UFO: Contact! [IC]

[Kalmageddon]

You arrive at the X-COM base of operation, located in southern Greenland, via aircraft.


http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1312/5115609848_f2d247f5b2_z.jpg
During the trip an agent has provided a brief overview on what you can expect from your new job and has also made you sign more legal documents that you can count. The job is surprisingly well paid, but you also work under very strict conditions: you will not be able to see friends or family, nor you can make any personal phone calls. Needles to say you work under NDA. At the end of the trip you end up with more questions than answers and had little opportunity to exchange a word with your new colleagues.

When the VTOL aircraft starts to descend on the flat and snowy landscape all you can see outside are a few small and low buildings and a huge radar array, all surrounded by a thick concrete wall. Just when the aircraft is about to touchdown the ground opens, revealing a hidden landing site deep underground. Apparently most of the base is below the surface.

When you finally get off the plane you are escorted by a few soldiers in grey uniform through a few corridors, where you can clearly see that many rooms are still under construction right now, the base echoing with the loud noise of jackhammers, drills and other tools.
You quickly arrive in what appears to be a tactical room with a long plastic table lined with chairs of the same material and walls covered with pictures, maps and a big whiteboard. On the table there are a few bottles of water, many papers and a projector.
A tall middle aged man in a suit is standing near the whiteboard.


http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/1/06/90/209601/v0_master.jpg
One of the soldier that has accompanied you hands him a clipboard, which he quickly reads before addressing you.
“Welcome to X-COM, I’m Colonel John Daniels and I’m your new commanding officer and responsible for this facility.” he points at the chairs “have a seat. I know you have a lot of questions and I’m here to answer them before we proceed to organize your new squad.”

You can now ask any question your character might want answered.
You can also take a closer look at the room you're in with a Spot check, or study the Colonel more carefully with either a Spot check or a Sense motive check. You can also roll other relevant skill check, of course. I will PM the results to you if they are things that only your character knows, you can then roleplay your reaction if you want. Everything must be rolled in spoilers. If you have quick OOC questions you can pose them here, again in spoilers, or if they are longer/more complicated use the OOC thread.

[Surrealistik]

Jackson immediately sets himself down as instructed, apparently glad for the seat; probably for reasons of the briefing's anticipated length, as the soldier was vital looking, appearing in good health and not at all fatigued from the sojourn through the base's corridors. His posture is rigid, alert, eyes engaged in meticulous study of their surroundings, setting particularly upon the Colonel, as though trying to glean a better measure of the man.

OOC Rolls:
Spot (Room): [roll0]
Spot (Colonel): [roll1]
Sense Motive (Colonel): [roll2]

[Gaiyamato]

Bob arrives in his number 1 military dress uniform. The dark blue cotton material swishing softly as he walked a quick relaxed military step to the office.
He pays attention to the station around him as he walks, but does so without turning his head. The Captain sits down in a chair in the room as directed and quickly sets about absorbing information about his surroundings and new commanding officer.


OOC Rolls:

Spot (Room): [roll0]
Spot (Colonel): [roll1]
Sense Motive (Colonel): [roll2]

(borrowed format above. :smallwink:)

[stanleyindraven]

Greg will follow the soldiers into the room, looking about trying to take it all in. A spark of curiosity has been gleaming in his eyes the whole time you have seen him. He quickly takes a seat when asked, but it is obvious he is not used to such an environment. Along the journey he has mumbled to himself a little bit when he has seen something new.

Spot Room [roll0]
He is not interested in the rest of it.

[Gaiyamato]

"Colonel sir, Captain Robert Carver. To the main point here, could you clarify; is this new organisation and facility to do with a perceived alien threat regarding the UFO sightings? If so, then what information and evidence do we have available regarding these UFOs and what role can we possibly play?" he crisply asks the Colonel. Saluting as he begins talking.

[The_Admiral]

Sergeant Ceaser walked in scratching his head. His well trained eyes going over the room and the colonel.


Spot room [roll0]
Spot Colonel [roll1]

[Kalmageddon]

The Colonel crosses his arms behind is back and stays silent for a moment before answering “Yes. I can confirm that this facility was created in response to the steep increase in UFO sightings all over the world.
As for the role X-COM is going to play, my orders, and subsequently yours, are to investigate the possibility of a thread coming from said UFOs and contain said threat should it be in fact present. Now, this is where the issue becomes more complicated.
At this very moment there are no tangible proofs of what these UFOs are, where they come from and what they want from us. What you see on this table is all we have right now, no proof good enough to warrant a full scale military campaign. Even after entire rural communities have disappeared overnight without leaving a trace there are those who believe that UFOs might not be involved or hostile.
Indeed, there are many governments that still pressure us for finding a peaceful solution to this situation.
The reason why each squad will have scientific personnel attached to it is to have firsthand expert opinion in real time, on the field, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
X-COM is also a research facility where possible artifacts recovered from UFOs encounters will be studied by an international team of scientists.
Are there other questions?”

[stanleyindraven]

"It seems that we have a large disadvantage to the UFOs. How are we supposed to catch them or find them and get to where they appear quickly enough to make any difference," Greg questions with his hand in the air.

[Kalmageddon]

"X-COM has been provided with the latest aircraft and radar technologies, and we recieve radar updates form countries all over the world. We also make extensive use of satellites. What we hope to achieve is predict where the UFOs are headed and intercept them on their landing site, where we will establish a perimeter and take action according to the exact nature of the UFO.
Right now, we don't have permission to force a UFO to crash-land unless it proves to be hostile first.
I won't deny that we are going blindfolded for the most part. But the safety of people all over the world is at stake and we are qualified to take the risks."
He pauses for a moment, looking at the pictures on the wall.
"Of course the rules of engagement will be discussed before each mission depending on the situation. Rest assured that it's not my intention to waste the lives of good men and women under my command."

[The_Admiral]

So what toys do we get to play with?

[Surrealistik]

Jackson's eyes flit back and forth between the Colonel and his apparent comrades, remaining silent as he had for much of the trip. It was not that the man was incurious; no, for the glimmer of inquiry sparked within his eyes every bit as strongly as it did in the others, perhaps more so. More likely it seemed that he'd been locked into the mentality of a soldier, trusting in command to furnish him with the knowledge required to accomplish his tasks.

He considers the questions and answers provided carefully, pensively, fingers stroking at the rough, salt and pepper stubble underlying his square jaw, details of the Colonel's response consistent with his observations about the tactical space.

[Kalmageddon]

Colonel Daniels gives a cold look at Cesar before answering.
"We have an armory fully stocked with military-grade weaponry, plus a few prototypes our technicians and scientists are currently developing. We also have three VTOL aircrafts ready for take off at any given time. Finally, we placed an order for an experimental unmanned ground vehicle which should be here next week."
He pauses and hints a forced smile "For short: plenty of toys."

[Gaiyamato]

Robert had been scribbling notes down on a tiny notepad during the exchange. He stopped and looked around at the others then back at the Colonel nodding his approval of most of the questions. "I think that covers most of my questions for the time being then." He nods to the others of obvious military background. "I think we can trust the larger military command regarding the bigger strategical picture. If you could just give us a brief run through, or give us some reading material, on what evidence we have available and what theories are prevalent regarding the nature of these UFOs, then everything that is not specific to a particular mission should be covered." he pauses. "Except only one real set of questions remains for me though. What nation or nations are in charge of this operation? Do we come under NATO or some new body? What outcomes is the funding of 'X-COM' tied to?"

[stanleyindraven]

"I second that inquiry," the civilian says.

[Kalmageddon]

The Colonel turns his attention to Craver.
"We are act under United Nations approval. We are autorized to operate everywhere in the world, including Antarctica. The details are irrelevant to your job."
He looks at the door for a moment, as if he was expecting someone to enter.
"In a few mintues you will be given a brief overview about prevalent theories regarding UFOs and a tour of the facility, as soon as our lead scientist, Doctor Rao, will join us."
He pauses and shakes his head for a moment, as if disapproving of something.
"Right, if we are done with the questions, let us proceed assigning your new ranks and duties.
Captain Robert Donald Craver, you are now assigned to lead Alpha Squad with the rank of X-COM Sergeant. You are expected to listen to your attached scientific expert before making critical decisions, but otherwise you have permission to act as you see fit in the limits of the rules of engagement.

Private Jackson Swift and Private Cesar Tisch, you are assigned to Alpha Squad with the rank of X-COM Agent. Your duty is to provide your tactical expertise and ability in combat should the situation call for it and follow the orders of Sergeant Craver.

Doctor Gregory Klopfman, you are assigned to Alpha Squad as scientific expert and on-field consultant. We count on you to determine the best course of action to deal with scenarios involving UFO activity. When you are on the field you are to follow Sergeant Craver's orders, while in this facility you will join the reserach team of Doctor Samir Rao.

You will find your new uniforms and equipment waiting for you in your quarters."

When Colonel Daniels finishes speaking an old man in a lab coat enters through the door without knocking.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/3098622918_bd59b2e0b6.jpg
"Sorry I'm late, Colonel, I was in the containment room explaining the reason we don't use melamine resin to our construction crew. And yes, I had to."
He quickly looks at you while walking inside.
"Well, hello, gentlemen. I'm Doctor Rao, a pleasure meeting you."
After his abrupt entrance he seems to become more formal and proceeds to shake hands with all of you.

I'll give you time to roleplay your reactions and/or make skill checks before moving to the last part of the introduction! :smallsmile:

[stanleyindraven]

"Hello, nice to meet a fellow scientist. Here I was thinking I was alone among the military," Greg blurts out as he shakes the doctor's hand.

[Gaiyamato]

Carver stands and salutes the Colonel after their positions had been assigned. Nodding to the new team Alpha members after.
As the doctor enters the room he patiently waits until Greg had finished accosting the doctor and held out his own hand. "Pleasure to meet such a learned expert Doctor. I am X-Com Sergeant Carver in charge of the newly formed Alpha squad."

[Surrealistik]

Jackson quietly sits in the background, taking in the information gleaned from the questions of his more explicitly inquisitive colleagues. Upon the Colonel's declaration of rank and function, his head pitches forward in terse acknowledgement.

When Samir arrives, the commando's eyes immediately flit over to carefully regard him, studying the newcomer in the same methodical way they had gone over the Colonel. Responding to Rao's approach, he stands at attention, a terse but cordial nod serving as silent reply to the scientist's offer of his hand, the soldier's grip firm and steady against the man's own as they shake, touch and sight transmitting nuances of body language for consideration.

Spot (Samir): [roll0]
Sense Motive (Samir): [roll1]

[Overlord Rion]

Mr. Sable had been quiet so far. It wasn't due to any sort of reverence or disbelief in what was being said, but because his throat was sore. The past few days had been full of talking, negotiating, and the like. While he was unsure of the place in the newly formed squad, he would make sure he was indispensable.

Well, until he was inevitably shot.

[The_Admiral]

Well I think that's it. acknowledging the man who walked in he said, Hello, what do you do here?