Hilda 'Hildifer' Lidén: Japan! Why can't we go to Japan?
Megawatt: Because we're going to South Africa.
Hildifer: But I want to go to Japan.
Ironside: Don't worry, you'll get there. Given that you don't die in South Africa.
Ellen 'Branca' Williams: I feel safer already going with you guys.
Harmony Lad: Branca? Which is that, the Fernet one or the chick in the Heinlein book?
Branca: You can actually read?
Harmony Lad: To the contrary, yes, and apart from the usual stuff also science fiction and sociology. I haven't had much need for sci-fi recently, though.
Broden: Yeah, the herbal sniper reads and the assault guy writes. I will be the next Pope after this gig is over.
Ironside: Haven't had much time for writing these days, although you should check my blog about this world saving affair. I was going for a vacation, but duty called. Check the blog anyway when you have time.
Branca: I'm sure I get good enough picture first-hand.
Pilot: All right, we're approaching. Make sure Hildifer does not die here.
[TRANSCRIPTION ENDS]
Blom...Blomef...that South African city was burning. Of course it was. The aliens had decided to detour us a bit, but this terror business had become a routine for XCOM. As a matter of fact, routine enough to collect sky miles for the fresh recruits. South Africa proved no different to standard mop-up of chryssalids and mutons. Harmony Lad carried the workload and with experience, he'd become more and more the key force in the sky, hovering around in that shiny archangel armour, calling shots and seeing everything. Branca noticed this immediately, that Harmony Lad sees literally everything, as one of the mutons was split-second from melting her face in. Not under Harmony Lad's watchful eye.
After South Africa, the detour tour took the same squad to Japan, to Hildifer's great delight. Abduction business involved only a handful of thin men and a few mutons, but all this strengthened the battle prowess of the newer members. Japan was actually so happy of this XCOM intervention, that they sent one of their more experienced snipers to fight for a better tomorrow.
[SKYRANGER CABIN TRANSCRIPTION]
Jason '44' Black: Konnichi-wa!
Harmony Lad: You look like a bad-ass. Have you ever been mistaken for one?
44: No. But it kinda goes with the profession.
Harmony Lad: ...that is?
44: Let's leave it at that. Glad to be on board with you folks.
[TRANSCRIPTION ENDS]
As said, the remote Nagoyan construction site was quickly stripped of any extraterrestrial threats and the squad escaped unscathed for the second time in a row. However, all recent developments burned in the back of Ironside's head. Everything could change in a heartbeat. One missed shot at a wrong place, one wrong turn from the building corner, one step too far into the darkness could mean the end for even the bravest of soldiers. Memorial plaques for Mad Marl, Proxy and Sureshot reminded of this every time the troops were having off time.
Late summer came and went. August report proved steady going, but the ever-strengthening alien armada kept the clock tight. Squad needed better equipment, but the threat in Siberia had to be also shut down, sooner or later. Who would know, what kind of horrors each of tomorrows brought along?
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