XCOM: Equines Unknown

Operative Data

Name: Maumi Orishina

Code Name: Kylie

Rank: Captain

Role: Youngblood Squad leader, Sniper, Psionic

Notes: Although only 21, Kylie is an inspired commander and a skilled fighter. She has shown psychic abilities on a level not seen since The Volunteer. Her neural augments and enhanced vision make her a deadly shot.

On a side note, she will disobey orders unless they match her previous intentions.

"Alright, shake a leg! Old man Bradford wants us down at Central at 0600!"

The young man in the bunk rolled over, his eyes squinting."Ah, come off it, Kylie. What is so important that you need to wake me up? I'm really fucking tired, okay?"

Orishina sighed. Hiroto was going to be difficult.

"Don't worry. He'll be up momentarily."

Kou Ukomori, her second in command, walked up to Hiroto's bunk and punched him in the gut. "Up and at em, Break Shot! 'What's so important' is an anomalous energy reading picked up by the hyperwave at 0520. We're being sent to investigate."

"Alright, I get it. So just where is this anomaly supposed to be?" Hiroto asked, slipping into his boots as he rubbed his stomach.

"Sub-lunar orbit. The exact coordinates of where the Temple Ship blew."

~~~~~~~~

Operative Data

Name: Giorgios Petridis

Code Name: Petroglyph

Rank: Major

Role: MEC Trooper, Advisor to Youngblood Squad.

Notes: One of the oldest frontline operatives currently in Xcom, Petroglyph has survived combat in both the Ethereal War of 2014-2018 and the Second Coming in 2028. He is a voice of reason and experience on the battlefield, as is appropriate for one who has lived through over 1500 engagements and is one of Xcom's most decorated operatives.

Petridis waited in the briefing room, wondering just how long it would take for the rest of the team to gather. Commander Bradford was waiting impatiently with them. Although Watari and Nasre were there, they needed the others present for the briefing. At last, they arrived.

"Sir. Maumi Orishina, Kou Ukomori, and Kanoji Hiroto reporting for duty, sir!"

Bradford paced across the room, then cued up their mission information on a holoset. "This, 'anomaly', was sighted at 0520. It is 4000 kilometers above Argentina, with a 1 kilometer diameter. You are being sent to investigate, along with a scientific attaché to analyze the possible causes of this anomaly. Your Skyranger disembarks at 0700, Youngblood Squad. Be prepared for anything. I wish you all the best of luck."

As Bradford walked out, he turned. "One more thing. Please don't be late this time."

~~~~~~~~~~

Operative Data

Name: Kou Ukomori

Code Name: Sprite

Rank: First Lieutenant

Role: Assault Trooper, Second in Command of Youngblood Squad

Notes: A no-nonsense, hands-on worker. Cold and calculating, he does everything by the book and will do whatever it takes to win despite being only 22 years old. He is merciless to both friend and foe if they get in his way.

Ukomori led the rest of the squad from the armory down to the hanger. They were fully kitted out for combat, but hopefully they wouldn't need it. They reached the Skyranger, just as a woman in a lab coat walked up to it.

"You are Youngblood Squad, correct? My name is Jasmine Roberts. I am your science officer for this mission."

"Affirmitive." Ukomori replied. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

The squad boarded the Skyranger and the transport blasted away at Mach 2.

~~~~~~~~~

Name: Jasmine Roberts

Code Name: Phobia

Rank: Special Duty

Role: Science Officer, CLASSIFIED

Notes: CLASSIFIED.

Roberts stared at the readings uncomprehendingly.

"This- This can't be right?!"

"What's wrong?" Petridis asked.

The Skyranger had begun to hover about 500 meters outside of the anomaly so that they could get direct readings on it, and they had been doing so for more than half an hour.

"The instruments are all going haywire! Either the instruments are all malfunctioning or-" She paused. "Oh crap. Get us out of here now! This anomaly is about to expand violently!"

The pilot threw the Skyranger around, firewalling the throttle. It wasn't enough. The anomaly increased in size tenfold, swallowing the transport whole, then imploded and vanished without a trace.

~~~~~~~~~

Princess Celestia and  Princess Luna were walking through the sculpture garden in the grounds of Canterlot Castle.

"A beautiful night, sister." commented the solar diarch. "If only we could do this more, just relax and talk like we used to. It seems that whenever we are free to do things like this, a disaster occurs."

"Don't jinx it, Celly!" the darker sister exclaimed in mock horror. "It truly is pleasant, though. I usually seem to be unable to get to anyone other than your student to talk to." A sudden groan made her whirl as Celestia collapsed. "Sister?! What is wrong?!"

"Something is coming. The likes of which Equestria has never seen. Ready the guard. We will be ready."

As Luna turned to call for a guard to assist them, her eyes caught a flash of light, a shooting star descending into Everfree Forest.