I observed the Skyranger land in the hangar as its engines slowed to a faint purr. My squad's faces were covered with mud and alien blood when the ramp lowered to show them. The fire in their eyes wouldn't go out despite how worn out they were.
Medusa assisted Titan by supporting his bulk against her smaller frame. Although his wounds were terrible, he gave me a nod and softly tapped it. Giving me all the reassurance I required that he would soon be up again. He was as tough as the armor he wore and a skilled warrior.
The sight of the alien bodies being unloaded from the Skyranger sparked both curiosity and frightening potential. Seeing them up close, their twisted forms and luminescent blood, was a reminder of the world's new reality. It was hard to believe these creatures had once been the stuff of science fiction, and now, they were our reality.
I turned from the hangar, making my way towards my office. The hustle and bustle of the base was comforting in its familiarity, but beneath it all was a palpable tension. Back in my office, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I found my gaze drawn to the globe on my desk, its continents and oceans a reminder of what we were fighting for.
As I poured over reports and strategies, a knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called, leaning back in my chair.
It was Medusa. "Titan's going to be okay," she said before I could utter a word. "He's tough. Got a nasty burn, but he'll heal."
I let out a sigh of relief, my fingers brushing over the globe on my desk. "Good," I said, meeting her gaze. "We need him."
"We need all of us, Commander," Medusa said, a note of fierceness in her voice. I nodded
"I read Rogers' debrief, you all did well down there"
"Thank you commander"
A ping from Bradford flashed on the screen as our talk came to an end.
"I'm sorry for the interruption, Commander, but you're being asked to go to the research laboratories."
"If you'll excuse Elena"
"Yes Commander"
As I walked, I couldn't help but think of our adversary and how we can preapare. Our scientists would need to investigate the alien technology and bodies we brought back first. Second, our engineers would have to figure out how to incorporate this new technology into our own.
Before you know it I'm within arms reach of the labs. I can now hear multiple acute sounding voices and footsteps interrupting my own. Suddenly the door hissed open with a prominent figure standing in the gap.
"Hello, Commander. My name is Dr.Valen. I oversee the Research labs." Her thick Russian accent shining through
"This is where all of XCOM's research and development takes place. We have already begun analyzing the artifacts and bodies recovered form our first encounter with the aliens. Based on preliminary findings we believe we can use them to develop some new equipment for our soldies."
"I'm pleased to hear that Dr. what did you have in mind?"
A transfer window emerged on my phone just as the statement was leaving my dry lips. Once the loading was complete, a list of numerous projects and beautifully detailed pictures appeared before me. This was a perfect example of science.
"What you see there is a list of our available research opportunities. We can start right away with your choice and approval."
After a quick scan I see a picture glide across my screen of what appears to be a shattered weapon beside it a gruesome picture of Private Miguel's burn.
"Is this the weapon that hurt Titan?"
"What's left of it yes"
"Can we piece it back together?"
"Quite simply, no. All that's left of the potent alien weapons we've so far encountered are these shattered pieces. However, additional research might result in improvements to our own weapon development initiatives."
"I'm curious about the extent of these weapons' potency after witnessing what it did to our mountain of a man."
"I agree, that does seem to be the most pressing of our current research options. We'll begin immediately. I will notify you when a complete report is available."
After greeting the rest of her team. I stepped out of the lab exhaling mightily. The road ahead was uncertain. The enemy was powerful, their technology far advanced from our own.
I'm on my way back to my office when I got a warning to go to the bridge; as I rushed, my mind raced to figure out what was so crucial.
"Bradford, sitrep"
"Commander we're receiving reports of what sounds like an abduction" He said slowly a look of mass concern on his face
"What did you say?"
"We crossed checked the reports and it's true commander"
"Get me Sgt Rogers!"