XCOM 2 - Part 12

XCOM 2 Tactical Debrief: Operation Witch Beast
Location: War-Torn Ruins, Lviv Outskirts, Ukraine
Objective: Eliminate VIP and Secure Hostile Data Vault
Squad: Storm Lance
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Status: Heavy Resistance Encountered – All Operatives Extracted Alive

DEPLOYED SQUAD:
SGT Tom “Maverick” Cruise – Ranger (Squad Leader)

CPL Nicole “Woolf” Kidman – Sharpshooter

SPC Joe “Ghost” Jukic – Specialist

CPL Mel “Mad Max” Gibson – Grenadier

SPC Ron “Torch” Woodward – Rookie Assault

MISSION START – CODE RED ALERT
The mission kicked off at midnight. A dense mist rolled over the decaying cityscape like something out of a gothic novel. Central's voice crackled in their comms:

“Storm Lance, you've got one shot. Eliminate the VIP and extract the data before reinforcements arrive. Eyes sharp – psionic signatures detected in the AO. We’re dealing with Witch-class Mutons.”

Tom Cruise gave the hand signal. The squad moved, silent and lethal.

FIRST CONTACT – “THE WITCH”
As the squad breached the outer wall of the data vault, the air changed. A crushing psionic force warped the very light around them. That’s when she emerged: a Muton Witch, purple veined and radiating psychic heat. She shrieked and tore the mind of a resistance soldier hiding nearby – his scream was cut off mid-gasp.

Nicole “Woolf” Kidman took the first shot from high ground. It hit, barely slowing the Witch down. “She’s juiced,” Nicole muttered, checking wind speed and adjusting for pulse fluctuation.
Joe Jukic deployed a Gremlin to hack the data node as Ron “Torch” Woodward stormed forward with a shock baton crackling.

Mel Gibson shouted, “Get me a line of sight!” and lobbed a frag grenade that shattered the Witch’s psionic shield. Her scream tore through their comms, temporarily shorting Joe’s HUD.

TOM CRUISE TAKES CHARGE
SGT Tom Cruise, up front, sprinted through shattered glass and burning ash. “Now!” he barked. He slid under debris and sliced the Witch in two with his arc blade. Her death triggered a telekinetic shockwave that flung Ron across the plaza. He stood up, bleeding but laughing.

Nicole whispered in awe, “That was... cinematic.”

Tom deadpanned: “I do my own stunts.”

EXTRACTION
The squad retrieved the intel from the vault: classified Advent research into Chryssalid-Viper hybrids, codenamed Project Beastgate. Command suspects these creatures were the Witch Muton’s creators.

Joe patched up Ron with his medkit while cracking jokes. “Don’t worry, Torch, chicks dig scars.”

Nicole stayed behind just long enough to leave her sniper’s mark on the ruined cathedral wall:

“Woolf Was Here – And You’re Not.”

PROMOTIONS & REWARDS:
SGT Tom “Maverick” Cruise
Promoted to Lieutenant – Bladestorm unlocked

CPL Nicole “Woolf” Kidman
Commended for Marksmanship Under Psionic Stress

SPC Joe “Ghost” Jukic
Promoted to Corporal – Combat Protocol acquired

CPL Mel “Mad Max” Gibson
Commended for Bravery in Suppression Fire

SPC Ron “Torch” Woodward
Promoted to Corporal – Awarded Purple Heart

COMMANDER’S FINAL NOTE:

The Witch-class Muton was an anomaly, but we fear it’s just the beginning. Whatever Project Beastgate is… it’s alive. And it’s learning.

The squad is resting now. But Nicole still hasn’t taken off her scope. She’s watching the skies.