//-------------------------------------------------------// X-Com - Vahlens Snek conversion -by Black--Soul- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 1/5 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 1/5 X-Com - Vahlens Snek conversion By: Black--Soul 》》》■■■《《《 Prolog: X-COM 1 , 1/5 This is a recollection reconstructed through old damaged and as well interpreted papers and data pad found information. Released by one of many non-human children Dr. Moira Vahlen had, if not by her own womb born into the world, by her science that helped saving the world by giving birth to earth born and grown Vipers. These Vipers forces also known as the: 'Deadly Snek Waifu's'. The exact campaign start is uncertain, but it was after the beginning of 2015 and lasted for years to come. With the first five years being the most chaotic for the world population infrastructure, but fruitful in discovering alien technologies and making it their own thanks to the help of combined efforts of human and non-human before and during the invasion war. 5 X-Com bases had been run with a skeleton crew eatch with exception of Number 3, until the 2015 invasion activated the X-Com initiative and filled over the years the ranks of engineers and researchers from all over the world. Though most of its ressources financial supported most running black ops operations with their 'Blood Diamonds' in the past, did that abruptly stopped with the arrivals of the aliens. The first official build, but mostly neglected throughout the decades before the invasion war was: Number 1: North America, specifically towards air to air defense. They had only half the cost in anything airforce related. But their specialty was only so because they pumped basically everything into it. They developed and produced the Raven jet fighter X-Com exclusively used when the aliens arrived, until alien technology allowed for something way better. Unfortunately their in a mountain build in base was destroyed in the first year shortly after 2016 of the war effort, following the carpet bombing of civilian population centers and military gathering grounds. Though they left the X-Com initiative rather early as first to be destroyed X-Com initiative base, the united states as a hole fight on for the first 5 years taking most the heat of the war effort of the aliens. Not unexpectedly as the most armed and dangerous nation in the aliens leaders eyes, since even civilian seem to have military grade weapons that give 'Sectoids' and 'Thin People' a run for their activities within the nations borders. Just good X-Com had Blueprints stored away in other cities in undercover servers, that way non X-Com facilities could continue the production for all remaining X-Com facilities and america military airforce bases that hijacked the blueprints. Their occasional survivel experts homebase owned by formerly rich individuals where civilian resistance pocket collected around starting the first wave of alien terror attacks, giving the alien quite some trouble due to them being build in non vital areas far off civilization, due to but not limited to stockpiling of ammunition and weapons within them, while inferior in general to alien standards still strong enough to take down alien through quantity. Not to mention the ridiculous amounts of dried rations that could have lasted the owner and his familys 200 years in food alone, if they had not distributed it to refugees that later build a resistance base around it kinds of constructions. While the aliens and the traitors to humanity named Exalt (EX-traterrestrials AL-lied T-errains) devastating the americans for the first three years of the war, until EXALT Headquarters was found in their nation in the city 'New York' hidden within the 'world trade center double towers'. With a primary and a secondary base respectively stationed in the upper buildings endstructure only accessible by helicopter or two elevators. To be fair, the EXALT organization had been found out in the first two years thanks to many missions uncovering their location, though all X-Com base commanders separately agreed that the several hundred agents they killed in cover ops mission, supplied them through salvage of gear and dead bodies with invaluable resources, beside bleeding the traitors ranks out of their genetically improved troops. If not for the brave first attack of X-Com with its few genetic spliced soldier in one tower while simultaneously attack the second with mechanical soldiers and drones squads, EXALT main leadership might have managed to save itself and its assets. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png The second X-Com initiative base was a training focused underground base structure, semi modern in equipment. They trained the best of the best the hard way. The willful strongest soldiers of all X-Com all had been trained and run through there military installation. Non americans specialists working in the end for america in the past came from them. Number 2: Asia, specifically focus on the future troubles of the war, many troops got send there to be trained to fill out any casualties this war would cost X-COM, every reinforcements request came from their base, supplementing the depleted troops fallen during the start of the war. While Asia was mostly ignored by the aliens as bombarding target and Chryssalids terror attacks. It still happend rather rarely in comparison to others, they called besides germany the most for obduction mission to be interrupted by X-Com bases still active over the first 5 years. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png The oldest running operation, but newest added X-Com base before 2015 was: Number 3: South America, their specialty to secure assets to keep all of X-Com running financially, under any circumstances. Their specialty was control of any legal & illegal way to securely finance everything before the start of the invasion and until its destruction as second discovered by the alien invaders search and purge squads. They got hit as first X-Com installation and had to detonate the site remotely, when swarms of sectoids, mechtoids and Thin People overrun the installation over a week of siege, before infantry plasma fire had burned through the last core fireblast gate and the base remained personal send their last report, before ordering the remote controlled detonation to be commenced upon reading of their last report. A memorial was later constructed near the mountains peak entry, telling the heroics of the over 500 core personnel that stand behind to fight to their last breath. May their example of american determination to fight to the end be remembered for all times. The fourth base was a important part of X-Com support squads, they run mission support fire and mission salvage operations until they got re-named because of a similar named traitor group that got terminated by their base personnel in a high cost operation that made sure the EXALT faction was hunted down from the start of the invasion to the end of the third year of the invasion. With Exalt repeatedly recapture their bases in the two buildings in separate occasions, until the most vital equipment was salvaged by X-Com and the buildings got eventually destroyed by burning them up with formerly decommissioned airline graveyard planes, to be used as makeshift drones. For EXALT had used alien alloys to prevent its destruction as a hole. Its destruction was still made possible by filling the plane with liquid laced with elerium particles. The to flight worthwhile planes got filled up with elerium flamethrower fuel and than remote controlled steered into the towers. The attacks to it structures as a hole failed, to this day do the towers stand strong, but they are burned out husks that stand as a monument to this day and age to show what human engineering can do withstand if the main structure is solid enough. Further do the twin towers create a beautiful melodramatic flute playing during rainstorms, strong winds and a strangely upbeat song during hailstorms that defy scientific explanation that are like a siren song for the lonely of heart. Eventually did the core government accepted a privately constructed placate to be added before the towers, it reads: 'While you have been fooled to serve false enlightenment of extraterrestrials, you have gifted us with your final defeat a music instrument of peace, contemplating and melodious symphony that help heal wounds that your alien conspicuous allies from the beyond left behind. May its melody sing for all eternity, as we wish you to burn in what ever hell comes after life. A hotel with low, mid and high class rooms was constructed by a group of humans and non-human, it is already to this day booked out for the next 20 years. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png Number 4: Africa, their specifications was to recruit and train expendable soldiers, as morality unacceptable it sounded, they are the official canon fodder of X-Com under the name EX-alt. Later renamed: Purge-X , when the EXALT organization was officially in X-Com ranks declared a enemy of humanity. Thanks to their efforts everything after a mission could get picked up by their disciplined personnel. From weapon fragments to alien corpses. Thanks to their diligent efforts could everything left behind after eatch conflict with the X-Com initiative bases be transported to the nearby X-Com base of the region, until they could be shipped off to the in Europa X-Com base for research & development. It was their viligant watch that discovered that some X-Com soldiers had used knifes to get 'alien corpse trophys' that officer Central Bradfort put to a end faster than the commander of his facility could get involved. Their efforts is to thank for vital support every year, until their base got destroyed as last remain of the official X-Com initiative bases build before the start of the 2015 invasion war. With them ended the prior governments support of X-Com and it marked the inoffical birth of X-Com as a by the people run organisation. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png The newest back than in 2015 yet most modern facility was still under construction, following like every other base the theme to be build far away from the public eye and where searching faction would not find them easily. It was excavated in a tundra and build partially into a existing underground cave system of a underground water reservoir laced with steam chambers. Number 5: The base in Europe that Dr. Von Vahlen (research and development) was stationed in along the living legend Dr. Shen (development concept testing and adaptation as well production of prototype and final product). It was specifically build for expert knowledge, they focused on manufacturing and development for all high end equipment and exotic technology. Having to hold the weight of development and production on their shoulders for all facilities. Also the place where all alien technology raided was send to be stored and reverse engineered. All hybrid technology that was developed and produced by Advent later on, had their origin from there. All Advent had praised to develop in months, their entire human optimization technology early on was stolen from this base. It was also the home to the aliens and their bonded humans that had the code name: 'The elements of harmony'. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png The invasion seem to have started because the royal class of a race named Changelings managed to escape from a alien faction of mind washing and controlling species. That species had captured the Changelings Empress and her young descendants of immature queens. (Empress and Queen are subspecies of the race Changelings, a Empress can lay Queens, who in turn produced all other versions of mortal subraces of Changelings) Eventually the captured royals managed to escape, though their escape didn't go unnoticed for to long. While they had been long enough away to not be found for months, it was still enough to be roughly tracked back to our solar system. Upon shortly the 2015 invasion war started. With the Changelings being here for almost a full year, having befriended humans and bonded with them beyond anything by humanity experience outside fiction. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png What we humans experienced in the invasion was nothing more than energy depleted and frontline to severe damaged ships landing on our world and trying to recapture the royal familie discreetly, with officially already to be battle decommissioned ships from a war that was raring over many star systems far away from the humans home system. Apparently a alliance of alien of many species had been waging war against another collection of aliens that we know as the invasion forces. While the 'Equus alliance' was fighting against the 'Atherial Empire', did we here on earth only see battle damaged and decommissioned forces... a frightening idea that humanity even with the help of the Changelings expertise in technology and bioengineering only lasted for years, because no serious concentration of forces could be diverted to the solar system we inhabited, due to their main forces and axillary forces fought on a frontline far of the human solar system. When the 'Atherial Empire' alien military approach damaged battleships it seem to be cheaper to melt down heavy damaged ships, rather than repairing it and testing it for further damages overlooked by the first round of repairs. A common problem with highly developed very high capacity ships build with a design that overlooked long time durability and maintenance friendly systems, to perform in extraordinary ways until material fatigue set in. In truth we humans did the same with space travel technology prior to the arrival of the invasion forces. The Atherial Empire never cared for planets environmental health or the prosperity of its mining and shipyard world, core stripping them, according to our Changeling allies information. A in disfavor fallen 'Elder leader' reduced to a logistics position, had noticed the escape of the Changelings royal family held in captivity and diverted heavy battle damaged or energy depleted as well material and maintenance starved ships to the environmental friendly alternative recycling facility constructed far of from the primal or secondary frontlines. Something located on the Mars, with what we found out are automated ship dismantle yards and a robotic crew of modified drones and Cyberdiscs to construct a civilian version of the 'obduction class vessels' that are mass produced and stored on the Mars somewhere. Investigation are ongoing to this day... but that is a topic for another time. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png These information and other still classified to this day, where uncovered when the Elder Leader was captured August 2020 in a cloaked ship X-Com shot down. The interrogation of the elder after the capture revealed that he 'officially' just emergency landed unfit for duty ships, equipment and personal to a new improved rally point. The off the front line in unclaimed and unchallanged sectors had prior to his demotion a project of his own running for centuries prior. The mars had become a activ ship salvage yard for almost 100 year by than, with Earth being under passive observation and occasional testing. With the Muton race still being subjected at the time and the start of the discovery of the alliance of multiple alien races, was humanity with its low technology slated for harvesting as lowest priority. This string of events allowed the elder individual in question a large scale solo operation to slowly re-route beneath other elders commanding leaders notice movements of exhausted older troops and war fatigued materials to be used in attempting to recapture the royal family that officially was still in their leaders incarcerated hold, while using the flora and fauna of earth as a newly discovered cheap and low grade military ration paste production that was used for his older troops with low priority supplies. While the food production was exclusive to his troops here, since for biomass harvested retired troops would not require food rations. Perfect to cover up his operation in this far off personal project of his. If the singel elder responsible for all activities in the human solar system have recovered the Changelings on the run, it might have elevated him to a higher position than he originally held on to in their society before his demotion, if he had managed it without anyone noticing the royal escape and the avoiding of the embarrassing truth of the matter how in their society viewpoint a 'primitive species had played them'. While the to logistical duties demoted elder had successfully established a base to recycle older troops into nutritional paste and found flora and fauna of a new world to supplement them, did he recycled obsolete and battlefield decommissioned ships to be used in his out of territory established base, to haggle with other low standing elders fallen in disfavor for producing of civilian population infrastructure and space vessels. Something apparently of low value of their older generations, but gaining him following with the under 3000 year old younger members of his species. His results in production of low grade equipment was sufficient enough to be considered adequate for their none war effort against the abominable enemy of the Equus alliance and he was on occasion even recommended to be promoted, though he declined repeatedly. Since the civilian position he got recommended for were in his eyes below his capacity. Something not to unusual in their society, yet it was mentally and physically less straining than a higher position would have required him to be invested in. A ruse he used to his advantage for a cover story. Something not to unexpected from one of the eldest of the old leaders that had fallen into disfavor. Better to live a lesser important position very successful, rather than getting scolded for average service in a higher position that was equally in rewards earned and services provided. To think Earth had only as mutch success as they managed, because they got swarmed by the eldest to be retired troops, only worth to be used for their biomass and material that was no longer worth keeping around on active battlefields... a terrifying idea. Though it was exactly that what would give Earth a fighting chance and make the Elder leadership decision to ignore this backwater sector for later consideration. Until the elder running the operation was shot down and he send a 'S.O.S.' to their main forces headquarters. What caused the 6 month later arrival of the temple ship filled with freshly trained, well equipment welding and fresh supplied troops. Starting the real effort of the alien to recapture the Changelings and giving X-Com its real challenge. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Back to the Changelings past. It apparently take the Changelings approximately 1-2 years in captivity until they managed to escape, meanwhile did the Atherial Empire did the royal family of the Changelings no favors in experimenting on them. The Empress and youngest remaining alive Queens still alive and not touched by any experimental procedures until than, had evacuated with a by their mind control persuasive abilities group of a few Sectoids, susceptible due to old age or prior mental conditions. They than had stolen a fully fuelled but weapon stripped scout class ship, coming freshly from the battlefield front to be refitted for future use. After the Changelings with their borrowed crew arrived on earth on a semi dense populated region they reprogramming its auto pilot to steer into the sun of the solar system they found themself in. Just in case the Sectoids had not disabled its position transponder properly. With the ships departure did the Changelings executed their former captors and moved on to find a way to build a new future for themself. For all they know, their species survival depended on it. They had lost their army before their capture and what remained of their race elsewhere was probably doomed. So they decided to start a new, with the local fauna and flora to aid in their survival and reconstruction of their former civilisation. They had meet humans in a very isolated little city, less than 51.000 population in size, long abandoned to be further developed after the main investors jumped ship or had died off old age. Making this little city more of a odd little vacation spot in Europe, germany. https://camo.fimfiction.net/ieD9k8O65VnA8eCz1IiBegnU-Dfp13qt7Z0fH2RKWK8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fequestriagirls%2Fimages%2Fd%2Fd2%2FEquestria_Girls_website_-_Map_of_Canterlot.jpg%2Frevision%2Flatest%3Fcb%3D20170804022616 https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png The reason why the Changelings had been spared and unharmed until than unlike other members of their family was the secret their highest leader known as 'Wrath of the Elders' was after. The geode necklaces of Harmony. Honesty Generosity Kindness Laughter Loyalty Mercy/Redemption All 6 elements united by Magic The geode necklaces had been magic filled constructs that would soul and body bond with a compatible chosen one. The humans that that selfless and without demanding a reward in return eventually befriended the royals, given them shelter and without knowing, having fullfilled the trials of becoming a worthy wielding individual. Besides being knowingly after a while the foodsource of the Changelings they had been together with. APPLEJACK roter Apfel as honesty bearer. RARITY singende Glocke as generosity bearer. FLUTTERSHY stürmischer Wind as kindness bearer. PINKIE PIE ewig Stein as laughter bearer. RAINBOW DASH zarte Blume as loyalty bearer. -DERPY HOOVES Zeit Läufer as mercy/redemption bearer. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Sternen Läufer as Magic element bonding conduit to unite their individual might as one. When the teenage girls absorbed the magical charged stones, did they become a natural part of their body and the human teenage girls would grow with discomfort a highly efficient mana network very similar to a blood circulation system to support their new magical abilities. With their breasts apparently having for some reasons two main production knots in them for eatch breast one. Something that needed some development time without alien technology that apparently was stolen and adapted by the eldest leadership from the Changelings homeworld towards the start of the war that was still raging across the stars. The human woman had bonded beyond conventional means and as the Empress of the Changelings Chrysalis stated would mature in few years time fully, expanding their lifespan and making them superhuman in every aspect, boosting them to their evolutionary apex. Something that wasn't without risks and consequences, because the hook was that the Changelings bonded to the humans of their chosen elements for life. To clarify it: Changeling royalty is practically immortal towards time, as long they are sufficiently feeded with positive charged emotions laced in magic somehow. Something that went beyond pheromones and magic consumption and needs to be discovered to this day in detail, with some of them still being classified. But when they bonded to other creatures they become stronger physically and mentally more versatile in exchange of running the risk of perishing alongside their bond mates. A necessary risk to gain a new form and evolve as a race, able to adapting beyond any other else species survival nature genetic survivel tactic. While the chosen ones are basically turned into superhuman beings, become somewhat of a evolved human with its potencial fully reached, the Changelings in turn will earn a new form to shape shift into, to become perfectly adapted to their environment and its in it living fauna filled ecosystem. The Changelings strength is to adapt towards the fauna of a world and become the perfect doppelgänger, able to perfectly fit to a species through the elements of harmony they created to become part of a new greater hole. A perfect symbiotic relationship, bringing the highest chances of survival for the currently living generation, so future generations can be born from them and co-existing with the original fauna of the world. Both sides absorbed something from the other, bonding to something neither could have accomplished all on their own. Author's Note Hope you enjoy the story. It started as little story, but I am currently in X-Com 1 Invasion war 2023 and plan to drag it to 2024 before I finish my current game run and have the story than here. 2015-2024, 9 year of alien invasion. Though I might make this more of a side project, since I have to many other stories running. My Cynder, Gray and Selene chapter are already mostly written. They might come out next weekend. Hopefully, happy eastern :yay: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/yay.png♡ Clop will follow eventually, but my clop with plot needs time to develop. Stay snuggly :twilightsmile: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/twilightsmile.png https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Last time Edited: 01.05.24 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 2/5 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 2/5 X-Com - Vahlens Snek conversion By: Black--Soul 》》》■■■《《《 Prolog: X-COM 1 , 2/5 Contact with friendly extraterrestrials was made after the 5th missions since the X-Com initiative was activated, with the shot down of the first UFO with the beginning of the invasion. Big Sky 1&2 landed with the two Squads near the shot down UFO on a Farm inside Canterlot City. Before Alpha and Bravo squad could scout out the situation and scout of the sight, did the alien apparently started attacking local civilians on the farm. The squads engage immediately, after witnessing how two distinctive different groups were engaged in combat. A group of human civilians and a group of exterestrials in colorful carapace that seem to protect the civilian for some reasons, against a group of grey armed non human hostiles that are codenamed Sectoids. There were 9 armed aliens that engage the civilians that got somehow shielded by the colorful aliens. It was clear in seconds that the civilians and their non human friends had no chance of winning despite them out numbering the attackers, because the fight was very one sided with one firing plasma bolts without stopping, while the other were retreating without any real opposition of weaponized resistance, the defenders utilizing trees of the Orchard as cover, with shield diverting plasma bolt that would have come close enough to do proximity damage or would have even been direct hits that would without a doubt end in a lethal result. As ordered by the Commander of the European X-Com facility Nightmare Stellar Moon and the second in command Central Bradfort, did Alpha & Bravo squad rushed directly towards the attacking stragglers of the crashing survivers. As the heavy weapon experts of Alpha&Bravo lay suppressive fire and forcing the armed attackers into cover, did the snipers run towards a water tower and climbing it for a better overview position to lay fire. The remaining units moved towards the line between the attacking and defensive groups. The civilians had apparently already taken damage with one of them out cold being dragged by two of their fellow humans, while one smaller colorful extraterrestrial was being carried by a horse sized but more bulky formed one on the civilians side alien, that keep the shield up with a horn like glowing appendage. The suppressing fire stopped when the snipers where in position and started taking out the attackers, one headshot at a time. Our soldiers in black and yellow combat gear came just in time and got cheered by the civilians and their quadrapet non human friends alike. Both by now wounded heavy weapon specialists stayed with the civilians, while all remaining X-Com Alpha & Bravo squad members moved from cover to cover towards the by the civilian and satellite indicated directions. Clearing out the crashed ship after only 2 remaining crew members give a token resistance, though one dissappear after getting eliminated, leaving behind a crystal structure. There were actually 2 more aliens bodies, but they had not survived the crash of the ship with one decapitated and the other obviously bleed to death. X-Com salvage teams arrived 3 hours later, with police forces helping to keep everyone off the farm. The civilians insisted that the quadrapet alien where their friends, living peacefully together for almost a full year now. The civilians and 'alien friends' with the few in the barn hunkered down family members got volunteered to be evacuated, by non other than the alien buglike quadrapet apparently through telepathic means, when our soldiers offered them protection and shared protective custody. So while the salvage teams get to stripping the ship down, did the civilians on the farm numbering 18 individuals and colorful extraterrestrials got transported with even out numbers in the VToL that had brought Alpha & Bravo squad to the mission site. The bunks of the soldiers will have to be shared for now until a dedicated room for permanent housing will be constructed in about 2 weeks with the currently given ressources to the European X-Com facility. Including in the listing of the permanently housing of individuals are 8 extraterrestrials with equine and insectoid bodies named: - Chrysalis (Empress of the Changelings green colored) - Honesty (Orange of the Queen Changelings) - Generosity (Purple of the Queen Changelings) - Kindness (Yellow of the Queen Changelings) - Laughter (Pink of the Queen Changelings) - Loyalty (Blue of the Queen Changelings) - Mercy/Redemption (Crimson Red of the Queen Changelings) - Magic (Cyan colored of the Queen Changelings) Fortunately did civilians and extraterrestrials alike cooperation was forthcoming as long they had been allowed to stay together. The interrogation was not hold like procedures dictate, but the cooperation was put as higher priority before protocol, by direct order of Commander Nightmare and Bradford. It helped to keep the worry down of everyone involved, being more of an interview, than a feared interrogation. The questioning revealed that people inside the city of Canterlot had been disappearing for quite some time. The police had no idea what was going on. The civilians allied to these colorful insect like equines trying to track down what couldn’t be ignored if it wasn't caused by humans, but people just seem to be there one day and gone the next. It felt to them like some scary horror movie chase to the now in protective custody holded civilians and their alien friends. The friendly alien keep in touch with the teenagers through advanced telepathic abilities bonded to extraterrestrial geodes. As much as it can be belived, did the civilians all formed a bond with the geodes until the object with individual sentience decided to bond with their human users, seemingly sinking into their bodies. Something that need to be investigated by our medical personal in detail later on a voluntary basis, the Commander would not risk a friendly relationship with a alien species giving us expert knowledge willingly. The civilian Derpy Hooves Zeit Läufer had been suffering bad headaches for quite some time, the extraterrestrials named as reason that the geodes was merging with increased core connections to her neuropaths in her central nerve sytem located in her brain and spine. Painful but non lethal in any circumstances, were the bonding was allowed to happen uninterrupted and without outside interference. So had apparently civilians Rarity singende Glocke, Fluttershy stürmischer Wind and Twilight Sternen Läufer to a lesser degree. Meanwhile Applejack roter Apfel, Rainbow zarte Blume and Pinkie Pie ewig Stein has their bodies modified differently. With Fluttershy stürmischer Wind development being focus even more differently than any others. Something that would help the war effort arguably the most towards the end of the invasion war. Anyway, the young woman were investigating a ear deafening sound after the farmhouse shacking like a minor earthquake might do. In the dark of the night did the fire on the orchard was easy to spot. Telecommunications had been interrupted in the area and so no firefighters could be called to help. The befriended alien and the teenagers moved out with multiple hand help fire extinguisher in hoped to contain the orchard fire. Until they found the reason for the flames, a crash landed scoutship of the type the friendly aliens had arrived with almost a year ago. The giant firestreaks was being beyond the abilities of normal extinguisher to deal with, so the group started to uproot trees to contain the spread. After half a hour the fire was mostly contained and the group followed the trail of destruction. Eventually finding the crash landed ship and observing it from the distance. Meanwhile police and firefighters were occupied elsewhere when a fragmented part broken of the ship had struck a high tower and caused the building to go up in flames over time, explaining why no police or firefighter was on the orchard, with all available support services already deployed without the radio communication, further delayed without the help in efficiency radio communication would have brought. Unable to immediately investigate the cause of the building fire or the crashsite of the UFO in the distance. Minutes prior to X-Com forces arriving did the group on the farm got closer to check for survivers and possibly loot, to help the girls with their still adapting bodies. The containers prior salvaged in another X-Com operation is a multipurpose tool stolen from the Changeling race and combined with the enemy alien technology, melding it together to the most versatile biological and inorganic tool working on the cellular level. One or two full containers would have been perfect for the adapting teenagers to help speed up the geodes melding with their biology, to streamline the changes of their bodies to 'magic' as they called it. Giving Dr. VAHLEN and some of her team a expression like a infant that bite into a citrus for the first time. Unfortunately only a already depleted container was outside the ship, healing injured crew. The former flying saucer had been hit by multiple weapon impacts and had injured the crew prior to the crash. Pretty obvious to the Changelings as they could taste the wrath about being humiliated by their attacking opposition. One big gouge out section of the ship showed off why the advanced vessel was brought down. With sporadically blinking on lights flicker on and off from the damaged section showing further smoke development from inside the ship. The saucer had plowed right into a small hill, deeply buried into the ground. Unfortunate one of the humans got spotted due to her multi colored head being to distinctive to overlook and a massive collection of black eyes landed on the group of civilians. Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight were immediately attacked mentally what resulted in headaches with increased strength, noticeable having one lesser then on their ordinary days after having melded with the alien geodes. Upon noticing the lack of effect on their target did the Sectoids moving fast towards the civilians. Something that surprised them, because the small Sectoids are not to be expected by inexperienced persons to meet them for the first to be that fast as individual or as a group. The civilians with their quadrapet friends made a dash to get away from the obvious threat, but they were on top of them within minutes. Bolts of green plasma flying over their surroundings and to near their body and their heads. Other than with killing intentions, one can not explain the actions toward the civilians. At some point the individual Derpy Hooves had turned to look back and met one Sectoid mind intrusion attempt. Her mind as reported by her bond mate suddenly felt like it was in some kind of struggling vice grip. She screamed from the overwhelming pain. Her bond mate send a counterattack through Derpy and caused a feedback loop. It would get Derpy heavily disoriented and her mental state hazy for a short time. But it was better than falling to the victim of a Sectoid mind control attack. From there on the Sectoids stopped their mental attacks and switched over to pure plasma offensive moves. Derpy stopped to scream, but grabbed her head and fall to the ground almost unconscious shortly after. There was a lavender magical connection, indicated by the light that was connecting that gray Sectoids head to Derpy. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash grabbed her and dragged her back, meanwhile while Applejack picked up little rocks and threw them with her increased body strength towards the aliens. It was rather visible when a Sectoid found itself hit, starting to bleed from the point of impact. Not unfamiliar to something akin of a paintball hit on naked skin. A chunk of skin made to rapture and bleed, inconvenient but not any further in seriouse damage unless a eye was hit. Without concrete weapons or any tools to weaponize though, they could do nothing seriously to stop the aliens closing in. At some point that attacking Sectoid chestlight started to diminished in its glowing. Finally having broken through the defense of the mental attacking Sectoid that had started about 2-5 minutes prior, did the alien bond mate of Derpy started to glow a bright crimson magic that got shot to Derpy through the connection, disconnecting Derpy from the Sectoid. The crimson aura of that former pulsing purple light receding from Derpy to the Sectoids head. Making a connection to two others visible and all three screamed in pain and rage, before after a few seconds of reoriented positioning, they started to add their weapons fire to the others. That was followed by them hearing some kind of plane or something fly overhead, what was undoubtedly the VToL transport Big Sky 1&2. Than our guys in black and yellow combat gear came in and saved the night. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png Because of their magical sciences (though they call it Psy for Dr.Vahlens and her lead researchers sanity and calm of mind reasons), the extraterrestrials and humans altered or otherwise, are all part of X-COM on a voluntary basis openly cooperating. While many soldier and base personnel seemed to be openly distrustful, everyone is polite under threat of reassignment. In some kind of Empathy bond, did the humans bonded to the extraterrestrials now officially called 'Changelings' have requested certain individuals to be stationed outside the barack for their emotional state. These individuals (fortunately few in numbers), are send everyone of our guest at uneasy needless stressed state. The soldier baracks can hold 70 soldiers bed to bed, accommodation have been granted due to already sufficient space availability. Armed guard with positive or neutral disposition are stationed to guard inside the barack, while negativ emotional soldiers patrol outside the baracks. The counsel has approved with majority towards playing nice towards this valuable resources. Less distrustful members have their security concerns addressed mostly, when reasonable. All volunteers of the farm and their families soon to be put alongside them here in the facility for protection, will be put into none intrusive medical scans and observations. To a reasonable respectful and practical level. Video camera and sound listening devices catched material will be censored for privacy concerns. Uncensored version for scientific purposes only for Dr.Vahlens lead researchers eyes only officially. With the exception being the counsel members leaders inoffical as to be expected. The aliens guarantee us civilian and military research and development with usability in the field within this year, for full political assilum and immunity in return. A majority vote of the counsel agreed to accept it for the next 10 years, with a extention for another period upon delivering result in their cooperation promised for the defensive effort of the nation's of Earth. Days later did two new division where officially added to the X-Com forces: https://camo.fimfiction.net/_4DVEJq4q9KIIwaSJKycGhAkdC4FmzjBAxCthVl74ws?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.stratege.ru%2Ftrophies%2FNPWR04535_00%2FTROP000.PNG https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png There have been concerns about the invasion forces attempting to conquer Earth and retaking the Changelings into their custody. Also them feeding on the love of others... these will be researched, but even with some counsel members openly deadpanning on the idea, under Commander Nightmare Stellar Moon will they be given the benefit of a doubt, that it isn't harmful. Something that should be easily proven or disproven over time. Though there are valid concerns about them 'eventually disguising themselves and drain other creatures of their love to help with population growth', this is a concern for another time, with the coming years them being confined to the European X-Com facility anyway. The Queens and the Empress seemingly unamused, but accepting as long everycreature stay reasonable and polite at the very least. They don’t expect us humans to stop eating meat, why should they stop feeding on overflow of love and other positive emotions. Unless proven scientifically, they are given the benefit of a doubt. While some hypocritical 'That’s not the same debated started under the counsel members, 'they don’t prey on creatures cognizant of their own intelligence to any detrimental degree, since salting the harvest makes no sense what so ever'. They also don’t trick their ‘meals givers’ by posing as someone who cares about them, just like a farmer cares at least for his livestock, with a more pet adopting into the family relation. Noone can’t help our dietary needs, because a need is a requirement, with a want being a luxury retorted the base Commander Nightmare Stellar Moon easily. While some argued that their dietary needs rely on the manipulation of other creatures emotions, this line of thinking found to be unsubstantiated quickly for the less reasonable counsel members. No personal sense of ethics would render any dietary needs as wrong. Especially when cooperation was needed in this existential threat to Earth. Every request needed to be very plausible, with a frown taken here or there, but they need to fit within the fight for the races survival. Allowances are given when reasonable and within the budget, with limited access to the internet and monitored contact. Request to build a Hive to be locate within this facility are granted partly. To be determined later in bigger capacity to let the race grow, since they are legitimate are on the brink of extinction. By the end of the month, did the Changelings had already delivered impressive results. 'Sashimono' is a technique for assembling furniture and other wooden items without nails, using both simple and highly complex wood joints. Mortises or grooves called ‘hozo’ are carved into the wood in order to join two boards in a blind joint that’s not visible from the surface. The term “Sashimono” derives from the traditional practice of using a woodwork ruler called a “monosashi” to carefully measure timber materials. The joints of Edo Sashimono are made so they’re barely seen from the outside. Although delicate in appearance, the joinery is strong and lasts generations. Edo Sashimono is designated by the japanese government as a traditional craft of Japan. These techniques are practical identical to the Changelings way of building, since refined Elerium allowed for its joins to withstand extreme stress, especially when reinforcements are given with a non-Newtonian fluid. These fluids that does not follow Newton's law of viscosity are known to earth scientists, that is to a certain degree, it has variable viscosity dependent on stress. The Changelings have increased this knowledge by leagues and have already advanced this field of research by decades. In particular, the viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids can change, when subjected to force in general. Though with the Changelings help did X-Com Kevlar armor got reinforcements in form of Changelings construction goo resistant to heat and physical trauma. To shortly return to the topic of liquids. To make a example: Ketchup, it becomes runnier when shaken and is thus a non-Newtonian fluid. Many salt solutions and molten polymers are non-Newtonian fluids, as are many commonly found substances such as custard, toothpaste, starch suspensions, corn starch, paint, blood, melted butter, and shampoo. Most commonly, the viscosity (the gradual deformation by shear) of non-Newtonian fluids is dependent on shear rate or shear rate history. Some non-Newtonian fluids with shear-independent viscosity, however, still exhibit normal stress-differences or other non-Newtonian behavior. In a Newtonian fluid, the relation between the shear stress and the shear rate is linear, passing through the , the constant of proportionality being the coefficient of viscosity. In a non-Newtonian fluid, the relation between the shear stress and the shear rate is different. The fluid can even exhibit time-dependent viscosity. Therefore, a constant coefficient of viscosity cannot be defined. Although the concept of viscosity is commonly used in fluid mechanics to characterize the shear properties of a fluid, it can be inadequate to describe non-Newtonian fluids. They are best studied through several other rheological properties that relate stress and strain tensors under many different flow conditions such as oscillatory shear or extensional flow which are measured using different devices or rheometers. The properties are better studied constitutive equations, which are common in the field of continuum mechanics. To return to the topic of results of the research, the durability of the standard X-Com field armor for our soldiers is increased by one fourth by adding a layer of Changeling construction resin to the armors composition. Increasing survivability already marginally. Meanwhile the counsel members agreed to reward everyone of the volunteers by slowly robbing the organization of its budget by convincing them to siphon off money into their account once every fourth week. So in lay man terms, everyone get payed a monthly stipend for their troubles. Something to end this part of the recollection with: A leader need to be confident and lead with determination and reasonable methods. Otherwise uncertainty will start. Uncertainty grows fear. Fear grows panic. Panic leads to death. Death leads to extinction. Chrysalis and the majority of the counsel tried and did indeed what they could, with success giving them vindication. Author's Note A update to show the story isn't actually a first April joke. Stay Snuggly :twilightsmile: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/twilightsmile.png♡ https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Last time Edited: 01.05.2024 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 3/5 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 3/5 X-Com - Vahlens Snek conversion By: Black--Soul 》》》■■■《《《 Prolog: X-COM 1 , 3/5 https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png The following past months had been very stressful for everyone, not due to problems inside the X-Com facility, quite the opposite. The Changelings and their human friends or rather adopted family have become a major moral boosting factor to the entire crew on the European X-Com base. There had been two attempts at subjugating the civilians by over eager base personnel for 'obvious misbehaving', but when Commander Nightmare Stellar Moon checked the security footage, did quickly was discovered that certain base personnel was starting in xenophobic behavior and blaming minor infractions for major disconcerting incidents with known anti-alien cooperation personnel. The personal in question has been investigated, interrogated and found a threat to cooperation and has been reassigned to other X-Com installations. The newest citizens of Earth have been more open and productive, when the personal was removed from the base. Showing how a few aggressive human crew apparently had a significant influence on the empathy sensitive Changelings. Productivity increased as a result of the empathy sensitive newest residents of earth being no longer put under passive aggressive pressure, something that needs to be monitored closer to keep everyone in top moral state, to hold productivity as high as possible, so the Changelings research and development for X-Com isn't unnecessary stunted. The moral improved do to a less hostile behavior towards the volunteers of the base. Unfortunately did the assault on the City of Canterlot and the destruction of the school of the teenage volunteers, had the effect to drop the moral of a volunteers ones more to a measurable decrease in productivity. Fortunately was the school empty at the time, setting the volunteers mind partially at ease, especially since their families had found shelter in the European X-Com facility already. Apparently did the human volunteers and families really hoped to just return eventually to their old lifes, as unlikely as it seemed at the time. Something unreasonable in hope can still be a source in strength in war time... being equally hard to face, when the false hope is stripped before their eyes. With the destruction of the Canterlot school and the occasional industry building in a terror attack, did the volunteers moral hit a deep low. Unexpected did it changed the Changelings focus from utilities outside combat and support technology on the battle field, to open support of offensive technology researchers and development. To quote the Changeling Empress Chrysalis: "If they mess with the adopted Hive, than they will feel the sting of the Swarm and its efforts to keep it safe." Near the end of 2015, did we have improved S.H.I.V. designs that incorporate alien alloys in the simpel yet effective Changeling construction style mentioned in the previous report. Improving standard X-Com S.H.I.V.'s significantly. The construction of the testing grounds and alien smithing give also rise to many prototype improvements. Some more feasible than others. While some increased already existing technology, others dramatically improved battlefield offensive capacity. When the budget finally allowed for their implementation. By the start of 2016, did the European X-Com facility had produced not just improved ballistic ammunition for existing weapons systems, but also created working prototype laser weapons. Though cooling system needed to be developed, since after only 60 shots of a laser rifle, the weapon material fatigue made it unsafe to use any further without exchanging the entire barrel of the weapon. By the April of 2016, did the Changelings had designed a battlefield ready version of the following laser weapon variations: - Pistol - Assault Rifle - Heavy maschine gun - Assault Shotgun - Sniper Rifle - Railgun for the Exosuit prototype - X-Raven fighter laser gun pods These weapon while still used only by X-Com, had significantly improved the battlefield success rate and survivability of our troops worldwide in X-Com operations. Unfortunately still only limited to X-Com operations. The elerium shell alloy armor already 3 month after the Changelings joined the effort of X-Com, had significantly increased the length of battlefield engagement window of opportunity and helped bringing soldier back alive, even when often in critical condition or permanently crippled, when hands and legs got incinerated. Fortunately by the beginning of 2016, did most gaps in the armor was overworked and therefore the soldiers lost way less often a hand or leg on the field of battle, due to plasma burning exposed body parts to 'charcoal'. Dr. Shen had also developed with the help of the volunteers by the start of 2016 prosthesis for replacing lost hands, arms, feet and legs. Something that would get previous battlefield unfit soldiers, due to injuries, back in the fight. Unfortunately did the American government connection to X-Com ended 2017, with the death of the connection personal outside X-Com facilities. Though every woman, men and child keep up the resistance in America in general. Since defeat was not a feasible survival tactic, after the 'Terror attacks' showed how ruthless the invaders are towards humans civilian life. The foal-napping in farmer barns and the obduction of the innocent student in schools and orphanage increased during Terror attacks, making a requirement to station general military forces in rural areas for the protection of farmers and police to patrol schools and orphanages daily. There had been other ways to go about it when police or military wasn't available, after some protestes did civilians get handed out none lethal weapons. Creating a huge market for X-Com stun guns to every nation. Unfortunately with bearly more return than the production costs are. With governments just asking for the civilians to helping one another in case of attacks for compensation, most people that didn't have a job anymore for one reason or another started to organize patrols, even unarmed with only stun guns at their disposal, did obduction in schools and orphanages sharply dropped. While unmarked standard non upgraded X-Com kevlar combat armor have solved the problem of civilians getting into range to use them. Because of the sheer number of civilian defenders with a stun gun and Kevlar armor made it impossible for attackers to gun enough humans down with plasma, before one or multiple stun guns take down Sectoids or Thin People going after children in citys or dense villages. Though farmers still got regularly harassed with hit and run tactics, when time showed the invaders that farmers could use regular hunting or military grade sniper rifles, when given enough warning with a scout ship hot dropping troops in the area. Without the general empathy of humans towards children and teenagers, that alien tactic might have worked. Apparently no other species the invasion forces encountered before besides the Changelings, was ready to charge alien despite no blood bond connecting the younger generation with the older defenders. Chrysalis and her daughters mocked the aliens for their inability to use their highly evolved brains to understanding empathy that humans had for one another. Something that Changelings discovered to be true even for non human species. When a Changeling ask: "Excuse me, but could I kindly feed off your overflow of love and other positive emotions?" Just to often meet a human that invited the Changelings for cuddles and snuggeling. With the occasional cuddle pile forming up in corridors, when other base personnel out of the blue stopped a few minutes their work to join their snuggle buggly friends. Rumor has it even the strict Commander Bradfort and base Commander Nightmare Stellar Moon fall victim to 'the cute factor'. With a cuddly encounter to nearly wordless dissipate after a few minutes. A survey of the personal have reported increased happiness and social closeness towards one another, making Dr.Vahlen belive that Changelings can not just consume overflow of a individual, but share it with participants in a 'cuddle pile'. Test so far have showed increased medical results with tested individuals being seemingly healthier and more productive than before the testing regiment started. While the counsel is concerned about darker applications of this positive emotional feedback loop sharing, it has significantly reduced stress related problems and is there for under observations, to continue, unless a negative outcome is in sight and scientifically proven. Observation show that everyone is bonding with someone over time, making concerns voiced that the base will not have enough space for the future. Be it by adding clever scientists and ingenious ingenieur joining monthly over the coming years... or future expansion through the fruitful relationships that start to manifest, eventually going to reach a critical mass and resulting in massive fraternal incidents with foresight ending in children being born that will need space to live, learn, play and grow up. The counsel has given green light for the Hive project of the exterestrials known as Changelings, under the insistence that things don't grow out of hand/hoove and they actively help with excavation, without slacking in their war efforts of research and development. The Changelings are reported to become more active and snuggly buggly, to offset the increased demand on their bodies food stores. But the Changelings capacity to work even beyond what the worst human workaholic in X-Com is showing, is simply astounding and shows that Changelings can and will become almost tireless, when constantly supplied with snuggel-snacking. That said, Changelings and medical personal have successfully developed 'Melt' created inferior geodes that can Meld with volunteers under the human crew of the European base. 100 humans from janitor to security guard have reported minor headaches and body cramping, but after only two months a increased health and productivity in all areas of life. These volunteers are put under closer observation, but have shown only positive feedback from the procedure, the minor two discomforts not counting. Long term effect observations are on going and will show result in the coming years. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png After the invasion war and the Advent occupation era ended, X-Com published the results. Generally speaking, increased mental and physical attributes, with the occasional manifestation of ability that are as follows: -Sticky skin, can stick objects to the skin and leave them as safe as a grasping hand would hold them. -Increased eyesight, individuals have better far and near sight. Though the eye size has increased by half when children were born by two inferior geode users. -Skin color variations, individuals might turn different colors in skin color. Up to pastel colors that are in extreme cases glow in the dark... mostly neon orange, neon green, cyan blue. -Increased body odor, people starting to sweat out odors, when they consumed herbal teas in excess. Creating a automobile deodorant effect in close proximity to them, even able to saturate smaller rooms in the odor. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png Towards June of 2017, did the invasion troops either started to run out of troops commonly used or the resistance of humanity despite regular terror attacks and obduction attempts forced their hand. Sectoids, Mechtoids, Thin People, Floaters and regular Mutons stopped being the common troops encountered. ELITE Guard Mutons, Cyberdiscs, maintenance Drones, Sectopods, Seekers, heavy floaters and a almost ever present Chryssalids duo where following the common roaster and reinforce regular enemy battle formation, making their size a problem. In response two Squads of eight soldiers per VToL transport was send out with by now standard S.H.I.V units already in use by all military personnel outside X-Com, when the counsel volunteered the S.H.I.V. standard minigun variation to all nations, with a simpler Linux system, less reactive and flexible, but user friendly in roughly stated verbal commands and remote communications. 2 alloy S.H.I.V.'s codenamed Goliath, are now standard deployed with the two Squad in a harness attached to the VToL, without losing to mutch speed and climbing ability. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png 2018 was the year things escalated for Earth, with the invasion alien instigating more random attacks on outside city areas, focusing on isolated villages, breeding Chryssalids to a worrying degree. The Counsel authorized the release of laser pistol technology and to use laser assault shotguns mods for pistols, when material fatigue made them unsafe to use. February 2018 did the Changelings had adapted many designs for X-Com personal similar to the Elite Muton armor, with the alien smithing allowing for impressive mods to all kind if equipment. Further did the European X-Com facility launched its piloted Mech units alongside the two standard squads with its 8 members per squad. The 2 mech pilots had taken the place of the Goliath units. While the base attack was a success and its base give the European X-Com facility massive amounts of new technology and material to work with did it almost ended in the total wipe out of the send troops with only one surviver. One month after the attack on the alien outpost, did another base was discovered. With by than improved mech designs and instead of minigun armed mech soldiers, did the railgun 6 mech alongside 16 S.H.I.V. Goliaths take it over. The mech pilots got unfortunately all killed with two bearly functional Goliaths finishing off the base Commander, allowing X-Com once more to take a aliens base by force and dismantling it to the last piece of elerium with the following salvage teams. The Changelings declared the mech direct pilot technology as to flawed, so they discontinued it use with every available pilot dead anyway. They instead developed a experimental remote control system with the from the first base captured outerdimensional communications beacon. The highest version of mech X-Com soldiers would now remote control the mechanical robots. Unfortunately did only the to the Changelings bonded humans managed a mental strain of a connection for over a hour without falling into a short term coma, due to neurological overload. A remote control suit chamber was build in connection to the dimension communications beacon and now X-Com could use 7 Mech units with higher capacity weapon system be fielded on the battlefield. From that day on the standard was to deploy the 7 mechs alongside 8 X-Com soldiers and 3 S.H.I.V.'s. By the end of 2018 did the EXALT Headquarters got finally taken, when EXALT troops had started to decrease its genetic improved soldiers. Successfully ending the threat of EXALT 2 months later. Unfortunately America main government had collapsed by then, giving the EXALT some kind of victory in the end. With the collapsed of the American main government and and its industry mostly in ruines, did the aliens started to close in on Russian territories. Giving what what left of America breathing room to regroup. The by than with laser gun technology boosted military had until deep into the Advent occupation era, hold steady resistance. Until the Russian nation had fallen 10 years before X-Com had 2044 ended the elder grip on earth. But that is a story for another time. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png With the fall of the EXALT Headquarters in 2018, did the invasion forces still continue its relentless search for the Changelings and the remaining X-Com facilities, they had learned of by then. The 21 crystal remains from stunned outworld soldiers confirmed that there wasn't another alien base hidden on earth. The crystalline magnets got stored of site in case the enemy tried to track them down to find our base using them previously to find theirs missing magnetic counterparts. With the beginning of 2019, did the aliens finally cracked the plasma technology. Now making the battlefield engagement far more equal. February 2019 did the X-Com facilities all got supplied with: Sectoid Plasma Pistols Light Plasma Assault Rifle Heavy Plasma Rifles Heavy Plasma throwers Elerium Shard Railgun Shotgun Sniper Plasma Railguns Heavy Mech Robot Plasma Flak Guns X-Raven fighter heavy Plasma gun pods Remote controlled Fusion Plasma throwers The weapons approximately give X-Com equal grounds on the battlefield. What made the counsel decide that all laser technology would be released towards military use outside X-Com. While material was in short supply, did every nation received their share of laser weapons prior developed. Further was the technology for the alien alloys first generation armor schematics released to every nation. Though only 10 laser guns of all laser types got distributed, alongside 10 alloys armors. If they wanted more, they needed to procure the materials and produce it themself. Mai 2019 did the Changelings with the brilliant expertise of Dr. Vahlen and the genius mind of Dr. Shen developed the Firebrand. The first Interceptor based on alien technology. With its development did we also found the weakness of the systems of the alien ships. Leading to the development of the EMP throwers. Finally allowing alien ships to be shut down with its technology mostly intact. The aliens from then on lost big amounts of ships that attempted Terror attacks, further losing big shipments of depleted elerium that they transported for unknown reasons around the world. By the start of 2020, did the counsel ask for the creation of the Avenger project. A mobil base ship for rapid deployment of bigger X-Com troop movements. Unfortunately would that lead to reducing the materials getting to delivering for other nations military purposes. Further was the Antaeus program initiated, a mobile swimming baseship that could submerged itself if need be, to avoid enemy attacks. Since neither side has so far contemplated using the oceans to be included as battlefield environment. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png August 2020 had the communications beacon experiments shown a unregular signal floating over Russian during another regular terror attack. A send out Firebrand under guidance of the signal repeatedly fire on a invisible target, dropping its cloak and shortly after the ship itself near a beach after a longer chase. The mech 7 and 2 squads of highly Meld argumented X-Com soldiers managed with difficulty, but no deaths in their own ranks to capture the leader of the invasion forces. He was stunned and interrogated by Dr. Vahlen and the Changelings, revealing a mountain of wealth in informations. The following 6 months did alien activity had basically halted, stopping terror attacks entirely. Earth breath easy in releasing the information that the invasion forces leader had been captured and interrogated. 6 month that all nations used to rebuild its military and its fortifications, because everyone know, that others would come eventually. Something everyone feel happening when their Tempel Ship materialize inside Earth's orbit. Beginning the second wave of the invasion war. https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png The Tempel Ship send out ships to recover all active troops still scattered throughout Earth's continents. They than send out a envoy to negotiate the release of the captured elder. They offered a 100 year seize fire and guaranteed than none of their forces would set a foot into their solar system for that time period. They would allowed captured humans to return unmolested if they were still alive. Chrysalis advise the counsel to not negotiate with the elders, their mind control was something they had used against her people, when meeting for 'peace talks'. Everyone noticed the intangible trap immediately, when Empress Chrysalis pointed it out. 10 days after the first meeting of the Elders representatives and the human representatives, did the ambassador send to the invaders got inspected and found to be mentally disabled. Once the mental blockage was rendered inoperable, was clear that the elders would perhaps stay away from Earth, but the solar system would be mineral stripped, before the century of seized fire would be over. The elder envoy received the information that their ruse had been discovered, when the human ambassador spotted their target and get disconnected from the psy network. Fortunately did the counsel had used the 6 month of relative peace to repaired a old military hideout and used it to meet the compromised ambassador with Empress Chrysalis and a token force. The invaders launched many ships to the last known position of the Changeling Empress and found the earthlings having prepared a ambush. 500 X-Raven-Rocket launcher systems gun pod turrets 500 X-Raven Phoenix cannon gun pod turrets 500 X-Raven laser gun pod turrets 100 Mech prototype miniguns gun pod turrets 50 Mech Railguns mounted on turrets 100 X-Raven Plasma gun pod turrets 10 EMP throwers gun pod turrets Waited for their arrival. Within 24 hours 70 scout ship, 50 civilian obduction class ships and 15 destroyer got downed, before the alien stopped using ships and just deployed massive amounts of troops. By the first week the ammunition storages of the turrets using it had been depleted. By the second week did the laser turrets had either been melted by enemy ground fire or overheated turrets that exploded through material fatigue. By the third week did the remaining defensive turrets got overwhelmed. When the battered and battle fatigue alien invader troops eventually take into the dummy base, did they encountered only 210 S.H I.V. 's prepared to continue to bleed them. When the 150 standard, 50 Goliath and 10 new Hover remote controlled units were defeated did the aliens only found a big amount of Elerium generators and modified navigation computers, to control the turrets and SHIV's. The alien invaders had send massiv amounts of troops for three weeks straight into the meat grinder for nothing but depleted Elerium generators and modified navigation computers. When the Elerium generators where about to be shut down by their technicians, did the booby trapped generators exploded. Creating a new canyon in the area. The counsel concluded that the resuming of terror attacks and obduction of civilians was a good price to pay for what the aliens had bleed for three weeks in material and man power. All without a single human or Changelings getting captured or killed in the progress. This was unfortunately the biggest victory besides the destruction of the Tempel Ship in 2024. Near the end of 2024 did the first Advent City was started to be build upon this area of vaporized alien corpses and ship material graveyard. Using the slagged material as building stones of the first Advent city of many to come. But that is the story of a later report. Between 2015 did the human population of 7,3 billion was reduced by 2021 to roughly 6 billion living humans. Author's Note The next chapter is going to finish the X-Com 1 Prolog, than it starts very briefly into the underwater war, while Advent forms. Following the conclusion with X-Com 2 and the part about the first Vipers alongside others popping up. I think the build up is than more than satisfactory completed. We can get into Vahlen making her own Vipers, with snektacular success over the years. Stay snuggly :twilightsmile: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/twilightsmile.png♡ https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Last time edited: 01.05.2024 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 4/5 //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolog: X-COM 1 , 4/5 X-Com - Vahlens Snek conversion By: Black--Soul 》》》■■■《《《 Prolog: X-COM 1 , 4/5 https://camo.fimfiction.net/HNSPcqfxf-Vl-Fbusg788VdEMZ0gCVck947Mi2MML60?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticdelivery.nexusmods.com%2Fimages%2F151%2F37761865-1473236441.png 2021 was a tough time for X-Com and other military organizations. That year with the aliens using for once not to be decommissioned troops and equipment, showing X-Com and the other military that the first 6 years of the war was the time of simpel carpet bombing, but now they would use well trained and fresh equipment supplied troops. The alien stopped their ship bombardment of earth population in general, but instead they deployed troops into the cities and villages. Sometimes they come guns blazing, other times they literally just walked through villages and cities without doing more than returning fire, going so far that in the collapsed american city defenders realize that the alien rather studied damaged and undamaged structures, without losing any attention beyond the occational resistance movement in their military operations. Making the X-Com Counsel consider making contact with the usually always lethal ending confrontation seeking invader troops. End April 2021 did a group of 8 Mechtoids 4 Sectoid Commanders and 4 Thin People (2 male 2 female), studied what was one the center of New York. X-Com Alpha and Bravo Squad were deployed with 7 particel guns armed Mech, with 8 psi Soldiers get deployed to meet the potencial threat. Upon arrival they surrounded the alien invaders, with the aliens forming a defense formation. Despite 15 minutes of taking looks upon one another and many position changes, not a singel shot was given by both sides. The mech units controlled by the Harmonious 7, moved with lowered weapons towards the 8 mechtoids, besides the alien invaders taking better defensive positions, did no hostile action was taken. Eventually the alien invaders stopped taking defensive positions and the mech units observed the armed but combat passiv Sectoids to study dead bodies left behind as well taking stock of many building interiors and taking samples. Eventually a psi op soldier on his own suggestion and volunteered to moved over to the thin people without his main weaponry as a show of non aggressive behavior. The thin people where visible nervous about the human forces, especially weary of the lone negotiations starting operative coming over for a communications attempt. The thin people eventually explain that the captured elder was a rogue element in their military with wide ressources, having started this invasion war without their counsel approval. With the last failed attempt to gain the Changelings without to mutch resistance without success, they decided on a more passive approach. When the stick don't move the humans into obedience, the carrots might give better results. They insisted that peaceful takeover never worked, there for they don't condemning the rogue actions to mutch. Since the rogue was strictly following the elders version of the 'Geneva Convention'. Not using airborne viral agents that are impossible to control, using bombardment within a planets atmosphere, keeping the use of Chryssalids 'within reason' and accountability for ever singel living specimens of their race. The the later baffled X-Com Counsel the Bugtown incident was aby the rogue elder recorded event: 312 Chryssalids where created from start to the finish by airstrike. With 50 used Chryssalids escaping the bombardment due to deep tunneling the area. Though the elders disapproved of the carpet bombing of civilian before the local military on their own according use civilians as living shields. That was the only reason humanity deserve a written apology displayed publicly for a time peace be archived between elders and humanity, once vassal state was declared and enforced. They would now less aggressively study humanity and its culture. Currently three factions where in the Tempel Ship, 'keeping the alien invading forces activity to a minimum': The Military hardliners: Basically they want to continue what the rogue elder started. They are currently in the minority with the other two factions out voting them. The science research and development faction: They want to evaluate what their predecessor collected. Their squad here right now was currently fact checking a few of these points. The last but not least faction, the Political leaders. Currently very mutch busy in conversations to leave the Changelings be for the time being and returning in a few years to continue this war, if humanity isn't open for a vassal status by than. In short, become part of their elders empire, but self governing, as long tribues are payed in materials and all on the list named points are enforced on the planet population. As a way to avoid future misunderstandings and to keep the research teams safe from the military elements of the invasion forces, both sides offered a temporary truce for all orange colored armor troops, in a different set of hues, than a meld infused bleeding soldier would leave behind. Though the counsel of X-Com hoped to use a continuing dialog between themself and the invaders to bring about the possibility of something better, all the elder agreed to leave currently shot down materials for human to salvage as reperations for the trouble caused so far. The counsel was not amused that the elder basically payed reperations with trash and the equivalent of depleted uranium for the trillions in damages and billion of deaths caused, but accepted what it would buy them over time: Time to regroup, calm down the world population and even out the battlefield of the future conflicts to come. Also the elders would mark their units bright neon orange and a easy to distinguish decail pattern to show that they strictly are researchers squads and retreat upon being attacked, willing to publish official recordings of future incidents for humanity to investigate later. As long the scientists be left alone, no purging squad would be send in their place to 'clear out the to be researched area.' The scientists troops at the time in talk with the X-Com squad had been instructed to give a list of certain information out, as part of their reperations to humanity for lawful but unnecessary cruel warfare. One bit of information that is usually not easily released, but humanity gained officially, something sooner than pre-conquered world usually receive, because that will be the biggest part of the reperations for not vassal parts of their empire. In general every species gains one world that is run as a vassal state, under a list of strict rules a race is allowed to self government as long the rules of the Elders is followed. These natural zoo planets are to allow unchanged specimens to continue living on, as a fail safe should stored genetics material eventually run out and need fresh samples for their gene code libraries. No unaltered specimens are ever used in warfare, it would be inefficient to send out not for warfare optimized troops. Combat clones are not cheap, but anything else is usually more expensive in the long run, also so very uncivilized. One reason they don't apologize for keep killing humans is, because they exceed the 4,5 billion population capacity limit every race is given under their rule. Until their population is culled to these levels to 'keep the species economy friendly and sustainable'. Orbital scanning shows that this goal is long off, though they give the concession that the Changelings alone showed that one species can hold a wide array of very varied subspecies and they might consider raising birth control of all species in their empire to 5 billion of natural born per planet, since a general equality is not so simply accomplished, with every species being indeed unique in their own requirements and wanting luxurys grants requested. While the humans and Changelings might not agree with that system, unlike everyone within the elder empire who enjoys long, healthy and prospering civilizations, they have statistics to back up their iron fist ruling in the last millenia. Culture and even religion is allowed to a certain extent, withhin reason of regulatory behavior given within a separate list. (A copy was given to the X-Com forces back then, further is the original list still available for general viewing in the elder remnant museum of City 42.) https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png The elder are willing to build two cities as prove of concept, a token effort before earth is declared a vassal planet. Everyone may enter it freely, but not stay after curfew unless registering and chipping is completed to willing permanent occupants. While the X-Com Counsel was very disturbed to be treated along humanity like animals, with outrage at the rules that will be enforced should earth become a vassal planet, they negotiate a aggressor free zone withhin the planned city limits, if the invaders henceforth refrained from any bombardment of civilized cities and their support areas. Something the elders agreed under the conditions that humanity's military don't stationed anything above infantry and mechtoid level of military armed vehicles. This pact stabilised the war torn earth for years to come, allowing for old cities to be viable retreats for humanity's civilization to continue. Furthermore did the elders negotiate 20 million maximum world population reserved for eatch of their two cities to come individually, something everyone could agreed on, as long the bombardment and sabotage of villages and cities on earth by the invasion forces finally stopped. Giving humanity a time to reorganize and establish a shadow of peace in this challenging times. Mai 2021 was the first month where hence forth no longer terror attacks on civilization centers of humanity were started or cover ops style committed by the invaders forces. Further did no longer any attempt on bombing and sabotage was given to even less populated areas, to the surprise of the X-Com Counsel. Making it impossible to receive further Plasma bombs and plasma loading nodes that they had collected over the years so far. The X-Com Counsel decided it to be a well worth compromise between invaders and humanity. The consulting of the Changelings showed they approved of this concession on both side, winning humanity the reprieve to stabilised the decaying earth population and its declining civilisation. Empress Chrysalis warned the X-Com Counsel that this might be just a ruse due to insufficient military forces available to the invaders, but it should still be accepted and used for a tool to buy them all time. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Beginning of August 2021 all primary research was completed, changing the Changeling research and development efforts into areas outside battlefield, with priorities to develop a alien technology planet atmosphere capable interceptor and melt substance use to regrowth lost limbs and improve health in general. From August 2021 to new years January 2022 every month was more peaceful than even the most pessimistic educated guessing analyst was expecting. With less than 10 X-Com mission ending in lethal combat per month. Despite this concession the war continued on. With the alien forces unfortunately being not mutch more forthcoming in negotiations. Though they stopped hunting any satellite on earth orbital range to the reliefs of everyone. Keeping telecommunications and GPS systems relatively intact. The elders also cleaned up the earth orbit from orbital debris from propr earth population efforts, as a sign of future cooperation. Empress Chrysalis had not even to point out that they just did it for study purposes and giving token efforts for future good relations. Though something that won the elders brownie point in humanity eyes was when they helped supply the in orbit running international space stations and even helped humanity building a moon base with human technology available. Only to show their superiority by literally building a way more advanced versions in traveling distance of half a day. The X-Com Counsel was not amused about this level of mocking their efforts overall. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png 2022 to 2023 was the most peaceful time since the invasion war started. With the elders making a offer that the X-Com Counsel could not refuse: A 'all or nothing' challenge. From the day 2023 started to the general in earth accepted calendar to 2024 they would wage open war inside designated areas, lethal wargames. If the humans showed themselves worth of the Elders attention, than the elder would make a exception for humanity in their vassal planet rules. Instead of a vassal state for the whole planet, they would accept vassal state of their citizens living inside their constructed cities. The former Exalt organisation remnants had apparently made a acceptable agreement, become their right hand government on earth under the name of 'Advent'. If earth win, the elder limit themselves to cities of their own production design adapted to humanity. But if humanity would not impress enough, the elder version of 'Geneva Convention' would be reduced to 'Geneva suggestion'. X-Com Counsel consider the challenge, accepting it im the end. After all: Noone but the elder themselves stopped their troops to do it even if they declined. What started the wargames inside former America and Russian territories and cities. Filling the two national borders with death and destruction, while literally leaving everything else nearly untouched on earth. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png The foreseen downsides to this deal accepted, did the Changelings come up with a yet not considered plan, to go into offense instead of staying overall in the defense. They would keep in touch with general developments, but let them not get distracted by anything than going for a all or nothing offensive plan towards the Tempel ship and starting their races repopulation. While now activity would be to breed and prepare for one final 'very impressive' offensive planned attack to be executed at the end of 2023 and start of 2024, delivering the most historical impressiv new years firework in earths recorded history. The plan wasn't to simple to be predictable, but not to complicated to be accomplished with the limited time and materials given. Stage one of the attack would all but 10 plasma bombs loaded on rockets be used to blow a hole in their air control defense around the Tempel Ship. Stage two would be the experimental design of 20 Firestorm would cover alongside everything earth had remaining to cover Firebrands and other air transportation to invade the invaders Tempel Ship and 'impress them enough' for the vassal state of cities limits. They had a lot to accomplish in a short time frame. Meanwhile wargames raged on, the Changelings started to accept human lovers as seed donating mates and when time permitted, the Avenger and Antaeus project plans were drawn up to be completed at a later date. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Not everyone was willing or able to leave the areas the wargames got fought out and the disappearances had increasingly become a point of frustration. With occasionallike 3 to 4 people a week, while sometimes a entire village population dissappear over night. X-COM still had not nearly enough volunteers to keep evacuation up, while keeping the wargames running. It was up to them to keep on the fight with their technology, keeping the situation reasonable under control. The X-Com Counsel was overall pleased with the exceptional progress. It was also high time confiding in what the world only know from internet videos and open news radio channels, X-Com was now officially the face of the resistance movement of earth against the elders. Something that allowed for many volunteers to be recruited and only the best of the best be prepared for the big offensive plan, only knowing that there was a plan to defeat the invaders with many planned battles in the future. The elder expected a wargame engagement, they did not expected to have the war brought to their own Tempel Ship in the end. The world headlines spread the words: Friendly - extraterrestrials - are - real. Aliens - walk - among - us, they are surprisingly cute for insectoids... We fight for them, they fight for us! More on page 5, the men and women everywhere ask themselves... are alien Waifu's come to stay? https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Over the years everyone in the base had become friends if not closer over time. Many military regulations become over time more alike to suggestions. Mostly to the benefit of moral and productivity, the X-Com Counsel while not unambiguous against or for it, acknowledge that times of great changes had come, rather going for success than strict military discipline, although within reason. https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png There are a collection of personal diary entries, though it is not always clear who was writing the message to whomever it was addressed to. They should still be added to give the readers a impression of the individuals at the time: 《《》》 Twilight chuckled at Rainbow’s companion ling enthusiasm as she flipped though another page of the latest newspaper on her I-Pad. There was a huge gap between the accuracy between news letter released with the last message and statistics showing a overall positive oulook on these bleak times. The one about alien Waifu's made the Changelings chuckle the most. _ Rainbow was in the meantime training in a simulation for another real life training flight in the Firebrand of Big Sky 2 with the pilot monitoring her behavior and evaluating her readyness if they ever be in a dire enough situation to require her to step in as pilot. _ The not supposed to be mention to exist of X-COM base volunteers of the non-human kind, mingeld with the latest science team discovery, while implementing it into existing equipment. The multi-nation funded former cover black ops army that combats aliens, now had alien working for them, with great success. Aliens that apparently have been trying to get away from the invaders and find a new home, only to actually find a new home with old problems to follow them here so far from their original home. _ Twilight and Rarity showed the most success in mimicking the alien invaders abilities that are psy based. Derpy and Pinkie Pie defy the rules of time and space that even the aliens could not mimicking so far. With Applejack and Fluttershy being relatively the most normal of them all, helping to ground everyone around them. The Changelings in the meantime made it like Rabbits and keep themselves very busy... _ The volunteers of the inferior meld gems all display psychically sensitive attributes, unfortunately below the level needed on the battlefield, but above what can be useful outside it. The Changelings seem increasingly happy about their success in general, with rising hopes for future developments, especially in their personal projects. _ It might have something to do with empathic magic, but the team rather not bring up unconfirmed results to the scientists head leader Dr. Moira Vahlen... unless one enjoys her dry speeches about magic being not sufficient research unknown science, that in time will be better understood and scientifically explained. Especially miss Pinkie Pie And Derpy with their blatantly ignorance of physical limitations. So far as the X-COM lead scientist is concerned, they are just unique and powerful psychics, that in time will be understood. _ They have decent explanation for Applejack’s strength and durability and Rainbow Dash speed and reaction time, though Fluttershy Changelings level of empathy is still a mystery. Pinkie and Derpy keep breaking measurement instruments and noone has found a way to stop it, other than leaving things as they are. Already individually having broke a hospital worth in instruments, not to few of their machines just seem to quit before the test are even starting. Frustrating scientists from trying at times. Though a theory is that they use accidentally electromagnetic like impulsive that interfere or damages fine instruments, something to be tested later. _ We are all far past basic training. Individually going for our own specialized fields, though unanimously in the sniper training tree, with exception of Fluttershy. The girl is a ruthless mech pilot at times of need and a magnificent medical personal in person otherwise. The Harmonious 7 as everyone start calling us, are the best Mech pilots in the battlefields and more than decent in at least the training one verdus one or squad versus squad, at times the number one training grounds team. Though the experienced field team trump them by benefits of real experience, instead of the on the simulation grounds teached tactics and circumstances. Teaching base personal and newly recruited newcomers with battle recorded footage, how truly merciless the war outside the base wall rages on. _ The as Psy-Ops soldier designed soldiers surpass even the already fully upgraded gene-soldier potencial. The program with Rarity and Fluttershy helped training the Psy-inspiration ability. While Rainbow Dash and Applejack teach the most effective Mindtrip attack towards enemy forces engaged on the battlefield. Twilight development of the short time indoctrination or mind control, has become perhaps the biggest offensive weapon, turning enemy soldiers temporarily into unwilling allies. Though Derpys mental disorientation up to panic inducing mental attacks have been a sure-fire way to break combat coherent enemy formations. Only her discovery of the distortion field of Pinkie Pie for defensive measures have become a unique weapon in our arsenal that not even elder seem to be able to replicate. _ The Changelings are going side by side with the ‘normal’ soldiers like the special soldier the base is housing in the barracks. Their training is in general the same, but individually adapted for their current trained soldiers abilities and capabilities. Even the less trained and worse equipment sporting base security guards are taking to it like a bird to the air, to quote Rainbow Dash. _ The Changelings have started to breed and take the hearts of everyone that isn't involved with someone else for themselves. Polygamy becoming the norm rather than the exception: https://cdn-img.fimfiction.net/story/clne-1569300028-449645-medium _ All are handling the stress of things differently, but with the assistance and guidance of the Changelings do stress related problems are mostly a thing of the past. Even years underground do the moral keep a steady positive. With the companion of Pinkie Pie and the young woman herself seemingly turning any frown upside down. Her baking is so varied that base personnel hasn't complained ones about the MRE addition with increasing fresh produce shortages, before the natural steam generators got worked around to become greenhouses underground, growing fresh food particularly well, so mutch so that the commissary of our base being impressed about the mental health and moral overall it helps preserving. Fluttershy seems to help many calm down just by listening to them, helping people inside and outside the med bays and Cafeterias of the base. _ The volunteers families have adapted over the years into administrative positions, though some of them become more useful than others. With some becoming jacks of all trades, with others specifically going for one job tree or another. Especially the janitorial personal have gained a lot of respect over the years, from fixing ventilation problems to unclog the sanitation facilities, after another failed Pinkie Pie baking experiment forced prolonged digestive problems that simply had to been sit out until they fixed themselves. Hidden heros of society indeed. Perhaps more valuable than toilet paper and hand soap combined. Note to self: Pay raise for all of the janitorial service branches base personal. _ Twilight become the leading head of extraterrestrials magic usable by humans inside and outside battlefield use. Though the young woman get sucked easily into Dr. Vahlens research on occasion, if Empress Chrysalis isn't requiring her assistance in reworking something to make it usable for human users in general. Rarity become a partial apprentice to Dr. Shen, making practical designs, if not overdoing it occasionally in astethic, because a decail in time saves the attention reaction shot of another distracted observing it. While Pinkie Pie has become the Cafeterias biggest asset, if she isn't kicking alien ass remotely with a mech unit under her control on a battlefield or training someone in her psy specialty on base in time of low activity. Derpy seem to give everyone like the Changelings a general high morale, with not to few falling for the occational accidental flirt or personal space invading gesture, that young woman is a class all on her own. _ Once more do the battlefield is left successfully, but not without a price, equipment and more importantly another fallen hero in a war that has no end in sight, how long can humanity stand against a enemy that owns more than a singel world's population. Quantity is a quality all on its own... We fought yesterday for our future. Our children will fight on today for someone to hopefully take up the burden of fighting tomorrow. If someone will be left to fight on. Hope is the last thing to die in the struggling of naked survival. _ The Harmonious 7 had their first mission face to face with the enemy in person, when noone expected it to be one. The Asia X-Com base had the privilege to train human and alien volunteers alike, showing why they train the toughest X-Com soldiers. Their military installation of the organization was after all the training center of all X-Com reinforcement and well prepared for unwelcome guests. Just as their welcomed guest where to return to the European X-Com base facility, did the invasion forces had found the base here in Asia. Though the alien invaders made a evacuation via the air transportation impossible, with many scout ships over flying the base, did the attacking force learned the hard way why messing with X-Com is a painful experience all on its own. For 5 hours did the attacking forces composed of thin people, Sectoids, Mechtoids and a new variation of aliens resembling giant snakes with arms, pounded against the defenses and defenders of the base, though it was not the human suffered the biggest surprise. With the alien invading forces forgetting who they messed with specifically: Shapeshifters While everyone still feel their heart or hearts work overtime with both sides exchanging merciless weapon fire and the occasional psy attack, did the Changelings showed the truth strength of their species in the art of deception. Pounding in everyone ears was the sound of weapons fire, grenades going off and the screaming of injured or dying on both sides. But the Changelings showed cold calculated efficiency, when empathy was not a option. To calm down their bond mates and allies, occasionally taking the place of a attack alien squad, that had just been eliminated, to simply retreating the way the attackers come, to find a isolated concentration of alien invaders and slaughter them, before swiftly retreating with dropped disguises back to human defensive lines. Showing how Shapeshifters in the chaos of a battlefield could flourish in combat. Getting at times grazed, but only suffering superficial damage overall. The training mission turning to base defense, showing how fast thing could change in a matter of minutes. Basically despite or maybe specifically because they are all 'V.I.P's, they had drawn away all attention from the fleeing base personnel unto themselves. Giving the base Commander the perfect opportunity to retreat from one strategically choke point and well prepared defensive positions to the next. All while ring the dinner bell for the greedy enemy, self assurance of their impending success, only to realize that when eventually the Changelings and their bond mates had been conored there was another unexpected way for the defenders to escape certain doom. After hours of combat eventually did the enemy had run out of their shield granting sectoids. The tight corridors for their bulky mechtoids had become a liability, with the defenders having the advantage of using cover in their smaller and more nimble forms, until only seemingly thin people and the occasional giant snake remained, to tracking and chasing down the elusive Changelings. So at some point or another everyone started to refer to them as 'Vipers', apparently there was some kind of 'Kung Fu Panda movie' reminding human soldier of the snake side character Master Viper. Giving the snake soldiers at the time the name and description of 'VIPER'. Though Pinkie Pie remarks about the snake with boobs being unrealistic, what was hilarious coming from her specifically as she almost impersonated that aspect and confusing at the same time, because if she say it most likely would be that. It was rather odd in hindsight, a strange coincidence that a reptile soldier had boobs and was apparently snuggeling its victims into them, while crushing the prey to death by muscle strength alone over time. _ Also Pinkie Pie could have sworn one of the captured soldiers sad something very random, got the giant snake lady blushing through her scales and retreating into the nearest janitorial closet. How curious of a situation... _ With the guys and girl originally stationed in this base that are not soldiers evacuated, the extraction of the 'Harmonious 7' was very mutch still in question. Reaching a extraction point with every remaining alien invader towards them would make any escape very unlikely, so they might have to play hide and seek a little while longer until air support and reserve troops could reach the base in Asia to evacuate the V.I.P's. _ As described by one of the Changeling queens, by teeth and scythe like claws liberated from dismembered Chryssalids, did Commander Bradfort side by side with the 'Harmonious 7' and themself fight on until air support had downed the last invader ship and Big Sky 1 & 2 had brought reinforcements. With improvised air transportation from outside the base delivering two transporters full of Goliath Shivs. While shooting one thin men after another thin woman in the face, all in supposed and very mutch not at all blending in civilian clothing, had one of the captured soldier 'rescued from a very precarious situation'. The first ever conversion of a invader soldier within military force, though medical personal still required two days for the soldier to recover from dehydration and all the efforts he had put into getting the first Viper soldier recruited from the enemy team... Apparently her name was translated into english: Lyra Heartstrings https://camo.fimfiction.net/NPeSAiyY49oIDZgfs26dHibEdppw92VgDRxR6qNqTi4?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvignette.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fxcom%2Fimages%2F5%2F59%2FChris-sulzbach-viper-render.jpg%2Frevision%2Flatest%3Fcb%3D20160329213344 A particular strange coincidence how a combat clones name was representing something so obscure. _ Extraction was basically just across the base entire length with ammunition already dangerous low and everyone lightly wounded or with personal armor so short down, that plasma hits had caused second degree blisters on arms and legs on some of the 'Harmonious 7', with Bradfort furious that his X-Com sweater had not survived the engagement, only having 9 other remaining in the European base in his locker that are form fitting... _ To the surprise of everyone did a group of 'Vipers' defected on the way to the extraction point with even one thin men and one thin woman joining the X-Com side. Bradfort was unsure to allow them to defect to humanity side, for their loyalty seem of questionable quality, though the Changelings give their endorsement that the turn coats of the invaders most certainly be loyal to them in exchange for something they could never hoped gaining under the elders rule: A chance to be free and have a family one day. For combat clones having the same rights in their society like a pistol or bullet has rights on earth for self determination and freedom to choose their path in life. _ As mutch as it was a nice turn of events that 9 former enemies (7 Vipers and 2 thin people) had turned tail and joined X-Com that day inoffical, did later Dr. Vahlen and even Dr. Shen voiced their reservation on the practical side of allowing enemy soldiers to enter their base without extensive precautions, with Dr. Vahlen wanting them dissected for study and preferable interrogated afterwards (how she usually got even the most loyal invaders to talk and reveal some secrets). The X-Com Counsel was by vote against the 'Vipers' and 'Thin People' to join their ranks if their loyalty could not be guaranteed, but apparently Empress Chrysalis and her by now sexuell matured over the years daughters guaranteed for their loyalty to their dying breath. The power of love and passion indeed... something that made the X-Com Counsel reconsider their decision, under the restrictions that everyone of them was wearing a Arch thrower necklace if they ever rebelled or showed disobedience to reasonable orders. Something that strained the confidence between Changelings and the X-Com Counsel, but in the end accepted as reasonable enough restriction. Though until they proof a viable asset to X-Com as a hole, the Vipers and Thin people are to be contained in a separate area of the facility than the volunteers human and non humans are housed. Actually more like a lobby waiting game, until they provided indirectly a way to translate alien invaders language lessons and a full alphabetical recollection on paper. Earning them eventually enough trust to join the snuggeling piles in the barracks of the volunteers. As Commander Nightmare Stellar Moon and Commander John Bradfort inofficially starting a betting pool who get the first viable combat soldiers as a result of Changelings breeding offspring. Would it be the Changelings taking human genetic material into them for reproduction purposes? Or would X-Com seeing Viper-Ling as first to join the human troops on the battlefield, when the next generation would be joining the fight? Who would pop out non-human X-Com soldier from these unions first on the battlefield of future conflicts? ( It would turn out that they deployed side by side, sisters and brothers, fighting for their homeworld they where conceived in and born on: Earth ) https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2F91z4d864t0251.png%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3D21789ab03a712a66c3ca748a9a54c7e43b315583 https://cdn-img.fimfiction.net/story/93sc-1432579436-209372-medium Author's Note Hope you enjoyed the second last chapter about the 'X-Com Enemy Within' storyline. Next chapter will have a short describing of how some special mission happened, the Tempel ship was destroyed, X-Com European base lost its Commander Nightmare Stellar Moon, how the Changelings expanded alongside the Vipers, but most importantly where this story starts with Dr. Vahlen separating from X-Com and doing her own thing. The saucy describes following the chapter after that will be marked as NSFW (not safe for Woona), in case, someone don't want snek-tacular sex scenarios to read about https://camo.fimfiction.net/b6HXbTjqW9vB4VXhuZn-KpD6kq8NThjUw5KwbKUP9m8?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages2.imgbox.com%2Fc1%2F8c%2FHSvJzuzq_o.png Stay snuggly :twilightsmile: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/twilightsmile.png♡ [Inspiration for why elder are acting towards humanity. Basically America policies towards others: https://img.youtube.com/vi/Smw-WNM72XU/mqdefault.jpg