The triton troop transport brushed over the sandy bottom, banking between rock outcrops, leaving a wake of disturbed silt in its path. High above and behind it could be seen the last of the interceptors, returning to base at most economical speed. It was to be hoped that the aliens in the scout would believe they had outrun pursuit from the Atlantic base to sanctury in Hudsons Bay.

Triton 1 thundered towards the touch down site, on its maiden assault mission for XCOM. Inside, thirteen XCOM soldiers double checked their equipment and weapons, and listened to the Sargeant's final instructions for their mission. In the reddish light of the subs cabin he had a distinctly ghoulish appearance.

"Remember, work as a squad. I want you to cover each other, advance only to cover, and locate targets for the torpedo squad. Remember, a live buddy is better than a dead alien - buddies cover your back. Point Squad, I want you to cover deployment of the Far and Near squads. Heavy weapons, split and follow the far and near squads - remember, you have the most killing power - and use it wisely. Shoot past your buddies, not through them. And all of you, one final thing - you have no armour, you may not get second bites at the cherry if you miss first time. Shoot from cover!"

The tritons engines cut, and it became a high speed under water glider. For the last thirty seconds of approach to the site, the triton arced soundlessly towards a clear area on the ocean floor. Inside, all counted down from thirty with their hearts in their mouths.

With a heavy thud, the triton impacted on the sea bottom. Clouds of sand rose, from the seabed and spread high above the rocky protuberences of the seabed.

"Go Go GO!" Yelled the Sargeant, startling the rookies from their paralysis. The tritons door was flung open, and the point squad darted out in pairs, heading for cover and scanning the area as they ran awkwardly cradling their harpoon guns. Finding cover they grouped in a rough circle, and the sargent turned to survey the triton. Near and Far squad were deploying around the triton to complete a preliminary defense perimeter, and the heavy weapons squad was following. All fourteen xcom agents were out of triton in an orderly fashion. From the point squad the sargeant thought "So far so good"

No sooner had the thought occurred when there was the double concussion of a sonic weapon. A piercing scream echoed through the com link - followed by a shout of " It killed Patterson! little blue guy shot him and vanished."

"Take cover, far squad. Near squad, round the triton, flank the little bugger. Heavy weapons, cover near squads back." Shouted the Sargent, trying to visualise the terrain around the triton. Further bursts of fire, XCOM cannon on auto from the far squad, a single sonic blast " No kill!" from the far squad leader, "he's pinned down behind a rock pillar, but we can't advance through his field of fire.without taking hits."

"Enough!" The Sargent again. " Near squad, any contact?"

"Pillar located, sir, no sign of hostile yet." From the squad leader. A pause, laboured breathing then a muffled curse as two more sonic shots erupted. " Squad , rapid fire, give me cover" XCOM cannon opened up, and the squad leader lifted his face from the silt where he'd dived. The blue alien was firing at his squad, who were moving in cover and directing poorly aimed bursts in its general direction. Trying to recall the training range, he lined his sights up on the blue figure and jerked the trigger. His auto fired burst went wide, and turning towards him, the alien fired again. Green fire rocketed past his head to burst with a clang on the tritons armour. A near miss. Before it could line up its next shot, he sprayed the figure and the pillar behind it with a sustained burst. With an eery scream, the figure was flung back against the pillar. Green blood clouded the water. "Confirmed kill, Sarge"

"Good, move on, far squad advance, point squad will bring up the rear, after heavy weapons. Move it!" The Sargeant waved his sqaud after the heavy weapons team, the triton fading behind them into the gloom.

Dujardin, near squads Second was the first to see it. Behind two rock pillars across a jumbled rock field lay the USO. " USO in sight to north west, Sir" Near and far squads spread out slightly, forming a curving line which advanced in bursts and stutters through the rock field. Behind them came point squad and heavy weapons as backup team.

Everyone dived for cover as aliens opened up from cover deep in the rockfield. From his sheltered position, sarge could see a pair of blues alternately firing and retreating before the squads. Both advanced squads began to snipe as the oppotunity arose, rising from cover to fire snap shots before ducking again.

" Heavy Weapons!" roared Sarge "Take them".

Both torpedo carriers leapt from cover, and hastily aimed. Both launched, and ducked back into cover. The first torpedo ran true, exploding in the rocks between the aliens and shredding them in an exlosion of rock splinters and green fluid. The second fell short, exploding amongst near squads cover. Dujardin screamed as he was shredded by friendly fire. There was a sudden pause. In the minds of all present, the identity of the next missions scout was decided.

Near squads leader had survived the blast with deep wounds to his torso and arm. Staggering to his feet, he lead the advance on the UFO, an advance which had lost much of its order. It was more of a rabble than an elite - and the Sargeant was uncharacteristically silent.

At a dead run, they approached the USO, and covered the door. Far squad gathered to enter when sonic fire lanced from nearby them onto the USOs door. Spreading out further into cover, the squads sought the alien rearguard. The wounded squad leader examined his wounds - losing blood fast, he needed treatment at a base to survive. Looking up, he saw movement above him on a pillar. A blue alien was tracking other squad memebers with its back turned to him. Moving slowly, he stepped back to get a better angle of fire.

Raising his weapon painfully, he aimed at the strangly blurry figure a burst on auto from short range. He missed, and it sprang round towards him, raising a hand weapon. Firing a last shot, he emptied his magazine and fell weakly backwards, expecting to die. Raising his head was an effort - but he saw the empty pillar and a trace of green blood in the water.

Waking up back in the base hospital, his eyes focused first on the figure nearest him. Seeing him awake, it spoke. "Congatulations, Squaddie. Or should I say Sargeant. Welcome back to Atlantic base 1"

George Russell