XCOM 2 - Part 10

XCOM 2: Operation Brooding Heart
Mission Type: Advent Train Assault
Location: Outskirts of Windsor, Ontario – Just across the river from Detroit’s ruins
Objective: Raid Advent Supply Train. Destroy enemy forces. Recover intel cache.

Squad: “Storm Lance”

Joe “Ghost” Jukic – Specialist (Hack/Combat Protocol)

Mel “Mad Max” Gibson – Grenadier (Explosives/Heavy Gunner)

Nicole “Woolf” Kidman – Sharpshooter (Long Watch)

Ron “Wrecker” Woodward – Ranger (Stealth/Blade Master)

Tom “Glide” Cruise – Psi Operative (Void Rift/Soulfire)

MISSION START
The Advent train had rolled into Ghost Hill, a fortified rail junction protected by mechanized units, Archons, and Sectoid commanders. Command suspected the train held classified neuro-mapping data—part of Advent's latest attempt to digitize human minds and permanently enslave Earth’s remaining population.

Storm Lance touched down under cover of nightfall. Rain lashed down over Windsor’s smoking skyline. The glowing rails gave away the train’s location.

“Let’s keep it clean,” Joe said, adjusting his GREMLIN drone. “Minimal noise. We hack, we wreck, we exfil.”

“You say that every time,” Mel growled, loading his grenade launcher. “But I brought the noise just in case.”

FIRST ENGAGEMENT
Ron Woodward went in first, cloaked under Shadowstep. He scouted the perimeter silently, marking a MEC patrol and an Advent Captain. One silent swipe, and the Captain’s throat was open.

Nicole Kidman set up high on an abandoned grain silo. She waited, calm and still. “Eyes wide open,” she whispered—then dropped two enemies in one Overwatch chain when Mel blew up their cover.

Tom Cruise hovered at the back, his eyes glowing violet. When a Sectoid tried to mind control Joe, Tom unleashed a Psi Lance that reduced it to ash. “Not today, you creepy bastard.”

TRAIN PLATFORM – FINAL PUSH
Joe hacked the train’s terminal. "We’ve got it—blacksite coordinates and proof of gene-splice experiments." His GREMLIN buzzed as digital data flowed in. Alarms sounded.

Advent reinforcements dropped in—Mutons and an Andromedon suit.

Mel roared and let loose with a frag grenade, blowing the platform sky-high. “You want Brooding Heart? Here’s some heartbreak!”

Nicole picked off the Muton before it could leap. “Target dropped.”

Tom walked forward, unafraid. “Soulfire.” The Andromedon froze mid-charge, clutching its head, and collapsed. Then it rose again in its robotic second phase.

Ron leapt from cover and drove his blade deep into its chest. Sparks flew. Silence fell.

MISSION COMPLETE
Status: Flawless Victory
Recovered Intel: Blacksite Neural Network Map
All Soldiers Promoted

PROMOTIONS
Joe “Ghost” Jukic – Promoted to Captain

New Ability: Haywire Protocol

Awarded the “Neural Breaker” medal for hacking an elite terminal under fire.

Mel “Mad Max” Gibson – Promoted to Major

New Ability: Saturation Fire

Awarded the “Loudest Man Alive” commendation for maximum structural damage.

Nicole “Woolf” Kidman – Promoted to Lieutenant

New Ability: Kill Zone

Given the “Ice Veins” ribbon for calm execution under overwatch.

Ron “Wrecker” Woodward – Promoted to Captain

New Ability: Untouchable

Honored with the “Ghost Blade” commendation for eliminating 5 targets with melee.

Tom “Glide” Cruise – Promoted to Adept

New Psi Ability: Domination

Earned the codename “Eclipse” for his cold precision and psychic reach.

Command Debrief:

Central Officer Bradford stood over the hologlobe. “Operation Brooding Heart was a success. But the data we recovered… shows Advent’s next phase isn’t just mind control. They’re planning soul erasure. We’re not just fighting for Earth anymore. We’re fighting for what makes us human.”

Dr. Tygan stared at the digital readout. “They’re learning to replicate emotion. Fear. Love. Sorrow. They want to bottle the soul.”

Joe closed the report file. “Not while we’re still breathing.”