the last mysteries we are to resolve in order to stop this war and eliminate the Alien threat once and for all. The enemy’s main stronghold lies on Mars, the fourth planet of our very own Solar System.

Excerpt from Alien leader Debriefing
[X-NET ARCHIVE//235836.235/ZETACL/FA/M-5/PEGASUSNET/ALIEN/DEB341]

Interrogator: [Spc. Mark Dufraine] and [Spc. Eileen Iwosaka]

Spc. Iwosaka (EI): This is the interrogation of a captured and pacified alien leader. Due to the importance of this interrogation, and my high aptitude for psionics, I have volunteered to try to establish communication with the alien being through telepathic means. I have surrendered my weapons to one of the MPs on guard in the room. They have been ordered to sedate both me and the alien should anything appear to be going wrong. Questions will be prompted and recorded by Specialist Dufraine, in the control room. I am ready to begin.
{Spc. Iwosaka assumes the lotus position, and visibly relaxes. The alien, who had been looking around the room, turns and focuses on Spc. Iwosaka.}
Spc. Dufraine (MD): Specialist Iwosaka, can you hear me?
EI: Yes. I can hear you.
MD: Have you contacted the alien?
EI: I think so. I'm getting some very confusing signals. It wants to get in my head. It's cold.
MD: Are you ready to give it a question?
EI: Yes. I'm letting down my guard a little, let it get inside and see if that makes things easier.
MD: What was the purpose of your ship?
EI: It says that we cannot hope to defeat them. Things will be much easier if we just lay down our weapons and surrender.
MD: What is your name and rank?
EI: Names are meaningless abstractions for sentient beings. It says only a minor race such as humans require names for themselves. Its ship designation was 110011010101.
MD: Where did your ship originate from?
EI: It won't tell me that.
MD: Where was your ship headed?
EI: It won't tell me that either. I'm going to try to push deeper.
{Spc. Iwosaka's face contorts into an expression of painful concentration. A thin trickle of blood begins to ooze out of her nose}
MD: Don't push it too hard.
EI: It.. It's resisting. Fighting back… Let me in you slimy... Ah! I think I see now... Oh no! Get out, get out you bastard. It's burning my mind!
{At this point the MPs step forward and stun both Spc. Iwosaka and the alien into unconsciousness}

Notes: Spc. Iwosaka recovered, but appears to have lost any psionic ability that she had due to her extremely close encounter with the alien intelligence. She reports that the last image she was able to recover from the alien was an view of a reddish planet from orbit. Further debriefing and research indicates that this planet is most likely Mars. Unfortunately Spc. Iwosaka was unable to gather precise location of the alien base or bases on the fourth planet. It is the recommendation of this researcher that future telepathic contacts be conducted by someone with less psionic potential so that they are not as likely to suffer from the mental attacks of the interrogation subject. Spc. Dufraine would be an excellent candidate for this, and should be considered for future interrogations. [...]

The last scan of the Martian surface (Mars Global Surveyor, 2004) did not reveal anything that indicated the presence of an alien base. Our Research Division’s theory is that the base is completely hidden, that is why our probes and satellites have revealed nothing on Mars, despite the fact that the Alien stronghold seems to have been there for several centuries. As there is no indication of Alien technology capable of cloaking a base from satellite scans, our scientists agree that the only option is the base being underground, so the possibility of missile bombardment is off the table, our operatives will have to conduct a direct assault through the very gates of the Alien stronghold in order to destroy the stronghold once its exact location is discovered.
The base contains the massive equipment used to build the enormous Alien fleet we’ve so far encountered and the large quantities of the precious Xenium-122 that are used as combustible for the Alien vessels. Also, our Biochemistry Department strongly believes in the possibility of Alien cloning facilities, used to create the invasion army, if this is true it would mean that any eventual assault will most likely encounter fierce resistance, as the Alien forces haven’t been much weakened, they have only been slowed down.

The sheer size and coordination of the extraterrestrial attack suggests there is some greater element at play here, straying from the theories that proposed a united, cohesive effort brought on by a collective of alien races, it appears that the only feasible way the aliens could orchestrate such a massive undertaking would be of a military-like societal structure. Ideally, the head of the serpent lies in the form of a higher hierarchy, something beyond everything we have seen so far. We might be dealing with a completely different Alien species, something we have not yet encountered.
We already know that Alien attacks on our populations are directed from the Alien bases on Earth, what we still do not know is who is that it gives the orders to these bases, it might be a sole individual, like a king or emperor, or even a council of some sorts, it's quite hard to say what the driving force really is. Is our enemy led by a group, or by an overlord?
Further research into this matter is of critical importance to Earth’s very survival, as we are fighting a losing battle. Once we obtain accurate information regarding the Aliens’ chain of command, we will be able to prepare an effective offensive against it, for now we have no real chance of stopping the Invasion.
Our Research Division believes that we cannot obtain more information from low-ranking Aliens, we must interrogate the highest-ranking Alien officers: the Alien commanders well protected inside Alien Earthly bases.

“I believe there is enough evidence of a superior creature pulling the strings here, I’ve observed the captured Alien officers’ brain waves’ patterns, they are similar to those of soldiers who have been mind controlled while on the field, you know?, the brain wave patterns get scrambled and reorganised in a way they’re sensitive to external manipulation, I’m convinced there is something more behind all this, and I’m not talking about Cloaks, oh no, the patterns are in there too, that means that it’s something we’ve never seen before”
Matías Laíno – Biochemistry Department. Edited by Azrael
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Pretty good :)

There's just a little bit that bugs me:

[quote]it might be an different Alien species from that we have met, or even a council of some sort, it's quite hard to say what the driving force really is.
Is our enemy lead by a group, or by an overlord?[/quote]

This seems to break the register of the rest of the piece, and the first sentence there has a very awkward structure. I'd suggest:

[color="green"]this guiding force could well be entirely seperate from all the aliens we have encountered thus far- Research Division is convinced that there is some sort of group or individual guiding the alien intelligence, although more resources are required in order to ascertain more fully what this guiding force actually is.[/color]
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  • 1 month later...
[quote name='mikker' date='Dec 20 2004, 03:32 PM']Interrogation sounds fine now, but 1 thing: Psionics. Does a morlock leader or a Viper leader have psi poweres?
[right][post="103482"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Morlock or Viper leaders?, do they exist?
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[quote name='Azrael' date='Dec 20 2004, 04:12 PM'][quote name='mikker' date='Dec 20 2004, 03:32 PM']Interrogation sounds fine now, but 1 thing: Psionics. Does a morlock leader or a Viper leader have psi poweres?
[right][post="103482"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Morlock or Viper leaders?, do they exist?
[right][post="103487"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]

They should. You'd need some kind of sub-commander. Of course they wouldn't be independent, you'd have Cloaks watching over them just to make sure they don't get cocky. As for them having Psionics, I doubt it. Or at least nothing that can be used without some sort of amplifier (like humans need).
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Morlocks and Vipers are totally for fighting, Ethereals and Sectoids are like "managers" and "intelligent agents". Morlocks are also supposed to be stupid, right? I wouldn't share secrets with someone stupid who is, in addition, mind-controlled in order to operate properly...
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[quote name='Azrael' date='Dec 21 2004, 06:34 PM']But in X-Com 1 you do need to capture a Sectoid or Ethereal leader to be able to research the Martian Solution and Cydonia or Bust, it's the same here.
[right][post="103647"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Actually as best I can remember, you didn't need to have a Sectoid or Ethereal leader/commander to research Martian Solution and Cydonia. All it had to be was a leader/commander of some sort. But then usually you ended up with those due to psi ablilities but that's besides the point ^_^ We might want to ask NKF about this.......
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In ALL the x-com games i've played, i've caught snakemen and muton leaders & commanders. All of them. So if it's not possible, then i'm going slightly mad.
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NKF has answered :Hyper:
[quote name='NKF']As far as I can remember, the Cydonia or Bust tech branch goes roughly like this:

Any live alien = Alien Origins
Alien Origins + any leader = The Martian Solution
The Martian Solution + Any Commander = Cydonia or Bust[/quote]

So you're right Mikker, which means I'll have to make some adjustments to the interrogation Anthraxus so generously provided me, hope I can have it as cool as Anthraxus originally made it :D
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[quote name='Azrael' date='Dec 22 2004, 03:28 PM']NKF has answered  :Hyper:
[quote name='NKF']As far as I can remember, the Cydonia or Bust tech branch goes roughly like this:

Any live alien = Alien Origins
Alien Origins + any leader = The Martian Solution
The Martian Solution + Any Commander = Cydonia or Bust[/quote]

So you're right Mikker, which means I'll have to make some adjustments to the interrogation Anthraxus so generously provided me, hope I can have it as cool as Anthraxus originally made it :D
[right][post="103808"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
[/quote]

Hey, don't forget about me! I was the first one who said that all races had commanders! :spank: But then Mikker did help me sway the collective thought.....
:wink1: :D
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Special Limited Christmas Edition!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MARTIAN SOLUTION
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Research/The Martian Solution

Extensive research into the matter of the Aliens’ main base of operations location has finally paid off. Our agents on the field have been able to capture several live Alien creatures, among them, squad leaders, lieutenants and sub-commanders of the invasion forces. Interrogation of the captured Alien officers has allowed us to decipher one of the last mysteries we are to resolve in order to stop this war and eliminate the Alien threat once and for all. The enemy’s main stronghold lies on Mars, the fourth planet of our very own Solar System.

Excerpt from Alien leader Debriefing
[X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Debriefings/Deb#281-b]

Interrogator: [Spc. Mark Dufraine] and [Spc. Eileen Iwosaka]

Spc. Iwosaka (EI): This is the interrogation of a captured and pacified Alien leader. Due to the importance of this interrogation, and my high aptitude for psionics, I have volunteered to try to establish communication with the Alien being through telepathic means. I have surrendered my weapons to one of the MPs on guard in the room. They have been ordered to sedate both me and the Alien should anything appear to be going wrong. Questions will be prompted and recorded by Specialist Dufraine, in the control room. I am ready to begin.
{Spc. Iwosaka assumes the lotus position, and visibly relaxes. The Alien, who had been looking around the room, turns and focuses on Spc. Iwosaka.}
Spc. Dufraine (MD): Specialist Iwosaka, can you hear me?
EI: Yes. I can hear you.
MD: Have you contacted the Alien?
EI: I think so. I'm getting some very confusing signals. It wants to get in my head. It's cold.
MD: Are you ready to give it a question?
EI: Yes. I'm letting down my guard a little, let it get inside and see if that makes things easier.
MD: What was the purpose of your ship?
EI: It says that we cannot hope to defeat them. Things will be much easier if we just lay down our weapons and surrender.
MD: What is your name and rank?
EI: Names are meaningless abstractions for sentient beings. It says only a minor race such as humans require names for themselves. Its ship designation was 110011010101.
MD: Where did your ship originate from?
EI: …It won't tell me that.
MD: Where was your ship headed?
EI: It won't tell me that either. I'm going to try to push deeper.
{Spc. Iwosaka's face contorts into an expression of painful concentration. A thin trickle of blood begins to ooze out of her nose}
MD: Don't push it too hard.
EI: It.. It's resisting. Fighting back… Let me in you slimy... Ah! I think I see now... wait, there is something more… it’s like… locked! It’s as if a part of the creature’s mind was completely locked, I’ll try to get in see what’s it hiding…
MD: You’ve been long enough there, get out!
EI: I’ll try to break the mental lock… What the..!??, NOOooooooooo!!!
{Spc. Iwosaka and the Alien start to shake as in terrible pain, the MPs immediately step forward and stun both Spc. Iwosaka and the Alien into unconsciousness}

Notes: Spc. Iwosaka recovered, but appears to have lost any psionic ability that she had due to her extremely close encounter with the Alien intelligence. She reports that the last image she was able to recover from the Alien was an view of a reddish planet from orbit. Further debriefing and research indicates that this planet is most likely Mars. Unfortunately Spc. Iwosaka was unable to gather precise location of the Alien base or bases on the fourth planet. The mental lock Spc. Iwosaka described in the Alien’s mind remains a mystery, apparently the single attempt to break the lock triggered some sort of mental defense mechanism, which has resulted in the Alien suffering a cardiac arrest, the same would have happened to Spc. Iwosaka if she hadn’t been unplugged by the MPs.[...]

The last scan of the Martian surface (Mars Global Surveyor, 2004) did not reveal anything that indicated the presence of an Alien base. Our Research Division’s theory is that the base is completely hidden, that is why our probes and satellites have revealed nothing on Mars, despite the fact that the Alien stronghold seems to have been there for several centuries. As there is no indication of Alien technology capable of cloaking a base from satellite scans, our scientists agree that the only option is the base being underground, so the possibility of missile bombardment is off the table, our operatives will have to conduct a direct assault through the very gates of the Alien stronghold in order to destroy the stronghold once its exact location is discovered.
The base contains the massive equipment used to build the enormous Alien fleet we’ve so far encountered and the large quantities of the precious Xenium-122 that is used to power the Alien vessels and armament. Also, our Biochemistry Department strongly believes in the possibility of Alien cloning facilities, used to create the invasion army, if this is true it would mean that any eventual assault will most likely encounter fierce resistance, as the Alien forces haven’t been much weakened, they have only been slowed down.

The sheer size and coordination of the extraterrestrial attack suggests there is some greater element at play here, straying from the theories that proposed a united, cohesive effort brought on by a collective of Alien races, it appears that the only feasible way the Aliens could orchestrate such a massive undertaking would be of a military-like societal structure. Ideally, the head of the serpent lies in the form of a higher hierarchy, something beyond everything we have seen so far. We might be dealing with a completely different Alien species, something we have not yet encountered.
We already know that Alien attacks on our populations are directed from the Alien bases on Earth, what we still do not know is who is that it gives the orders to these bases, it might be a sole individual, like a king or emperor, or even a council of some sorts, it's quite hard to say what the driving force really is. Is our enemy led by a group, or by an overlord?
Further research into this matter is of critical importance to Earth’s very survival, as we are fighting a losing battle. Once we obtain accurate information regarding the Aliens’ chain of command, we will be able to prepare an effective offensive against it, for now we have no real chance of stopping the Invasion.
Our Research Division believes that we cannot obtain more information from low-ranking Aliens, we must interrogate the highest-ranking Alien officers: the Alien commanders well protected inside Alien Earthly bases.

“I believe there is enough evidence of a superior creature pulling the strings here, I’ve observed the captured Alien officers’ brain wave patterns, they are similar to those of soldiers who have been mind controlled while on the field, you know?, the brain wave patterns get scrambled and reorganised in a way they’re sensitive to external manipulation, I’m convinced there is something more behind all this, and I’m not talking about Cloaks, oh no, the patterns are in there too, that means that it’s something we’ve never seen before”
Matías Laíno – Research Division, Biochemistry Department.
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