Posted 27 February 2004 - 10:38 PM
<<The following is a joint roleplay between Strong Bob (Joseph Scott) and Ghost (Brad Cyriacus).>>
COL_Cyriacus-> ::watches as Scott enters the office and stands up:: Ahh, I see they finished checking you up. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but I hope you understand we have to make sure that you are really you, and that they didn't send you in as a form of weapon, bomb or spy or something. Now, I believe we have a lot to discuss. ::glancing over towards the terminal screen which happens to be turned so that Scott can see a depiction of the Rommel on it:: Sit down Lieutenant, let's hear what you have to say about these... X-Com soldiers...
LT_Scott-> Joseph looked inquisitively at Brad and then sat down on a chair in front of the Colonel's desk. He gave Brad a very serious expression. "These 'X-COM Soldiers' do not belong here. The reason they have such advanced technology and even their own capital ship is because... They're from the future."
COL_Cyriacus-> The future... in some weird way that makes sense, considering we technically come from 7 years in the past. However, how certain are you that they speak the truth? Have they offered any evidence to support their claims, except their advanced technology?
LT_Scott-> He let out a semi-frustrated sigh. "Nothing except a data disc they gave me... It's a brief history of everything that has happened since the Patton was transported away. But... I don't think anyone will like our future. The disc was taken by Rallwell when we were searched, she's likely analyzing it now." Joseph exhaled again. "Sir, they call themselves the 'X-COM Resistance' and attacked the Ascadians because in their time... The Ascadians were incorporated into the Starspawn genepool."
COL_Cyriacus-> Hmmm, so you are saying that the Ascidians were likely defeated somehow in the future. And I would assume that somehow we are defeated in the process as well, as I think you would have mentioned it if they told you the Patton would make it home. ::Cyriacus stopped a moment to think, a frown on his face:: So... the Ascidians are hostile in their time... is that why they are attacking them? Have you tried telling them the Ascidians are our allies?
LT_Scott-> "Oh yes sir. I have. And they've agreed to make a formal apology to the Ascadian government. I've been thinking about this, and I recommend that we hold a meeting in the Diplomacy Room. Mediated by Alpha squad, while Kappa squad represents the Ascadian government. The acting Commander aboard the Future X-COM ship has agreed to such a meeting, and will come unarmed with his first officer as escort." Joseph sighed and scratched his nose.
COL_Cyriacus-> Hmmm... interesting proposition and yes I really would like to have the opportunity to discuss things with them, however, I do not think the Ascidians will really accept the people of Kappa team to act as their representatives. They have been working together closely, but that doesnt make them Ascidian yet... ::Cyriacus tapped some things on his terminal:: The Peregrine is in orbit around Arkunis as you no doubt noticed on your approach, and Kappa team is currently in NAO, taking care of some things. I believe one of theirs got wounded, Chavez, and is being looked after at the moment. I assume the rest of the team is still aboard the Rommel? Are you being treated well there?
LT_Scott-> "No. I made sure everyone was brought back aboard the ship they lent us. I was hoping Kappa team could help moderate this situation, I'm not sure how Colonel Dogget will act when negotiating with something he's always known to be an enemy. Just imagine standing in front of a Muton and apoligizing for killing them sir. I think a human representative is a better solution."
COL_Cyriacus-> Hmmm... well I'm sure Dmitri would agree in helping the negotiations, though eventually they will have to talk directly to the Ascidians to ensure the peace, considering Dmitri can only really listen to what it is they want and will need to talk to the Ascidians to hear what their response to that will be... Colonel Dogget, he is their commanding officer I assume. What kind of a man is he? If we are to negotiate with this man we'll need to know him, and his motivations too...
LT_Scott-> Joseph sighed again. "Colonel Dogget... His strategy is very secretive. I'm not going to lie to you. I have a full report written on a mission he asked us to go on before coming here. He is on a mission, a mission to stop the Starspawn out here from making special gene strains that conquer Earth in the future. And he will stop at nothing to ensure that they do not come to fruition."
COL_Cyriacus-> Hmmmm ::rubbing his chin a moment in thought:: So it sounds like it's personal somehow... like he lost family or loved ones to these Starspawn... did he tell you anything about how they got here? And if there is any way for him to return? Another thing being: Did they tell you what year they came from? How far in the future?
LT_Scott-> "2095... Somewhere around there I believe. He hasn't mentioned anything about family. But he has informed us that his coming to this time was a horrible mistake. But... For some reason he sees this as more of an opportunity than a disaster. I'm not sure I would be thinking so clearly if I were hurled so far back in time... Even if the chance to damage the Starspawn significantly was in my grasp." Joseph started to look concerned.
COL_Cyriacus-> ::nods, listening to Scott telling about these strange people:: Hmmm, that does sort of sound like a man driven by revenge somehow. Like someone that will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. It makes me wonder about his sincerity though. He seems clever enough to realize not to just do a suicide attack, but I wonder what his motives are for accepting to listen to the Ascidians...
LT_Scott-> "Doctor Yorke and Sergeant Howardson spent some time convincing him to do so. He has agreed with us that it would be better if we were allies with the Ascadians and drove the Starspawn out of their territory, rather than annhilate the Ascadians completely, that they won't add them to their pool."
COL_Cyriacus-> ::Cyriacus nodded and remained silent a moment, then looked at Scott again, a serious look on his face:: Lieutenant, tell me honestly: If these negotiations fail, how do you estimate our chances against them? And how many of our men would be tempted to join them, considering the time you spent with them?
LT_Scott-> "I'm not going to lie to you sir. We'll be in deep shit if these guys deem us an enemy. They have weakness, there are witnesses that have seen their armor broken and penetrated. But only under constant barrages of plasma fire. Our only chance is to do our best to make friends with them... As for the men, they seem very undecided. I sense Yorke is also skeptical... But Corporal's Necro and Goorit are more than happy to team up with the future X-COM. I dunno if some of us are just being too paranoid... When it all comes down to it, if they become our friends, this would be the best thing that ever could have happened to us."
COL_Cyriacus-> Perhaps yes, but I am trying to assess the risk of what could happen should we fail to enlist them as friends.
LT_Scott-> "I don't think I need to tell you the damage they could do if we don't. Their ships have a highly advanced cloaking technology... Which means, there is no way we could ever see them coming. They could likely destroy the Patton and Peregrine in a matter of minutes." Joseph wiped his nose. "I'm not sure we want to risk that at all..."
COL_Cyriacus-> No, we arent aiming for that goal obvious, however what do you suggest then? We oblige to everything they want because we can't risk turning them against us?
LT_Scott-> "No. I say we try mainly to keep them from being the enemy, making them friends being our secondary objective. At least find a way to keep them the hell away from the Ascadians and keep their guns on the Starspawn. That should be our only real goal here... Besides, they really haven't asked for much just yet."
COL_Cyriacus-> Yes, of course, however I doubt they will just oblige so easily in starting peace with the Ascidians, there will be terms no doubt on either side... it will take some arranging on both sides to get this underway though so I'd best get to that.
LT_Scott-> "Yes sir." Joseph stood up. "Shall I request that Kappa team sends someone to represent the Ascadians?"
COL_Cyriacus-> Okay, that sounds like a plan to me. You contact them and I'll contact the gits.
LT_Scott-> "Yes sir. I shall send for them and inform Colonel Dogget at once." Joseph gave Brad a solute and marched out of the office.
COL_Cyriacus-> ::As Scott exits the office, Cyriacus sinks back in his chair and wonders again if these XCR troopers are a blessing or a curse...::
Strong Bob's random Star Trek quote of the year:
*Scans rock* "It's dead, Jim." - McCoy
"Very funny, Bones." - Kirk