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X-COM: Terror From The Deep - Background
"2039. The last scarred sites of the alien war of 30 years ago are healing and, for all intents and purposes, the threat to the Earth might never have happened. Humans sleep easier in their beds knowing that the evil has gone...
But in the oceans long-silent forces have been aroused by the conflicts. Forces that have from time to time made themselves known to man, but for the most part have remained hidden. Separated from their stellar cousins for millennia, these aliens are now aware of their brethen's former battles culminating in the final conflict on Mars.
Under the ocean lies the remains of a vast interstellar colonization ship; 400 billion tons of metal that plummeted to the Earth some 65 million years ago. Now, the waiting is at an end, the powerful computers begin to stir, the ancient technology readies itself for the coming storm. When the alien base on Mars shuddered in its death throes, a powerful Tachyon beam darted out to a long dormant receptor.
Thirty years ago, awakened by the cosmic emissions of their brothers, the vast chambers of innumerable species began their re-animation cycle. X-COM must now face a new terror, an army of aliens that is already here, but in an environment more deadly than deep space. The aliens of the depths are well prepared to take on man in all the oceans, even bringing the war onto land.
X-COM: Terror From The Deep lets you enter into combat in a strange and alien world, use new technology to enable the war to be taken under the seas, arm your troops for an encounter the likes of which man has only dreamed of in his worst nightmares..."
pulser comes to rest
next to big brained biodrone
fish eat well tonight
Prelude 1947 Army Air Corps personnel from the 509th Bomb Group report the crash of a "flying disk" in the desert near Roswell, New Mexico. Some reports claim that there were two objects and that one actualy housed three alien beings, two dead and one alive. Before the end of the day, Army Air Corps officials retract the story, claiming that the object that crashed was actually a weather balloon. The existence of alien beings is categorically denied. All of the "weather balloon" debris and other physicaL evidence of the 'Roswell Incident' are quickly whisked away to Wright Airfield in Ohio. 1997 Reports of UFO activity increase throughout the world. At first, the sightings are relatively rare. And serious scientists write off the reports as hype surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident. However, as reports continue to increase, the Legitimate press joins the tabloids in splashing "We Are Not Alone" headlines across the front page of major metropolitan newspapers all over the world. 1998 Documented cases of human abductions by UFOs become commonplace in areas of sparse population in countries throughout the world. World governments step up their military readiness, and there is a general news blackout in most of the affected countries. Scientists try to make contact with the aliens, but there is no substantial response Many countries begin to contemplate a direct military strike against the aliens. In July, 1998, Japan establishes the Kiryu-Kai, an anti-alien combat force. After five months of operation, using the best equipment available, the group is unable to intercept even a single UFO. Due to lack of funding, Japan is forced to disband the Kiryu-Kai in November of 1998. On December 11, 1998, the United Nations Security Council holds a clandestine summit in Geneva, Switzerland. After much debate, it is unanimously decided that a covert, multinational military-force should be formed to investigate, combat, and (hopefully) defeat the aliens. Assembling the best pilots, soldiers, engineers, and scientists from all the funding nations, the Geneva council establishes X-COM-the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit. The First Alien War (AW-1) 1999 January 1st: The First Alien War Begins X-COM's first secret base is established. Equipped with two state-of-the-art interceptor fighter craft and a Skyranger troop carrier, the base begins scanning local airspace for UFO activity. The base's scanning equipment proves to be extremely effective at detecting alien craft, and the interceptors, though outclassed by larger UFOs, produce immediate results-downing dozens of alien ships in the first few months. As X-COM soldiers explore crashed alien craft and collect examples of alien technology, the labs and workshops staffed with the world's top scientists and engineers, study the alien artifacts and develop methods to effectively re-create alien weapons and equipment. UFO activity continues to increase worldwide. X-COM Funding begins to fluctuate; the organization is funded voluntarily by the establishing countries of the world, but a loophole in the X-COM charter allows contributing nations to raise or lower their funding based on their perception of X-COM's success. Countries out of the original base's scanning range quickly become dissatisfied with X-COM's performance. Fearing the loss of funding, X-COM scrambles to increase the detection range of its original base and starts searching the world for other possible base sites. The aliens become increasing bold. They begin landing in large metropolitan areas and terrorizing the population. The number of abductions decreases as the aliens turn to wholesale slaughter of Earth's population. As more alien incidents take place, it quickly becomes clear that the invasion force consists of not one, but numerous alien species. 2000 X-COM expands with more bases placed strategically around the globe. This pacifies most of the contributing nations, and the organization's funding stabilizes. Even so, X-COM base commanders come up with alternative funding scenarios in case the situation worsens in the future. Tentative deals are made to sell X-COM and alien equipment and weapons to certain underground organizations for a significant profit. As captured alien equipment is researched, it is logged into an online data bank dubbed the "UFOpedia" by X-COM scientists and operatives. This knowledge is quickly put to practical use, as X-COM agents are equipped with more powerful weapons and devices based on alien technology. 2001 Starting early in the year, X-COM patrols begin to discover alien bases in hidden locations throughout the world. X-COM base commanders agree that the best defense is a strong offense. Every time a new alien stronghold is discovered, a strike force is sent to clear and destroy the base. Despite numerous victories, new alien bases continue to appear. X-COM research into the alien culture and technology proceeds as worldwide UFO and alien terrorist activities continue to increase. 2002 X-COM commanders begin to realize that they are fighting a losing battle. While Earth is the nexus of alien activity, the aliens' infrastructure and leadership are obviously not based here. It becomes clear that the key to defeating the aliens is discovering the base from which they are coordinating their invasion. Despite continued success in some geographical areas, X-COM funding is severely reduced as beleaguered nations ratify pacts with the alien forces. Base commanders make the unpopular but financially sound decision to concentrate their interception and ground-attack efforts in only the richest, most powerful nations of the world. This strategy, coupled with increased sales of X-COM and alien technology to "unknown buyers," provides X-COM with enough money to continue for some time. It is recognized, however, that a final solution to the alien problem must be found soon. After a spate of successful interceptions and alien base invasions, X-COM personnel get the break they are waiting for. Interrogation of captured alien leaders shows that the aliens' home base is on Mars, in an area known as Cydonia. Using all the captured technology available, X-COM engineers construct the Avenger-an interplanetary spacecraft capable of transporting troops and heavy equipment to the aliens' Mars base. Manufacturing efforts increase dramatically, as weapons and equipment are produced for use in a final strike against the Martian base. X-COM soldiers invade the alien base at Cydonia. After a fierce battle, the alien "Brain" creature that had apparently been guiding the entire invasion is located and killed. UFO activity declines to zero, and the remaining pockets of alien resistance prove to be disorganized and easy to defeat without the leadership of the "Brain." The war is over. As the last of the aliens at the Cydonia base are being hunted down by the X-COM strike team, an automated distress beacon is activated. A transmission of unknown content is broadcast to Earth. The strike team manages to shut down the beacon within a matter of seconds. After extensive study, scientists conclude that the message was a call for reinforcements from the alien bases on Earth. Since these bases have already been neutralized, the alien message is dismissed and quickly forgotten. Within a period of six months, information about the X-COM operation is released to the general public. Of course, the news comes as no surprise to most of the world, since the presence of X-COM craft and personnel in the world's major metropolitan areas had become commonplace over the previous year and a half. Interlude 2002 After the war, X-COM establishes aquatic bases. These are used as salvage areas for undersea salvage missions to find UFOs downed in the war. The primary goal of the search teams is to locate and obtain as much Elerlum-ll5 as possible. This mineral, the source of power for all alien weapons, ships, and so on, is extremelly rare and is not indigenous to Earth. Over the course of the last several years, X-COM and other scientific and military groups have come to depend heavily on Elerium for new human technology. Unable to replicate the mineral, everyone involved is forced to rely on the rapidly dwindling supplies left over from the war. The governments of the world agree that the remaining Elerium supply should be used for the development of interstellar space travel. It is reasoned that if we could make travel to other planets practical, we might find an unlimited supply of the precious material. 2005 The search for Elerium continues with little success. All of the UFOs that crashed on land have long since been plundered. Explorations of underwater alien wrecks have revealed an alarming property of Elerium-115: it becomes inert with prolonged exposure to sea water. Because there are still countless underwater UFO crash sites left to be explored, the search for viable caches of Elerium continues unabated, but without much hope O{ success. The world's governments become focused on the steady increase in petty violence, overpopulation, and worldwide pollution. These day-to-day problems overshadow thoughts of another alien invasion and X-COM funding is drastically cut. Most of the bases are decommissioned. X-COM soldiers are pensioned off, and scientists return to civilian duty. As Elerium supplies continue to dwindle, all world governments restrict the mineral to military use. Terrorist groups who had managed to stash away some Eterium for their own nefarious purposes realize that they can profit greatly by selling their private supplies back to the government for a high price. The governments of the world eagerly participate in these deals with no questions asked. 2009 A manned mission to Mars is Launched. An X-COM team composed of both scientists and soldiers sweeps the area around the Cydonia base out to a distance of one hundred kilometers in every direction. Afterwards, the Avenger transport craft orbits the planet for on additional 14 hours, running a series of surface scans. Finding no further evidence of alien Life, the Avenger returns to Earth. The world governments tighten the Elerium ban, reserving all remaining Elerium supplies for weapons use only. The last of the X-COM Avenger spacecraft is donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC where it replaces Lindbergh's "Spirit of '76" in one of the main display halls of the Air and Space museum. 2010 Earth's supply of Elerium is exhausted. With no viable power source, all research into interstellar travel is abandoned. Instead, all space flight research is focused on developing interplanetary travel within our own solar system in hopes of developing the ability to build off-world colonies to ease the overpopulation of Earth. Meanwhile, several groups of scientists around the world independetly begin work on developing a synthetic substitute for Elerium-115. Even the most optimistic members of the scientific community hold little hope for the project, since funding is nearly nonexistent. 2012 There has been no UFO or alien activity now for nearly nine years. With the world's financial crisis becoming critical, the X-COM organization is officially disbanded. Although it is not dismantled, the X-COM War Room, a sophisticated monitoring centre at the Pentagon used for coordinating worldwide X-COM operations during the war, is placed on automatic. The monitors are now scheduled to be checked only once a week, and even this low-priority task is frequently ignored. F. Denman Williams, wealthy software tycoon and entrepreneur, fearing that the alien crisis is not over, purchases one of X-COM's underwater bases, Ocean Base 1, and retains its military and scientific staff. This base, operating under the corporate name of S.OR.E.S.O. [the Sub-Oceanic Reconnaissance and Extraterrestrial Salvage Operation] continues to catalogue underwater UFO crash sites and search for Elerium deposits among the wrecks. 2013-2038 The world's financial woes continue, as global unemployment rises to an all time high. Deforestation and uncontrolled urban growth continue to destroy the environment at an unprecedented rate. Most cities ban the use of private vehicles entirely in an attempt to improve air quality. Starting in 2015, there is a worldwide political upheaval. The poorer nations of the world become unable to support themselves and their governments fall. In response, powerful nations begin to annex their foundering neighbours, forming huge political conglomerates. For the most, these acquisitions are seen as positive and proceed peacefully. The one dramatic exception to the merging of political powers is the People's Republic of Alaska, which is formed when Alaska secedes from the United States in 2026. By 2027, there are only 16 distinct world governments. The deteriorating conditions on Earth and the governments' apparent inability to turn conditions around revives a sense of spirituality all over the world. In 2027, a radical new religion known as the Cult of Sirius arises. The Cultists believe that humanity might well have destroyed any hope of salvation by repelling the alien occupation during the First Alien War. The Cult launches numerous deep-space probes in the early '30s, each of which carries a message begging their "alien saviors" to return to Earth and use their advanced technology to turn the human race from its path of self-destruction. Shortly after the inception of the Cult of Sirius, a counter-religion is also born. Known as The Inquisitors, this brutal organization opposes all things connected with the aliens. Their members dedicate their lives to seeking out and destroying al alien-based technology and anyone with a connection to the aliens. Because of their diametric opposition to the Cult of Sirius, skirmishes between the two religious organizations are inevitable. The infighting between the groups escalates into an all-out religious war in 2036, which results in the collapse of The Inquisitors. The Cult of Sirius continues preaching their pro-alien rhetoric but becomes much less openly aggressive. 2039 Shipping and civilian travel organizations all over the world become concerned, as surface vessels and aircraft begin to disappear with alarming frequency on the world's oceans. Scientists explain the disappearances as natural-magnetic anomalies, freak storms, and the like. Reports of strange submersible vehicles spotted at the sites of some of the disappearances are dismissed by the government, but not by the general public. Responding to tabloid accounts of a possible new alien invasion, there is a public outcry for the governments of the world to reactivate X-COM as a precautionary measure. Amid promises that "the matter will be taken under advisement," government officials proceed to ignore the public's demands. Activity at S.O.R.E.S.O. Ocean Base 1 is stepped up to an all-time high. Although their main mission is still the exploration of underwater UFO crash sites, occasional missions are launched to investigate new ship and aircraft disappearances. Investigations of nearly two dozen disappearance sites show no signs of alien activity, though the submersibles available to the S.O.R.E.S.O. team generally take several hours to arrive at the site of a distress call. While investigating UFO Crash Site 137, near the wreck of the Titanic in the north Atlantic, the S.O.R.ES.O. submarine Khimtar implodes and sinks under mysterious circumstances. Two months pass before the Khimtar's distress call to the Pentagon's X-COM War Room is discovered-a message ending in the prophetic words "I think they're back." 2040 In a deal with British Hydospace and Sub-Am Corporation, S.O.R.E.S.O. acquires the contract to test the new Barracuda and Triton submersible craft. After an initial high failure rate, the bugs are ironed out, and S.O.R.E.S.O. leases several of the craft. Spurred by growing public concern and the destruction of the Khimter, the governments of the world covertly begin recruiting military personnel for assignment as aquanauts. Citing a little known reserve activation clause, the government takes control of S.O.R.E.S.O. and officially activates Ocean Base 1 as X-COM's new base of operations. Within days of X-COM's reactivation, Ocean Base 1 receives on urgent distress signal from the British passenger liner Hyperion. A Barracuda sub is sent to investigate. On arriving at the site, Jake Burton, the Barracuda pilot, finds only a broken wreck. Within seconds after Burton exits his craft to investigate the wreck, X-COM abruptly loses contact with him. Later investigation of the scene by a second team shows signs that the Hyperion was sunk by some sort of unknown weapon. No sign of Burton or his craft are ever found. The Second Alien War (AW-II) 2041 January 1st: The Second Alien War begins Sightings of alien submersible vehicles increase dramatically as the aliens become more bold. Once again, one of the main goals of the alien forces is to terrorize the population of major metropolitan areas. This time around, the aliens stick to regions near the world's oceans. Although some species, the Aquatoids in particular, are obviouslly related to the last wave of aliens who attacked the planet, many of these creatures are different than anything previouslly encountered. Although interception of the smaller alien subs is a relatively easy matter thanks to the Barracuda intercept sub, early X-COM tactical missions meet with less than successful results. Most of the weapons used in the First Alien War are useless without a supply of Elerium-115 to power them, and weapons based on Earth technology, such as the Laser rifle, prove to have no effect against the new aliens or cannot be adapted for underwater use. Aquanauts are forced to rely on primitive spear and harpoon guns, torpedo launchers, and a small array of explosive devices, until they are able to research the technology used by the new wave of alien invaders. 2042-2045 The Second Alien War ramps up to a fever pitch. More alien species are catalogued. One species in particular, a clawed group of creatures that quickly become known as "Lobster Men," cause aquanauts a great deal of difficulty. Their tough skin is virtually impervious to conventional methods of attack. One of the earliest alien technologies discovered is Zrbite, a mineral analogous to Elerium-115 and used to power most of the aliens' equipment and weapons. Zrbite is found to be extremely unstable, but its use is deemed a necessary risk; it is the only viable power source for replicated alien technology. The influx of equipment and aliens, dead and otherwise, recovered from the battlefield leads to great advances in weapons technology. Primary among these are the ability to replicate sonic weapons and the development of Vibro Blades-rotating titanium blade weapons that prove quite effective against the deadly Lobster Men. Along with weapons technology, x-cam scientists discover new methods of constructing personal armor, which provides aquanauts with the protection they need in extended battles. 2046 After just over five years of constant fighting, X-COM scientists discover the locoation of the aliens' hidden base: T'leth, a huge alien colony ship that lies at the bottom of the Sigsbee Deep in the Gulf of Mexico. Travelling aboard a new Leviathan submarine, the only armed submersible craft capable of withstanding the pressure at these great depths, a squad of aquanauts descends upon the alien stronghold. After a fierce battle, the aquanauts locate the reanimation chamber of the alien controlling force: a huge, tentacled being known only as the "Alien Horror." Luckily, the X-COM force arrives before the reanimation process is complete. In destroying the power nodes of the lead alien's cryogenic coffin, tge aquanauts set off a chain reaction that destroys the alien colony ship just as it is rising above the surface of the water. All the aquanauts aboard are killed, but in dying they ensure the safety of the people of Earth. After the destruction of T'leth, the remaining aliens prove no problem to eradicate. The Second Alien War is officially declared over on January 19, 2046. Recovery 2046 It isn't long before scientists discover that the Second Alien War will have far-reaching and possibly cataclysmic effects on the Earth. As was true after the First Alien War, many of the world's towns and cities have been reduced to ruins. This time, however, it's much worse. In addition to the war damage, the atmosphere of Earth has been poisoned by the release of huge amounts of toxic gases and particles from the explosion of T'leth. Hundreds of thousands of people in the areas immediately surrounding the Gulf of Mexico die within hours of the explosion, and millions worldwide suffer from toxic side effects ranging from minor to severe. All populated areas on the Gulf Coast ore evacuated for o period of six months while cleanup commences. In addition to the toxic side effects, the particle cloud from the T'leth explosion increases the effects of globol warming, adversely affectinq agriculture in many parts of the world. When coupled with the worldwide overpopulation problem that has been steadily worsening since the mid-20th century, the loss of keg agricultural regions such os the grain-producing farms of the Americon Midwest adds widespread starvation to the already multitudinous problems of the world. The hopes that Zrbite might revive the deep space program which was abandoned in 2010 are dashed when scientists discover that all the Zrbite supplies of the world have become inert. It is theorized that the aliens' moleculor control network was the key to releasing the power of the mineral. When the destruction of T'leth caused the moleculor control network to fail, all the Zrbite was rendered useless. X-COM continues to step up its own technological research, exploring all remaining areas of alien technology. After initial success, the scope of the operations is diminished as many X-COM scientists leave the organization for the higher salaries offered by private corporations, X-COM funding is reduced as the Earth's governments focus their attention on terrestrial concerns. 2047 The main funding bodies for X-COM meet to decide the fate of the organization now that the war is over. Governments and corporations recognize a need to protect the planet and, of course, their own individual financial interests from any further alien attacks, but none ore willing to give more than a minimal funding contribution. In late March, F. Denman Williams once again agrees to finance X-COM operations out of his own pocket. X-COM adopts a business strategy, and the X-COM Corporation is formed. Once again, Williams includes a reactivation clause in the corporate charter that allows the government to take over full control of the operation should a state of worldwide emergency be declared. Engineers employed by the X-COM Corporation use their experience with alien technology to produce advanced weapons that the corporation sells to the highest bidder. Meanwhile, experienced X-COM soldiers are frequently hired by other corporations and by government agencies as mercenaries. These activities ensure a constant cash flow, and the corporation is immediatelly successful. Ecological collapse and overpopulation come ta a head. Many world governments are consolidated under single regimes in order to more effectively share resources. The first and largest of the so-called "merger governments' is the North American Alliance. Formed in late 2051 through the merger of the United States, Canada, the People's Republic of Alaska, and the New Mexico Cooperative, the NAA is instantly recognized as a formidable world power. Taking what is considered the best of art of the represented forms of government, the NAA establishes a new ruling body headed by an official known as the "Premier-President." Rlexandra Scott is elected as the First Premier- President and she serves three consecutive two-year terms. In mid-2052, the X-COM Corporation grants full access to their UFOpedia data bank to the Transtellar Corporation for research purposes. Transtellar's goal is to develop a practical means of interplanetary space flight that is not at all dependent on alien technology. With ecologists predicting that Earth's resources will be completely exhausted within the next two decades, the people of the world look to Transtellar's efforts as, possibly, the last hope for mankind's survival. Many of the world's Largest corporations begin the research and design phase for huge interplanetary colony ships, betting everything they have that Transtellar will succeed. On New Years Day, 2054, the Transtellar Corporation unveils the prototype for the Mark I Conversion Drive, an ion propulsion system that generates power through helium-carbon fusion. The key to the success of the design was the use of a reaction containment chamber with a shell composed primarily of inert Zrbite. Transtellar is immediately showered with funding and given exclusive rights to operate all Earth-based space ports until the end of the century. The Mark I Conversion Drive is mass-produced in large quantities as the major corporations of the world ready their first generation of colony ships for launch. By the end of the year, there are several colonies on the moon. 2055 The first freighters from the lunar mining colonies begin to arrive on Earth. Deep-core mines on the moon quickly become a much-needed supplement for raw materials used on Earth, but it's still not enough. In June, the Solmine Corporation begins construction of a major space port and shipyard facility at Tranquility Colony. By November, the first three ships of the Tranquility Fleet-mining ships manned by Solmine's best engineers-begin their Long journey in search of mining prospects in the asteroid belt beyond the orbit of Mars. Leasing space in SoLmine's Tranquility Shipyards, Transtellar begins construction of the first in a series of military transport vessels. With all the state-of-the-art armament and equipment available, the Patton-cLass military transport will go on to serve in both military and civilian roles for the next two decades. 2056-2059 The X-COM Corporation's profits soar as governments all over the world negotiate exclusive contracts for weapons, equipment, and protection. For the first time in X-COM history, an off-world base is established at the Luna 3 colony on the moon. A small force of X-COM mercenaries is maintained on-site at the Luna 3 base to act as securitg for the existing Lunar colonies and those currently under construction. In late 2056, freighters on the Earth-Luna run begin to experience sporadic raids by a group calling themselves the Kabron Pirates. Using decommissioned X-COM Avengers, refitted to operate on conventional fuel instead of Elerium, the pirates concentrate primarily on shipments of precious metals such as gold and platinum. Because of their precision in striking only the most valuable shipments and the fact that none of the plundered materials ever seems to surface on the block market, X-COM and other authorities believe that the Kabron pirates are working for one of Earth's major corporations. In February, 2057, Harvey Wayne is elected Premier-President of the North American Alliance. He goes on to serve three consecutive two-hear terms. In March, 2057, the first of Transtellar's military vessels, the UGS Patton, is commissioned at Tranquility Base. The vessel is purchased by the X-COM Corporation and immediately placed on patrol duty on the Earth-Luna shipping run to defend shipments against pirate attacks. By 2059, there are eight Patton-class ships on patrol, and pirate activity has been greatly reduced. 2060-2061 By mid-2060, the Tranquility Fleet has established three large mining colonies in the asteroid belt. The asteroids are rich in raw materials and will prove to be an excellent source of resources. Unfortunately, the long travel time to and from the belt-10 months, even for freighters equipped with Transtellar's new Mark III Conversion Drive-limits the immediate usefulness of the new mines. Meanwhile, unmanned probes have been sent to Mars to scan for possible mineral sources. Despite extensive examination of the alien base at Cydonia and the area immediately surrounding it, much of the planet remains unscanned. In October, 2061, after several weeks of transmissions, the Mars probes show an indication of what could be a huge stockpile of Elerium-115 several thousand kilometers from Cydonia. Plans are immediately set in motion to send a manned expedition to Mars-the first since the final X-COM cleanup mission in November, 2009. 2062 The UGS Patton is pulled of pirate patrol duty for the Mars expedition. In preparation for the trip, she is stripped of most of her weaponry and refitted with sensors and other science equipment. She is manned with a crew of the best scientists and engineers available, with only a skeleton crew of her original X-COM complement remaining to pilot the vessel and handle routine shipboard tasks. She departs for mars on April 23. After a four-month journey, the Patton settles into Mars orbit and begins a detailed surface scan. The crew starts by scanning the Cydonia base, a known landmark that will allow the scientists to calibrate the Patton's new hyperwave pulse sensors to match current data. Shortly after the scans commence, sensors show activity on the surface: a tremendous power surge in the vicinity of the base. On Earth, scientists monitoring the Patton mission are puzzled when communication is abruptly lost. After three days without contact, they launch a high-speed probe from Tranquility Spaceport. Its destination: Mars orbit and the last known position of the Patton. When the probe arrives in November, there is no sign of the missing ship. The probe's scanners are turned toward the surface, and they record evidence of a massive explosion at the site of the abandoned Cydonia base. A board of inquiry is convened on Earth, and it is agreed that the Patton must have experienced drive systems failure and crashed into the surface of the planet. The case is quickly closed. Progress 2063 Most of the Earthbound corporations, and many of those with colonial interests in space as well, continue to seek a solution to Earth's problems other than depending solely on extraterrestrial support. Designers, architects, and scientists devise a bold and elaborate plan for a series of self-contained, futuristic cities. Each Megalopolis would house large sections of the population, with all the support facilities they could possibly need contained within the walls of the city. The world's governments realize the potential of the Megalopolis plan, but are hesitant to commit the money and resources necessary to build an entire series of the expensive habitats. In 2063, the New World Council agrees to fund a single Megalopolis as a test case. If the experiment is successful, funding would be made available for more cities. Within months of the Council's decision, work begins on the first Megalopolis-dubbed "Mega-Primus"-on the site of the ruins of Toronto in the North American Alliance. In February, Harvey Wayne retires as Premier-President of the NAA. He is succeeded by J. Scott Cameron, who quickly becomes one of the most popular world leaders in history. Cameron serves in the office until his assassination in 2069. 2064 Basing their judgment on nearly a year's worth of detailed scanner data obtained through remote probes, scientists at the Earth Science Corps (ESC) confirm the presence of a huge Elerium deposit on Mars. Despite the Loss of the Patton two years earlier, the promise of Elerium is too great a lure to put off another manned mission to Mars. This time, a fleet of 15 Solmine ore freighters, accompanied by three Patton-class X-COM vessels, set off on the journey. They arrive in June, encountering no problems along the way. Within days of their arrival full-scale mining operations have begun at what becomes known as Mars Mine I. With the promise of the new Elerium supply looming on the horizon, Transtellar purchases the rights to all previous research in the field of interstellar space flight. Within a matter of months, Transtellar's top scientists have designed a prototype engine that might be capable of propelling spacecraft at faster-than-light speeds. 2065 When the first shipments of Elerium-115 arrive from Mars Mine I, they are divided evenly among all the governments of the world. The North American Alliance and the Eurasian Hegemony grant 50% of their allotments to Transtellar for the testing of the new hyperspace drive. The test is a success, and Transtellar is commissioned by several world governments to build an undisclosed number of small engines. Transtellar is given top priority when it comes to Elerium availability. The success of Mars Mine I causes a gold rush of sorts. More than a dozen corporations launch their own missions to Mars. Before long, there are 15 separate colonies on the planet mostly inhabited by miners and their families. With all the problems still facing the people on Earth, the world's governments pay little or no attention to the affairs in the Martian colonies. As a result border skirmishes between corporate-run mining villages are commonplace on the red planet. An X-COM base is established at Mars Colony I in an attempt to keep the peace. In May, the ESC launches 37 trans-light science probes, bound for regions of space that are considered promising for colonization. Telemetry from several probes is lost within hours of their jump to hyperspace. Most of the others reach their destinations only to transmit the disappointing news that there is nothing of value to be found. The Frontier 2065 On October 27, the probe code-named Tombstone 1 begins transmitting telemetry from its destination coordinates a globular cluster approximately 100 light-years from Earth. The data shows dozens of star systems in the immediate vicinity, nearly all of them supporting planets. Many of the planets within the probe's limited scanning range show promise of incredible wealth in minerals and raw materials, including traces of Elerium-115. When this news is made public every large corporation in the world begins immediate construction of deep space colony ships to take advantage of the promise of wealth. Likening this potential "wagon train to the stars" to the expansion of Americans into the western territories in the 19th century, this new region of space quickly becomes known as "The Frontier." 2066 In late March, the first three corporate missions are already on their way to The Frontier, and numerous others ere in the final steges of preperation. Though they are not willing to forgo the potentiaL treasures of deep-space colonies, many corporate leaders express fears that mankind's expansion into the stars might leed to another encounter with hostile aliens, this time on their own turf. In a joint meeting of business leaders and the world governments, it is decided that a defensive force should be established on The Frontier, standing ready to deal with any threat that might arise. F. Denman Williams II, successor to the X-COM corporation's former leader, agrees to turn over limited control of X-COM to the government so that defensive bases can be established in The Frontier. Meanwhile, to avoid stretching the organization's resources too thin, Williams signs en agreement with a private security firm to take over the X-COM bases at Luna 3 and Mars Colony I. This firm, operating under the name of Marsec (short for Mars Security), quickly gains renown for its ability to keep the local peace. Also, with the support of Denman Dynamics-a manufacturing corporation also owned by Williams-Marsec becomes a major player in the manufacture and sale of weapons and spacecraft. The first corporate outposts begin operation in The Frontier in November. Fleets of Cybermove Systems' new Star Ranger freighters support the outposts and transport raw materials, personnel and equipment within outpost systems and back to Earth as needed. As all Earth-based organizations turn their attention to the stars, the Earth Science Corps officially changes its name to the Galactic Science Corps (GSC). 2067 January 1st: X-COM begins patrollinq The Frontier. The first X-COM base is established in The Frontier. X-COM Base I is manned with the best space pilots available, all with brand-new Transtellar X-1A Lightning II fighter-interceptors. The base itself, while not manned with a science team, is equipped with a sophisticated data downlink system that allows the base computers to download all the latest scientific advances from Earth and the GSC. Financial and material support for the base is provided by the corporate outposts, which act as manufacturing centers, supply depots, and staging points for new pilot recruits who have ventured into The Frontier. The outposts also provide funding for X-COM in exchange for protection! After XCom: Interceptor, there was XCom: Apocalypse. Basically, aliens tried to destroy the Earth. They came from another dimension, being transported into Mega-Primus, the main city on Earth. It was X-COM's responsibility to again destroy the threat. Over time, they transported to the other dimension, destorying crucial alien builds before finally the main dimension gates. They made it back to Mega-Primus, and the war was over. X-COM: Interceptor News Briefs Software Story Release of New Computer Operating System Delayed Ninsoft Corporation announced today that the release of their new operating system, "Portals 67" will be delayed for at least another few weeks. "With the exception of one game in early 1998, no piece of computer software has ever been released on time," said an irritable Willy Fence, president of the computer/entertainment conglomerate. "It's high time all the damned cyber-geeks got used to it!" Long-Anticipated Operating System Gets a New Name The marketing department of Ninsoft quietly announced a name change for the mega-corporation's new operating system from "Portals `67" to "Portals `68". "The vicious rumors that the name change is an indicator that the product will be delayed couldn't be farther from the truth," says Nick Thomas, Ninsoft marketing guru. "It's simply that '68' is a much more user-friendly number than '67'. Marketing surveys show that people hate all the sharp edges on the number '7'." The operating system is still in beta test at this time. Another Name Bites the Dust: A Farewell to "Portals `68" Accompanying the rumors that Ninsoft's new operating system might release as much as two years late, comes yet another name change for the product. Goodbye "Portals `68" - hello "Portals `69". "Some people think this is an admission that we really are running two years late," said marketing rep Nick Thomas. "Not true. It's just that, demographically, we have found that many consumers - especially the 18-to-30 crowd - really like '69'. We have lots of surveys to back this up." The product is now entering its fourteenth month of beta testing. Ninsoft Scraps New Operating System; Releases New Game Instead In a recent press conference, Ninsoft president Willy Fence announced that "Portals `69" (formerly "Portals `67" then "Portals `68") will not be released as an operating system. Instead, the software will be released as an entertainment title called "Bughunt - the Quality Assurance Simulator". "It's the first game of its kind," touts Fence. "Well, at least its the first game where players were EXPECTED to find the bugs..." Mega-Primus Progress Influx of Raw Materials Revitalizes the Mega-Primus Project The construction of Mega-Primus, which had been going slowly due to lack of resources for over two years, is now going full-speed ahead thanks to the influx of raw materials from Outposts on the Frontier. Mega-Primus, the self-contained city concept that is meant to greatly improve the human condition on Earth, is expected to be completed and fully-operational by spring of 2080, just one and a half years behind the original schedule. Alien Hybrids City "Recycling" Projects Continue For those of you keeping track, you can add New York and Chicago to the list of cities that have been "recycled" for raw materials and equipment in "Operation: Reclaim". The two cities in the North American Alliance were among the largest and most populous in the world until global pollution forced their evacuation in the early 2050s. New York and Chicago join Paris, London, Washington DC, Madrid, and Poughkeepsie as cities chosen for leveling, material reclamation, and replanting as progress on Mega-Primus commences. Hybrid Culture Unearthed in Roswell A small colony of Sectoid-human hybrids was discovered last week, living in the sewers and catacombs beneath the ruins of the Roswell Urban Complex in New Mexico, NAA. X-COM Psi-Squad troopers, investigating reports of worker illness on the "Operation: Reclaim" city recycling team working at the Roswell site, took the 456 members of the underground community back to the Galactic Science Corps Labs in X-COM's Central City base in the Illinois desert for observation. Hybrid Colony's Origins Tentatively Traced to Mid-Twentieth Century The colony of Sectoid-human hybrids found in New Mexico may well have origins that go back well past the start of the First Alien War. In fact, Scientists say that the alien roots of the hybrid race might go back as far as 1947, when a craft of alien origin reportedly crash-landed in the desert near the then small town of Roswell. If found to be true, this find would completely contradict the government document "Roswell - The Absolute Last Report" published in 2047 on the one-hundredth anniversary of the incident. Sectoid-Human Hybrids Demand Freedom Roswell's last, most famous residents - some 456 Sectoid-human hybrids - have demanded that they be set free from the "guest" facilities at X-COM's Central City base. The GSC scientists who have been studying the curious beings have been barred from commenting on the situation by the director of X-COM's Earth Corps and government officials of the North American Alliance. X-COM's official statement on the matter is that, until more is learned about these people, they are a security risk that must be contained. Religious Cult Demands the Release of the Roswell Aliens Members of the Cult of Sirius, a group of alien sympathizers established in the mid-2040s, have demanded the immediate release of the Roswell hybrids from captivity in the Illinois desert. The Cult's leader and founder, Roscoe Ulysses Sirius, says that the Cult has documented proof that the hybrid beings have been the subject of heinous experiments at the hands of GSC scientists. The group even claims to have a holo-vid showing an autopsy being performed on a live member of the Roswell group. X-COM and government officials dismiss the stories, calling them "patently ridiculous". Roswell Hybrids Released - An Editorial The Sectoid-alien hybrid beings have been released from the Central City X-COM base after their leader convinced misguided X-COM and Government officials that the hybrids were not psionic and posed no threat to anyone. In an exclusive interview Mary Francisco, benevolent and beautiful leader of the hybrids and their newly-formed political organization, the Mutant Alliance, says that she simply explained the situation and officials saw it her way. After talking with Ms. Francisco, this reporter - who, admittedly, had his concerns about the possible threat these beings posed -- cannot help but see things from the Sectohumes' point of view. I, for one, am ready to take up arms, if necessary, to see that the Sectohumes are never imprisoned again! Assassination Mine Workers to Picket "Patton" Ceremony Workers in the Mars Elerium Miners Organization (MEMO) plan to hold a peaceful demonstration outside the newly built Patton Spacedock facility at Mars Colony 1 next week. The demonstration is to coincide with the dedication ceremonies, which will feature a speech by Premier-President Cameron. The miners hope that this public display will bring the poor working conditions and low pay of the Martian Elerium miners to the attention of the governments of Earth. Patton" Crew Honored in Ceremony Five years after her mysterious disappearance on the first planetary survey mission to Mars after the Second Alien War, the "UGS Patton" and her crew were honored at a ceremony at Mars Colony 1. "The officers and crew of the "Patton" were prime examples of dedicated scientists who were willing to give their lives in their quest for knowledge," said North American Alliance Premier-President Cameron. "It's a shame they never got to see the face of their enemy before they perished." Although several hundred members of the Mars Elerium Miners Organization held a protest outside the newly dedicated Spacedock complex, there were no reports of violence of any sort. Premier-President Cameron Assassinated! Just two days after delivering a commemoration speech for the new Patton Spacedock at Mars Colony 1, North American Alliance Premier-President Cameron was shot and killed by a sniper who had apparently been hiding near the leader's transport. Although the assassin has not been apprehended, medical experts have recovered the assassin's weapon, an old-style plasma rifle of the type used during the First Alien War. Authorities have called in the newly-formed Mars Security force (MARSEC) to investigate. MARSEC Launches Investigation into Mining Union Mars Security, the company in charge of the investigation into the assassination of Premier-President Cameron last week at Mars Colony 1, has launched an in-depth investigation into the recent activities of MEMO - the Mars Elerium Miners Organization. This investigation comes as a result of the mining organization's recent public protests against poor working conditions and low pay. MEMO officials deny all allegations against the organization. Seven Killed in Martian Street Skirmish An argument escalated into gunplay yesterday when government forces opened fire on thirty members of the Mars Elerium Miners Organization who were staging a protest outside the governor's palace on Bradbury Street in Martian Colony 1. "The protesters were non-violent at first," says Mars Governor Val Smith. "Then chants turned to taunts, taunts turned to threats, and...well, then this tragedy." Among the dead were five of the protesters and two of the palace guards. As a result of the incident, MEMO president Murray Ryan has refused to cooperate in any further MARSEC investigations. Cameron's Killer Identified - Violence Ensues After an exhaustive investigation, MARSEC investigators have traced the weapon that killed NAA Premier-President Cameron to Lee Baldwin, vice president of MEMO, the Mars Elerium Miners Organization. Apparently tipped-off by an inside informant, Baldwin's deserted home had been equipped with a sophisticated explosive booby-trap that killed twelve of the MARSEC strike team members sent to arrest him. The discovery that MEMO was behind the presidential assassination plot has led to widespread riots throughout Mars Colony 1. Martial Law Declared at Martian Colony 1 - MARSEC Forces to Restore Order After three days of continuous fighting between mine workers from MEMO and the Martian authorities, Governer Smith has declared a state of martial law in the colony. MARSEC, the Mars Security Force, has increased its presence in the colony by over one thousand troops. Crack MARSEC strike teams are combing the colony, quelling pockets of violence along the way. Peace Reigns Once Again on Mars After seven days of fighting, which left a total of 95 dead and 190 injured, MARSEC troops have managed to end the riots that have held Martian Colony 1 in their grip for so long. Conceding defeat, Murray Ryan, president of the Mars Elerium Miners Organization, turned himself over to authorities. Ryan has been charged as an accessory to the murder of NAA Premier-President Cameron, who was assassinated several weeks ago by Lee Baldwin, Ryan's second in command. Baldwin, who fled the Colony shortly before he was to be arrested, has not yet been found. X-COM: Alliance References GSC Probe Detects Signs of Interstellar War The Galactic Science Corps deep-space probe "Ranger 3", thought to be lost in space since shortly after it was launched in late 2063, began transmitting again last week, relaying images that have sparked rampant speculation in both scientific and military circles. The images, transmitted from approximately 60 light-years from Earth, reveal the remains of what was apparently an interstellar war of vast proportions. Since visual analysis does not reveal the origins of the warring species, so "Ranger 3" is currently gathering debris samples for testing purposes. Debris Analysis Deepens Interstellar War Mystery Analysis of the debris collected by deep-space probe "Ranger 3" in the Huer sector has answered many questions about the apparent interstellar war that took place there - and raised many new questions as well. All of the debris gathered is alien in origin. Many of the samples match the same, general molecular structure as debris samples from alien ships in the Frontier. Other samples, however, are composed of materials never before encountered by Earth science. The GSC has catalogued the samples, and hopes "Ranger 3" continues to operate long enough to shed some light on this mysterious new alien race. Probe Scans Reveal Evidence of Terran Presence in the Huer Sector High-detailed particle analysis of the site of an interstellar war in the Huer Sector has revealed an ion particle trail consistent with that produced by old-style sub-light displacement drive systems used aboard Earth vessels years ago. Though it is impossible that a sub-light vessel could have traveled more than 60 light-years in less than five years, some sources claim that this could be evidence that the "UGS Patton", an X-COM military vessel that was presumed destroyed in Mars orbit five years ago, was actually transported to a different sector of the galaxy and may, even now, be attempting to return home. GSC scientists are attempting to re-activate the drive systems on the "Ranger 3" probe so that it can follow the trail of this phantom Terran vessel and, perhaps, resolve the mystery. GSC Loses "Ranger 3" Comlink; Probe Presumed Destroyed While following the ion trail of what was apparently a Terran spacecraft in the Huer sector, the GSC probe "Ranger 3" was apparently attacked and destroyed by an alien vessel. The last image from the probe's tracking camera showed the approach of an alien spacecraft. This ship was, according to a spectral analysis performed by the probe, Sectoid in origin. Shortly after the image was received, "Ranger 3's" telemetry was abruptly lost. Although they intend to send another probe and, perhaps, a manned mission to the Huer sector to continue the search, it may be years before the GSC discovers whether the suspected Earth vessel is actually the missing "GSC Patton". Cult Pro-Alien Cult Clashes with Government Over Frontier Policies Members of the Cult of Sirius conducted a loud but ultimately non-violent demonstration outside Congressional Plaza in New Washington today protesting what they called "X-COM's gross mistreatment of (their) alien brethren" in the Frontier. The cultists claim that the alien attacks on X-COM and civilian ships and installations on the Frontier are provoked by Earth's unwanted presence in what was, obviously, an alien-controlled area of space. The Cult's leader, Reis Markus, insists that Earth's recurring problems with alien invasions would end if we simply left them alone. Newly elected North American Alliance president Healey is expected to comment on the situation in her State of the New Union address." President Healey Cautiously Defends Cameron's Interstellar Policies In her State of the New Union address last week, North American Aliance Premier-President Healey stood behind the policies and edicts established by former Premier-President Cameron for X-COM off-world conduct, while still expressing "empathy and understanding" for the pro-alien members of the Cult of Sirius. Reis Markus, the Cult's leader, expressed outrage and exasperation at Healey's statement, calling it "the typical non-position of a typical Extropian politician". Protests by Cult members continued unabated following the Premier-President's speech. Dozens Injured as Cult Protesters Turn Violent More than thirty people were hospitalized and hundreds were jailed when members of the Cult of Sirius, protesting the "mistreatment and harassment of alien citizens in the Frontier", traded chants and placards for stun gas and incendiary grenades outside the gates of Congressional Plaza today. Congressional guards, with the help of Marsec security forces, were able to contain the protesters and end the violence before it escalated too far. Reacting to the incident, Premier-President Healey ordered the immediate arrest of the Cult's leader, Reis Markus. Markus, who submitted quietly to security forces, denies any foreknowledge of the incident, but praises his followers for "acting on their conscience". Cult Leader's Escape Praised as an Omen After only three days as a prisoner, Cult of Sirius leader Reis Markus was found missing from his cell in New Alcatraz penitentiary this morning. Marsec patrols have conducted extensive sensor-searches of "The Rock" itself and the surrounding mining colonies in the asteroid belt, but no sign of the prisoner could be found. Although prison authorities presume that Markus was killed in a depressurization incident while trying to escape, members of the Cult see his escape as an Omen. They believe that Markus was taken aboard an alien spacecraft and transported to the Frontier as a military advisor for the aliens. "There will be retribution," said Kate Thryn, acting leader of the group. "Reis will lead our alien brethren to victory over their oppressors. Our alien saviors will then descend upon the Earth and eradicate the non-believers in a storm of fire." Despite the claims of Cult members, the scan-logs of the prison show no sign of alien presence in the asteroid belt at the time of the prisoner's disappearance. Global Panic Global Panic Ensues Over GSC/X-COM Intelligence Leak Riots erupted in cities all over the world after an undisclosed source in the Galactic Science Corps headquarters in Geneva released information regarding an alien transmission recently intercepted by X-COM forces in the Frontier. ~The message apparently contains images of an alien device known only as the "Doomsday Weapon". A GSC briefing that accompanied these images indicates that the alien device could destroy the entire surface of Earth with a single blast from its weapon. According to the message contents, the alien device is nearing completion. ~Once this news broke early today, the population of the world was thrown into complete chaos. World leaders, most notably Premier-President Healey of the North American Alliance, have tried to quell the panic by pointing out that X-COM is preparing to launch a full-scale attack on the alien weapon. No details on when this attack is to occur have yet been revealed.
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к сожалению. зербит не валялся так нагло по коридорам как это делал элериум. Помню, выучишь персонал, вооружишь как следует и снимаешь с базы все щиты и защиту. И ждешь пришельцев как самых драгоценных инвесторов =)
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