X-COM: Aliens

[Mirgalen]

// Same here no see

[Vanya Mia]

((There now. Stupid router.))

[Lazybones]

I'll post more on Caladaris's options later today.

[Lazybones]

Here are your strategic options.

• Option 1: Restart Research Program. Caladaris explains that he has identified the necessary hardware to equip your lab at a human research facility. You will have to raid it to collect the necessary items. The humans occupying the lab will almost certainly resist your efforts and will have to be dealt with. The lab will be established with the same base level of research (i.e., 10 RP/week) as the one you left on The Ship. Once you complete this mission the full research trees in all domains will be revealed.
• Option 2: Set Up Medical Manufactory. Caladaris says that in order to do this you will have to locate and raid a Harvester Ship. These are the vessels that the Masters use to collect biological specimens. The Manufactory will produce serums and repair kits at the same rate as the one on The Ship (i.e., 9 regenerative serums and 9 clone repair kits per week).
• Option 3: Access and Recover Biogenic Recombinator. Caladaris was a bit coy on this one, saying that he knew where a recombinator unit could be found but that it would be "difficult to get at." From what you know, Recombinator units are only installed on a few of the larger ship classes. Completing this mission will allow you to implement Improved Armor 2 as well as future physical improvements achieved through research.
• Option 4: Strike now with what you have and don't wait for the Masters to react to your defection.

Caladaris says that he has a prototype of a Portable Rejuvenation Unit that will allow restoration of clones killed in the field. However, the use of this device is as traumatic to the clone being revived as the usual process of having your consciousness processed through the Biogenic Recombinator.

Also, Caladaris says he will see what he can do with regards to securing weapons for those who lack them. However, based on what you have seen thus far in the human base you are not overly optimistic on this front.

[Gulfwulf]

Strong looked around the mostly empty lab and at the other clones. "Well, we're in this for ourselves now, so what should we do first? We need weapons, armor, healing, and a better lab, but I think option #1 might be our best choice to tackle first. That way we can provide ourselves with the necessary equipment to handle the other options. The muttons we killed while escaping 66 were very difficult and we can only assume any on a Harvester ship will be even more so. Doubly so the Biogenic Recombinator." He went to work around the lab, seeing if there was anyway he could improve what they already had.

//Craft structural: 11 for upgrading the current lab. Not that I expect anything to come of it.

[Lazybones]

Just a minor clarification, we won't need skills again until you complete the mission under Option 1. At the moment the only things in the lab are a couple of tables and a mysterious box.

[RogueZair]

The Quiet One silently examines the empty laboratory area. Nodding at Strong it says, "The Masters and even the Humans have the advances we have already discovered, and possibly even better. We are in an arms race, and we will be sixty-sixed if we do not win that race. That said, we will have a difficult time rebuilding our lab without weapons, tools, and serums."

Finding a dead insect in one corner, The Quiet One proceeds to conduct a careful examination of the corpse on the only tool currently in the lab: a table. While the others discuss their options it continues collecting small bits of forgotten debris from around their new home.

During a short lull in the conversation The Quiet One interjects, "These tiny earthlings have exoskeletons, much like some of us." Pointing with a carefully sharpened bit of wire at the three insects dissected on the table top, and the one live one in a very small glass jar. "This protective covering lends a degree of protection, and may be a path that merits further investigation once we have the proper tools."

// Option 2 (medicine) or 1 (lab) first, then the other. Then Option 3.

[Vanya Mia]

"We need repairs all time," Nimble states, flatly. "Going to harvester ship for medical stuff is what need to do first. It logical." For some unfathomable reason the clone began to tick off on its digits on one hand with the longest one on the other.

"If recombinator difficult to get at it be even more difficult to get if not got repairing. Researching not useful if can't make lot of new stuff we research because not have medical stuff. We get sixty-sixed in quick time if try fight Masters with none." It held out its arms, hands palms up, in some equally strange gesture, mental tone indicating it thought everyone should find this obvious. "We no choice but raid harvester first."

"All need weapon." Nimble continued, tapping the huge plasma cannon now slung across its back, "I can try take apart if have spare with tools have in belt, make 2 littler weapons. I not like one this big anyway because it too big, but not have same power when hit if do. I try if say yes."

"Also we find sharp metal and get strong bash into sharper shapes." The clone then gestured at some of the furniture around the room. "We break things up. Break legs off ..." It glanced briefly at Scowling's chair, the quickly shifted away. "... benches or doors off cupboard and make slashy and jabby things. All get a weapon that way, even if not good one."

There was now a somewhat pregnant pause. "Though need to find harvester ship. We ask Caladaris how, or we need try make implant track other clones? They track us." It's head turned to some of the remaining computer terminals. "If we find how we can do it them." Nimble paused again. "That way know if coming too."


((Option 2 is my choice, I think it makes most sense. Plus can Nimble try, presuming others agree, to dismantle the cannon to a couple of pistols of lesser quality with a Craft Mechanical roll?))

[Lazybones]

(Plus can Nimble try, presuming others agree, to dismantle the cannon to a couple of pistols of lesser quality with a Craft Mechanical roll?))

My initial reaction: what? That's crazy! Then I remembered that this campaign's whole premise is rather... ah, far fetched.

So if you want to try, go ahead. The DC will be rather high though.

[Mirgalen]

"We have nothing now or not much, we need to start somewhere...

Build something new will enable us to survive. Yes?"

Fast was not sure of what would be best. He was just broadcasting his thoughts to the other clones.

"We make a new lab? Yes?"


//

Option 1

Craft Mech 12