Chapter Text
I filed into the conference room, only to find most of the other troopers staring at me. I blinked and looked back at my fellow squad leaders.
“This wasn’t me, guys.” I shook my head, receiving a nod from the rest of the squad leaders as they returned their attention to the front of the conference room. Hiding my blush at my reputation, I moved to sit down near the leaders of squads I had interacted most with, Captain Lehrman most notably.
Moments later, Abe walked in, followed by Bradford, Abigail, and finally Comamnder Tazri, who moved to the front of the room. “Good, you’re all here. We’re just waiting on a civilian consultant–”
“Hel-lo~” Tamamo slinked into the room, tails waving. “Being paid by a government for something other than assassination, how wonderful!” She murmured, eyeing the nonplussed squad leaders. “Hoh, and no surprise for little old me?”
“Once the supernatural was out of the bag, Corporal Lee sent around warning pamphlets for you, and other persons of interest.” One of the men muttered. “Apparently, we shouldn’t hit on you unless you do so first, and never touch your tails without permission.”
‘Well, they weren’t so nice about it. Military folk generally need more of a warning. The officers got the full lowdown, the noncoms like me got the… exaggerated version.’ I mused, keeping my attention on Tazri.
“Take a seat, Lady Tamamo.” The commander instructed. “Not on anyone’s lap, please.”
“Pooh~”
“Right.” Tazri pulled out several sheets of paper, even as the screen behind her came to life. “During the recent base raid, we discovered several things of note. For one, that base was merely the largest of EXALT’s firebases, which are currently scattered around the globe. Each is set up to either start a major insurrection in their territory, or step in during an actual insurrection to gain control of the region. So we’re adding these ‘base cleanups’ to our duty roster as we dial in locations.”
“Which squads, ma’am?” One of the more senior field officers asked.
“Baker, Gamma, and Massive. They’re going to be pulled from abduction duty, since the aliens have stopped fielding those missions as often.” Tazri informed us. “However, that’s left a serious opening for EXALT to step up their own abductions.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the countless missions that we’d collectively been running were going to start winding down for a bit soon. It seemed that Ethereals had finally figured out they’d need a major offensive (or orbital bombardment) to actually accomplish their war-goals. Which meant, for a bit, hopefully, some rest from waking up at one AM to the Aliens probing our defenses.
“EXALT has been kidnapping high-value targets for decades, apparently. Mage Potentials, prime physical specimens, psychic neophytes, geniuses, and others with physical or mental exceptionalism. There’s some evidence to support that many of EXALT’s command staff are offshoots of this program, since they then brainwash who they take into being their operatives.” Tazri explained. “Since the invasion started, they’ve been able to step up their abductions, since the missing persons would be blamed on the aliens.”
Frowning, I raised my voice, “Commander, is it possible that certain government officials are compromised?” At my fellow squad leader’s various looks of disbelief or consideration, I elaborated, “If EXALT has been brainwashing people for decades, then we have to consider that lower echelons within the governments of the world may be compromised, specifically those within the bureaucracy that could look the other way while they do their thing.”
Abe smirked from her spot at the table. “Don’t worry your head, dear. We’ve been looking for people like that for months now. Have them tagged and monitored, for the most part.” She winked at me. “Nice thinking, though. We’ll make a spook of you yet!”
“I did go through one of your bootcamps from hell Mariko.” I groaned, blushing lightly under the attention. Why did she always have to do this…
Tazri coughed. “Regardless, we have a series of missions as an offshoot of these findings. First, there are several ‘detention centers’ that we’ve started hunting for; those will be added to the special mission roster. Second, we may need to hit some of these kidnapping missions to keep EXALT from gaining more ground. Third, XCOM may be taking on some of the victims as agents if we can guarantee their mental health.”
‘Makes sense. That’s how I ended up joining.’ Pausing, I gauged the room, wincing at some of the looks present on my comrades faces.
“Um, adding EXALT guys to our ranks? Even if they’ve been deprogrammed…”
“We may not have much choice.” Tazri admitted. “So far, we still haven’t met the aliens’ real ramp-up, though the rate at which they’ve sent their probing attacks has been increasing. We’ve already lost fifteen percent of our original trooper compliment, as you all know.” There was a moment of silence as the gathered crowd thought of the memorial wall below us. “We’ve gotten reinforcements and replacements, but not enough to expand our squad count. And if we have to start sending troops into combat tired, more of them won’t make it home.”
“Trickster does alright!” One man spoke up.
“She gets sleep, asshole.” someone else volleyed back.
‘I nearly died when I went in tired dumbass. You lot would have died.’ I grumbled internally, counting down the seconds till our glorious overlady interrupted.
“Ignore the meme queen and listen up!” Tazri barked right on cue. “If your squad gains some ex-EXALT agents for training or breaking in, treat them with the wary respect you give all new boots. Understood?” As the group murmured their assent, she kept speaking. “Now, we do have an immediate mission from the Council, but considering the content, it’s volunteer-only.” She paused as every hand in the room went up including mine. I had already taken care of my outstanding business, and I also was always going to be ready.
“Alright. Wind, Ripper, and Alpha squads, head to the air bay. Suit up and get ready to roll. Lehmann, I want the next three mages on rotation on that mission, set them up and send them out.”
Lehmann frowned. “Ah, Commander, Specialist Rose is the next on-schedule. Is she appropriate for this op?”
I held my tongue. Either Rose would be suitable or she wasn’t, though I hoped she would be.
“She should be fine. Besides, at this point, considering the luck we’ve had with some of the Mutons we’ve captured, you all need to get used to having alien squad mates.”
“Or magical ones, Mikon~” Tamamo sang. “Speaking of which…”
“Yes, you can do your presentation to the squads who aren’t going on this op. Ripper, Alpha! Tamamo will be collecting you all for her Supernatural Awareness and Respect Course in 36 hours. Stay alive so you can hear her speak, understood?”
“Yes ma’am!” The two squad leaders chorused.
“Everyone else, settle in.”
As we left the room, I heard Tamamo begin to speak. “Okay, so! Who here is racist towards aliens? Well, Youkai can look worse. So! We need to make the magical mundane…”
While in the Skyranger, I looked up as our comms rang in synch, everyone looking up. Bradford’s voice cut onto the line. [Wind Squadron, Adder, Violet, Gearwig, prepare for emergency teleport! Situation is changing rapidly, EXALT abduction has been attacked by Alien forces! This is a red-on-red operation, but there are thousands of civilians in the crossfire! We need boots on the ground now!]
[Affirmative Central!] I cried after a moment, taking control of the situation, [Alright everyone, gather around me. Tamamo, the device, has the coordinates. I’ll be teleporting us all over, and we should arrive on top of a building. That should provide each squad with an effective overwatch position. At that point, Wind Squadron will establish air dominance. Any objections?]
Rose, codename Adder, wandered her way out of her seat over to me, summoning her weapon. [Central, what is the known force composition?]
[EXALT has deployed cybernetic and robotic units along with their standard compliment of agents and soldiers. This operation seems to being run by the Maverick. Alien forces are currently mostly light units with a backbone of Mechtoids and Seekers; though incoming fighter craft are escorting one of their transports. Whatever they’re fighting over, the Aliens are willing to risk considerable resources to get it.] Bradford responded. [Trickster, do you have the port locked?]
[Three seconds!] I replied with some considerable strain. We were moving, in the air, and I was trying to conserve mana. It wasn’t easy to take all those factors into account, even with thought partitioning. Seconds later, we vanished, reappearing in the midst of a brawl, green plasma blasts crossing with red laser bursts and orange-tinged gauss shots in the streets below. As soon as we landed, the Aliens seemed to pause, only for the EXALT agents to rush their opponents, sending the fight back in their favor, even as a group of Thin Men vaulted up to the roof and aimed their rifles at us.
Rose snapped up her hood, shot out her tongue, and yanked the gun out of one enemy hand. As she did, Vita smashed a rock through another’s head and Signum’s whip-sword cut the third into ribbons. The knight’s eyes narrowed. “It’s an utter mess down there. What’s our first priority, Trickster?”
“Establish aerial dominance! Clear the skies, and then support Adder, Violet, and Gearwig in rescuing the civilians caught in the crossfire! I’ll be on station as bombardment!” I yelled, launching myself into the skies as the aforementioned XCOM squads set up shop with speed that would make Tier 1 Special Forces writhe with jealousy. Adder and the two human mages flashed into the streets, even as the Wolkenritter flashed into the air, cutting at the flights of Seekers and Floaters even as I rose in their midst.
The comm chimed. [Outsider. For once, your arrival is optimal. Destroy only the invaders today, and our forces will not engage.]
[If I trusted your word, Maverick, I would be inclined to ask Central for permission. Given I’ve routed the request to Tazri, I’m already doing you a favor by doing that.] I replied evenly back. While he was a human piece of trash, if he wasn’t going to be a problem, I was okay ignoring him to reduce friendly casualties. Unfortunately, I didn’t trust him, and it was unlikely that Tazri or Bradford would either.
[Maverick. If you are willing to withdraw without your captives, we’ll agree to your request.] Tazri bit out.
The comm line was silent for a brief instant as I rose, only for several of the mech below to pivot and begin anti-air fire on my position. [I can tell you do not know of the prize at stake. But it will not be denied me.] The Maverick responded. [We will simply have to move faster. And start targeting the wastes.]
[A shame] I replied to the fanatic, before beginning a rather nasty cast of my own and having Tamamo return the hack, kicking the man off our comms, [All XCOM forces, stand clear of the blast zone being marked on your maps. Zaphira, cover me while I prepare Quintette Feuer. Setting is non-lethal, I say again, setting is nonlethal. No organic life form will be killed in the blast, but they will be knocked out.]
I can cast non-lethal magic too, and if I adjust some calculations, I can execute what’s effectively a saturation bombardment. I mused to myself, Tamamo and several partitions running the numbers at a pace that would probably make most computers blush, If he wants to play hardball, so can I.
Beside me, Signum nodded, her sword shifting configuration as she aimed at a knot of robots. “Then I will handle the armor. Fly, my falcon! Sturmfalken!” A steel arrow was woven into shape, before shining like a star as it descended, a flaming explosion marking its impact on the ground.
“You know, I wonder if one of the designers at that type-moon place were reincarnations from Belka.” Vita mused, even as she swing her hammer through another floater.
“I am not EMIYA, stop comparing that.” Signum shot back.
Zafira grunted as he took a shot on his shield, even as the prismatic wing-vents of my bombardment spell flickered into focus. “Corporal, fire soon, we are drawing lots of attention!”
“Two seconds!” I replied, the HUD marking each enemy for a concentrated but brief bombardment by the spell that was shaping up to be very much not Quintette Feuer. I’d name it later, right now, it needed cast. “Feuer!” I roared, a massive beam of prismatic light pouring forth from Tamamo’s barrel and splitting into several smaller beams that lanced towards their targets, spearing each combatant on the field with an entirely nonlethal spell, and then continuing into the ground. The sheer amount of impacts kicked up a cloud of dust, and with the spell cast, I breathed, and moved, changing positions. I wouldn’t be able to pull a setup like that again. They’d be watching.
[Very showy, Trickster. However, the enemy have distributed through the nearby structures, so another bombardement is ill-advised. Prepare for house-to-house fighting and area securing.] Bradford paused. [Skyranger ETA ten seconds; forces will secure prisoners and prepare to assist with the sweep.]
[Affirmative!] I barked, [Requesting building assignment.] I added, watching as two of the other squads rappelled down from their perch, one staying up there on overwatch.
[Head towards the office building with the cafe down the road. Reports indicate that’s where this whole mess started, and there’s several broken human transports parked nearby. Drone footage indicates EXALT forces are being slowly routed from entrenched positions within.] Bradford’s comm crackled. [Heads up, all XCOM forces! Alien ships on a flyover, enemy reinforcements coming in for the drop, we haven’t managed to secure local air superiority yet! Be ready for heavy squads!]
[Affirmative!] I called, before landing and making my way towards the indicated building with haste. Around me, XCOM agents aimed at descending enemies, Mutons and Mechtoids clashing with the remaining EXALT mechs and agents, their business suits ineffective against plasma blasts. As I headed towards the office block, I saw groups of EXALT men barely holding their own, ducking out from behind ancient, sturdy brickwork and solid modern concrete pillars as the Aliens tried to force their way into the building. Naturally, that was when I promptly shot both of them, using my assault mode to spray pink bullets and beams through the scattered enemies.
As Wind Squadron absolutely rolled through the enemy forces, EXALT and X-Ray, my eyes were focused on making sure any civilian survivors would make it through. My eyes focused on one group of EXALT dragging a small group of civilians towards a point of blue flickering light. They lasted exactly naught point five seconds as I turned Tamamo on them and utterly eviscerated them with withering plasma, before blinking towards the civilians and taking the rounds one of the other EXALT agents sent towards them. Vita smashed the offending agent moments later.
“You good, civvie?” I asked kindly, shaking the poor individual gently. The girl looked up, and I was momentarily shocked to see purple light flaring visibly around her hands and eyes. A psion, and a powerful one too.
“I– thank you!” She yelled, coming to her feet. “Those men–” Her eyes shot open wide. “The Aliens–”
The blue light behind her spun into a portal, and I barely managed to shove her aside as the bulky form of the Maverick sprinted through. “You will not snatch this one from my grasp, Outsider.” He intoned, arm hefting a massive cannon as a half-dozen tracked drones rolled through the gateway. “I will–”
“NO!” The woman yelled, telekinetic force knocking the Maverick into a stumble. Capitalizing on his momentary distraction, I grabbed the woman and with a bark of “fall back!” directed at Wind Squadron, blinked out of the building before spinning up a series of overlapping shields as I began to cast a warp. A warp, unlike a teleport was targeted at someone other than the individual. I would be sending this lovely lady to XCOM HQ’s holding area, where she would be safe. Then I’d beat the shit out of Maverick, to discourage him from following me. Five seconds. Less, honestly.
The building behind me smashed open, the Maverick emerging into the air as he drove forward, cannon blazing, only to be halted as a pair of Mechtoids and a Muton berserker attacked him. “Blasted– your quarry escapes you, brutes!” He screamed as one purple mini-mech charged in, modified fist sparking off his shield. And before he could scream his frustration more, my warp completed, and the completely baffled and powerful psionic was gone, safe at HQ. Around me, the other civilians we’d evacuated were dragged along on the warp, something I had only managed because the X-Rays had been kind enough to distract Maverick. Ah, I loved blue on blue when it was working in my favor.
“Correction,” I taunted, eyes blazing with inner delight and resolve, “She has escaped. And I do believe I have a score to settle with you, Maverick dearest.” Nothing more was said as I began volleying shots towards him, keeping a beady eye focused on all the other hostile forces. Hopefully, with the other Wolfenritter, we’d be able to kill or capture one of the three big names of EXALT today.
The Maverick looked back at me, and his red optics seemed to shine in hatred. “Victory which will cost you everything.” He growled, his shield taking my fire as he aimed his gun at me. “I detest magic–” He began, and then fired.
Not expecting the exceedingly telegraphed shot to hit, I sidestepped to the left, only to wince as the shot curved then went right through my shields as if they didn’t exist, spinning me around from the glancing blow, my suit registering the fact that my shoulder had just been fractured from the shot. I flew upwards, righting myself as he aimed a second round, only to curse as the Berserker threw off his aim.
Tamamo cut in. “Master, it appears out enemy just fired… some sort of magic-null material at you. Judging by chemical composition in your wound, I’d say… inherited silver.”
“Don’t get hit by the fucking bastard, got it.” I grimaced, establishing a field of warped space around me. It wouldn’t protect me from the null magic material, but it would throw off his aim. Couldn’t hit me if I wasn’t where your eyes told you I was. Of course, this little trick was expensive, but I could afford it for now. It was saving my life, after all.
But it seemed like it would not be necessary. Even as I reconfigured my barriers and sighted on the Maverick, his shield finally broke with a burst of sparks. A millisecond later, he turned, his frame unfolding to shoot his torso back into the building, leaving the heavy exoskeleton behind, which beeped ominously once before exploding. I blinked, then took a look around to find the battlefield quieting, dying aliens and EXALT sharing space on the pavement with groaning XCOM and plasma burns.
Well, looks like I wasn’t going to be killing a bastard today. With weary eyes, I worked my way towards the closest groaning trooper, inspecting him while digging out my first aid kit from Tamamo’s storage. With one arm, it was… difficult, but I was managing. Pain tolerance was something I had been forced to develop over time, and it was serving me well now.
That stopped as Shamal whisked onto my left side, neatly healing my cracked bone even as Central spoke up. [Status confirmed, area is secured and all hostiles are down or dead. Good work, team.]
I sighed, looking over the damage. What a damned mess…