XCOM: Long War (On Hold)

Chapter 4-Lost and Abandoned

AN: For story reasons and for myself the Reaper and Skirmisher ambassadors will not be the two from the game. This is mainly because I will most likely replace them for these OCs anyway.

Damian and his rifleman escort are the first to drop from the Skyranger at the rendezvous point of the Reaper's ambassador. The rifleman wore standard XCOM armour while Damian wore a patchwork version of his ADVENT combat armour. They discover a fire with a chryssalid's head roasting over it. "You're welcome to a piece." The rifleman goes on edge and raise his gun to a figure in a long coat approach them with a rifle over their shoulder. "You are safe here. There is no cause for alarm."

"You must be our contact." Damian pushes the rifleman's weapon down and approaches the Reaper. "The Commander sends his regards."

"I'd imagine so." The Reaper looks down the street at the sound of a screech. "We should hurry. The Lost are not something to be taken lightly." Damian nods in response and motions for the three of them to move. They walk down a streets in silence as more howls fill the air.

"So what exactly are the Lost?" Damian asked as the Reaper pull pulls him and the rifleman down behind the wreck of a car. Down the street were humanoid figures with decaying skin and a green hue to them.

"Souls of those plagued by the alien's first contact." The Reaper readies their rifle, aiming down to one with large green blotches on it. "Mindless and sensitive to sound." They fire with their weapon producing little to no sound and putting the creature down with a single shot. "Aim for the head and conserve your ammo. More are sure to be around."

On the opposite side of the abandoned city, Elizabeth and Deadman make their way to their assigned rendezvous point then hear gunfire. Quickly turning a corner they stumble back as the air explodes with a thick cloud. An ADVENT Troopers runs out in panic before being pulled back through by a grapple. The smoke clears to reveal a figure standing over an injured Officer. They remove their helmet, revealing to be another clone of the Commander except with a burn mark across their face.

He kneels down to the Officer who struggled to move in fear. "Rest my brother." The clone said before stabbing the officer with his gauntlet. "You need not suffer anymore." Releasing his grip on the officer the clone turns around to the two with a laugh. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show." He replaces his helmet and it locks, causing his voice to replicate the speech of pattern of ADVENT. "Lead the way."

Deadman keeps an eye of their rear while Elizabeth attempts small talk with the Skirmisher. "So you're one of ADVENT's clones of my father." The Skirmisher nods at her assumption. "Isn't it weirded to be surrounded by a bunch of others who look like you?"

"You'd actually be surprised how little there are." The Skirmisher says with a laugh. "I am the only one of the clones to have joined the ranks of the Skirmishers. Betos wants freedom and equality for us. Especially knowing our history. However, my case is different. As a clone, my lifespan is short and thus I am expendable." The Skirmisher suddenly stops and hides behind a car.

Up ahead was an army of ADVENT units equipped with large gas tanks and flamethrowers. "I've never seen them before." Elizabeth whispers as she readies her weapons.

"Purifiers." The Skirmisher says in a low voice. "Every now and then they send a few to cleanse their mistake." A purifier burns a horde of Lost inside a window and watches them burn.

"We need to find an alternate route." Elizabeth suggested and the Skirmisher shakes his head.

Stepping out of cover, he walks through the open street. "No time." He mutters under his breath. An ADVENT Captain notices and shouts to draw the attention of their army. The Skirmisher pulls out his bullpup and fire, hitting the gas tank of a nearby purifier. The pressure causes it to be pushed up against a large gas tank and the Skirmisher ducks down, draping their cape over their body. A massive explosion goes off, causing a chain reaction and killing a large majority of the ADVENT units.

A loud howl echoes as Lost began to rush from every direction. "Run!" Deadman yells out as the three began to run through the fires and gun at the hundreds of Losts behind them.

The same explosion and howl could be heard by the others and the Reaper gives off an audible sigh. "Skirmishers." They say, shaking their head and pulling out their rifle. "Be ready for a fight."