Scene #983: Defense of Danville

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Iji	~10:30 am, Danville Kentucky~ One Iji Kataiser finds herself coming to after a flash of bright light. One moment, she'd been enjoying her first real taste of food at an outdoor cafe in a week in the quaint little town. There's still a bar-b-que stain on her mouth as she blinks her eyes, a wrapped, large bundle clutched to her chest. She turns to the cafe as her ears vaguely register the screams of the dying. Where once the cafe stood, there's now a smoking crater descending a good twenty feet into the ground. She looks up into the sky, and her blood stills. The oblong shape of a Komato battlecruiser sits in the sky, its underside Alpha Strike Batteries cooling down after the test shot. The new Phantom Hammer, for the Commander aboard it, has worked perfectly. There's a swift message to High Command. The reply? Give the boys some shore leave. For the Komato, shore leave means killing. All over the city, the reptilian, armored aliens warp in with their teleportation technology, energy blasts, claws, and flame-thrower like plasma weapons melting, and exploding the defenseless denizens of the town. The town quickly goes dark, and there's a signal that goes out. It's not your typical one, something amateurish and hastily done. XCOM could easily pick it up. 'Town in trouble. Komato! Help, anyone!" ~~11:30 a.m., Town Hall~~ Iji lets off another rocket, and the offending pair of Komato explode as their kind are wont to do. There's a gaggle of eight surviving civilians, and one cop on top of the room assisting Iji as she blasts away. The pair have set up makeshift cover at the front and top of the building out of office furniture. But the numbers of Komato aren't light, and four other of the nanogun armored soldiers leisurely take potshots at the pair. The two won't last long, not protecting civilians.
Elise Leroy	<10:20AM, XCOM Base, Geneva> Central Officer Bradford clenches a fist. "That thing's bigger than anything we've seen before... and it just wasted half the town! What have we got in the area?" he asks, looking at one of the commtechs. "Raven flight Priest, but they're down two birds after that Abductor incident two days ago. The remaining two birds won't even dent that thing." comes the reply. Another report. "We're getting scattered reports of alien incidents... large scale invasion. We're losing the feeds rapidly." Bradford pinches the bridge of his nose. "Inform the Comman--" he's cut off as a hand rests on his shoulder. Elise stares up at the Geoscape, where the incident is marked in pulsing, angry red. "I know, Bradford. I'm going to suit up. Have Strike One meet me in the launch bay in five minutes." she turns, and jogs out of Mission Control, while Bradford puts out the call for the Strike Team. "Komato? Comms, send a burst transmission back. 'Help is on the way.' <11:35AM, Airspace above Danville.> "This is as close as I can get Commander. That ship's been tracking my flight vector since we got into visual range. Lock-on warnings are blaring in my headset." comes the deep voice of the Skyranger pilot. "I'll set it down here, and back off until you send the call. Meet at Rendezvous point Charlie." Elise and her team give affirmations, as the Dropship touches down, the ramp on the tail descending. "MOVE OUT! Spread out and watch your sectors!" cries Elise, as she runs down the ramp and checks left, sweeping the barrel of her rifle across the scape. "Viper, Piledriver, head towards Town Hall... looks like we've got civvies trapped on the roof. Casino, Checkmate, flank around the east side, try and get behind the aliens. Deadbolt, you're with me... we're going to get up on that hill and provide fire support. MOVE!" The Strike Team break formation as the Skyranger takes off and heads out of the combat zone. The Assault, Viper, crows in challenge while the MEC smashes his fists together, before both charge forwards toward the Komato position. The Heavy, Casino, and the Support, Checkmate, take the long route, so the heavy firepower can hit a vulnerable or exposed flank. The Snipers take up positions on elevation to take potshots of their own from a safe-ish distance.
Iji	Iji gets the reply on her stolen Tasen logbook, and she can't help but grin. She calls up to her rooftop sniper friend. "Hey! Officer Bob! Someone's coming, no clue /who/." "Damnit, Iji, my name's Jacobs! Who cares who they are? If they'll kill these...Tomatos?" "Komato!" "Komaters, then they're right by me!" BLAM! Officer Bob-slash-Jacobs' ex-Swat experience proves useful, as his high calibre rifle actually manages to pierce the invisible layers of protection around the aliens. Whenever one of the Komato aim up, Iji is right there. Out of rockets, she ditches her cover as the black gun of the lead alien starts to charge up. Green plasma sprays from Iji's own weapon, causing the creature to scream, then finally fall dead only to simply pop out of existance. The dropped, floating ball of nano is sucked into the woman's nanofield, which glows a light blue around her. A pair of deep red balls of then ram right into her, the nanofield shattering, and sending her careening into a wall. Blood spurts from her mouth, the smell of burning flesh in the air. She falls, clutching her gun, not able to rise immediately. The two reptilian komato laugh as four others join up, advancing on the fallen Iji despite the sniper fire from above. There's plenty of aliens to occupy the Strike Team, snipers in particular. Komato wander the streets openly, firing their weapons at fleeing civilians. A target rich environment, but most activity seems to come from the source of the beacon. Conveniently, the 'long route' seems to take the group up a few streets, with minimal Komato presence. Until it connects with Town Hall, and the group of aliens converging around a fallen young woman. Nevermind that they're so focused, these aliens aren't even keeping an eye out for conveniently perched snipers.
Elise Leroy	"All elements. Fire at will. Take those things OUT!" says Elise over her radio. Then, dual reports puncture the night. Far higher caliber than even Jacob's gun, twin red tracers lash out at a pair of the Komato approaching Iji. The MEC is probably the easiest to see coming... even if he does run straight into one alien, using it as a bludgeon on another one, before deploying his Kinetic Strike Module to provide a Rocket Propelled NO into the face of a third. Viper ducks under incoming fire, leaps a low wall and fires her shotgun at point blank, sprawing micro pellets that have that same red tracer pattern. Casino takes a knee as she rounds the corner, popping the rocket launcher off the mag-clamp on her back, before taking aim at a group still peppering the rooftop. "Fire in the hole! Weasel 1!" she announces, before the explosive missile lances forth. Checkmate helps with covering fire, red tracers spewing in measured bursts from her assault rifle, peppering the Komato approaching Iji. "Strike One Actual, we've got a woman down, looks like an Elite. Attempting to support. Multiple assault vectors, the town's overrun." Tch. "Copy that One-Five, cut a path, get the civvies and Elite clear... we'll have to pull out with who we can save."
Iji	There's a splattering of purple blood, and the pair of Komato explode. Then the MEC says hi, unleashing a rocket-powered fist to the face. There's soon a Komato flying down the street before it finally kicks the bucket in another explosion. This one's implanted explosives seems to be larger than the others! More missiles from Casino, and the group of Komato assaulting Town Hall are reduced to a trio. They turn around, turning their guns on the heavily armored MEC. Guns blaze, and twin beams of their Plasma Cannons lance towards the large soldier-mech, panick in their voices. "Oh, that's just cheating!" "Two days away from retirment! Call in the Berzerkers!" With a 'pop', a duo of seven foot tall aliens appear behind the assaulting group. "KILLLLL!" They shout as they start to rain plasma bolts towards the backs of the assault team. Slowly, Iji comes to, ignoring the blood and pain. She slowly aims her weapon. Pulling the trigger, a trio of blue energy balls fire at the duo of smaller Komato. The resulting explosion sends them flying. The normal troops in the area are gone, leaving the two teleporting Berzerkers left!
Elise Leroy	"ALL ELEMENTS, TUCK TAIL!" shouts Elise as she takes aim at the back of one of the Berserkers. She racks the bolt and fires, racking and firing in rapid succession until the magazine is empty, where she drops the mag and inserts a new one. Deadbolt does the same, except to the other one. Piledriver covers his head with his big heavily armoured arms, letting them take the plasma bolts. The plasma sizzles on the metal, leaving deep melted segments in the armour, but not breaching it. He glances around, looking for other targets, before heading toward one of the Berserkers. "Kill this!" he roars back, deploying his KSM to provide another RPN to the face. Viper gets in on the action too, almost gleefully charging in and leaping off a nearby vehicle to get to head height. "HI!" BLAM, shotgun to the face. Casino and Checkmate, meanwhile, move up to secure the Town Hall and begin evacuating the civilians. Casino sees to the ones on the roof, while Checkmate runs over toward Iji, pulling a small, red device from a mag-lock on her thighs. "Hold still, this should help."
Iji	The big aliens seem far more resistant to the team's weaponry! The nanofield of the Berserker Elise fires upon shudders and at first seems to hold despite all of her shots. Finally, however, it shatters. The last one goes straight through the head. It lurches forward, and finally, explodes in a gout of flame after the high-powered punch from the MEC. When the smoke clears? Neither Komato nor weaponry are left behind. The shotgun courtesy of of Viper has the Berserker staggering! Its nanofield takes the brunt ofthe attack, gaining it a new scarr. It does get its arrogant laugh cut off, even as its gun once more charges for a massive blast of plasma aimed Viper's way! And point blank at that! The two XCOM operatives swiftly get the civvies out of harms way, even if Officer Jacobs seems unhappy about leaving /his/ town. Seems there's a break in reinforcements. Iji stirrs somewhat, barely stopping herself from reflexively pulling the trigger. That vague confusion over seeing other humans fighting the Komato-and successfully-sinks into exhaustion and pain. "Th..thanks. Who're you guys? Ones that sent that message? Iji Kataiser." She'll reach out for the device. "Uhh...I'll leave it to the medic." No, she has /no/ idea what that red thing is, but trusts Casino knows what they're doing. For now, she leans away from her saviour, and peppers the Berserker from behind with a flurry of machinegun fire. It may only weaken the nanofield, but it'll swiftly be enough to leave an opening for Viper and the MEC! Pop! The creature's nanofield finally shatters.
Elise Leroy	Casino ushers the civvies out of the area, opening fire with her LMG on a group of Komato coming down a side street, more red tracers lighting up the slightly dim alley. Checkmate aims the device and depresses the trigger, spraying a mix of aerosol painkillers and nanites to help speed up wound recovery. It's not much, but it should help stop the bleeding and dull the pain. Viper cackles madly, kicking off the Berserker's chest and backflipping into a crouch, where she pulls a large machete from the holster at the small of her back. "Laugh it up ugly. YOUR HEAD IS MINE!" she roars, leaping up and stabbing her knife into any available opening in that armour, now the nanofield is down. SHe latches on like a limpet, stabbing and slashing as best she can. Piledriver resets the Module, ready to pound the Berserker if Viper can't finish it. Elise radios in. "Big Sky, one group of Civvies coming out. Swing around to Bravo, pick them up and come back. We'll meet you at Charlie with the Elite." she then makes her way down to the area, pulling her sidearm while in motion. Deadbolt remains where he is for the moment. Checkmate, once she's finished, replies while rearming herself. "We're with XCOM. Yes, we sent the message... These aren't the same aliens we're used to fighting, but we're trained and equipped to take out extraterrestrial threats. We need to get out of here, why that ship hasn't leveled the place I don't know, but I don't want to stick around and find out."
Iji	Viper will soon have a Komato head, as the shattered nanofield and helmet-less Berserker can't quite dislodge the insane Assault. No, it takes a while, but the poor Berserker's head pops off. Trophy go! Provided, of course, that the resulting explosion doesn't knock out viper as the creature falls. That spray does the trick, and finally Iji gets to her feet. "Yeah, let's get out of here." She agrees now that it seems most of the civilians are safe. She frowns, however. "Weird though. The Komato on my world came in mass numbers. Just one ship. Whatever, we can pick brains later." Hefting her gun, she'll let Checkmate lead the way as she keeps a look out for more Komato. All across the town, the surviving Komato too seem to be pulling out; teleporting out of existance. Iji, mostly out of spite, fires her last rocket at one of the retreating Komato. Poomf! Right in the face. The retreat to the ship that brought them here will become increasingly easy as more and more Komato leave. Up above, the battlecruiser too soon starts to pull away, its test done.
Elise Leroy	Elise meets up with the group. "Alright, Strike One, form up. Casino's bugging out with the Civvies, Big Sky will be swinging back around to meet us at point Charlie." she looks over at Iji. "We'll be taking you back to base for medical examination." she remarks to Iji. The rest of the team, minus Casino, forms up around Elise, and she turns to leave the town. While Elise is talking, Viper takes a face full of exploding Berserker. She skips across the ground, bouncing then shifts and lands on her feet, cackling madly. "That was great! And I got a trophy! BEST. MISSION. EVER!" She then happily jogs over, holding the grotesque trophy out towards Elise. "Lookit Commander!" Piledriver, for his part, emits a loud CLANK as he tromps over. One massive metal hand covers his helmeted head.
Iji	There's a nod to Elise, and Iji watches as the crazy Viper goes flying. "Uhh...are you...okay?" She looks a little freaked out by Viper's antics. There's a subtle glance to Elise, and Iji taps the side of her head. Is she missing a few bolts? "Alright. Uhh. Soooo...what's XCOM?" Iji asks as they make their way out of town.
Elise Leroy	Elise smirks at Viper. "Very nice Viper... just make sure you keep it out of sight and away from Vahlen, I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose it after all that effort." Viper suddenly grows fearful, cuddling the severed head tightly. She pouts and scampers ahead of the group a little ways. To Iji's gesture, she says only one thing. "There's a very fine line between Genius and Insanity." The Skyranger comes in on a long arching sweep to land just outside of town, lowering its ramp. Once the team is aboard, it closes up, takes off and flies away. "I am Elise Leroy, and I am current Commander of the Extraterretrial Combat unit, or XCOM. We are a multinational force made up of the best soldiers and most brilliant scientists our world can muster. We're also always on the lookout for assistance from our Multiversal neighbours and allies." she explains. "In return, we can offer what resources we can spare, usually in military aid via our Strike Teams or Interceptor wings."
Iji	Iji opens her mouth, but apparently thinks twice of saying anything about lines between sanity and genius. Every now and then she'll just stare at Viper. "...Oh shut up, Iji, like you've got any room to talk." Looking away pointedly from Viper-headcuddles, the young woman puts down her weapon, and offers a hand to Elise to shake. She has a firm grip. "Nice to meet you. Uhh. Iji Kataiser, 'Human Anomaly' to the Tasen and Komato. Just call me Iji. So you guys fight aliens too, huh?" One can almost see the gears turning in her head. She thinks. "...Now I know we've just met, but, could I convince you to go to lunch with me some time, Miss Leroy? Those guys that we just fought are going to hit my planet with a doomsday weapon after they finish killing off the Tasen aliens who hit it in the first place...long story...and my brother's trapped. We need help. You guys are better than some hack-job of a cyborg like me who can barely aim a good. I could use some help. And I'll help in return." The woman's eyes are scared, and more than a little desperate.
Elise Leroy	Elise returns the grip, though she's not augmented with strength enhancement she has a very firm grip for a 'normal' human. She also has a faint orange glow behind her eyes, mostly in the iris but partly in the sclara as well. "Our organization works on a mutually beneficial trade basis. If you can help us, we can help you." she replies. "We'll devote what resources we can to helping you find your brother and even evacuating any other survivors there might be. They'll likely be welcome, either here, or on another world in the Multiverse... though I doubt you'd want to settle on ANOTHER planet being invaded by aliens." she chuckles dryly. "I just hope ours don't take a leaf from these, Komodo's book... they could easily wipe us out, but they're... studying us, or something."
Iji	A hand rubs the back of her head. "I don't have much. I'm just a middle class college kid. But I've got a gun, cybernetics, and from the logs I read, my nanofield isn't normal...oh, uh, a nanofield's kind of like an invisible computer, and armor. All of the cyborgs have it. So I'm pretty tough. And if you guys are getting invaded?" There's a warm smile from Iji. "I don't like it when people take away the things others have built just because of greed, or because they won't talk things out. Humans aren't playthings. So, if you'll have me, I'll help out." Elise's words get a frown, however. "Hope not. When the Tasen came...they're offshoots of the Komato. The Komato hate them...it took all of a day to reduce our planet to a half-dead husk. Thousands of those ships struck with their weapons. Apparently, only at half power. We couldn't do anything." A bitter scowl. And a shake of her head. "No. We're not moving. I'm taking back what's ours. I'm going to find Dan, get him safe, then find the General leading the Komato. And I'm going to get him to take his soldiers and go away, one way or the other." As for today's little stunt? She thinks. "I don't like it. The Komato are big and loud. This was...it's like they were playing around. Or maybe testing something." Then, she lays down against the skyranger. Her eyes begin to close. "Wake me up when we're there, okay?"