Part 33: X-COM SOLDIER BRIEFING - COLONEL CLEARANCE LEVEL

X-COM SOLDIER BRIEFING - COLONEL CLEARANCE LEVEL


Thanks to the efforts of X-COM teams and remaining members of the Japanese Self Defense Force, we can draw a clear picture of the disaster that occurred to the nation of Japan and our Kiryu-Kai base. Information brought back by the surviving Kiryu-Kai agents has been analyzed, and the nature of the "Chryssalid" threat is now understood. We now know that the 'Snakeman' race of aliens covertly set-up a research base underneath Kyoto, Japan for the purpose of developing the Chryssalid bio-weapon. The close proximity of their base to our Kiryu-Kai base was only a coincidence.



Snakemen, like all other intelligent aliens we have encountered so far, have extremely well developed senses, beyond those of normal humans. They possess powerful muscles that allow them to slither effectively in most terrain. Unfortunately we have uncovered evidence that the Chryssalid research operation was ordered by a still unknown alien intelligence, most likely the intelligence behind the entire alien force.



Of particulate note, the Snakeman reproductive system is rather fertile. One Snakeman could theoretically spawn an entire army of soldiers. We're not too worried about this scenario since baby Snakemen require a lot of nurturing before the infant matures and starts becoming combat ready.

However, this unknown alien intelligence desired to use this ability of the Snakeman for something terrible. The Chryssalid project was the result of a desire to utilize the amazing reproductive quickness of the Snakeman to create a self-replicating bio-weapon meant specifically to use humans as hosts. Floaters were used to abduct numerous test subjects while the Snakemen perfected their genetic design.




Once attacked by a Chryssalid, the victim has between a minute and half an hour before incredibly rapid metabolic changes occur in the injected egg. Injuries and stress inflicted on the host appear to hasten the transformation of the egg. There is no known cure, and any attempts to remove the egg result in the death of the host. After the incubation period, a fully grown and combat ready Chryssalid bursts forth from the host.

Chryssalids have a metabolism and cell division rate unheard of in native Earth life forms. They are capable of exponential growth when introduced into human populations. They have an extremely high running speed and have claws strong enough to crush even our power suit armor.

Fortunately, the high metabolism of the Chryssalid is also its only weakness. Its energy and dietary requirements are enormous. Chryssalids run on instinct only, and that instinct tells them to infect as many human hosts as possible above all other functions. The countless Chryssalids running all over Japan will very quickly starve themselves to death; we expect a 99% death rate two weeks after creation. The short incubation period inside hosts limits the spread away from the Japanese mainland (though there have been a few reports from the Chinese of boats found drifting full of Chryssalids, no doubt from evacuees bringing an infected individual with them). Finally, despite the crab-like appearance of Chryssalids they are not an aquatic species as they breathe air, cannot swim and are not buoyant. They are completely unable to cross bodies of water.

The final result is this - over 100 million Japanese casualties. The Chryssalids spread quickly and efficiently, killing and infecting nearly everyone in the entire nation. The only good news we have is that the problem appears to be contained. Russian, Chinese and Korean militaries are keeping a watch on their shores for refugee boats limiting all Chryssalid activity to the mainland, where the Chryssalids will all shortly starve and die.

Based on the information recovered from the Snakeman base, the Chryssalid was not ever planned to be released in large numbers anywhere else on Earth. The target appeared to be Japan and Japan only. It is clear that the aliens have plans for humanity, and do not wish to destroy us outright. The attack on Japan was mainly a test of the effectiveness of the Chryssalid. Japan was chosen because it is an island nation and would contain all Chryssalids. It has a high population density, allowing for a faster spread. Finally, Japan was the main country behind the creation of the X-COM project, and was most likely targeted as a retaliatory strike.

In escaping from Japan, our Kiryu-Kai agents utilized newly researched alien weapons.




The plasma rifles and pistols operate exactly the same way as the heavy plasma, only far less effectively. We see no reason to use these weapons as long as the heavy plasma option exists.

In escaping from the Snakeman base via a medium scout, our agents have successfully field tested our knowledge of the alien navigation system.



With this we understand each individual system on alien UFOs. We believe we can now completely recreate them with the hope of rendering our Interceptors and Skyrangers obsolete. They are a few problems to work out first, and we'll need to analyze how the systems interact.

With the destruction of Japan and our base there, X-COM has begun talks with the United States to lease one of their intact bases for X-COM use. We believe that the next most important country involved in the creation of X-COM may be targeted next, so we hope to start US operations ASAP.

A new wave of fresh recruits is in-bound, and we expect those with combat experience to teach them how to be effective soldiers. Bovines and Lord Fancington will share their roles with Waddle Dee, Affi and TTBF. Dr. Takakumi will resume her previous post and Ms. Cuddles has already returned to her previous duty of barfing all over my lab.

X-COM Head Scientist,
Dr. Reis Markus

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