4: Research

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"Pvt. Nilsen: Doctor, do you have any comment on the possibility that the aliens have psychic powers, and if not, what is the explanation for the "purple haze" effect documented in combat?
Dr. Hastings: It is possible that they are using some kind of wireless brain-to-brain networking capability, but as of yet there is no indication that this is being done using anything more than a very good wifi network"
        -extract from Q&A session on alien combat capabilities

"So, do you think they're psychic?" Asked Roberts. They sat at a single table, clustered together. Everybody on-base had been deployed on at least a mission or two by now, but so far only the Roberts, Zhao, and Larsen had seen anything more than a few stray plasma bolts.

"Ridiculous," replied Kari. "Every time something unusual happens, there's going to be somebody who thinks that it's because of 'psychic powers' or 'divine intervention'. Half the stuff we rely on in combat would get you laughed out of the room half a century ago."

"...or burned at the stake half a millenium ago." continued Maria. "I know we all saw their heads glowing, but for all we know that's because of the blinkenlights." Roberts and Kari, and for that matter  Marina looked askance at her.

"You know," answered Zhao, "those things on computers that blink to tell you that something is happening."

"I'm not convinced either way. Why shine a light on yourself like that if you didn't have to?" Asked Marina. "On the other hand, how do they do it at all?"

"Maybe it has something to do with that MELD stuff that the techs were so interested in?" asked Roberts. "I've heard that they think it has something to do with genetic modification technology."

"That's science fiction." replied Zhao. "Genetic modification is only possible before an organism starts developing, and so far that's only been done on things like fish and cats."

"Well, they used to say aliens were scifi and now here we are fighting them. I for one," declared the American, "am convinced."

"You're pretty superstitious," answered his Chinese friend. "I figured anyone coming here would have to be about as clear-eyed as they come."

"You ever met a soldier that wasn't at least a little bit superstitious?" he asked.

Larsen shifted uncomfortably. "I never met a soldier before coming here." Everyone immediately focused on the Danish woman. "What? I'm... what's the word... SWAT?"

Roberts laughed and punched her lightly in the shoulder. "And here I was thinking you were a hard-bitten Danish commando, the way you handle an assault rifle."

"How about you?" asked Zhao, directing it at his friend. "Where'd you learn to shoot?"

"Huntin'!" he said, deliberatly exaggerating his accent. "Well, I did time in the Marines. Made Staff Sergeant as well as designated marksman, before being recruited to go here. They pitched it to me like being in the reserves, only less likely to be called up, and with slightly better pay." He, Zhao, and Larsen laughed. "How about you," he asked, turning to Zhao, "what did you do before you joined?"

"Group 592. Clandestine coutnerterrorism. A lot like your SWAT, actually, but... well, some of the places I've been I can't talk about. When I was getting ready to retire, my CO pitched it to me that XCOM was a nice place to hide out while I waited for the dust to settle." He seemed to think quietly for a moment, before coming back. "Well," he said, looking to his right, "Your turn, Ms. K."

The woman's eyes widened for a moment, before her poker face snapped back. "Russia needed to meet its manpower contribution requirements." She said it in a single tone, like she was reading a very boring story. Her arm rotated like her burns still hurt, even though they had notionally healed since the last mission.

All heads, hearing the signal that nothing should be said, turned immediately to Marina. "Military Police, Demolitions." she answered. "I was trying to keep a low profile after a little drug bust turned out to be a very large inconvenience to a very important person. A friend told me that I could sign up here, disappear for a few years, and get out with a little bit of cash, a new identity and a free ticket to anywhere. Look how that turned out."

"Hold on a sec, what kind of military police needs demolitions?" asked Roberts.

"When we need to effect rapid entry? Trust me, if it blows up, I use it."

"Wow. I thought I had an interesting history," answered Kari. They shared a laugh. Roberts still thought that Maria's eyes, though, were somewhere else. He wondered where.

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<AN>Hi. Thank you for coming this far. I don't usually leave ANs, so this is an odd experience for me.

The reason I did so is thus: I'm running into writer's block (fortunately I've got a few chapters stashed, so you're in updates for at least a few days; weeks depending on if I reduce the frequency). The reason I ask is, is this interesting? If I spend my time getting my other project (the one still under wraps) done faster, is that worth more?

I'll have to sleep on that. If you've got strong feelings, or just want to express an opinion, please, by all means, leave a comment. Heck, if you like this at all, let me know.

Anyway, thanks ladies and gents. Have a good day/night!</AN>

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