XCOM: The RPG

So who remembers X-Com? I never actually played it, but my friend Bruce did, and I sat there and chatted with him while he did. The game seemed to be pretty popular, so I figured it was a good name to use. Other than the basic idea, little of this will have basis in the world or game of X-Com. It also gives me a chance to throw my hat into the 2012 ring.

Premise

In the Spring of 2010 scientists detected a strange concentration of exotic radiation near the edge of the solar system. The world watched as a massive metallic object drifted closer to earth, taking weeks to arrive near Jupiter. The massive object drifted directly into the path of Ganymede, on a collision course, and the earths population collectively gasped as the giant satellite plowed into it, converting the mass to a mere lump on its equator.

The public watched, and waited, but nothing came, and eventually everyone forgot. Everyone except the scientists, that is. And the crackpots, they never forget anything.

But this time the crackpots were right.

The Brainy Boom

In early 2012 NASA, in joint cooperation with space agencies around the globe, completed and launched an exploratory, unmanned rocket probe specifically outfitted to land on and explore Ganymede called Trailblazer. It set out in early May, with a mid-December arrival date that ominously motivated conspiracy theorists the world over.

Simultaneously in May, NASA and China sent a joint mission to Luna to set up a signal relay beacon and base, to not only monitor the incoming Trailblazer broadcasts, but also provide a low gravity training ground for astronauts.

The speculation about the energy and massive metallic object (colloquially called 'The Little Bang' and 'The Lump' respectively) led to a boom in the economy, which correspondingly created a spike in scientific funding and jobs. Time magazine dubbed it, The Brainy Boom.

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Occupation

Once the aliens had established their base in Korea they quickly spread as far as they could. The Chinese army, though easily the largest in the world, was no match for alien technology or tactics. Familiarity in the land and the immense size of the landmass was all that kept them from being overrun.

Japan had the opposite problem. Their army, while also large and well-equipped, was defending such a small area that it fell quickly to the aliens. Japan became their second base.

Gradually the aliens sent more ships to their bases, and even with all available resources funneled toward producing nuclear armaments, the stockpiles grew smaller and smaller. Eventually the final wave of alien ships landed with little resistance.

But the Nuclear Defense Federation had one last trick up their sleeves. On February 7, 2013 the USS Ohio along with the RFS Ekaterinburg surfaced in the seas between Korea and Japan and leveled the first and second alien bases. This was to be the last hurrah, however. For the nuclear stock was now truly exhausted.

Current

It has been many months since the last alien carriers entered the atmosphere. Bases exist all over the globe, and alien aircraft patrol the skies. Small patrol and fighter craft, while formidable, have not been invincible to Terran weapons. The worlds navies still sail the seas in task forces, yet their numbers dwindle daily. Air forces, however, have been reduced to next to nothing.

On the ground alien military teams expand slowly, but with precision. They rarely attack except in force, and when they do they have yet to be repulsed. Attacks on alien held ground have met with mixed results, yet mostly failures. Naval guns and high velocity artillery have been the most effective at softening defenses.

The World Today

It is late 2013, the war is nearing its one year anniversary. The aliens have won many battles, but the armies and partisans have managed to secure a victory or two of their own. The aliens have proved wily and relentless. Their technologies are strong, but not insurmountable.

Many questions remain unanswered. Why? Where are they from? Are more ships on the way?

Alien Bases

The aliens still maintain their base in Korea, but it is in shambles. They have a warehouse there which is of much interest to commanders the world over. Their Japanese base was completely obliterated by the Ekaterinburg, and the Japanese army was able to regroup and retake their land.

But they have won new strongholds which persevere. In North America they have Portland, Nashville and Mexico City. In Europe London, Dresden, Lyon, Brussels and Athens. But the biggest problem is Siberia. It is unknown how many bases exist in the vast frozen wasteland, but some estimates say its as high as 15.

Portland

The second north American alien base is one of its busiest. Many humans betrayed their race and became turncoats. Portland is where the aliens are developing their first naval base. It is also the setting for this game: XCom Seattle.