TinMan_JB

Hi, encountered a bug during soldier extract mission, on mission start I had 6 in heli + 3 to rescue. Some soldier buttons on top have their numbers repeated/doubled. Should be 1-9, but were 1,2,5,6,7,7,8,8,9. Selecting soldiers with keybord numerals isnt possible, it is possible by clicking on their icon.

Hello, thank you for the suggestion, but I already played with those 2 options off.

Hello, dear readers! Unfortunately, I bring bad news today… This AAR is not going to progress any further. Reason: corrupt ironman save. Yesterday in a ground mission the game froze during an alien turn. I left it for about 5 minutes to see if anything would happen but sadly… it didn’t, so I had to… you know. After that reloading the saved game it would just CTD every time. If anybody knows of a way to somehow restore a save to a working state, please help. If not… well, it’s been fun while it lasted. At least for me. I hope some of you that viewed these walls of text had some enjoyment out of it too. If anybody would like to comment on something, feel free to do so… Regards, Tinman

Welcome back! This is the one where we fail but then we succeed. I present... CHAPTER 15 – THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM Fast forward… [Horatio Gisbergh’s diary] October 4th After QRF team returned from their third mission in last 16 hours, they could finally take the well-deserved rest. I am surprised they are still standing - the base personnel are dragging around like dead horses... There is however a sense of accomplishment in the air. Even Voroshilov, who is usually barking on everyone, was in a good mood. The base, apart from essential personnel, was given order to rest. Two departments are working with full steam regardless: Research and Engineering seem to have embarked on a silent rivalry. Dreyfuss and his scientists are analysing and studying the alien equipment day and night to get some insight into their technology, while Kaganov is trying to build as many of new weapons and disassemble as many alien weapons and UFOs as possible with his small team. There is constant banging and grinding noise coming from the workshop. How are we supposed to rest with this noise? October 5th No alien activity today, everything was silent. After 3 or 4 days of constant alerts this respite allows us to regain our strength. I have visited Medical and spoke to all three wounded, all are on a good path to recovery. They can’t say enough praise for their Jackal suit armour and although they have been badly wounded, they seem quite optimistic. A newly refurbished Foxtrot has been rolled out. We now possess 3 such machines that, together with 7 or 8 F-17 fighters, represent a significant step up in our air defence capabilities. The pilots are absolutely enthusiastic about the Foxtrot… (to tell the truth, it’s mostly Shvetsov) Many questions about alien intentions remain unanswered. October 6th In early morning 10 scientists have arrived at X-SEAC, which became our second research center. I think they will have it much easier than their colleagues here with Dreyfuss. That guy is so full of himself. I must admit though… he is, apparently, also a genius. He and his team made a breakthrough in laser weaponry in mere 2 days and have already developed a first prototype of a laser rifle. Engineering seems to be lagging behind but today they took over a new workshop and I’ve seen Horachkova sending some 20 recruitment letters for additional engineers. The rivalry continues... Just before 9 AM the aliens renewed their activities – they sent a lone scout over Africa that was promptly removed from the air by a pair of Foxtrots from X-NACOM and stormed by our ground squad. They returned unscathed and their morale is high. Not long after their return a second UFO was detected over Colombia and when the X-NORAM flight was near, a third UFO descended and bounced them. They say it was the same craft that caused such calamity on September 1st. Harley in the faster Foxtrot escaped but Pfaffenbach was shot down. He didn’t eject… Harley then went solo for the scout, but it put a stiff resistance and he had to disengage with his plane barely still holding in the air. This gave us all a cold shower... If the Foxtrot can’t reliably shoot down these little scouts, what is going to happen if the aliens send something bigger? Finally, a trio of F-17 dispatched the fast UFO (fighter?) and restored some hope, but the little scout evaded subsequent intercept attempts and vanished south. I wonder what next days will bring… October 7th There were numerous reports of alien activity around South America overnight - must’ve been the scout UFO that evaded interception yesterday. Nothing we could do... our X-NORAM stationed F-17s are out of range and the Foxtrot is not flyable. They say it will be in repairs for 2 or 3 days. Another UFO descended over Central America in early morning. Two Foxtrots were sent to intercept, but the aliens evaded long enough that our fighters had to turn back for lack of fuel just as they had a chance to bring it down. Research has made blueprints and a prototype of laser pistol. Engineering has put new laser weaponry in production immediately. In a couple of days our grunts will have far superior weapons to fight the aliens on the ground and there is much optimism among the brass. There was also talk of vivisecting live aliens for some sort of fibres, but I might’ve heard that wrong?? My Sharona left the top spot of the Billboard’s yesterday. Must get it on tape! October 8th Another calm day with no alien presence detected or reported. Two hangars have been completed at our South American base and 2 F-17s were ferried in. We are now ready for them. But...I have a feeling something is brewing. The aliens have changed their behaviour. They were coming in waves of 2 or 3, descending all in short timeframe on various parts of the globe. This has changed in the last days. Apart from that fighter on the 6th, they were sending lone scouts. As if they are preparing something too... October 9th The people are getting restless, there has been a fight between two grunts (Thothkins and Brooks?) Something about grenades... It took Voroshilov to get them apart. Luckily, they’ve only inflicted some bruises on each other. In the end, all grunts were driven off to boot camp by MacGuinness. He gave them a drill on grenades apparently, I heard many explosions afterwards. 20 engineers arrived today, bolstering the understaffed Engineering. Kaganov finally seems to be in a better mood, but I’ve seen Dreyfuss sulking instead. Those two are like cat and mouse. Research brought up a very important topic today. Dreyfuss is again insisting to capture as many aliens as possible alive for interrogation. They’ve got some insight into the ranks of skinnies and lizards, and now they want more prisoners to help with alien technology that we can’t seem to grasp without some insider guidance. I hear they squeezed some info out of a skinny technician that was captured some time ago and started working on alien power sources and alien alloy fabrication. That would give us a much-needed tech leap... Let’s hope they are successful. October 10th 1979 [23:25 GMT; Engineering report by A. Kaganov to C-in-C] Comrade! We finish many terminovyy urgent project today. Tank for Voroshilov finish, but equip with old pulemet machine gun. Laser for tank ready tomorrow. We build 1 shooter rifle. For shooter, 10x magnificator. I test it, is good! Order for all laser rifle and pistolety we finish tomorrow and one more gatling + minigun laser. Must make some test, we give all produced weapons to QRF tomorrow. Alien small ufo we break apart, now we have part for more foxtrot and we start building. Ready for 2 day. Kaganov October 11th 1979 [14:55 GMT; Hangar 4] [soldiers are gathered in QRF hangar for daily briefing; Corelli and Kaganov come in, with Kaganov’s apprentice pushing a heavily loaded cart behind them] MacGuiness: SQUAD! ATTENTION! Corelli: Amici! Easy... Toda-y you will giv-e new weapon-s to fight the alien-s. [excitement in squad] Thompson: Yeee!!! Show us! Corelli: Ingegnere... prego! [Kaganov pulls off the tarpaulin] Look wha-t he brin-g to you! Non sono bellisime?! Thompson: This one’s for me [wants to pick up the precision sniper] MacGuiness: HANDS OFF! No touching yet! Thompson: How we supposed to get familiar with them? Lookin’ at... Corelli: Andy already tes-t all, he know how to us-e. He demonstrat-e you ou-t on target. Kaganov: I demonstate now! [grabs the smallest piece and aims for a steel beam lying in the corner; no bang, just a short flash on the beam, barely visible...] There. Have look... Thompson: What, no bang? How anybody know we shootin’??! Novotny [steps to the beam, inspects it]: I see nothing on the beam... It did nothing... Kaganov: They know if you hit. Look more. [squad gathers around the beam, inspecting it] Nothing... I don’t see s***!! OUCH! IT’S HOT!! What…?! These lasers are cra... MacGuiness: You might want to pick up the beam and look towards the light... Vogel: You heard ze Barrack master! Pick it up! Nothing... Why iz it zo hot?! .. Holy... I see! Mee too! It went straight through!! Where did it hit?! [they drop the beam on the ground and start looking for an impact where the beam was lying when hit] Kaganov: You not find much. It is energy, no ballistic trace. But look here... [pulls a device from his pocket and points at the ground] This show temperature. See? There... Vogel: Aso... It burns ze target inzide out... Kaganov: Duzhe dobre... [hands the laser pistol to Vogel] Corelli: Allora... Andy, take me-n out for some target shoo-t! MacGuiness: Aye, chief! SQUAD! Single file! Grab a weapon appropriate to your role! Or your ego. To the shooting range! GO! GO! GO!! Corelli, to Kaganov: Come i bambini... Like childre-n with new to-y... October 12th 1979 [08:03 GMT; Officer's mess] Reynalds: I’ve sent the new Foxtrot to X-NORAM. Gene, I’m pretty confident the air detachment can now shoot down anything the eee-tee sends down. Voroshilov: You again brag like covboy. You forget what they make to your piloty on the first september? Reynalds: Hardly. But that was a month ago. Now we have Foxtrots and our aviators have gained invaluable experience. We have a positive kill ratio and I can’t see how we couldn’t maintain it... Voroshilov [turns to C-in-C]: I want to suggest anyway. When we shoot down next UFO, we send a tank with QRF. We have Defender now, Kaganov make a laser cannon for it. I want to use it in battle! Rhys-Martins: Very well! Luciano, make sure the tank is on the helicopter when QRF is sent out next time! [14:43 GMT; Command room] De Gini: Sir! I am picking up a small signal over Netherlands. Looks like a scout! It is travelling east at 1400km/h. Reynalds: Launch two Foxtrots immediately! INSERT PIC OF LAUNCH [16:50GMT] Reynalds: Where are our interceptors? de Gini: They are approaching UFO-21, Sir. ETA 10 to 15 minutes. What...is that!? SIR!!! LOOK AT THIS!! Reynalds: What..?! Oh my... What is THAT!?? It’s huge! SOUND ALARM! ALL PERSONNEL TO STATIONS! Voroshilov comes in: What is it?! Reynalds: Something massive just descended down over northern Russia! de Gini: It seems to be escorted too! By two smaller craft! They are travelling west at 1300km/h. Voroshilov [points at UFO-21]: What about that? Reynalds: We are intercepting it... Voroshilov: That?! You have a huge one here and you go for... that?! Reynalds: I was just about to give the appropriate mission correction when you arrived and started nagging! Voroshilov: Harasho... Correct mission then! Or should I do it for you?! Reynalds: Thank you, I think I will manage. [to de Gini] Change mission objective for Fox. Intercept UFO-22 and its escorts! And scramble a Foxtrot from X-SEAC ASAP! Callsign Beaver. [17:57 GMT] UFO-22 is now above Kola peninsula. Fox are getting closer! Mierda! Sir, we just lost our radar picture! Again... [18:22 GMT / 19:20 local time; above Kola peninsula] Fox: Nest, this is Fox. We have visual! It’s huge! Do we engage? Nest: You are on your own. Our radars are still down... [sorry, no screen grabs during the fight... radars were down, what can I do??!] Fox: Understood. Fox-2, we engage! Good luck, Anatoly Arkadyevich. [18:24 GMT; Command room] De Gini: Fox, respond! Fox, come in! Nothing, sir... We have radar picture again! The enemy... are all still there. I do not see our planes. They were shot down, sir... Reynalds: How are we supposed to fight... that?! Voroshilov: They not have any chance. PR*%$$#@&! This alien... $###!!!! Rhys-Martins: This is a terrible blow to our endeavours... Reynalds: Any signs of their emergency transponders? Gisbergh: No, Sir... They are both silent. Reynalds: I sent them to their graves... Rhys-Martins: Enough of this nonsense! They are soldiers, aviators of X-Division. They did their duty, and so did you! [turns to face all personnel in Command room, shaken by the event]: As did every one of you! We have all been reminded again that the alien force is not to be taken easily. Today they stopped fooling around and sent this behemoth to teach us a lesson! However, we shall not succumb so easily! We are, unlike one month ago, still in this fight! Now carry on! [turns back to the officers] What is our next course of action? Voroshilov: We wait… And keep all eye on this... babushka. I think it land soon than later. This is transport with 2 escort fighter… Reynalds: I think you’re right. Would it.. Voroshilov: We see what they do. We send QRF out, they must be close when they land. Corelli! Corelli: Si! I go brief my team. [leaves] October 13th 1979 [06:34 GMT; Command room] Gisbergh: Sir! QRF reports they have secured the terror site! [happy cheers in the Command room] Rhys-Martins: Very well! Good show, everyone! We have re-asserted to the aliens we are to be reckoned with. They will not be allowed to terrorise the people on the ground! Gisbergh: Commander, another message just came in. For you: Rhys-Martins: Very well, we finally made an impression. Now let’s see how this reflects on our purse! [07:06 GMT] De Gini: X-NORAM radar has detected alien craft at the edge of radar coverage. UFO-23... heading north-west at 2000km/h! Do we intercept? Reynalds: Scramble a Foxtrot and one F-17 from X-NORAM. It is going north, they will have the range... [07:34 GMT] De Gini: Sir, UFO-23 has changed course! Now heading south-east! Reynalds: Damn! They must’ve spotted us... Scramble X-SAMC fighters ASAP! They will crash into them. Oh, and recall Bluebird! [15:00 GMT; QRF operation report by Kurt Vogel] Operation Container, October 12-13 1979 QRF was sent out on 10/12 1900 towards Kiev to be in close vicinity of an expected UFO landing. UFO landed at Murmansk 10/13 0404 and we immediately set course to engage. QRF deployed at 0634. A small perimeter was established around LZ and we immediately engaged the enemy. Many civilians ran out of their hiding places as they saw us arrive and many were killed by aliens. Defender tank proved an extremely valuable asset right from the beginning, suppressing and killing several aliens. It proved decisive when dealing with large hovering drones we encountered for the first time. Its laser weapon was not very effective, but it provided a steady barage and eventually overcame both drones. The tank also served as mobile cover when moving in open terrain. Some of us experienced mind attacks, causing quite some panic in the team, however we prevailed. QRF neutralized 12 aliens and captured 8 live caesans for interrogation, among them a caesan chieftain and a terror ship operator. Local force did an excellent job, by the time we arrived they already neutralized many aliens. Some of the local population were saved. Apart from the hovering drones we also encountered some small scorpion-like ground creatures. These were not a serious threat, they seemed to disintegrate on their own, spraying some acid around. We also encountered aliens similar to xenomorphs but significantly taller, standing on the back legs. When killed, they explode and spray acid. We’ve encountered one of those before and since no other name was applied to it, we still know it as xenomorph - like the one on 4 legs. QRF has 4 wounded: I suffered light burns when flaming two xenomorphs at extremely close range, and was later also hit by an unknown enemy from long range (probably it was a drone; Defender helped neutralize it later); Degli Esposti was badly sprayed with acid when one of the tall xenomorphs was neutralized near him; Bergman and Novotny were scathed by alien tazors. We returned to X-NACOM at 13:06 hours; Operation was a success! Lt. Kurt Vogel, team chief Operation Fire Brigade [22:45 GMT; Daily operational report by Voroshilov] …. … … 7:54 UFO-23 shoot down in Brazil, both our fighter have damage. QRF still return from Murmansk, so we ask Brazilian AF to bomb. Later they report no survivor. 9:29 UFO-21 detected again over Nova Scotia (it lost contact yesterday, after 2 Foxtrot interceptor shoot down); X-NORAM interceptors sent for intercept, but UFO run south. At 12:36 X-SAMC interceptors scramble but at 12:54 UFO escape to space. We too slow. Again! 20:40 Akamatsu and Shvetsov are found from Soviet ground troop yesterday. KGB think they some spy...They keep them in prison for 1 day. They release when we sent question about 2 our pilot and situation is explain. Yevgeniy Klimentovich Voroshilov

Hello, dear readers. It has been a busy weekend with little time to spare on this AAR adventure, however the wait is now over. Make yourselves comfortable and grab something to quench your apetite. I present... CHAPTER 14 – HAVE A SANDWICH! September 28th 1979 [22:35 GMT; Horatio Gisbergh’s diary entry] Tommy Scott was killed on a mission today and was buried with hponors behind Hangar 6. The service was for Petersen too. His body still hasn’t been recovered but if he’d been alive, he’d been in touch by now. I wish I could’ve attended, but it was during my shift... RIP, Tommy I heard the grunts talking in the barracks about that new enemy they encountered. Just listening to their story gives me shivers. Voroshilov was talking about some tank all day. Apparently, Research is penning blueprints for a heavier combat support vehicle. He seems obsessed with it. [X-Division Master log book] Querry: tag=log and indate(19790928:19790930) Results: [19790928] 2100 5 engineers arrived to X-NACOM [19790929] #### Pvt. Boris Shevchuk dismissed by C-QRF for incompetence and cowardice in face of the enemy #### Mauser gun completed and mounted on F-17-9 for operational testing (see experimental mount picture) #### incendiary rocket projectile developed and put in limited production #### remaining research projects are progressing good (see attached file) [19790930] #### Defender tank developed; Engineering lacks some materials to proceed, and they are short on manpower, so this tank is yet to enter production. October 1st 1979 [00:09 GMT; X-NACOM Conference room] Rhys-Martins: Gentlemen... [the council representatives leave] Well, that was quick. Wouldn’t you say so, Petra? Horachkova: Yes, Sir. They seemed pleased. Well, mostly anyway. Rhys-Martins: You did a jolly good job on the presentation. Too bad they were not interested. Perhaps if they were they would have opened their purse some more… Horachkova: Sir, if I may… Our upkeep expenses have gone up drastically over the last month since the start of this… invasion. However it was not for triffles… We have re-established two and are in the process of re-activating the third outpost. I strongly believe all these combined will give us much better operational awareness of alien activities. X-Division is on a good path, if I may say so. The funding regions that were not completely satisfied with our performance in this month may change that notion in the coming months. I’m certain of it! Rhys-Martins: Well, I do hope you are right, Petra! We sure will need all the funding we can get. October 2nd 1979 [14:55 GMT; Hangar 1] Shvetsov: Here she is, Junichi… Another Foxtrot interceptor! What a beauty… Akamatsu: I’m sorry… I only see a lump of steel in this. Shvetsov: You are wrong, my friend… This [points at the plane] is going to shoot down many UFO! Much more than that [points at the next hangar with F-17] Akamatsu [bows]: Hai! I hope you are right, Anatoly Arkadyevich. I am the one who is going to fly it in the next battle. Shvetsov: Let me give some good advice… Never, really never, Junichi... Akamatsu: Never what!? Shvetsov: Never ever try a dance with her. She will kill you. [19:29 GMT; Research report by Diego da Silva M.] I report on behalf of chief researcher, Dr. Dreyfuss We have completed Caesan vivisection and caesan navigator interrogation (details in appendix) Previous research into phasor pistol and rifle has allowed a breakthrough in alien phasor technology; this does not allow us to use their weapons, but we gained enough insight to start working on our own laser technology; project has already been started with top priority da Silva M. Approved. Amalric, Dr. Dreyfuss October 3rd 1979 [09:05 GMT; Commander’s office] Reynalds: Sir, we have just received a message from X-SAMC outpost. The Control room has been re-activated and is now operational. The construction teams are already working on 2 hangars and the technicians are preparing the ground for a radar array. Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Kurt. We will have basic radar coverage of south America in… what? 5, 6 days? Reynalds: More like 10, sir. The vegetation is really taking a lot of time to remove, and we are still waiting for the radar itself to be delivered. Rhys-Martins: Very well. What air assets do we currently operate? Reynalds: We have 4 interceptors here at X-NACOM, 2 of them are the new Foxtrots, an AWACS and the helicopter. We also have 4 interceptors at X-SEAC, 1 is a Foxtrot, and 4 F-17 interceptors at X-NORAM. Another incomplete MiG-31 has been delivered from the Soviet Union and Engineering says they have enough components to refit that and maybe even one more, however at the moment they are completely pre-occupied with other projects. We also we don’t have an empty hangar here at X-NACOM to house another plane, so it will have to wait. As soon as some additional hangars at our outposts are complete, we are going to shift some planes around to free up a hangar here. We will have a fourth Foxtrot operational at X-NORAM in 10 days, Sir. Rhys-Martins: Very good. Carry on! [17:13 GMT; Command room] de Gini: It’s starting again! Sir, we have 2 bogeys on radar! UFO-14 over Corsica, heading north-west at 1400km/h, and UFO-15 over southern Madagascar, heading south at 1400km/h. Reynalds: Scramble all X-NACOM interceptors. 1 Foxtrot and 1 F-17 go for UFO-14, and the other pair goes south for UFO-15. [Voroshilov and C-in-C come in] Rhys-Martins: I see you have already taken the necessary measures! Very good! Yevgeny, let’s sit down and enjoy the show... [17:15 GMT] de Gini: Another bogey above Middle East! UFO-16, also small, heading south-east at 1400km/h. Reynalds: Our interceptors are already busy with 14 and 15. How about… Voroshilov: Use Foxtrot from X-SEAC?! Reynalds: It could work, if the UFO continues on this course… [to de Gini] Launch Foxtrot-2, target UFO-16. They should hurry! ... [17:50] de Gini: Sir! 16 just disapeared from radar. It could be… Gisberghs: Sir! Oman just reported a UFO landing on the ground in the desert near Muscat! Reynalds: Oh! So they… Voroshilov: I take over from now. Send QRF… Where is Corellyi!?? Corelli: Prego… Voroshilov: Send out QRF. Get up in air as quick as goes. We must surprise it still on ground! Corelli: But… it be dar-k when they arriv-e… Voroshilov: So what!? Your men are not afraid of anything, you tell me all the time! Corelli: Certamente… pero… voroshilov: Stop waste precious time! Brief QRF and get out in 10 minute. Tell pilot to step for it! Corelli: Certo… Con permesso… [leaves] Voroshilov: AND YOU COME BACK HERE, YOU HEAR!? [19:40] Gisbergh: Sir! French authorities report a UFO just landed in central France! That must be the 14 we were tracking... Reynalds: Gene… what do we do? Voroshilov: Get fighter patrol over landing site. They must not get on air before QRF come. Reynalds: But they are going the other way! It might be 10, 12 hours before they return, re-equip… The interceptors... Voroshilov: They not re-equip. They clear 16 quick, then go for 14. No stop. Corelli: Scusi… Mi dispiace… Voroshilov: No more talk, Corellyi. You do your job and I do my. Go on radio and tell team new mission parameter! Corelli: Capisco! Con permesso... [21:18 GMT / 22:18 local time; somewhere above Oman] 7: ONE MINUTE! Team, get ready! Remember, use ze flarez. It iz dark out there. Shoot to kill, we must preserve ammunitionz for ze second mission. And no more bullz with grenadez, ja? Squad: Javohl! [laughs] 7: Gut dass wir uns verstanden… Drei… Zwei… LOS, LOS!!! [21:20 GMT; somewhere between Madagascar and Crozet Islands] Swallow-2: I’m getting low on fuel. We should return. Swallow-1: I know it! This American fighter, no range! Nest! Swallow-Two is low on fuel. We go back. ….? Swallow-1: No, no UFO in sight. It run away south. Over, out. [22:03 GMT / 23:03 local time; an undisclosed location in Oman] Vogel: Everyone OK? . .. . Vogel: OK, bag up, pack up. Quickly, we’ve got another UFO to catch. Owen, Kyle… How is it? .. ... What were you two doing out there? You almost killed yourselves! Griffin [all bandaged, barely standing]: I threw a frag but it hit a tree and bounced back on me. And then this wise guy comes in and wants to show me how to do it… Thompson, [on a stretcher, all covered in blood and barely speaking]: I.... Vogel: Yes, I heard about that. You two are lucky to be alive. I told you to watch with grenades and what you do!?? Like zome fresh recruits… You are both Navy seals, um Gottes Willen! What you do there?! Mit Luftbalons spielen oder?! Thompson: Hey… Vogel: Nei, nei! You will both see MacGuinnes when you recover. Butler! Bergman! Grab his gear and get Owen in. .. ... All in? Gut. ABFAHREN! [22:15 GMT; Command room] Gisbergh: Sir! QRF is returning with… Voroshilov: Returning where? They go for UFO-14 direct! Gisbergh: Sir, they have two pretty badly wounded. They want to make a short stop here to disembark those two and pick up 2 replacements. Voroshilov: No time for this. They go direct… Corelli: Scusi… Con permesso… Voroshilov: Corellyi… What is it? Do not say they are not afraid... Corelli: Certamente no! Bu-t two wounde-d is bad for operation! The-y come here near on the way to UFO-14. They can make a sto-p, due minuti, and the-y go. We make everythin-g ready. Bullet, granate, panini e due sostituzioni. Scusi… two replacemen-t. Rhys-Martins: Yes, Yevgeniy, I agree with Luciano. It will only take a little time and in return we send out a fully capable team to deal with UFO-14. Prepare everything for a quick pit stop, Luciano! [23:49 GMT; Hangar 4] [Thompson and Griffin are taken from Charlie on stretchers with doctors around them] Corelli: Mamma mia! What happe-n?! [immagine a typical italian hand gesture :] Vogel: Oh, those two need zome more time on ze poligon... when they recover. They both dropped grenadez on them selvez. Corelli: Incredibile... How... No, don-t tell... I do not want to kno-w. Jacson! Novotny! Grab everythin-g, embar-k! [to Vogel, onboard the helicopter taking off] SOME SANDWIC-H IN BAG FOR EVERYONE! AN-D CAFFE! October 4th 1979 [00:44 GMT; Command room] Reynalds: The flight patrolling over 14 is running low on fuel. They only have half an hour left, maybe... Voroshilov: And Charlie? How... Reynalds: They are still some 3, 4 hours out... Voroshilov: Pro*******!! I know this was bad idea... Tell Charly to step to it! [01:18 GMT] De Gini: Vulture flight reports low fuel. They are coming back to base. Reynalds: It was inevitable. Let’s hope the aliens don’t fly off before the QRF arrives! Tell Charlie to really step on it! [04:07 GMT] Corelli: QRF is on way to groun-d! UFO wait for the-m. Voroshilov: Very good. Now clear it out so we can go sleep. Corelli: Si, Capo! Rhys-Martins: What is go... De Gini: Sir! UFO-15 is back on radar, and it is very much in the range of... Reynalds: Is Swallow flight ready? ... Launch immediately! Where is it heading? De Gini: South-west, along Somali coastline. Reynalds: Let's hope it steers over land. Sorry Gene, no sleep for us yet... [04:56 GMT] Corelli: Signori! Team repor-t they have success! They retur-n home. Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Luciano! Jolly good. Any wounded? Corelli: Due. Fogel e... new on-e? Jackson, si! She is quite ba-d but not critical. Il resto va bene! Voroshilov: Good. Return back but prepare for one more mission! [05:39 GMT; near Somali coast] Swallow-1: Nest, this is Swallow! UFO-15 in sight, we can engage. But it has changed course and is heading towards land... ….! Swallow-1: Understood! We trail and engage over land! Swallow out. [05:52 GMT; Command room] de Gini: UFO-15 has now crossed the coastline into Somali airspace. Swallow is engaging! UFO-15 is down! [applause from the crew] Rhys-Martins: Congratulations to the pilots! And to everyone in this room too. You have shown... a stellar performance today! Voroshilov: Excuse me, Komandant... It is not over, still we have crash site to clean. Rhys-Martins: Certainly! Proceed with the operations. Voroshilov: Thank you. Corellyi, get your team quick home, change wounded and go out again! Corelli: Scusi... They ca-n have some to eat, no? The-y be out 16 hour! Voroshilov: Yes, they can have quick breakfast. This one will not run away. Rhys-Martins: I believe we all could have something to eat. Corelli, while you are at it, please ask the kitchen to bring us something in here too. [08:28 GMT; Hangar 4] Dr. Pierce: Trapper, this reminds me of the good old times we've had in Korea. A medevac helicopter every 6 hours, and some gin for in-between! Dr. Burns: Why is it you two are always going on about drinking! It... Dr. MacIntyre: Sorry Frank, the medevac has arrived. This is no time to discuss our free time activities! [they run for the helipad, where the wounded Jane Jackson is being carried out on a stretcher] Dr. Pierce: What do we have? Vogel: She was zhot by a balliztic veapon, short range. We ztopped ze bleed... Dr. Pierce: Very well. We will make sure that this pretty face smiles again. You did good! [to MacIntyre] Let’s go. OR! [10:45 GMT; LIVE from Somalia] Anchor: We are interrupting our regular programme with breaking news from Somalia, where what appears to be an alien craft has crash landed after it was apparently intercepted by unknown Earth forces. Our corespondent Clark Kent is currently at the site. Clark? Reporter: Hello, Lois! I am some 15 km north of Mogadishu, where an alien space craft has crash landed after being shot down this morning just before 6 AM local time by an un-indentified fighter aircraft. A local militia, some 3 or 4 armed locals, is guarding the site, and there are some bystanders around. Me and my cameraman are on a lookout in a barn not 300 meters from the crashed alien space craft. Anchor: Dear me… I hope you two are safe, Clark! Tell us, what do you see? Reporter: We have been on the site for about 15 minutes now and we have not seen any alien creatures yet. The alien craft seems badly damaged from the crash landing, it must have been pretty severe. The terrain where the craft landed is all cratered abd there is thick smoke… OH! Anchor: What is it? Clark? Reporter: (Jimmy, get a close up of the UFO!!) Ahem... Lois, looks like something is moving at the hatch of the alien… Is that an alien?! It looks very human-like! A bit skinny, with long limbs and… large head. OH! Another one is emerging! This must be first time these creatures are caught on camera and aired live! Anchor: It certainly is! What are they doing? Reporter: They must have been unconscious until now from the impact. They have now awaken and are going to… What is that noise? [a noise of a helicopter is becoming more and more apparent] Jimmy, get the helicopter! Lois, it seems some kind of military presence is being established. A helicopter with no visible markings has just arrived on the scene. It is descending… (Jim, get me with the helicopter in the background) Ahem… It is descending just behind me on the lawn. Lets see what happens next! Some soldiers have emerged from it and… OH MY GOD!, Jimmy, down! Anchor: Clark!? What is going on?!? Clark?! Reporter: There seems to be some fire exchange between the just arrived soldiers and an alien somewhere below us. Jimmy, point the camera! There! An alien has just charged one of the soldiers! He is returning fire! He has overcome the alien! But he seems wounded too. We may have just witnessed an alien weapon in action for the first time, Lois! There is more action on the far side. OH! There has been a loud explosion behind that wall. And another! They seem to be engaging with the aliens! Another has just charged at the two soldiers…! These are incredible scenes, Lois! I have never thought I would see this again. Errr...I mean… in person. Anchor: Clark, do you have any idea what organization the soldiers may be from? Reporter: The helicopter is not marked in any way except… I see a small X painted on the side. I am not aware of any military organization with such a sign. When the fighting is over, we will try to gain some information from these men. But let’s not forget there is still action going on around us! The soldiers have pinned another alien in the corner and are giving it a treatment with grenades and gunfire. And it is down! Now that the immediate surroundings are clear from alien menace, the soldiers have started advancing towards the alien craft. A large fire has erupted in the field between our location and the UFO so we cannot see clearly what is happening over there, but it seems the soldiers are gathering around… OH MY! Two more aliens have dashed out of the UFO hatch and have shot one of the brave Earth defenders. He now lies lifeless on the ground as his colleagues have made short work of the two enemies! This is a gruelsome scene... Anchor: Clark, are the Earth forces winning this engagement? Reporter: It seems so, Lois! However, there is still action going on we can’t see because of thick smoke now coming from the field fire below. We will move a bit closer. Anchor: We are witnessing the final encounter between an unknown Earth and... unknown alien force. They tell me our reporter is ready. Clark? Reporter: Lois, I believe they have now entered the alien craft. There are some shots fired and… Looks like it is over! The soldiers are now emerging from the alien craft... and the soldier lying on the ground was revived. Looks like he was only stunned by the alien weapon. Lois, we are now going closer and see if we can have a word with them! Anchor: We have just witnessed a deadly encounter between surviving aliens emerging from a crashed UFO and until now unknown Earth force which arrived by a helicopter some 10 minutes ago. The soldiers disembarked and immediately engaged the aliens, killing several of them. Our terrain reporter Clark Kent and his cameraman Jimmy Olsen will now try to get a statement from the soldiers. Back to you, Clark! Reporter: We are back at the scene of the deadly encounter and are going towards the UFO where the aliens made their last stand… HELLO! Sir, I am Clark Kent, a TV correspondent for Daily planet news channel. Would you be willing to give a statement about what just happened? Who are you? Soldier: Sorry, I cannot say anything. Reporter: (Jimmy, you rolling?) Sir! Our audience in the United States is dying to know who are the heroes that saved the world from alien… Soldier: Save the world? What are you talking about!? This was just a small… Soldier 2: Thothkins! Halt die Klappe! No more talking!! Reporter: Sir! Would you like to tell us what happened here?! Who do you represent? Soldier 2: We did our job, now we leave. That is all. Now I ask you to move away from ze UFO. It is still dangerous to be around. There could be an explozive device in the craft itzelf. (Novotny, Shoebel! Don’t let anyone cloze (especially this one...) Ze rest - grab and bag everything! Thothkins, you OK?) .. Reporter: Looks like we are not going to learn much from our mysterious guests. I will see if I can get some more information from the local militia. Lois? (Jimmy, did you get everything?) Anchor: Thank you! This was Clark Kent reporting live from Somalia. We will be returning shortly with more detail about the UFO and the force that had stormed it. See you again after commercials!

Hello again, dear readers ! I never would have imagined this AAR would have garnered so many views in such a short time... I feel obliged to present... CHAPTER 13 – THE FULL METAL JACKET September 27th 1979 [20:53 GMT; Hangar 6] Corelli: Squadra! Easy. Toda-y you hav-e a special missio-n. You will stor-m 2 cras-h site. [murmurs in the squad] Si, sara dificile… is hard. You tak-e all bullet-s e granate you can. You have fla… flam-e…? Brooks: Flamethrower? Here! We have some incendiary grenades too! Corelli: Bene! You need, you us-e! But if you hav-e opportunita, gra-b some liv-e alien, e? [amusement in squad] Some of you on squa-d first tim-e! Sco-t, Grifi-n! Careful! You mee-t caes... skinny one-s, very care-ful! Remember they lik-e give you bad thinkin-g. Resistere! [murmurs of approval] Allora... This is 2 target for to-day: First is Zero-Otto in Cina, is country sid-e with tree-s. Watc-h for enemy ambus-h! Secondo, Zero-Sette… e una giungla tropicale. Tropica-l forres-t, near Lago Tanganyika. Very careful, many spo-t for enemy to hid-e, hard to mov-e, bad visione! Questions? Bene… Squadra leader toda-y is Tomp-son. Weapon chec-k! Thompson: CHECK! Corelli: Return prou-d! Squad: YES, CHIEF! ENTRARE, STERMINARE, USCIRE! Corelli: Vai! September 28th 1979 [10:40 GMT; Squad leader notes on encounter] Operation Metal: Disembark 01:25 GMT / 09:25 local. Perimeter est, we start sweeping. Skinny blue spotted N-E, distance shot, deflected. Horvath and D. Esposti approach, D.Esp. lands a frag-blue dodged the blast, shot by Horvath. Thothkins & Griffin on south lookout, ambushed by 1x blue, Thothkins stunned. Wagner engaged w frag, blue N Horvath spotted UFO east. Yellow skinny hiding on the other side but then ran out of cover (trying to get inside?) D. Esp. threw a FB, Horvath charged to stun. Got him alive. Thothkins was revived, perimeter around UFO tightened. One blue hiding inside; smoke depl., Horvath ran in to stun. No injuries, Thothkins only lighly burned when stunned, squad ready for Jacket. Departure for Tanganyika 11:28 [11:39 local time; over central Africa, near Lake Tanganyika] ... Horvath: Why didn’t he say he was bleeding so bad!?? Wagner: He was probably in zhock! He did not feel it... Thompson: We... We were very lucky today. It could’ve been much worse... Thothkins: Aye... Horvath: That thing... [nods towards the back of the helicopter] What is that?? It scared me... Brooks: It charged like a bull! Did you see how fast it ran?! Thothkins: Aye... Thank God we had the incendiaries. Thompson: And the flamer! Thompson: I shot it twice! In the head, but it just kept going! Horvath: It charged through the wall of flame. Like it didn’t feel... or care? Brooks: We have the corpse. Maybe Dreyfuss will have some fun with it and then he can draw us a lovely poster. Thothkins: It’s not funny... You... Wagner: That thing is so burned I doubt he will be able to draw anything. Maybe he will draw Brooks inztead... [some laugh... and some don't] Degli Esposti: He injure-d from explosion, no? And you too... Brooks: Yeah, it was stupid... That frag slipped in my hand... I dropped it on us instead on the seb. Luckily the Jackals took most of the blast. I wouldn’t be here wearing those [nods at Thompson and Wagner] Thothkins: It should be you... YOU KILLED HIM! YOU PI... [jumps on Brooks and gives him the fist] Thompson: HEY! HEY!! STOP IT!!! SEPARATE THEM! John, ENOUGH! Sit down! Thothkins, crying: He killed him... Thompson: Yeah Brooks... that was a propef f***#**… Brooks: I'm sorry! It slipped... He had some nice actions today... Yeah... he did. He did everything right... RIP, Tommy. RIP... Man... I had a feeling some predator was preying on us as we were moving along the clearings. Yeah, I was expecting another one to jump us any moment... ... .. …! Yeah, that was when the s*** really hit the fan!! .. ...! ....! .. ...! Thompson: You did well. All of you. We entered, we.. Squad: ...EXTERMINATED! WE LEFT! [laughter, shoulder slapping] Thothkins: Today, we did... some of us.

Dear readers! This is the one where people get upset. I present... CHAPTER 12 – PARADIGM SHIFT September 23rd 1979 [08:25 GMT; Conference room] Rhys-Martins: Breakfast was delicious, wasn’t it? [blurp...] Oh, pardon me... Luciano... anything new on the wounded soldiers? Corelli: Niente, Commandante. Dottori the-y patch up Novotny, he be goo-d in some days. Butle-r he has bur-n but is not in dange-r. Il resto va bene... Scusi... Other are fin-e. Very good. Let's take a look at our assets then, shall we... Yevgeniy? Voroshilov: Yes, Komandir. Headquarters, X-NACOM, is out for living place. When more scientist arrive, men be sleeping like fish! It is too many... We need more beds! Reynalds: Well, there is some more space around. We could erect another living quarters, but we also need some of that space for another radar... Voroshilov: ANOTHER RADAR! You have 2 already! You not have enough?! Reynalds: As we already discussed several times... We need them radars to detect them aliens! Rhys-Martins: May I suggest an alternative path to a solution... We now have 1 base and two outposts operational, and the third is on the way. We could expand one of the outposts to become a research centre. We would have to provide accommodation and a laboratory, of course! Reynalds: That is a great idea, Sir! This way we could move some of the Research department and free up some quarters here. I think X-SEAC is the better of the two outposts for this purpose. There’s a lot of workforce around. We could start in a matter of hours... Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Kurt. See to it! And speaking of...how is the south American base coming along? Reynalds: A team has arrived at the site. They report heavy vegetation all over the place and are having trouble to enter the Command room. They’ll have to axe their way in... Voroshilov: It is in middle at Amazona! What you expect!? Rhys-Martins: Well, in light of recent reports we received about alien activity in the South Pacific I believe it was a sound decision to re-activate that base. They shall prevail... It is only rainforest, after all. Anything else? Voroshilov: Da... Another soviet interceptor is delivered to X-NACOM in 3, 4 days. Reynalds: I hope this one is flying in. I don’t need another sitting... Voroshilov: It is coming by land. Engine broken from very high-speed flying. Reynalds: Excellent! I will tell the pilots to glide them upon them UFOs... September 24th 1979 [10:30 GMT; Engineering report to ADC] We finished pulling parts from UFO. Now we have all component to work on MiG Foxtrot. All tool ready, we finish soon. Kaganov [later that day; X-NACOM Helipad] Shvetsov: Junichi! Good you are back! You are okey? Akamatsu [bows]: Hai! I parachuted in the desert, but the Saudi military saw me and picked me up. I was lucky... Shvetsov: That warrior spirit look after you, da? Akamatsu: No. It did not get a chance to awaken. One moment I was firing the missile and the next I was ejecting. What happened to the UFO I don’t... Shvetsov: You don’t know!? You shoot it down! With your missile! Oh, Akamatsu... you did wake your warrior spirit after all! Akamatsu [bows deeply]: Hai! What good is that when Petersen is in a grave... September 25th 1979 [18:00 GMT; short report from Research to C-in-C by Diego Vasco da Silva Magan] Sir, I report on behalf of Chief scientist, Dr. Dreyfuss 20 scientists have arrived this morning and have been allocated to ongoing projects. We are now making excellent progress on several fronts. We have completed research on alenium. This alien substance will be very important to us so make sure ground teams collect as much of it as possible on every mission. They will not know what to look for, so brief them before they go out. We have also looked into alien mini shield they brought back with several dead caesans but we don’t know if we can use it ourselves; best to try it out in the field if possible We have also finished Sebilian scout operator interrogation. The prisoner provided us with more questions than answers though. See appendices for details. Diego da Silva, Assistant to Dr. Dreyfuss (lead scientist) I verify. Amalric, Dr. Dreyfuss [11:25 GMT; Hangar 3] Akamatsu: Now this is better, Anatoly Arkadyevich! I see they have made quite substantial modifications since we last saw the plane... Shvetsov: Yes, Junichi! Look... [caresses the plane with his hands] 4 heavy pylons... we carry short or long range missile... Good! Sidewinder range is small, we always have to get close... so close. Not with this [shows the Avalanche]! We will show them not mess with soviet... Earth pilots! I will revenge death of Petersen!! [shakes a fist towards the sky] Akamatsu [bows]: Hai! I only hope the engines are strong enough to lift this steel beast off the ground. [21:40 GMT; Lead engineer memo to C-in-C] Comrade! I have not enough staff to make all project Dreyfuss is bringing. We build all this now: Corelli insist we build many incendiary grenade for QRF and Reynalds want Mauser to test Please give 5 more engineer for first batch and more in next day! Kaganov September 26th 1979 [5:25 GMT; ADC log book] 5:15, X-NACOM: 2 replacement F-17 fighters arrived; 4 interceptors on strength: 5:20, X-NACOM: 1x F-17-11 ferried to X-NORAM immediately to make space for modification of another Foxtrot that was delivered during the night (Engineering already started the conversion) 5:20, X-SEAC: 1 F-17 arrives at X-SAEC; 3 interceptors on strength [09:22 GMT; C-in-C memo to Research] Research will dismiss 5 scientists to make room for 5 engineers urgently needed in Engineering. Execute immediately! C-in-C [09:37 GMT; Memo from Research to C-in-C] I have dismissed 5 assistants. This is nonsense! You are aware we are losing this war because of our technological insufficiency? Amalric, Dr. Dreyfuss [11:05 GMT; Commander office] [Petra Horachkova comes in]: Excuse me, Sir! Lead engineer is waiting outside. He asks to see you. Rhys-Martins: Very well, send him in. I wonder what he has to say... [2 minutes later] … Rhys-Martins: Very well, Vitaly. Let’s call the other party, shall we... Petra, please go to Research and fetch Dr. Dreyfuss. We have an important matter to discuss. Would you fancy a cup of tea while we wait? [5 minutes later] [Horachkova returns, without Dr. Dreyfuss] Rhys-Martins: Petra! You seem to have lost Dr. Dreyfuss along the way? Horachkova: I am very sorry, Sir! Dr. Dreyfuss refused to come. He said he will not be bothered in the middle of an experiment... Rhys-Martins: Is that so?! Very well... Petra, please go to barracks and secure some leverage to gain Dr. Dreyfuss’ attention. Go. [to Kaganov] While we wait for the doctor to join us, you could tell me all about the projects you have had your hands full with... [8 minutes later] Rhys-Martins: Ah, Dr. Dreyfuss. You finally elected to join us... Dr. Dreyfuss: I did not “elect” anything. These two brutes you sent dragged me from a very important experiment I was... Rhys-Martins: Let me remind you, doctor... It is expected in this establishment of subordinate personnel, civilian or not, to comply with orders of their superiors! As you failed to comply to a direct order, as Commander in Chief, I resorted to enforcing my will. Now... I summoned you because our lead engineer, Mr. Kaganov here says his department is flooded with projects while your men are scratching their behinds, so to speak. Dr. Dreyfuss: My assistants are not scratching anything. They are all working on final reports for several breakthrough discoveries. And who you think gave them [shows at Kaganov] the blueprints and protocols to work on? Rhys-Martins: Oh, I’m sure it was Research. However, as I understand, you currently have no further projects to pursue, while Engineering is severely under-staffed. Therefore, I shall authorise for an additional lay-off of 8 scientists to make room in living quarters for... Dr. Dreyfuss: THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! I NEED MY ASSISTANTS! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU... Rhys-Martins [stands up furiously; is this the first time he had really lost his temper?]: ENOUGH!!! I have had enough of your insolence! Nobody in this establishment is irreplaceable, not even me.. AND NOR ARE YOU!! YOU will start to BEHAVE or else I shall start looking for a more compliant person for the post of head scientist! You will lay-off those 8 and another 7 scientists. And to prove my point...Laboratory no. 2 is going down. The construction materials will be repurposed to erect a second workshop. That is all, Dr. Dreyfuss! You may return to your experiments now! Dr. Dreyfuss: I... You can’t... Rhys-Martins: I can, and I will. Privates, please escort Dr. Dreyfuss out of my office. He seems to have forgotten how he came in. September 27th 1979 [14:06 GMT; Command room] De Gini: SIR! 2 contacts, designated UFO-11 and UFO-12! 12 is north of Beijing, 11 is above the Carribean. Both are small. Voroshilov: Alert everyone! Get ADC! Reynalds: I’m here! OH, we have two!? How lucky we have all those bases and radars, eh? Voroshilov: Do your job! ($*&@…) Reynalds [to de Gini]: Scramble 2 from X-NORAM and 3 from X-SEAC! [14:19 GMT] De Gini: Both flights are on intercept... OH! We have another one! UFO-13, in our neighbourhood! Just west... Reynalds: Scramble our fighters, the new one too! Let's see if it’s worth anything... [16:15 GMT; near Lake Tanganyika] Fox-3: Bandit! 1 o’clock! Fox-1: I see! 2, 3, right! I go straight in! Nest, we are engaging! Fox-1: Rocket awaaay! Look at it go! DAA!! IDI... Fox-2: You got him! Congratulations, Anatoly Arkadyevich! Your first... Fox-1: Nest, Fox shoot down UFO. With a weapon like this, they be many more, Junichi! ..!! …? Fox-1: I did. Understand, return to base. Over, out. This is for Petersen... [16:54 GMT; Command room] De Gini: Vulture has bounced the bogey and is engaging! Reynalds: One goes in, the other is baiting. Just as we trained... I see good hits! OH! It’s turned around so fast! Evade! Evade! Come on 1, engage! What’s he waiting for?! ... De Gini: UFO-11 is down! Reynalds: Good team work! Voroshilov: You forget number 2 is all shot. That was no good work... Rhys-Martins: He will fight again. What is important, is that UFO is out of our skies. The nations of Americas will be grateful for that. Now let’s see how our far chaps in the far east do with their prey... [17:33 GMT] De Gini: UFO-12 is down Rhys-Martins: Jolly good! Well.. That was something to behold! Hectic! Reynalds: It’s good our aviators still know how to manoeuver. In Vietnam we had so much trouble with the Russians... I mean, the Vietnamese. Voroshilov: Yes, yes... Admit it! Soviet fighter is better than thisAmerican toys... You see before how MiG shoot down UFO with one rocket!?? Not like this dancing... What is it? Brake-dance? [tries to show some moves, failing miserably] Reynalds: You seem to be a man of many talents, Gene... Rhys-Martins: Gentlemen... Let me remind you we still have 2 crash sites to deal with... Voroshilov: Da, Komandant! I think... Da... We attack first site Zero eight. It is dark but when Charly arrive it will be day. When They finish... CORELLI! Where is... Corelli: Prego! Voroshilov: Brief your men! They go first for Crash 08. When finish, they fly to site 07. It is in dark now, but will be in day after 12 hour. Corelli: Capo... My men they not afraid... Voroshilov: of nothing... We know. Tell what you want allready! Corelli: Scusi... I try say... They stor-m Zero-Otto, some may-be get injured... And the-y be tire-d... Voroshilov: They are soldier! No more discussion, Corelli. Brief team and return here back! Corelli: Certo... Con permesso. [leaves] Voroshilov: What? They are not children...

Hello, dear readers! It was inevitably coming - the end of a vacation and the return to everyday routine, meaning less time to throw at this AAR. I hope the wait will be worth it. This is the one where some start acting like grown ups (and some still don't). May I present... CHAPTER 11 – NEW FRIENDS (AND OLD NEMESIS) September 22nd 1979 [05:33; Living quarters, doctors relaxing off duty] [Dr. Burns comes in]: What are you two up to again? And what is this bottle doing here?! I strictly... Dr. Pierce: Trapper, I bet this bottle of gin that Frank here won’t let us have it! Dr. McIntyre: Sure! What’s the bet? Dr. Pierce: If I’m right, we keep the bottle! Dr. Burns: I for sure won’t tolerate drinking in this establish... Dr. Pierce: Oh... we lost the bet! Let’s open this bottle to make us feel better! [at this moment a speaker announcement interrupts] Attention, all personnel - we interrupt your sweet dreams to bring you the following nightmare… McIntyre: Don’t you hate it when you win and lose at the same time? [They run for Hangar 6, with Dr. Burns lagging behind] [15 minutes later; Hangar 2] Corelli: DOTTORI! Is Novotny! He hit ba-d! Dr. Pierce: Don’t worry, we’ll fix him for another round. Trapper! 1..2..3...[they put Nowotny on a medical trolley and race for OR] [Dr. Burns stands at the side and doesn’t quite know what to do] Thompson: Doc, take a look at Bergman. He’s wounded too. ... Corelli: What abou-t you? You’ have bloo-d... Thompson: Nah... It’s not mine. Oh, look who’s here... [gestures at Dr. Dreyfuss who just came in] Doctor.. to whom do we owe this pleasure? Dr. Dreyfuss: Did you bring me any live ones? Officers? Corelli: No, dottore. No liv-e alien. Pero, no officer was on boar-d, my me-n thin-k. Only blu shir-t. Dr. Dreyfuss: Blue shirts... What about artefacts? Thompson: All bagged and sealed. Over there. [at this moment Voroshilov walks in, followed by Reynalds] Voroshilov: There he is! CORELLYI! Corelli [to Thompson]: Tell doctor what we discu-s on way bac-k! [turns away to face C-Ops] CAPO! We are bac-k! Wha-t a... Voroshilov: What you think to risk you like this! You leave on Charly with no permission!! Corelli: Si, Capo! Ma mi hai dato il per... Voroshilov: ANGLIYSKIY!!! Corelli: Scusi... Mi dispiace. I try to sa-y... you give permis... Voroshilov: You say I know not what I say??! Reynalds: Gene... You did tell him to get out... Voroshilov: Harasho! Next time I call translator... [points at Reynalds] Oh! Is already HERE! [leaves furiously] Reynalds [looking at Voroshilov leaving]: You did well, Corelli. [07:25 GMT; Dr. Dreyfuss’ memo to C-in-C] Laboratory 2 has been finished. I urgently need more assistants to carry out my research projects in timely manner. Here is the list of potential candidates. Get me as many as possible! Urgently!! Amalric, Dr. Dreyfuss [08:19 GMT; Officer’s mess] … .. Rhys-Martins: Ah... that was lovely. Thank you, Mrs. Veronica! Reynalds: Sir, if I may... Shvetsov, our pilot, was fished out of Atlantic by the French Navy an hour go. I got word from Gisbergh just as I was coming here. He’ll be here in the evening. Rhys-Martins: Oh, jolly good! What a relief... Isn’t that so, Yevgeny? [Horachkova comes in] Horachkova: I’m very sorry, Sir! Dr. Dreyfuss insisted I bring yout this immediately... Rhys-Martins: Let me see! … Ah, yes. Where is my pen... Here! Get this to Personnel right away! [Horachkova leaves] One other thing. The assessment to re-establish abandoned bases has already borne ample fruit. We should re-establish our presence in South America immediately. The funds are still available. Kurt, I trust it to you to reopen X-SAMC outpost. Command room and radar for now. Now, where were we? Luciano... tell us about your little adventure, would you? [11:20 GMT; Engineering report by V. Kagnov] We destroy UFO scout like Dreyfuss want. We get: No enough computer part to start work on MiG. We now destroy light scout for get more. [18:53 GMT; X-NACOM helipad] Akamatsu: Anatoly Arkadyevich... [bows] Good to see you again...[bows again] Now you have a lovely tan, just like me! Shvetsov: Ehh, shut up! I get bake on small raft in ocean, 2 days! I tell you, Akamatsu... I refuse fly that any more! [points towards hangars with remaining two F-17 interceptors] That thing is...obychnoye der’mo! Akamatsu [bows]: Hai! I agree. But let me remind you, Anatoly... We are at war against overwhelming odds! Like my father was during world war two against the Americans. He flew an obsolete Zero-Sen fighter almost to the end and never thought of quitting! It is the spirit of the warrior that makes the difference in battle! [bows] Shvetsov: Da… Very good, Akamatsu! And how did it end for your father and Japan? Akamatsu [bows, proud]: My father survived the war. He is now 80 years old. Shvetsov: But Japan did not. If they not give us better plane, we all be like Japan, soon! Akamatsu: HAI! [bows deeply] Wakarimasu! [at this moment – it is 18:55, scramble alarm sounds; Akamatsu sprints for hangars without saying anything else] Shvetsov: GO MY DANCING FRIEND AKAMATSU AND SPIRIT OF WARRIOR WITH YOU! [to himself]: You will need one, to live in that. [19:32 GMT; Outside by the X-NACOM radar installations] Where were you? I met Dreyfuss on the way. He wanted me... Whatever! You got it? Here... These are the projects... And the pistol. Godt! I don’t know if this is smart... Someone... What? You didn’t cry when you took the money. I take all the risk anyway. Get me more! [leaves] [20:30 GMT; Control room] de Gini: Swallow is ready to engage but they are still over Gulf of Oman. UFO-10 is heading south-west, should be over land soon. Reynalds: Stand-off, engage once over land! … [20:48 GMT] Swallow: We’re back in. Engaging! Nest: Roger! Reynalds: How are they doing? Let me see... De Gini: Standard engagement procedure. They split, one lures and the other... OH! The radar just froze! Come on... reset already!! Reynalds [grabs microphone]: Swallow, report! De Gini: OK, WE’RE BACK! Let me see... Oh! Mierda... Sir... I think the UFO has just crashed. But so have our guys... Their signals are gone. Reynalds, to Gisbergh: Listen for SOS transponders! Anything?! Gisbergh: Sir, I might be getting... Yes, one. From Akamatsu, loud and clear now. Petersen’s... is silent. I’m sorry , Sir. Voroshilov: We wait daylight for ground operation. Launch QRF at 0230 hour. Third watch keep station, rest go sleep. And make sure Corelli is here before they go! September 23rd 1979 [02:27 GMT; Hangar 6] Corelli: Squadra, easy! I very much lik-e to go, pero... our X-O he cry if I go. So I sta-y. [nervous laughter] You have every-thing? Thompson: Yes, chief. Kaganov even brought us this... Show him, Chris! Corelli: Molto bene... I hope you not nee-d it. Allora! Weapon chec-k! CHECK! … ..?! ENTRARE, STERMINARE, USCIRE!!! Certamente! VAI! [04:43 GMT/05:43 local time; somewhere in Saudi Arabia] 5: GO GO GO! Secure perimeter! 3: Contact! North, 150! 5: Wagner, deplooy! Dang, missed! 5: You should be pitching for the Yankees, Degli Esposti! Spread out! 4: Aaaaahhh! Can’t stand it! NOOOO!!!! 1: HEY! Look at me! LOOK AT ME! They are messing with your head! Fight it! 4: OK... I’m OK... 5: Grab your gun! 6: I see the craft! To west! Oh, S***!!! XENO!! OVER HERE!! 4: Where??! 1: Behind the... 5: Grenades don’t do s***!!! 6:It’s coming! RUUUN!!! 5: FLAME IT!!! 7: KAYTA! DOWN!!! 4: It burns! IT BUURNSS!!! Aaahh... 1: You m**$#!! You almost burned both of us! 7: How about a THANK YOU? That thing was gonna... 6: Is it gone!? 5: TOMMY! GET YOU S*** TOGETHER, MAN! Grab that gun! Move on! You OK, Butler? Carefull now! 6: THEY COM-E OOOUT!!! AAAaaarrgh! DAMN! BEHIND YOU!! 5: Is he... 7: Stunned. He’ll be fine. 5: Pheww... Kayta, point! Lets storm this b****! Open it! 2: Behind the door! 7: MOVE ASIDE!! CLEAR! Prepare for the next... Open! CLEAR! This thing hit the ground hard... 5: Allrighy people, pack up everything! I’m gonna check on Thothkins. Hey, buddy! You allright? 6: Mmm.. Mmmpf... 5: Yeah... take it easy now... You’re going home.

Hello, dear readers. This is the one where they start a traveling agency. May I present... CHAPTER 10 - CHASING TAILS [X-Division master log-book] querry: tag=log and indate(19790917:19790920) results: [19790917] 0531 MiG-31 interceptor delivered by land transport; it is missing engines, radar and other equipment; Engineering says it can be made operational by using alien components, but they are missing some specific parts 1922 AWACS sent to eastern Pacific to monitor activity [19790918] #### Hangars at X-NORAM and X-SEAC complete. ####4 F-16 interceptors requested from USAF stock. 1900 AWACS mission recalled. No contacts #### Interrogation of captured alien complete; xenolingustics breakthrough, but not much else, since alien was a low ranked grunt. Dreyfuss wants to interrogate a higher ranked alien officer [19790919] #### Jackal armor developed, 5 units put in production immediately #### F-16-2 is flown in from Jordan for final repairs; ETA 11h 1815 Several reports of alien activity over Atlantic; AWACS launched to monitor activity [19790920] 0537 UFO-08 detected by AWACS over central Atlantic 0747 UFO-08 changes course toward African mainland. X-NACOM launches 3 interceptors, call sign Shrike (2-Shvetsov, 3-Akamatsu, 4-Petersen) 1129 UFO-08 intercepted by Shrike east of St. Helena. UFO downed in the sea; Shrike-2 down, Shvetsov ejected. Plane lost. #### Research has developed incendiary weapon concept. New projects were started. #### Replacement F-17 requested from USAF stock 2000 4 out of 5 ordered Jackal armour sets completed 2311 2 F-17 arrived at X-NORAM 2340 2 F-17 arrived at X-SEAC September 21st 1979 [00:34 GMT; X-NACOM Command room] ... Gisbergh: Sir, both teams are standing by, ready to go. Reynalds: Commander? Rhys-Martins: Establish radar surveillance of North America and South east Asia immediately. Reynalds: Yes, Sir! [takes the microphone] This thing on? Ahem… X-NORAM, X-SEAC! Establish radar surveilance in 3...2...1…GO! Turn on your radars! ... Gisbergh: Both radars on-line at 00:35:00 GMT. De Gini: I am receiving live feed from X-SEAC… I am receiving life feed from X-NORAM. Good resolution. Negligible data loss. Considering we are on ground lines, this is as good as it gets... Reynalds: [to C-in-C]: Commander! I report both radars are on-line and operational! Radar surveilance established! Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Kurt! Well done everyone! Now… let’s see what flies in… [4 minutes later…] de Gini, to himself: This can’t be right… [to Reynalds] Sir! X-NORAM radar is already showing UFO presence! Could be some interference from long range cable transmitions. I’d like to check with them, maybe we need to re-calibrate the amplify… Gisbergh: Sir! X-NORAM station reports they too have a bogey on radar! Reynalds: People, it’s happening!! [sorry, couldn't help myself... ] All hands on stations! Call in C-Ops! [to Gisbergh] Check readyness of X-NORAM interceptors! [to C-in-C] That was quick… Gisbergh: Sir, they are still being refuelled and armed. They are not ready. Reynalds: Damn! Tell them to hurry! [00:56 GMT] de Gini: UFO-09 has touched ground near Kugluktuk, Canada! Voroshilov: We must send QRF now! Where is Corelyi when… Corelli: Prego! You cal-l? Voroshilov: Alert your team and get out in 10 minutes! Time is at most important! IDTI! GOOO!! Corelli: Con permesso!! [runs out like all hell just broke loose] PASSANDO! DA PARTE!!* *Coming through! Move aside! Gisbergh: Sir, X-NORAM reports interceptors are re… Reynalds: Scramble readiness! [01:05 GMT] de Gini: QRF has departed. ETA… somewhere around 1720 hours. Reynalds: It’s gonna to be a looong day, people… [to Voroshilov] Some of the crew should get some rest… Voroshilov, C-Ops: Nobody go anywhere until this UFO is in our hand. Where is again Corelyi? Gisbergh, cautiously: Sir… I think he is onboard… Voroshilov: On board?! He went to shit himself now??! Reynalds: Gene... I think he was trying to say… onboard Charlie-1. Voroshilov: PROK$$#&@E!!! GET HIM HERE BACK, NOW! Reynalds: They already left! Remember… [imitates] Time is at most important! Voroshilov: Harasho! Let him go... I wish he get sick! [12:01 GMT/08:01 local time; above Gulf of S. Lawrence] Corelli: Wha-t biutifu-l mornin-g! Aaahh... Guarda, delfini! .... .. [co-pilot pokes his head through the hatch] Chief, ADC on the radio...[holds a head-set to Corelli] Corelli: Corelli. Prego... ..... ... .. ... Corelli: Si... ... .. ...... .. Corelli: Bene. Ou-t. [to the squad] UFO i-s on air. We too lat-e... Squad: $$#?!€€∆!! Ooohhh... For f#*& $$&$!! M#####! Corelli [spreads his hands]: Calma, amici! Calma! Wagner: We are zo zlow... I could zwim faster... ... Corelli: Veramente... Charly is slow. Is i-t what is i-t... Pero... They sen-d intercettori to pu-t UFO bac-k on ground, only fo-r you. Now, enjo-y the rid-e... Guarda, Novotni... Una picolla cerbiatta*! Look it ru-n!! Che bella... (*a little doe) Novotny: Lovely, chief... [12:57 GMT; Command room] Reynalds: Tell Corelli the UFO is back on south lane. He may still get a chance here. … [13:35 GMT] de Gini: Sir, UFO-09 is over land. Interceptors are not far! Reynalds: Excellent! Engage as soon as they get visual. They won’t get away this time! [14:03 GMT / 07:03 local time; somewhere east of Umingmaktok] Swallow-1: Nest, we have visual! UFO is over land! Engaging now! Swallow-2, we engage! Oh… Nest?! UFO just pan-caked! ….?! Swallow-1: It looks like a weather station! Sending coordinates now. …! Swallow-1: Copy. We’ll make sure they don’t go anywhere. Over, out. [11:01 local time; Weather station St. Helena] … John: What are they doing now?!! You see anything??! Anthony: One is over there! Poking around the generator. And that scary one is… I can’t see! I don’t know where are the rest! John: Make sure the one upstairs doesn’t come down!! What is that… Not another saucer!!? Awww, we’re toast!!!! Anthony: It's… a helicopter!? Sort of…??! John: WATCH THE STAIRS, DAMMIT! Anthony: I’m watching!! John: You got the pistol, not me! Oh! It’s the ARMY!! We’re saved! Tony, we’re SAVED! Anthony: You see anything? Where are they?! John: Behind those trees, I don’t see s***! Oh, there goes one, with a shield...They seem to know what they’re doing! Anthony: Look, another one! John: You are watching the stairs, RIGHT??! Oh, there goes one! WATCH OUT!!! $***, one of the guys was hit! YEEEEE!!! Take that! You watching? Anthony: Yeah, I see. John: THE STAIRS, DAMMIT! Anthony: Oh… It hasn’t come down yet. .. . John: HEY, FELLAS! SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE! WE… 5: How many of you? John: Ehm… Two. Erika was shot by some... 5: Any other aliens around? John: One’s upstairs and… 5: GET DOWN!! Horvath, Novotny, cover. I go up! [gunfire] He’s in the corner. HE’S COMING DOOWN! John: Aaawww! He’s gonna… 8: Shut up! Get down! [Zzzzap] Aaaah… 5: Nowoootny! [gunfire] CLEAR! Check his pulse! 1: He will be OK. Just stunned! 7: Any other around? Hey, you two!! Are there any other around??! John: One was by the generator, by the pond. And we’ve seen one more, scary thing. Totally like the one from the movie! 7: What you going on about?? Anthony: It’s true!! That thing’s like from the Alien movie! 5: Because it is an alien… Never mind. Let’s move. [shots fired from the far side behind the trees] 5: The rookies must’ve trapped something… 7: Contact! East, by the pond! 5: Horvath, check the roof. 1: CLEAR! 5: Coming up! I see him! [shot fired] Missed! BUTLER!! BEHIND THE TREES! 5: You got him! Nice one! 4: Bergman found the UFO! North east! 5: Horvath, Degli Esposti! North flank. We go south. You two! Don’t move!! .. … . . John: I hope they will get them… Anthony? ANTHONY!! Anthony: WHAT!!!?? John: Nothing! Thought you were… you know… [LOUD EXPLOSION, GUNFIRE] Anthony: They are giving them the lead! I’ll have a look! John: Don’t move, they said! Anthony: Oh, just here through the door… Oh, they are gonna hit them bad! John: Get back in! You’ really askin’ for a stray bullet or somethin’?! Anthony: Gimme a break! Oh they’ve opened the hatch! S***! ONE IS DOWN!!! Noooo… John: I see! Anthony: They are coming. It’s over, John! We’re safe... John: What are they carrying there!? Anthony!!?

Hello, esteemed readers. This is the one where we sail through relatively calm waters (depends on who you're asking...) I present... CHAPTER 9 – STEADY AS SHE GOES September 14th 1979 [09:46 GMT; X-NACOM airstrip] Shvetsov: Akamatsuuu! [runs to him, hauls him up in the air] Akamatsu: Itaai! You ...are braking... my... bones! Shvetsov: Aaah, you are live! You are back! You come to dance more?! Akamatsu [bows slightliy]: Iie! No, I want to shoot down aliens now. Shvetsov: Haha... That is my Akamatsu! [claps him on the shoulder] Never enough! Tell me, Akamatsu... How many you have now? Akamatsu, proud: I have shot down 1 alien UFO! You have seen it! Shvetsov: Da... is good. But... I not ask you about, how many UFOs... I ask you, how many times you crash land your plane, HAHAHA!! [slaps him heartily on the back] Akamatsu [bows deeply]: Hai! I crash landed my »Cherry blossom« 2 times. I put her down gently, like a leaf in an autumn breeze. She will be back in a few days and will fight again. But wait, Anatoly... Where is your »Kobrushka«?! I don’t see her in the hangar! [Later that day; General report by Horachkova to C-in-C] Junichi Akamatsu was flown in from Jordan in the morning. Dr. Burns reports he is recovering well from his crash landing and subsequent days spent in the desert. 2 interceptors, damaged during an engagement on the 11th were fully repaired. The third, crash landing during the subsequent engagement, will be sufficiently repaired by Jordanians to fly back to X-NACOM for final repairs. ETA to fully repair currently unknown. AWACS and Chinook-1 are fully operational. Dr. Dreyfuss has provided additional information on caesans (an alien species); apparently they are organised into castes or ranks, one of them was classified as a non-combatant (see appendix) Nothing further to report. P. H. September 15th 1979 [07:10 GMT; X-NACOM airstrip] [10 scientists and 6 new arriving recruits are disembarking from transport plane; Corelli and MacGuiness join them] MacGuiness: Recruits, attention! Corelli: Grazie, Andy! [to recruits] Welcom-e! Io sono Capitano Luciano Corelli. You want-t call me Chie-f. This [shows at MacGuiness] ...is Sergente Andy Ma-gine-s, your instruttore e barrac-k maste-r. You can call him sergente Ma-gines-s, X-O, barrack maste-r o-r instruttore. He tell you all abou-t enemy. Ascolta, memorizza, applica!* Is all. Andy, sho-w them aroun-d! *Listen, memorize, apply! MacGuiness: Aye, Chief! FLIGHT! GEAR UP! LEFT TURN! QUICK MARCH! GO! GO! GO!! [they run away in full gear towards the base; scientist are clearly enjoying the show, laughing] Corelli [to the scientists, with a friendly voice]: They only playin-g. Good luc-k when you mee-t your boss! [07:55 GMT; C-in-C's office] [C-in-C is attending a video conference] Rhys-Martins: Good morning, Councillors. I believe you had a good night’s sleep? Councillor W: We are not calling you to discuss our sleeping habits, General. Councillor E: We want to have a word about performance of X-Division dealing with the alien menace. Rhys-Martins: Yes, I am sure you do… We are doing everything in our… Councillor A: You are not doing enough! North America... Councillor R: The eastern Asia and the oceans… Councillor E: Are not protected in any meaningful way! Rhys-Martins: Councillors, I can assure you we… Councillor M We want to see results, General! Councillor O: UFOs shot down and our people protected... Councillor N: As well as the interests of our countries! Councillor E: Deal with the aliens properly and we… Councillor Y: Will make every effort to keep the money flowing. Otherwise… [gestures] Rhys-Martins: Certainly, understood. I assure you once again we… Oh! Where have they gone to!?... [later that day; the men’s room] You have it?… Here… [gives a piece of paper] This is current. Godt! Keep them coming. [leaves] [19:15 GMT; Command room] de Gini: Sir! I have a bogey, probably a light scout. Over Indian ocean, half way between Mogadishu and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Course west-south-west, speed 2000, 16100m. Reynalds: Call in C-Ops! All personnel to stations! Scramble both interceptors! September 16th 1979 [03:14 GMT; interception report by A. A. Shvetsov] Alert UFO-07 19:15, scramble Hawk 2, 4 - 19:17. Control give direct course for intercept. UFO change way to Mogadishu, ADC give order to wait to come over land, we trail. 21:35 - UFO turn again, now east direct out in ocean. We not engage, ADC give order again to wait if he turn back. We trail saucer for 2h; 23:24 - out of gaz, we go back. Pan-cake 02:43. Is not how we do in SSSR. A. A. Shvetsov [later that day; Conference room; Operational briefing, all officers are present] ... Reynalds: As I already explained… We were waiting for it to wander overland to shoot it down. We could’ve engaged over water, but then there would be no crash site to investigate, wouldn’t it, Gene? Rhys-Martins: Carry on, Kurt. Thank you, Sir. Soon after we started receiving reports of activity in the region so I sent out AWACS at 5:38 to try and locate the UFO, which they did just south-east of Madagascar, heading west towards land. We scrambled the interceptors again at 10:36 and they were getting close when… this little b***** turned east again. The Hawk flight gave pursuit but were unable to catch up. They had to abort as they ran out of fuel and returned to base. AWACS was loitering around some more and reacquired contact far out in the Indian ocean, but at that point it wasn't lucrative to pursuit and I gave the order to return. That is all. Rhys-Martins: Very well. Thank you. Gentlemen… this operation was… a proper c***-up. To have a sparrow firmly clenched in one’s fist and let it fly away so it may become a pidgeon that crooks from the roof… is not tolerable! We have an obligation to the nations of the world and our funding committee that the peoples, the economies and the interests of their countries will be SAFE! [pounds his fist on the table] This… operation did nothing to keep any of those promises. In any of the forthcoming engagements I expect a more appropriate response to the situation. Next time shoot down the bloody thing, Kurt! Reynalds: Yes, Sir! Understood! Rhys-Martins: Very well. Yevgeniy? Voroshilov: More activity was over Atlantic, Caribbean and east coast U.S. Nothing we can do yet. Ah, da… Engineers for Kaganov arrive today, they at job already. Nothing more. Rhys-Martins: Very well. Luciano? Corelli: Commandante, nostre nuove reclute…Scusi… I try to sa-y… recruit-s, they have trainin-g with Andy. Sergente Magine-s. The-y be ready for alien soo-n. Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Luciano. Jolly good. [To all] Anything else? Very well. Dismissed! September 17th 1979 [early morning; Hangar 6] Shvetsov: Looook, Akamatsuuu… What beautiful machine! Not like that American fighter, all wrinkled. Look... Straight, strong line. Steel, it is build for ever.… And quick. You put your head out it take your head, hahah! Akamatsu [bows slightly]: Hai! I see what you mean. Mighty. Powerful. Scary. Like that American Hell's cat fighter against my father’s Zero. But tell me, Anatoly… How will it fly with no engine? [18:30 GMT; Officer’s mess] ... Voroshilov: Njet, tovarish! You not make fool of me, haha! Reynalds: Well, one can try… Rhys-Martins [coming in]: Don't get up, gentlemen! Ahhh… I could eat a horse right now. Yes, thank you, Verka! Lets eat. [sipping, smacking…] Reynalds: Mmm.. Sir, the radars for the bases finally arrived. They are being installed as we speak. Rhys-Martins, smacking: Mhhmm... Voroshilov: Kaganov say to me he need more parts for fighter. Reynalds, mouth full: Whas fihser?! Voroshilov: MiG-31. One was brought to base this morning by road transpo… Reynalds: By road? Why didn’t we fly it in!? Voroshilov: The MiG… Is missing some important parts. Reynalds, sarcastically: Like fuel? Voroshilov: Like engine. Like radar. Reynalds [jumps up, spilling gravy on his shiny uniform]: PERFECT! Now we can invite the eee-teee to admire it on the ground! Sir...please excuse me! I’m not hungry any more. [leaves furiously] Voroshilov [looks at Reynalds leaving, shruggs]: As I say… Kaganov, he need more component. He say he can make alien engine and radar work in MiG. But he need more alien computer. So we need more alien UFO. Rhys-Martins: Very well. We will make every effort to supply our engineers in what they need. Isn’t that so, Luciano? Corelli: Certo, Commandante. I tell my me-n to bring bac-k more stu-f. We be ready.

Hello! This is the one where not much happens yet still we emerge better than before. I present... CHAPTER 8 – A NEW NORMAL September 13th 1979 [07:30 GMT; C-in-C’s office] Horachkova: Good morning, Sir! Sir... I have some newspapers you might want to see... Rhys-Martins: Ah... good morning, Petra! Always a refreshment... What is it with the newspapers? Horachkova: Sir, the breaking news... Every one of them is reporting the UFO, the one we shot down yesterday over Algiers. The one Quantas 747 witnessed. [gives C-in-C the newspapers] Rhys-Martins: Bloody hell and three hundred devils! They even got the pictures! Look, better than our own!! How did they pull that off!? Horachkova: Someone must have recorded the whole engagement, Sir. It is broadcast worldwide. Here, let me get it on for you… [walks to the TV, turns it on]. See?? Rhys-Martins: Blimey! Very well... The spirit has escaped the bottle and there is nothing we can do to get it back in. What else, apart from thee interception, are they saying? Horachkova: Well, they don’t know who shot it down. There are already some theories emerging. Here... and here. Rhys-Martins: Very well... We shall let them delve on their theories and conspiracies. Our priority should remain our funding. I believe our funding fathers are briefed on all our actions to protect their interests? Horachkova: Yes Sir, they are up to date. Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Petra. Jolly good. I have faith in you to paint them the best picture of our endeavours. Carry on! [picks up the newspapers and looks at the headlines] Aliens are coming - UFO shot down over Africa. Nobody has claimed responsibility - No UFO found on the crash site. Someone mopped up. - Hero pilots: Quantas flight QA442 first to witness alien UFO shot down - Surrender to aliens’ healing powers Certainly... A most splendid idea! [throws the newspapers in the bin] [09:15 GMT; Horatio Gisbergh’s diary entry] The funeral party was much smaller than for Howard. C-in-C had a solemn speech that didn’t quite land right for me. I didn’t know them all very well and yet I feel like some part of me is gone. I can’t imagine how the remaining grunts and pilots must be feeling, facing the same fate every time they go out. Akamatsu’s body still hasn’t been found...He will receive a proper burial when they find him. RIP Alexia Thomas (KIA), Wiktor »Vomit« Bieniak (KIA), Zuzanna Sroka (KIA), Junichi »Dancer« Akamatsu (MIA) [same time; Medical] [Soldiers, wounded and unscathed, are lying or sitting, quietly, still processing...; Corelli enters] Vogel: Squad, attention! Corelly: Easy, easy... [looks at his soldiers] What-a sorry bunc-h you ar-e! I have somethin-g to cheer you! [shows them a rolled poster he was hiding behind his back] Wagner: Oh, another one of zose lisards from doctor. He likes drawing or what? [laughter] Corelli: No, is no lissar-d. Pero, Dreyfu-s really like to dra-w... [shows them the poster] Novotny [springing anxiously from his bed]: Get this thing awaaaay!! Aaaagghhhh... [starts sobbing] Corelli [hurries to Novotny]: Toma-s, I know is har-d... You lose your brother in arm when fight with them. Bu-t... doctor he find somethin-g to hel-p. [speaks to all] Guarda! [points] See? This alien, he mess with your hea-d... Wagner: Grossartig! How we zuppoze to fight them then? Corelli: This can hel-p. Study! Follow! [gives poster to Wagner, leaves] Vogel: You heard him... Gather! You too, Novotny! [09:55 GMT; Combat report by Owen Thompson to C-QRF Corelli] Operation “Snatch”, 09/11/1979 Departure from X-NACOM at 15:00. Touch down at 18:51 on the south-western edge of Zerhamra village. On touch-down a lizard sebillian in armour was spotted chasing 2 civs; it was neutralized (perfect head shot) We established a perimeter and immediately another seb was spotted a bit further out to the east, killing a civilian. Wagner engaged the enemy with suppressing fire. Vogel deployed a smoke and then he and Shoebel charged the alien with frags; seb neutralized. Ito was guarding the left flank to the north. I and Wagner relocated to his right to establish a safe zone, while Vogel’s party searched the nearby houses to the east. Degli Esposti established a lookout at the far eastern side of the village. Horvath (shield) spotted the UFO to the north-east, behind a wall. Vogel with Ito and Nowotny advanced through the house on the west, while the rest approached the UFO by the houses on the east. At this time, a seb lookout guarding by the UFO saw us and alerted the crew inside, who started poking their heads through the hatch. I fired some quick shots but didn’t score any hits on the guard (bad angle) Vogel with Ito and Novotny spotted another seb on the far side of the long wall and approached behind cover; seb spotted them and opened fire at Novotny, who was spotting; Vogel engaged with a frag, but failed to neutralize. Seb relocated to gain a better angle at Novotny, injuring him badly; Novotny managed to drag himself inside for cover. Ito left guard to help; after he was stabilised, Novotny patched up himself. Vogel dropped another frag, seb neutralized. Horvath (shield) was my spotter. She got close enough to land a frag on the UFO guard, neutralized. The UFO crew didn’t emerge, so we started closing in- Degli Esposti on the right, the rest along the wall. A seb charged out and dropped a grenade on Horvath, but her shield blocked most of the blast; she survived, Shoebel helped her with bandage; me and Degli Esposti were covering and we neutralized the seb. Vogel and Ito joined from the west; Horvath recovered and assumed point; we established zone, Degli Esposti opened the hatch; 1 armed seb was waiting inside. I tried tossing in a FB but missed twice, blinded Horvath instead. Finally someone rolled a FB in, suppressing the seb. Vogel charged inside and hid behind some installation. Degli Esposti threw in another FB; Vogel, Horvath and Shoebel charged with batons, seb passed out. We tied the unconscious seb, secured the village Then we gathered and bagged all alien equip and bodies. Lift off 19:43. Seb came around in the air and bit Schoebel’s little finger; he was poked some more. Return to base 23:20. [12:35 GMT; Officer’s mees] ... .. [Reynalds comes in, late] Rhys-Martins: Ah, here he is… Kurt, have a seat! Reynalds: Thank, you, Sir! Did I miss something? Rhys-Martins: Not really. We were just discussing Research department. Seems to me Dr. Dreyfuss has his hands full with artefacts and... [whispers] corpses. He asks for 30 more assistants and additional laboratory space. Voroshilov: 30!!? We have no more place in quarters, only 2, 3 bed still free. What he do with empty laboratory? Rhys-Martins: Exactly. We also need additional living quarters. Yevgeniy, see to it. [Voroshilov nods in affirmation] I should also mention Dreyfuss has sent a report on the alloys he has been working on. Here… [shows them the report] He has found some good use for these alloys. Namely, he suggests to arm some soviet interceptors with heavy air torpedoes. Reynalds: Are those the interceptors Voroshilov here has been promising? Those that lack the »very important« part to fly? Voroshilov: Yes, that is one. MiG! A best in… Reynalds: Riiight… There is something else. We received some worrying reports from Canada. I’ve studied these and the older ones and I think I got it. Here… [shows them a paper] Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Kurt! What is our next move? Reynalds: The new bases are waiting for radars. And… I want another radar here. For better… Voroshilov: This again… Rhys-Martins: Now, Yevgeniy... let him speak. Reynalds: As I was saying – for better coverage of Europe, Africa... [to Voroshilov] and the SSSR. Then I would like to station some interceptors in those new bases to protect the covered space. I hope you would agree on such a proposal. Voroshilov: … [gestures] Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Kurt, Jolly good. See to it. Reynalds: Thank you, Sir. Also there is word from Engineering. Kaganov is also struggling with his new saucer project. He asks for more engineers. Voroshilov: So we build more living quarter for him? Rhys-Martins: No need, Yevgeniy. I believe the engineers and the scientists can share their quarters. Until the new quarters are built, I shall approve to hire 10 scientists and 5 engineers. Voroshilov: What about Dreyfuss? He hate the engineers. Reynalds: Dreyfuss won’t be a problem...That p**** apparently sleeps in his lab. Actually, he probably never sleeps... that’s why he is such a pain all the time. [musings] [at this time, Corelli burst in, panting; he is very late...] Corelli: Signori... Scusi! Mi dispiace... [catching his breath] I have... repor-t... o comba-t... Owen... Tomp...son… Rhys-Martins: Well... let me see! Corelli: Certo! Prego, Commandante! Rhys-Martins: Mhmm... Very interesting conclusions, Luciano! A good job, a jolly good ... [at this moment, Dreyfuss burst in] Dr. Dreyfuss: I bring you the autopsy reports you requested [Throws the reports on the table, leaves] Voroshilov: ****! Who he think he is!? And what is this!? [picks up the report, looks at it] OOOUUGGHhhh!! OTVRATITEL’NO!* *Disgusting! Reynalds [sneers]: Bon apetit, Yevgeniy! Rhys-Martins: I believe we have settled everything for the time being. Verka, darling! If you would, please serve us now! Yevgeniy... do get those interceptors for us, will you? [17:09 GMT; Command, communications station] Gisbergh: Sir! SIR!! Voroshilov, irritated: What is it? Gisbergh: Sir, Jordanians have just sent us a message about... Voroshilov: What they say? Gisbergh: Sir, they found Akamatsu! He is alive! He... Voroshilov: How?! He was shot down! Shvetsov say he did not jump. Gisbergh: They say he was found by his plane in the desert yesterday, almost dead from dehydration. Some local found him. Voroshilov: Good. One less grave to dig. Go… Gisbergh, happy: Yes, what a relief... Voroshilov: DO YOUR JOB AND SPEAK WHEN I ASK! Gisbergh: Yes, Sir! Voroshilov: What are you waiting for??! GO tell Reynalds the news! [shakes his head] Gisbergh: Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir! [leaves] Voroshilov, to himself: Za chto? Rano ili pozdno on ostanetsya mertvym.* *For what? Sooner or later he will stay dead.

Hello, dear readers. This is the one where things get tense and we meet some new characters. I present... CHAPTER 7 – FRICTION September 12th 1979 [07:11 GMT; X-NACOM, Hangar 1; QRF disembarking] Vogel: Get everyzing out and place it in front. Later we will take it to ze doctor. … [Dreyfuss comes in, his team trailing him with heavy duty carts] Owen: No need... he’s allready here! Dr. Dreyfuss, looking at the sealed bags: Aahh... Bien! All sealed as we discussed. Where are the aliens? I want to interrogate them! Owen: There... in the bags. Dr. Dreyfuss: WHAT! They must have suffocated by now! [runs to the nearest body bag with an intent to open it] Owen: No! Don’t touch this! Dr. Dreyfuss: I will TOUCH what I WANT! [turns back to open the body bag] Owen [comes to him, grabs his hand]: Friend, you don’t want to do that... Dr. Dreyfuss, angered: Take your FILTHY HANDS off me! [backs away from the body bag anyway] [ to all soldiers, who have gathered to see what the fuss is all about]: You have been sent out to get me live aliens. Where are they!?? Owen: Like I said, in the bags. Over there... [points to a larger pile of body bags] They didn’t want to come. Dr. Dreyfuss: What you mean [immitates cincally] »they didn’t want to come«??? Novotny: We had to kill them. Dr. Dreyfuss: QUOI!!!?? You killed all the aliens!?? YOU *******!!! Why am I supposed to work with ********??! All you were supposed to do is get me... Vogel, furious: DU! Halt die Schauze, ja?!! We lost 3 good men today trying to get you one alive. [grabs a sealed bag with something heavy inside and throws it to Dreyfuss] Here, play with zis! Next time you come and talk to my team zis way, I will brake in your teeth, verstanden!?! JA??! Jetzt verschwinde! [Dreyfuss stands as struck by lightning, then turns away and leaves without saying anything, clenching the bag to his chest] Owen: Don't drop. It could explode! [LAUGHTER] [07:24 GMT; C-in-C’s quarters] ... Corelli: Commandante, QRF is not ready to go out one mor-e. The-y be wounde-d e in shoc-k. Send it now they all come back in blac-k bags. Reynalds: I say we just bomb the site. Voroshilov: And what then? How we get artifact? Dreyfuss... Corelli: Con permesso. Dreyfuss e un s******... Un testa di c****! KARIOLIS!!* [smacs the table fith his fist] [*will not be translated for the benefit of juvenile readers. And I sincerely appologise for strong language to any Greek readers in the audience...] Rhys-Martins: Now now, Luciano... Corelli: Scusi! Mi dispiace, Commandante. Reynalds: I say again... Rhys-Martins: Bomb the crash site! That will be all. Voroshilov: Kak vi prykazhete! [07:55 GMT; Command room] Gisbergh: Sir, Israeli force have bombed crash site-04. Follow up aerial reconnaisance photos show no survivors. Voroshilov: Harasho. Kurt, what is it with fighers? Are you ready? This... saucer... it will not wait forever... Reynalds: Pilots are getting in. They can launch in 5 minutes. But I’m not sure this is a wise move. We only have 2. And de Gini says this thing’ signal is bigger than the two we shot down earlier. Voroshilov: You afraid for... Reynalds, irritated: Gene, don’t push it... Rhys-Martins: Gentlemen... Reynalds: Fine... We launch and try to intercept. If we get lucky, we engage. If not... well, we run and prey. [10:26 GMT; Dove flight, over Morroco-Algiers border] Dove-4: Nest, we see bandit! Not in good position! Not in good position to fight! … Dove-4: Okey, we try to gain good position. Out. [10:39-10:42 GMT; Quantas flight QA442, somewhere over Algiers] … Jimmy, please inform the passengers we will be arriving to Tenerife with a... WHAT is THAT? Where, cap? There, to the right! At 2, slightly above us! Yea, I see it.. Looks like.... Oh, look, 2 more... looks like... F-16s! They are trailing it!! Yea, I see them too. Look, they’ve split... The closer one is going for this... disc? Cap, we should change course... Something’s not right. Nah, Jimmy. I wanna see. Grab your camera! OH! One has fired a missile! IT HIT! The disc’s still flying! Now the other one’s comming in! Look, another missile! SH***!! Cap! Lets get out of here... To late! They’re turning this way. ANOTHER! HIT! The disc... IT’s GOING DOWN!! Look, one of the booms is torn off, it’s spinning down... Aww! This is something to behold, Jimmy. My old man... he was in the navy during V... Aheem, Cap?! We’ve got company... What? OH... Hi, fellas... Wave, Jimmy, wave! Whoa... That was somethin’. Did you get it? Yea, cap. This is gonna sell like hot buns when we land. [10:42 GMT; Dove flight] Dove-4: Nest, this is Dove. We got the UFO. … !!! …? Dove-4: Peterson... We have no more damage. But we have more problem. Airline plane is here, they see everything... ...? Dove-4: Quantas, 747. They see the UFO and how we shoot it. You want no witness? We still have rocket... … Dove-1: Harasho! We go back to base. [to himself] It is not how we do in SSSR. [salutes to the pilot in the cockpit of the airliner] Dove-2, we go home. [11:00 GMT; X-NACOM, Command room] Voroshilov: If we send team now, they get still by light. Commandant, I suggest strong to send. It is best solution. Corelli: Con permeso, Capo! You see my me-n? They all wound-ed. Fogle e Horvat, can almos-t not stay. Ito e Degli Esposti still like from a figh-t con la mafia! Il mio cuore sanguina... Voroshilov: What? Corelli: Scusi, mi dispiace... I try to say [gesticulates]... I can not sen-d my me-n out lik-e this. Reynalds: I think he’s right, Commander. They are quite a sorry bunch... Rhys-Martins: I see... Luciano... I understand this must be very hard for you... and unfair with regard to your men. They have just returned from a mission gone very much astray. However... This operation is necessary if we are to gain an insight into the alien technology. Yevgeniy...has a good point. Let your men rest until 2 o’clock, then brief them on the mission. It is extremely important we bring back what Dreyfuss and Kaganov need. Kurt. Establish a surveilance zone above western coast immediatelly. If anything is there, we need to learn of it before the squad sets on its way. That is all. Corelli, Reynalds: Si, Commandante! / Yes, Sir! [11:10 GMT] de Gini: Snoop is in the air, vector 275. [14:10 GMT; QRF barracks] [company in attention; all soldiers capable of walking are gathered] Corelli, reads from a piece of paper: Foge-l! Chie-f. Horvat! Vagne-r. Tomp-son! Degli Esposti! Ito. No-votny. Scobe-l. Andy, pleas-e read comman-d. MacGuiness: Aye, Chief! [puts on his reading glasses] Quick Response Force is to land near crash site 05 of the shot down UFO-06. The QRF is to proceed to the crashed UFO and neutralize, or, if at all possible, capture any remaining opposition from the surviving alien crew of the said UFO. The QRF is then to gather all remaining alien artefacts and inspect the UFO for a certain component. When in possession of this component and possibly of an alive alien prisoner, QRF will return to base to terminate mission. Signed: General Hugh-Trevor Rhys-Martins, C-in-C X-Division [takes off his reading glasses] Sir... Corelli: Grazie, Andy. [to soldiers]: You kno-w your order. Going ou-t at 15:00! Vogel: YES, SIR! [Corelli turns to leave] Vogel: COMPANY! WHAT IS OUR MOTTO!? Company: ENTRARE! STERMINARE!! USCIRE!!! Corelli, with a broken voice: Vai... Vai... [turns away, hiding tears in his eyes] [18:50 GMT; Above Algeria] Vogel: ONEEE MINUTE! Remember, use grenades to kill and FBs to suppress before you go in for the ztun! We only do it if we can izolate one. Otherwise.. [gestures] And no more heroicz, verstanden!? Company: Yes, Chief! Vogel: PREPAREEE... LOS! Secure ze perimeter! [late in the evening; Verka’s letter to her husband] Janek, I hope you have the TV on. This is what I’ve been trying to tell you! They #### #### a ##### ### again today! And they #### #### # #### a ###### ### ago! I heard it all at ####### ####. #### think I dont hear but I hear everything! And then there are the #####! I’ve seen these ####### myself, when I was going past the ##########! They are ####, with #### ##### and ###### all ####. #### look like ###### #######. And the ########, they have ##### out ### ##### today. The ###### time they ####, they were looking very #### ## and they still didn’t come back. I don’t know what is going on but I’m scared, Janek! Tell Yulka and everyone... to be careful. If they see something in the ###, HIDE! YOU TOO, JANEK!! DON'T BE A HERO, YOU HEAR ME!! Must go now to serve dinner at the ######## ####. Maybe I find out more. Hope to see you soon. Your Verka P. S. what do you mean, my last letter came all blacked-out? [23:26 GMT; Medical center – yes, we finally have one, with a twist ;)] [C-in-C comes to the Medical facility just as 3 doctors are on their way to scrub in] Rhys-Martins: Ah, Frank... how are our heroes doing? Dr. Burns [looking at his papers]: Sir, nobody is in grave danger. Horvath and Novotny are being preppared for surgery right now. The others just need time to heal. Dr. Pierce: Commander, we will make absolutely 100% sure they will be chasing the enemy again very soon! Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, doctors, jolly good! I’m glad we finally have a proper medical facility to treat our wounded. Frank here did a mighty fine job at the infirmary, however he was severely limited by what he could do in the premises. [to Dr. Burns]: I’m sure you were delighted to have moved to this new location, I presume? Dr. Burns: I... Dr. Pierce, with a slender smile: Oh, for sure, Commander. He was jumping with joy when he saw us. Rhys-Martins: Very well, very well. I presume you three will be able to cooperate impecabbly. Frank, see to it that the new arrived staff feels right at home. Report the progress of the patients every day and make sure they are given all the care they need. Dr. Burns: I... Dr. McIntyre: I’m sure you won’t regret putting them in our care and the care of head nurse. Dr. Pierce: Ah, yes... Have no worries, Commander! Nurse Houlihan is known for her ways to mend a bruised warrior’s heart. Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Pierce. Jolly good. I’ll leave you men to it then. [leaves] Dr. McIntyre: Hawk, would you fancy some good company after we finish in the OR? Dr. Pierce: Sure! Make sure you don’t invite Frank! [laughing, both leave to scrub in] Dr. Burns, to himself: What have I done to get these two again?

Hello to anyone reading these lines. This is the one where things don't go according to plan. I offer you... CHAPTER 6 – HARD LESSONS September 11th 1979 [19:26 GMT; Living quarters] [soldiers are chilling] … …. [Corelli comes in] Vogel: Squad, attention! Corelli: Eaassy! Amici, guarda! Loo-k what the goo-d dottore has sen-d for you! Vogel: Ah, now he zends us prezents, ja? What is it? Corelli [shows them a rolled-up poster]: Is a pictur-e of preety... Soldiers: Yees! DOCTOOOR!!! (that must’ve been Owen) Give it! Show us!! YEEe!! Corelli: Prego... [rolls out the poster with a wry smile] Soldiers: NOOOOOOOO!!!!! UUUUUGH!! I'm gonna throw up! (was that "Vomit"?) YOU SAID SHE WAS PREETY!! This one is for you, Vomit! [laughter] (that was Owen, for sure...) Corelli: Studiare, memorizzare, utilizzare!* [gives poster to Vomit, taps him on the shoulder, leaves] **Study, memorise, apply! [23:24 GMT; Control room, radar station] Reynalds [enters Command]: Report! de Gini: Sir, UFO-04 entered the atmosphere 2 minutes ago. Tiny signal, heading 260, speed 1400, 16000m. Reynalds: Scramble all three interceptors! New engagement protocol! … [23:35 GMT] de Gini: Hawk is airborne, on course to intercept UFO-04. Reynalds: Good. Keep your eyes open. [23:50 GMT; Above western Arab peninsula] Hawk-4: Nest! We spot one more boogie on radar! It is direct to front of us to left, 15km away. It block our intercept course for UFO-04. What we… ? Nevazhno... HAWKI, ENGAGE! … .. [23:52 GMT; Command room] [Hawk is on speakers; all are assembled, waiting anxiously] Reynalds: Hawk, report! Over. HAWK!… Hawk-4: This is Hawk. Akamatsu shoot down boogie! … [command bursts into chaos, everyone is cheering, clapping… general relief] Reynalds: EVERYONE! SHUT UP! [chaos not subsiding] Voroshilov: ATTENTION!! Reynalds: Thank you, Gene... Hawk, repeat! Over. Hawk-4: We have damage to all fighters. Peterson is on smoke, he maybe losing fuel. We have rocket and gun remaining. Akamatsu say he want to dance more. Over. Reynalds: Copy, Hawk. Stand by. [to C-in-C and Voroshilov]: This could be our golden chance to bag ourselves another one. They have plenty of ammo and fuel. Do we… Rhys-Martins: Proceed. Reynalds: Yes, Commander. Hawk, this is Nest. Intercept UFO-04. Over. Hawk-4: Ya ponimayu. Over, out. [23:58 GMT; above Arab peninsula] … Hawk-1: 2, 3! BREAK RIGHT! I GO LEFT. Pridi… PRIDI!!! He coming to me… 2, 3… engage... NOW! .. Uuuuhhhg… Aaaagghhh! SNYAT ‘ YEGO! GET HIM OFF!!! … Akamatsu! He turning for you! Roll! ROLL!!! NOOO!… to other side… S***!!!! Nest! 2 is lost... I go! ... Get him, Peterson! .. DAAAA!!! IDI K CHERTU!!!! Nest, boogie is down. We lose Akamatsu. I not see him eject... ... Understand, we return to Nest. Over, out. September 12th 1979 [00:02 GMT; Command room] [Everybody is shocked, in disbelief] Rhys-Martins: Very well now… We were well aware we were not playing with kittens, weren we not? ... Yes, sir..... … Rhys-Martins: Kurt, Yevgeniy! Seems to me we have two crashed UFO-s to take care of. Send QRF immed… Corelli: Scusi, Commandante. Mi dispiace… Rhys-Martins, irritated: Yes, Luciano? Do speak up! Corelli: Con permesso. If we send team ou-t now, the-y arrive by nigh-t. Not goo-d… My me-n, they not afrai-d… Voroshilov: Yes, Commandant. I agree. They need all advantage they get. Rhys-Martins: Very well, we wait for daylight. Call me before they get airborne. [leaves] [00:37; Command room] de Gini: Chief! Another saucer, designated UFO-06! West of Timbuktu, heading north-north-east. Speed 2000, altitude 16100. I haven’t seen a signal like this before. Must be a new type. Reynalds: Where is Hawk? De Gini: They are on approach, Sir. Reynalds: Ask about fuel and ammo.. de Gini: Yes, Sir. Hawk, this is Nest. Report fuel and ordnance. Over. … …. de Gini: Fuel is OK but they have fired all missiles and are low on gun ammo. And they are pretty shaken... Reynalds: Never mind then… Let them in for R&R&R. Lets hope the saucer is not in a hurry. De Gini: Understood. ... [04:17 GMT; Hangar 1; QRF embarking on mission] … Corelli: You have the baton-e? Vogel: Jawohl, chief. Dreyfuss made sure we take zem, and ze bags. Corelli: Bene. Equip-p chec-k! Vogel: Check! Corelli: Molto bene! Wha-t is our motto? All 8 soldiers in unison: ENTRARE! STERMINARE! USCIRE!!!! Corelli: Bravo!! Brin-g you back some nic-e toy-s!! [soldiers grin and run towards helicopter] [05:21 GMT; Crashsite-04] 1: Secure ze perimeter! Fatch for zivilians! … 3: Zomething is wrong… I have a funny feeling inzide my head. ... 2: Now Vomit... Don’t go sick on me again! [laughter] ... 4: AAAAAA! Heeeelp! 1: CONTACT!! 4:… 5: Zuzanna is down!!! …. 3: Chief is hiiit!! Shoot!!! ... 5: CHIEF!… I SEE IT! OVER HERE! It is huge... … 1: Abort! Everyone to the UFO! Watch your backs! … 1: I am fine... A zcratch... ... 2: Something messing with my...! Aaaaaaaaaarrrh!!! 1: Owen, snap out! Grab a rifle! ... 2: Bieniaaaaak!!! 1: He’s still there! Behind ze wall! 8: Grenaaade!! ... 5: Aaaaaargh! He hot me! HE HOT MEEEE!!! Aaaa.... 1: Shut up, Novotny! It’s just a scratch! Thomas don’t play hero now! NEIN! ZURUeCK!!! S**%@&”!! ... Open ze door. Smoke zem out!! 7: In the back!! … .. 2: Clear!! 7: Is it over? 1: It’s over… Nice shot, Jan. .. 1: Secure ze area. Collect everything and all alinenz, zip tight. Owen, get on ze radio and report to base. Tell them we are coming back with 3 in body bags. Vogel [sits down, lights up]: S*****e...

The one where I finally make some progress and learn about new mechanics previously unknown to me. I present... CHAPTER 5 – SPOILS OF WAR September 9th 1979 [21:52 GMT; X-NACOM, Hangar 1, the welcoming party] [Vogel and his men are emerging from helicopter victoriously, some of them holding alien artifacts like winner's trophies high above their heads; 2 soldiers are dragging a corpse of a fallen alien, resembling a reptile clad in medieval samurai armour; finally, 2 more emerge with a stretcher, carying the third] Corelli: I MIEI EROI !! [runs towards them, hugging Vogel and shaking hands with every one of them]. You travel goo-d? Vogel: Not really. Thothkinz is badly shot-up, he will need hospital. Zum gluck he is built ztrong... wie ein Panzer! Ito, ze new one, is alzo wounded. But... we bring zome alien junk, schau mal... [offers him the alien pistol he is wielding in his hand] Corelli: Che bella... [returns the pistol and pats Vogel on the shoulder]. Molto bene! Rhys-Martins, C-in-C: Soldiers, welcome back! You have put up a jolly good show! Well done! [turns towards the gathered crowd] Today... we have witnessed the spirit of human resilience. These 8 men... ahem... 7 men and a woman... have shown that while there is still some of us standing, there is hope. The extra-terrestrials will not have it easy, I promise you that. We shall defend our planet, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; [there is some commotion at the back of the crowd, approaching fast]... We shall NEVER surr... Dr. Dreyfuss, emerging from the crowd: WHAT in the name of SCIENCE is THIS??! [points at soldier’s trophies and the alien corpse lying on the ground]. WHAT have you done with MY ARTIFACTS!!? [makes his way past the shocked C-in-C towards the soldiers] This was INVALUABLE scientific material you POTATO-heads have probably contaminated IRREVERSIBLY. Diego... [turns around, looking for his assistant]. DIEGO!!! BAGS! [Diego and other scientists break through the crowd with re-sealable bags with laboratory logos] [Dr. Dreyfuss, tuning to the soldiers]: Put everything inside. NOW! [soldiers reluctantly relinquish their trophies]. Everything. This too! [Thothkins puts in the bag , with a bloody hand, a pair of fangs his comrades have put on his chest] Dr. Dreyfuss: Bien. [leaves without looking at anybody, with his crew following silently, heads bent in discomfort] ... .. ... Rhys-Martins, recovering from shock: Where was I... Oh, never mind... Jolly good job, chaps. Jolly good. [leaves] Vogel, to Corelli: Alienz are nothing compared to zis one. I have never felt zo defeated before... September 10th 1979 [05:23 GMT; Diego Vasco da Silva Magan’s diary entry] We’ve been cleaning, packing and catalogueing the artifacts and corpses all night, then started the preliminaries. Must report back to lab at 9. [08:03 GMT; Officer’s mess] … Corelli: Buon giorno, Commandante! Signori... Rhys-Martins: Yevgeniy, Kurt... scoot! [waves at them with his hand] [Voroshilov and Reynalds reluctantly sit closer together on the bench to make space] Corelli: Con permesso... [sits] [Verka comes in with breakfast and fresh coffee; starts serving] Rhys-Martins: How are things going? Reynalds: de Gini gathered data of recent UFO activity. I was able to identify one of their mission parameters. The new fighters will be here in about a day or so and the one in hangar is almost fully repaired. Also a pilot is coming from the States. Voroshilov, to himself: More toys... Reynalds, ignoring: We also arranged a transport of the crashed UFO from Australia and it’s arrived during the night. Kaganov’s men are already on it like green flies on... You get the picture... Corelli: Certo. Gree-n fly... they lik-e fish. Reynalds: Ceeertainly... Dreyfuss was screaming like a little boy, I had to remind him he has other toys to play with. He has since barricaded himself in the lab and lets no one near him, but one of his assistants was willing to spill the beans... Voroshilov: What? He has beans?! Reynalds, ignoring the remark: I was told they started the alien... [looks cautiously towards Verka, lowering the voice] …ET alloys research, the pistol and the rifle. And Dreyfuss started the autopsy of the...[whispering]... lizard. Rhys-Martins: Very good. I hope we will have some results shortly. We could use any help, isn’t that so, Luciano? Corelli: Si, Commandante. My soldier tell me the alie-n... [all 4 look towards Verka; she acts like she’s occupied with something; Corelli continues in a lower voice]... their weapo-n be superio-r to our equipmen-t. Nostri soldati, they have number in advantage, dalle otto alle sei... Scusi... Six to eight-a... No... Mi dispiace [gesticulates with his hands]... Eigh-t to si-x. Yes... Pero, they still be hard press when figh-t starte-d. The extraterrestre have thick ski-n and stron-g... armo-r. My men shoo-t them with all weapon, bu-t they still standin-g. Horrore! Voroshilov: And how they overcome... ET? Corelli: Con granate. Grenade-s. Voroshilov: Mhmm... Reynalds: I suppose they will be packed with them next time they go out... Corelli: Certamente... We already tal-k in barrack. Next tim-e they go out with firepower to the ears! My men, the-y... Voroshilov, jumps in: Are not afraid of anything. Yes, we know... Corelli: Bravo, complimenti!! [smiles hapilly]... We already hav-e change-d squadra motto... [stands, gesticulates]: Entrare, sradicare, uscire!* [sits back, seems pleased with himself] Reynalds [to Voroshilov]: Would you like me to translate to you? [grins] Voroshilov: Njet. I prefer old one. [grins back] [*for the esteemed reader of these lines, the translation is: Enter, eradicate, exit] Rhys-Martins, ignoring the exchanges: A jolly good motto, Luciano. Jolly good. How are the wounded soldiers? Corelli: Not in liv-e danger. Totkin-s must lay down for 15 day or mor-e. Ito... he not look bad injure-d, bu-t in evening he collapse-d. Bleed interna, capo medico save hi-m. He say he be ok in 10, 12 day, maybe. Horvath e Degli Esposti are sti-l recoverin-g from the cras-h. Rhys-Martins: Very well. Our medical center is almost ready and will be accepting patients in 3 days. Until then, everybody must endure the current situation. Please get a short report on my desk by 12:00. Let’s eat now! [12:00 GMT; Condensed report by Horackova] P. H. FAST FORWARD... September 11th 1979 [09:00; General report by P. Horackova] X-NORAM and X-SEAC Control rooms are on-line since yesterday evening. Radars requested still haven’t arrived. X-NACOM - all three fighters operational. Chinook operational (minor damage). AWACS operational. 1 hangae unused. QRF ready for action. Cpl. Thomas is back on the team. Morale solid. 4 men in infirmary slowly recovering. Autopsy of an alien is complete (see appendix). Dreyfuss finished preliminary research into alien biology. He now demands QRF to capture an alien alive for interrogation. Corelli was briefed. I Other active research projects are proceeding above all expectations. They just need to wrap-up. Engineering needs a light scout UFO data-core to proceed with UFO disassembly protocols. The one in the wreck is unusable. We should be able to obtain one from a future ground mop-up. Corelli was briefed. (see appendices for detail) Instead they started dissecting alien corpses Research dumped on them. They were told they may contain valuable materials. Nothing else to report. P.H.

CHAPTER 4 – GREENHORNS September 8th 1979 [00:11 GMT; Command room] De Gini: UFO-03 is back in our surveilance zone… Voroshilov: Track, report change. [picks up emergency phone, with a wry smile]: Very sorry to wake you, tovarish… we have UFO in space again. [yelling from the phone]: $##!@...You wake me up for UFOs in SPACE!!? … Voroshilov: I mean… raa-dar space [rolls eyes]. Better see and come. … Voroshilov: Do svidanya! [smug grin on his face] [00:13 GMT; Command room] Reynalds [comes in, his uniform all messy and in a bad mood]: show me… … [06:24; Officer's mess, 2 senior officers sipping hot coffee] Reynalds, grumpy: Yevgeniy, are we getting those Migs? It's been a week since you said you're gonna get 'em from your buddies in Moscow! I see no Migs around!? Voroshilov: I call my »buddis«, yes. Mig arrive soon. Reynalds: One day, two days, 5 days? Voroshilov: 2, 3weeks. Reynalds: 3 WEEKS! What are they DOING? Sugar coating it or what?!! We need those planes, like yesterday!! Voroshilov: Migs are missing a very important equipment. In SSSR is short in this equipment. Reynalds: What? Engines, radars… Voroshilov: Toplivo… em, jet fuel. Reynalds [springing up, spilling his coffee on his uniform]: Are-you-PISSING-MY-PANTS!!?? [leaves, cursing] [07:02 GMT; ADC's memo to C-in-C] Voroshilov unable to secure interceptors. 2 F-16 fighters ordered urgently from US stocks. ETA 72h Charlie-1 operational. AWACS-1 sent out at 05:00 to monitor possible ET activity over western Russia. Reynalds, ADC [15:27 GMT; Command room] de Gini: Sir, AWACS reports no contacts. They are about 150km north of Novosibirsk. Their fuel level is fine. Reynalds: Fine. Carry on. [sips coffee] Gisbergh: SIR!! ... Reynalds [spilling his coffee from sudden shock]: D&**! What!!? [looks at his tarnished uniform in disdain] Gisbergh: Sir, Australian AF have shot down a small UFO 12 minutes ago near Cairns, Queensland! They are requesting... Reynalds: All personnel to stations! Call in C-in-C and C-Ops. And Corelli! We've been waiting for this! [15:30 GMT] … Reynalds: We've seen on the 1st and the 2nd that thay weren't in any hurry. We might still surprise them with their pants down. It’s a small window, but we... Voroshilov: What is now local time? Gisbergh: It is 02:30 hours, sir. Voroshilov [to himself]: Da... da… We send Corelli… How long ETA for Charly to get there? Reynalds: 12, 13 hours. Voroshilov: Da… ETA in middle of day. Commandant? Rhys-Martins: Seems to me like an oportunity not to sneeze at. Proceed. Voroshilov: Kak vi prikazhete! Corelli, quick brief you men and tell piloty to step out of it! Corelli: Molto bene! Con permesso… [salutes, leaves] [15:32 GMT; Hangar 1, operation briefing by Cpt. Corelli] Corelli: Squadra, easy! Bene...Your servic-e is nee-d. We have-a un piatto crash i-n Australia [murmurs in squad, Corelli spreads hands to calm them down] Si, si... is a long way under... Pero, thi-s be our goo-d chance to show the worl-d e al nostro caro Commandante... Squad [old gunsloud, greenhorns watching from the side]: WE NOT AFRAID OF ANYONE!!! Corelli: Certamente! Bene, molto bene! Today you-r chief is Foge-l. Weapon chec-k! Vogel: Veapons CHECK! Zquad READY! Corelli: Molto bene! Qual e il nostro motto? Squad [old dogs loud, greenhorns still watching from the side]: ENTRARE! NEURALIZZARE! USCIRE!!! Corelli: Andare, mak-a them prou-d! ! Embar-k! [soldiers run towards Charlie-1] [to pilots standing to the side] Buona fortuna! Ste-p out of i-t! [pilots look at each other, not knowing what to make of it] [follows his soldiers with his eyes, then looks up and closes his hands in prayer; murmurs to himself]: Padre nostro che sei nei cieli... [15:41 GMT; Command room] de Gini: Charlie-1 is airborne. Reynalds: Good. Let’s see if there’s any unwanted activity in Charlie’s path. Send Gipsy-1 to patrol between the Phillipines and Borneo. We need eyes. de Gini: Yes, sir. Gipsy-1, this is Nest. New patrol area assigned. Go to... X:6822, Y:1935. Over … [23:16 GMT/11:16 local time; somewhere south of Bali] ... 5 [all green in the face]: I’m gonna... 4: Don’t you... [resignated] dare... 2: Ooouuughh! You s!$$! 5: Sorry... 7: Schon gut, Bieniak. We have all been zere... 4: Bieniak... From now on and for all times [stands up and gesticulates]... I christen you... »Vomit«!! [laughter from the old guns] 2: Nice one, Owen! VOOOMIIIIT!!! 1, 4: VOMIT, VOMIT!! 7: Na, na, Thompson, keep some for ze aliens. When they zee you, they will die of laughter! [LOUD LAUGHTER from everybody, including the greenhorns - except Thomas] [04:23 GMT; Command room] ... de Gini: Sir, Charlie-1 is 2 minutes to target. Voroshilov: Good. Corelli? Corelli: Con permesso? Grazie. [sits down at Voroshilov’s side, takes the microphone] Charlie-Uno, Questo e Nes-t. Fin-d a good disembar-k location not fa-r from crash! Forwar-d with caution! … Rhys-Martins: Put them on speakers! Gisbergh: Yes sir! Charlie-1: … touching down! 7: LOS! Secure ze perimeter! ... .. . Reynalds: What is happening? Corelli: They ar-e securin-g the landin-g zone. The-n they procee-d to crashe-d UFO. …. .. 7: Landing zone secure. Zpreading out... .. Was is das?! KONTAKT!! We have one... Lizard!? .. ... Ver&**@%! Thothkins, BACK!!! .. Sch%&@*!!! Thothkins hit!! Bieniak, get him out of there!! [shots are fired, screaming] ... Corelli: Repor-t! .. [sounds of mayhem: MG firing, grenades exploding...] .. … Corelli: REPOR-T!! .. . ... 7: Thothkins hit badly, but stabilised. Three... lizards neutralized. Corelli: Make-a sure he is not bleedin-g! Procedere con estrema vigilanza! 7: Sorry, chief... I did not get that! Corelli: Scusi... Go on but extrem-a care! 7: Jawohl. . … .. [gunfire, grenades exploding; sound of a large fire close by] Rhys-Martins: What is going on? Corelli: They are fightin-g the alien to enter U-F-O. They establish-a kill zone. No alien come out liv-e! ... [gunfire subsides] Corelli: Is done. [to the microphone]: Report! 7: Six alien units neutralized! Two scratched, 1 injured and Thothkins incapacitated, but he will be fine. He says hello... We are bringing home zome lizard claws! [Command room bursts into ecstatic cheering, Voroshilov and Reynalds are slapping Corelli across the back...] Rhys-Martins: Jolly good, Corelli! Jolly good. [leaves] Corelli: Grazie, Commandante! Reynalds: Lets get your men back home, shall we! [to de Gini]: Bring them back. Gypsy-1 to shadow the return flight of Charlie-1 to warn of any unwanted attention. [leaves] Corelli [looks up, crosses himself and mutters]: Grazie...