Echoside : The Shorts

[Kain Nobel]

@JayRay : Thank you for taking time checking it out and leaving a comment! Sorry for the slow response, knowing somebody is reading and enjoying it is much appreciated!

-

Much has happened between the previous chapters and the current one about to be leaked. Ricky Dean has been elected president, Chavo Gwar is still being a terrorist shit head, agent Alex has taken charge of a private security sector, and Lindsey's unit has heavily upgraded their combat capabilities by discovering a previously unknown technology, the C130 Stealth Buggy being one of them.

"What is the C130 Stealth Buggy," you ask?

It's believed to be an ancient caravan vehicle with low end stealth capabilities, having a max capacity of hauling 20 passengers across rugged terrain. Fall backs of this automobile is it lacks weaponry, it's not very stable, and its unconventional build puzzles military mechanics and engineers.

No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men
Setting : Salter, Chilkaid
Time : Approx 03:00 hours
Scenario : This is Mack's (supposed) last mission. Destination is Magnus Sanctus, a neutral territory where the team plan to debrief and return to HQ. The crew travel via C130 Stealth Buggy.

Johnny : We're about six kilometers from Magnus Sanctus, heading due south. Intelligence reports indicate light hostiles en route. Shouldn't be much of an issue though, already mapped out an evasive path.
Mack : Yeah, yeah, yeah... I'm ready to put on my penny loafers and play some golf!
Johnny : Heh... Really now?
Mack : Really!
Lindsey : We're not out of the shit storm yet, don't be going 'old man' on me now.
Mack : Old man?! You better watch how you talk to your elders, young lass!
Lindsey : And you better watch how you speak to your superior officer, senior lieutenant!

* With Lindsey and Mack exchanging hugs, the group sits back and chuckles.

Lindsey : It's been a pleasure to work under your guidance and leadership, even if you are an ol' dirty bastard!
Mack : Hey, I'm still as hip as the youngin's! So hip that I might use my life savings to put out a hip album.
Paulo : A... hip album?
Mack : It's a part of our youth culture movement, you wouldn't understand.
Paulo : I didn't take two years of Western Culture classes for nothing!
Johnny : Ha, coulda fooled me! If you ever get a proper passport, I'll have to take you to the strip mall or something, I'll buy you one of those 'hip hop' albums.
Paulo : No thanks, you westerners have turned me into a xenomorph.
Lindsey : Xeno... morph? Do you mean xenophobe?
Paulo : No probes, please! Read the diplomatic cables, I have.

* Brief sound of gunfire is heard in the distance.

Lindsey : Do you think Alex will uphold the oath?
Johnny : A comfy position like that? Ha! Corporate lobbyists know how to really change a man...
Mack : It's unfortunate, but ya never know. Then again, he barely passed aptitude testing, reaching exactly the minimum score required.

* An encrypted broadcast frequency comes in via X-COM.

X-COM : Attention Unit 17, insurgents are attempting a seige situation in Liam District, so far reports indicate 6 casualties. Satellite imagry is having trouble assessing the situation, intelligence officials in the field are believed to be dead. Are you willing and capable of handling the situation until ground troops arrive?

* Everybody looks at Mack, prompting him to spit out his coffee.

Mack : What the heck ya'll looking at me for?! She's the man!

Johnny : What are your orders, commander?
* Choice 1 : Affirmative, we're on our way!

• (NOTE: Dignity + 1, SideQuest 26 = 1. Skip to Chapter 16.1.)

* Choice 2 : Negative, proceed to Magnus Sanctus.

• (NOTE: Dignity - 1, SideQuest 26 = 2. Skip to Chapter 17.0.)