X-Com: Revenge of The Ethereals

The Psi-gumented Reality

We were so deeply screwed. Two of our squad members were already down. Kingpin was slowly proceeding through the hallway of this ugly alien base. Suddenly, I heard a strange bug like sound from behind the corner, but Kingpin seemed like he didn't notice. “Watch out, three o'clock!” I yelled. He immediatelly warmed up his heavy laser and sharply turned right just to be hit flat in the stomach by a charging chryssalid.

He fell over and the cryssalid quickly pinned him down on the ground. “Novotny, shoot for the gods sake, shoot!” I aimed my sniper rifle, but they were moving so fast “I can't get a clean shot, I might hit you,” I yelled. “Just shoot or otherwise we're both dead anyways.” I said a quick prayer, put my eye to the scope, aimed and pulled the trigger.

And immediatelly froze from what happened in front of me. The chryssalid dodged my shot and my laser has hitted Kingpin flat in the chest burning a hole in his armor and his skin. Damn, I hate these closed areas! The chryssalid used this chance and bit off Kingpin's head.

I knew I should do something, but I was still frozen in place. The chrysallid rushed to me and tripped me over. It was too late to fight, I had a minimal chance to survive. Soon, it took a mortal blow and the whole world has disappeared.

I've sat up in the “Psi reality extender” as it was officially called. X-Com used it to get soldiers trained for events like those, which happened dirung the Invasion. It uses some kind of psi field developed after the Invasion for research purposes and basically taps user's brain and inserts feeling and toughts inside their head. I hate this goddam device, all this feels so real, even your body hurts after experiencing something similar I did right now.

“Novotny, you just screwed it up again!” It was Kingpin rushing to me alongside with Brox and Tweety. “Sorry guys, It's just that in the army, they trained us with projectile weapons, this whole laser stuff is still new to me.” “Anyways, you've killed a squad member again, it's third friendly fire you've done since you've joined us two months ago!” Kingpin said. “You screw up one more time and I will get your ass kicked from this place, understand?”

“Y-yes,” I've replied, but he immediatelly added: “Yes who?” Yes, sir!” Damn, he allways insisted on me calling him sir. I hope that when we get to know each other better, he will stop this. And I may also get myself a nickname too.

“Lets go to the showers, 'Pin, leave this rookie on his own,” Brox said and with Tweety they've turned around and walked away. “Okay, Novotny, you have your last chance during the next session in two days. Don't dissapoint me!”With these words, he turned around and jogged away to catch up with his friends.

I've stood up and slowly walked on my way to barracks. Tomorrow will be a Sunday so we will have a day off, being able to go out of the base to meet with families and stuff. But I was going to spend this time another way. My plan for tomorrow is to get my ass on the shooting range and train with the laser sniper they assigned to me around fourteen days ago.

“Hey smelly one,” Tweety shouted behind me on my way to the men bathroom. Guessing by her wet hair, she just got out of the shower. “You want to join us tomorrow?” “Nope, sorry, I was going to get used to my gun more, I really don't want to get another one of you killed.” She smiled “Don't worry, 'Pin might be a bit sharp when you are new, but he only do this to get the best out of you. He is a squad commander, after all.”

“Thanks, Tweety” I said. And with these words I walked away to get my dream shower.

A/N: Yeah, this might seem to be a bit confusing, but I don't really to do something around Jimmy and his dad, they will still be around but they won't be the main plot heroes. Also, If you want to have a character named after you, just let me know, but please, no celebrities and stuff, I don't want to have Nicolas Cage fighting aliens accompanied by Chuck Norris and Kurt Cobain :D