X-Com: The Unknown MenaceAndr Galvo

DISCLAIMER: This fan fiction story is based on elements from the X-Com computer games series, which is a trademark belonging to Infogames (or Firaxis, according to the latest rumors on the Internet). Although it has been written for recreational purposes and its being publicly distributed for free, the author retains all other rights over X-Com: The Unknown Menace. Please do not change the text in any way without the authors permission or use any of the elements and characters contained in the text. CONTACT: I can be reached through the following email: aadlg@rocketmail.com or through ICQ (10332434) or MSN Messenger (chemsmi@hotmail.com). Please feel free to contact me regarding any comments on the story. Either being positive or negative, theyll be much appreciated and theyre the only reward Im getting out of all this work. THANKS: To all the people that have supported me while I was writing this book and to the readers that emailed me their comments. And also Julian and Nick Gollop and the rest of the team that designed games like Rebelstar, Laser Squad and X-Com, because of all the enjoyment I received over the years by playing them. And please keep up the good work.

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Table of ContentPROLOGUE ............................................................................................................................................... 16 DECEMBER 17TH, 1946 .............................................................................................................................. 16 USS Philippine Sea, South Atlantic..................................................................................................... 16 FEBRUARY 25TH, 1947............................................................................................................................... 17 Ross Sea, Antarctica ........................................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER ONE THE FIRST TUNES.................................................................................................. 22 DECEMBER 9TH, 1998 ................................................................................................................................ 22 Swiss military air base outside Geneva, Switzerland.......................................................................... 22 DECEMBER 10TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 22 Governmental facility outside Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................................... 22 Unknown location, North America ..................................................................................................... 26 Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................................................................................... 28 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia................................................................................................. 29 DECEMBER 11TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 32 Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................................................................................... 32 NORAD Headquarters, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States.............................................. 34 Area 51, Nevada, United States .......................................................................................................... 35 Air Force One, Military Airbase outside Geneva, Switzerland........................................................... 36 Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States.................................................................................... 37 Area 51, Nevada, United States .......................................................................................................... 37 Air Force One, Geneva, Switzerland .................................................................................................. 37 Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States.................................................................................... 37 Northern California, United States ..................................................................................................... 38 Air Force One, Geneva, Switzerland .................................................................................................. 38 Northern California, United States ..................................................................................................... 38 Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States.................................................................................... 38 Northern California, United States ..................................................................................................... 39 Air Force One, Geneva, Switzerland .................................................................................................. 39 Northern California, United States ..................................................................................................... 40 Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................................................................................... 40 Air Force One, Geneva, Switzerland .................................................................................................. 42 Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER TWO OPENINGS ............................................................................................................... 46 DECEMBER 13TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 46 Russian Army Compound outside St. Petersburg, Russian Federation .............................................. 46 Unknown location, North America ..................................................................................................... 47 The Pentagon, Washington D.C., United States ................................................................................. 48 Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan ........................................................................................................... 49 Pentagon, Washington D.C................................................................................................................. 50 DECEMBER 14TH, 1999 .............................................................................................................................. 54 Yakolev Aircraft Company test range, outside Moscow, Russian Federation .................................... 54 DECEMBER 15TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 56 Forbidden City, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China......................................................................... 56 DECEMBER 23RD, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 56 Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, US..................................................................................................... 56 DECEMBER 26TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 62 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia, US .......................................................................................... 62 DECEMBER 27TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 63 Toyota Test Field, Central Japan ....................................................................................................... 63 DECEMBER 28TH, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 64 Kremlin, Moscow, Russian Federation............................................................................................... 64

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DECEMBER 31ST, 1998 .............................................................................................................................. 66 Unknown location, North America ..................................................................................................... 66 JANUARY 1ST, 1999 ................................................................................................................................... 68 Area 51, Nevada, US........................................................................................................................... 68 CHAPTER THREE SKIRMISHING.................................................................................................... 70 JANUARY 3RD, 1999................................................................................................................................... 70 Caribbean Sea..................................................................................................................................... 70 NORAD, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, US ..................................................................................... 70 Area 51, Nevada, US........................................................................................................................... 70 Security Center, KSC, Florida ............................................................................................................ 70 Command and Communications Center, Area 51, Nevada................................................................. 71 Low Orbit, Earth................................................................................................................................. 72 Area 51, Nevada, US........................................................................................................................... 72 Security Center, KSC, Florida ............................................................................................................ 72 Skyranger 1, over Louisiana, US ........................................................................................................ 73 KSC, Florida, US ................................................................................................................................ 73 New York City, US .............................................................................................................................. 77 London, United Kingdom.................................................................................................................... 77 JANUARY 10TH, 1999................................................................................................................................. 78 Area 51, Nevada, US........................................................................................................................... 78 JANUARY 12TH, 1999................................................................................................................................. 83 Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................................................................................... 83 Far Side, Moon ................................................................................................................................... 84 JANUARY 21ST, 1999 ................................................................................................................................. 85 Border of Texas and Mexico, US ........................................................................................................ 85 JANUARY 22ND, 1999................................................................................................................................. 86 Sea of Japan........................................................................................................................................ 86 JANUARY 27TH, 1999................................................................................................................................. 87 Operations Center, Area 51, Nevada, US ........................................................................................... 87 JANUARY 30TH, 1999................................................................................................................................. 88 Far Side of the Moon .......................................................................................................................... 88 CHAPTER FOUR THE COLD WEATHER FRONT......................................................................... 90 FEBRUARY 2ND, 1999 ................................................................................................................................ 90 Rocky Mountains, Colorado, US......................................................................................................... 90 Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, US .................................................................................................... 90 Near Catalina Island, Pacific Ocean .................................................................................................. 90 Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, US .................................................................................................... 91 White House, Washington D.C., US.................................................................................................... 91 Skyranger 1, over Washington State, US ............................................................................................ 91 Los Angeles, California, US................................................................................................................ 92 White House, Washington D.C., US.................................................................................................... 93 South Central, LA, California, US ...................................................................................................... 93 FEBRUARY 3RD, 1999 .............................................................................................................................. 104 The White House, Washington D.C., US........................................................................................... 104 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 106 FEBRUARY 4TH, 1999............................................................................................................................... 108 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 108 FEBRUARY 5TH, 1999............................................................................................................................... 110 London, United Kingdom.................................................................................................................. 110 FEBRUARY 10TH, 1999............................................................................................................................. 110 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 110 CHAPTER FIVE SMALL CAT, BUG MICE .................................................................................... 114 FEBRUARY 12TH, 1999............................................................................................................................. 114

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New York City, US ............................................................................................................................ 114 FEBRUARY 17TH, 1999............................................................................................................................. 116 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 116 FEBRUARY 19TH, 1999............................................................................................................................. 117 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia, US ........................................................................................ 117 FEBRUARY 22ND, 1999 ............................................................................................................................ 122 Vicinity of Marrakech, Morocco ....................................................................................................... 122 FEBRUARY 25TH, 1999............................................................................................................................. 124 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 124 FEBRUARY 28TH, 1999............................................................................................................................. 126 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 126 Forbidden City, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China....................................................................... 130 CHAPTER SIX BAD MOON RISING................................................................................................ 132 MARCH 3RD, 1999 ................................................................................................................................... 132 Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation .......................................................................................... 132 White House, Washington DC, US.................................................................................................... 133 MARCH 5TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................... 135 Mansion outside Paris, France......................................................................................................... 135 MARCH 6TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................... 136 Manhattan, New York City, US......................................................................................................... 136 Middle of the Indian Ocean, Earth ................................................................................................... 137 MARCH 8TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................... 137 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 137 MARCH 9TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................... 138 Middle of Alaska, United States ........................................................................................................ 138 British Columbia, Canada ................................................................................................................ 139 MARCH 11TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................. 145 Las Vegas International Airport, Nevada, US .................................................................................. 145 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 147 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 151 CHAPTER SEVEN REVIVAL............................................................................................................ 154 MARCH 17TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................. 154 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia, US ........................................................................................ 154 MARCH 18TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................. 158 The Kremlin, Moscow, Russian Federation ...................................................................................... 158 MARCH 20TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................. 160 Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico............................................................................................................... 160 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 166 MARCH 23RD, 1999 ................................................................................................................................. 171 Headquarters Strike Command, RAF High Wycombe, UK............................................................... 171 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 171 Coventry, United Kingdom ............................................................................................................... 172 CHAPTER EIGHT THE GRIM HORIZON...................................................................................... 178 MARCH 25TH, 1999.................................................................................................................................. 178 Forbidden City, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China....................................................................... 178 APRIL 1ST, 1999 ...................................................................................................................................... 179 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 179 APRIL 7TH, 1999 ...................................................................................................................................... 181 Pacific Ocean.................................................................................................................................... 181 Santa Cruz, California ...................................................................................................................... 182 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 183 Over Central California, US............................................................................................................. 185 Pacific Ocean.................................................................................................................................... 185

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California-Nevada border, US.......................................................................................................... 186 Central California, US...................................................................................................................... 186 Pacific Ocean.................................................................................................................................... 187 California Coast ............................................................................................................................... 188 Situation Room, White House, Washington DC, US ......................................................................... 190 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 190 APRIL 15TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................... 193 Highway 50, Maryland, US............................................................................................................... 193 APRIL 20TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................... 194 Unknown facility, unknown location, US.......................................................................................... 194 APRIL 22ND, 1999 .................................................................................................................................... 195 Times Square, New York City, US..................................................................................................... 195 APRIL 25TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................... 196 White House, Washington DC, US.................................................................................................... 196 CHAPTER NINE FORTUNE REVERSALS ..................................................................................... 200 APRIL 29TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................... 200 New York City, US ............................................................................................................................ 200 APRIL 30TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................... 201 Geneva, Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 201 MAY 4TH, 1999........................................................................................................................................ 202 White House, Washington DC, US.................................................................................................... 202 MAY 5TH, 1999........................................................................................................................................ 204 Central Iowa, US .............................................................................................................................. 204 MAY 9TH, 1999........................................................................................................................................ 209 Press Room, White House, Washington DC, US............................................................................... 209 MAY 19TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 210 X-Coms Far East Command Base, Complex YY-18, Japan............................................................. 210 MAY 20TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 211 Motel Truckers Paradise, Maryland, US......................................................................................... 211 MAY 25TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 215 Swiss Banque of Credit Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland ........................................................... 215 MAY 27TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 217 Area 51, Nevada, United States ........................................................................................................ 217 CHAPTER TEN LIGHT SPRING BREEZE ..................................................................................... 220 JULY 12TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 220 VVS (Russian Air Force) HQ, outside Moscow, Russian Federation ............................................... 220 Over the Volga River, Caucasus, Russian Federation...................................................................... 222 New York City, US ............................................................................................................................ 223 Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation .......................................................................................... 223 Close to the Ural Mountains, Russian Federation............................................................................ 224 VVS (Russian Air Force) HQ, outside Moscow, Russian Federation ............................................... 224 Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation .......................................................................................... 224 Close to the Ural Mountains, Russian Federation............................................................................ 226 Earths Orbit..................................................................................................................................... 226 VVS (Russian Air Force) HQ, outside Moscow, Russian Federation ............................................... 226 Close to the Ural Mountains, Russian Federation............................................................................ 227 JULY 15TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 227 Geneva, Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 227 JULY 16TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 230 Air Force One, Over Illinois, US ...................................................................................................... 230 London, United Kingdom.................................................................................................................. 232 JULY 17TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 232 Azamas 36, Russian Federation........................................................................................................ 232 Far Side of the Moon ........................................................................................................................ 233

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JULY 18TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 234 X-Com Russian Command, Stalingrad Base, Caucasus, Russian Federation .................................. 234 Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation .......................................................................................... 234 Earths Orbit..................................................................................................................................... 236 Kremlin, Moscow, Russian Federation............................................................................................. 237 CHAPTER ELEVEN BROKEN SHELLS ......................................................................................... 238 JULY 18TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 238 X-Com Russian Command, Stalingrad Base, Caucasus, Russian Federation .................................. 238 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 239 1048 Zulu (Local Time), Siberia, Russian Federation...................................................................... 240 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 241 1112 Zulu, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................................... 241 1240 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 244 1258 Zulu, Vicinity of Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation....................................................... 244 1305 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 245 1308 Zulu, Vicinity of Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation....................................................... 245 1312 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 246 1319 Zulu, Vicinity of Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation....................................................... 246 1329 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 247 1403 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 247 1407 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 248 1409 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 249 1431 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 250 1517 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 251 1525 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 252 1532 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 253 1535 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 255 1541 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 257 1549 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 257 CHAPTER TWELVE THE EYE OF THE STORM ......................................................................... 258 JULY 19TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 258 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 258 JULY 26TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 260 Outside Azamas 36, Russian Federation .......................................................................................... 260 Underground Command Facility outside Moscow, Russian Federation .......................................... 262 JULY 27TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 264 White House Situation Room, Washington DC, US .......................................................................... 264 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 265 Hotel in the center of Moscow, Russia.............................................................................................. 268 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 268 Unknown location, Earth .................................................................................................................. 271 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 272 Engels Air Base, Russian Federation................................................................................................ 274 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 275 CHAPTER THIRTEEN DIVINE WIND ............................................................................................ 278 JULY 27TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 278 Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean ............................................................................................................. 278 2247 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 280 2257 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 281 Engels Air Base, Russian Federation................................................................................................ 282 JULY 28TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 282 0038 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 282 0057 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 283

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National Security Agency, Ft. Meade, Virginia, US ......................................................................... 283 0058 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 283 0236 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 284 0307 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 285 0359 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 285 0432 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 286 0432 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 287 0434 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 287 0435 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 287 0438 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 288 0439 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 288 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 289 0627 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 289 0628 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 290 0629 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 290 0643 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 290 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 291 0712 Zulu, Azamas 36, Siberia, Russian Federation ........................................................................ 293 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 294 0937 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 295 0954 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 296 1129 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 296 1141 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 296 1150 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 297 1606 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 297 1625 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 298 2049 Zulu .......................................................................................................................................... 299 CHAPTER FOURTEEN MISTY EVENING..................................................................................... 300 JULY 29TH, 1999...................................................................................................................................... 300 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 300 AUGUST 4TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................. 308 Geneva, Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 308 AUGUST 6TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................. 310 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 310 AUGUST 7TH, 1999 .................................................................................................................................. 312 Kremlin, Moscow, Russian Federation............................................................................................. 312 AUGUST 26TH, 1999 ................................................................................................................................ 316 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 316 AUGUST 30TH, 1999 ................................................................................................................................ 318 Unknown location, Earth .................................................................................................................. 318 CHAPTER FIFTEEN PARADISE LOST ......................................................................................... 320 SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1999 ........................................................................................................................... 320 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 320 SEPTEMBER 29TH, 1999 ........................................................................................................................... 322 MIT, Massachusetts, US ................................................................................................................... 322 OCTOBER 7TH, 1999................................................................................................................................. 323 Pacific Coast, Washington State, US ................................................................................................ 323 OCTOBER 21ST, 1999............................................................................................................................... 328 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 328 DECEMBER 1ST, 1999 .............................................................................................................................. 330 Military Base outside Beijing, Peoples Republic of China.............................................................. 330 DECEMBER 3RD, 1999 .............................................................................................................................. 331 Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, US ..................................................................................... 331 DECEMBER 4TH, 1999 .............................................................................................................................. 332

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Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 332 DECEMBER 19TH, 1999 ............................................................................................................................ 334 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 334 DECEMBER 26TH, 1999 ............................................................................................................................ 339 Papoose Lake, Nevada, US ............................................................................................................... 339 CHAPTER SIXTEEN ROCKY ROAD............................................................................................... 342 MARCH 14TH, 2000.................................................................................................................................. 342 New York City, US ............................................................................................................................ 342 MARCH 18TH, 2000.................................................................................................................................. 345 Appallachian Mountains, West Virginia, US .................................................................................... 345 MARCH 21ST, 2000.................................................................................................................................. 346 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 346 New York City, US ............................................................................................................................ 347 Over Central Kansas, US.................................................................................................................. 347 Close to Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, US .............................................................................. 348 Denver, Colorado, US....................................................................................................................... 349 Fort Collins, Colorado, US............................................................................................................... 351 Downtown Denver, Colorado ........................................................................................................... 354 APRIL 5TH, 2000 ...................................................................................................................................... 359 Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., US ................................................................................................... 359 APRIL 7TH, 2000 ...................................................................................................................................... 361 Central London, United Kingdom..................................................................................................... 361 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN COUNTER POINT .................................................................................. 362 MILLIONS OF YEARS BEFORE RECORDED HUMAN HISTORY .................................................................... 362 Zeta Two Reticuli star system, 37 light years from Earth ................................................................. 362 APRIL 14TH, 2000 .................................................................................................................................... 363 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 363 APRIL 29TH, 2000 .................................................................................................................................... 365 Complex YY-18, Japan...................................................................................................................... 365 MAY 4TH, 2000........................................................................................................................................ 366 Geneva, Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 366 MAY 7TH, 2000........................................................................................................................................ 368 Sea of Japan...................................................................................................................................... 368 UN Building, New York, US.............................................................................................................. 369 MAY 8TH, 2000........................................................................................................................................ 370 Northern New Mexico, United States................................................................................................ 370 Virginia, United States...................................................................................................................... 371 MAY 10TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 373 Complex YY-18, Japan...................................................................................................................... 373 MAY 16TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 378 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 378 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN PREMONITIONS....................................................................................... 382 JUNE 6TH, 2000........................................................................................................................................ 383 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 383 JULY 9TH, 1947........................................................................................................................................ 385 Roswell Army Air Field, New Mexico, United States........................................................................ 385 JUNE 11TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 388 New York Times Building, NY, US.................................................................................................... 388 JUNE 12TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 389 The White House, Washington D.C., US........................................................................................... 389 Langley, Virginia, US ....................................................................................................................... 390 JUNE 18TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 393 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 393

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JULY 10TH, 1947...................................................................................................................................... 394 Close to Roswell AAF, New Mexico, US........................................................................................... 394 JUNE 22ND, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 395 NORAD, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, US ................................................................................... 395 Area 51, Nevada, United States ........................................................................................................ 396 Close to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, US ................................................................................................ 398 Over Colorado, US ........................................................................................................................... 398 Close to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, US ................................................................................................ 398 Over Colorado, US ........................................................................................................................... 399 NOVEMBER 5TH, 1947.............................................................................................................................. 401 Wright Army Air Field, Ohio, US ..................................................................................................... 401 CHAPTER NINETEEN STAR CHARIOT ........................................................................................ 404 JUNE 23RD, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 404 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 404 New Mexico-Colorado border, US ................................................................................................... 407 JULY 6TH, 2000........................................................................................................................................ 415 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 415 JULY 10TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 417 Charlottesville, Virginia, US............................................................................................................. 417 JULY 12TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 419 The White House, Washington D.C., US........................................................................................... 419 CHAPTER TWENTY A DARK SHADOW ....................................................................................... 422 JULY 26TH, 2000...................................................................................................................................... 422 Unknown location, Geneva, Switzerland .......................................................................................... 422 AUGUST 3RD, 2000 .................................................................................................................................. 423 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 423 SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2001 ............................................................................................................................. 425 Complex YY-18, Japan...................................................................................................................... 425 Over the Sea of Japan, hundred miles south of Okinawa ................................................................. 426 Complex YY-18, Japan...................................................................................................................... 428 Over the Sea of Japan ....................................................................................................................... 429 SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2000 ........................................................................................................................... 430 Lhassa, Tibet Autonomous Region, Peoples Republic of China ...................................................... 430 SEPTEMBER 31ST, 2000 ........................................................................................................................... 432 Geneva, Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 432 DECEMBER 17TH, 2000 ............................................................................................................................ 439 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia, US ........................................................................................ 439 CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE MESSENGERS FROM THE STARS ................................................ 442 MILLIONS OF YEARS BEFORE RECORDED HUMAN HISTORY .................................................................... 442 Zeta Two Reticuli star system, 37 light years from Earth ................................................................. 442 JANUARY 24TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 444 The White House, Washington D.C., US........................................................................................... 444 JANUARY 28TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 447 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia, US ........................................................................................ 447 FEBRUARY 6TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 449 Albuquerque, New Mexico, US ......................................................................................................... 449 FEBRUARY 7TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 450 Nearby Dulce, Jicarilla Apache Reservation, New Mexico, US ....................................................... 450 Santa Fe, New Mexico, US................................................................................................................ 459 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO GHOSTS OF THE PAST ................................................................... 460 FEBRUARY 8TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 460 UN Building, New York City, US ...................................................................................................... 460

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Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 461 Archuletta Mesa, New Mexico, US ................................................................................................... 464 CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE HELLS KEEP ................................................................................ 480 FEBRUARY 8TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 480 Archuletta Plateau, New Mexico, US................................................................................................ 480 FEBRUARY 9TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 488 Far Side of the Moon ........................................................................................................................ 488 Archuletta Plateau, New Mexico, Earth ........................................................................................... 489 Area 51, Nevada, United States ........................................................................................................ 492 Archuletta Mesa, New Mexico, US ................................................................................................... 492 Close to the New Mexico Arizona border, US ............................................................................... 493 Archuletta Plateau, New Mexico, US................................................................................................ 494 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 494 Over Arizona, US .............................................................................................................................. 495 Archuletta Plateau, New Mexico, US................................................................................................ 495 CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR THE ENEMY WITHIN ................................................................... 497 FEBRUARY 12TH, 2001............................................................................................................................. 497 Unknown location, Geneve, Switzerland .......................................................................................... 497 FEBRUARY 15TH, 2001............................................................................................................................. 499 Pollock ANGB, West Virginia, US .................................................................................................... 499 FEBRUARY 23RD, 2001 ............................................................................................................................ 504 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 504 FEBRUARY 21ST, 2001............................................................................................................................. 505 Spitzbergen Island, North Atlantic.................................................................................................... 505 MARCH 3RD, 2001 ................................................................................................................................... 508 Area 19, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 508 MARCH 15TH, 2001.................................................................................................................................. 511 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 511 CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE DEFECTION ........................................................................................ 516 MARCH 26TH, 2001.................................................................................................................................. 516 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 516 MARCH 28TH, 2001.................................................................................................................................. 518 Manhattan, New York City, US......................................................................................................... 518 MARCH 30TH, 2001.................................................................................................................................. 519 Virginia, US ...................................................................................................................................... 519 MARCH 31ST, 2001.................................................................................................................................. 520 Swiss government facility outside Geneve, Switzerland.................................................................... 520 The Pentagon, Washington D.C., US................................................................................................ 523 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 525 Military Penitentiary, Maryland, US ................................................................................................ 526 APRIL 1ST, 2001 ...................................................................................................................................... 527 Geneve, Switzerland.......................................................................................................................... 527 Military Penitentiary, Maryland, US ................................................................................................ 528 The White House, Washington D.C., US........................................................................................... 533 APRIL 3RD, 2001 ...................................................................................................................................... 535 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 535 CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX A SIMPLE WAR .................................................................................... 538 APRIL 23RD, 2001 .................................................................................................................................... 538 La Guardia Airport, New Jersey, US ................................................................................................ 538 MAY 10TH, 2001...................................................................................................................................... 540 Louisiana coast, US .......................................................................................................................... 540 MAY 16TH, 2001...................................................................................................................................... 544

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Area 19, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 544 JUNE 21ST, 2001 ...................................................................................................................................... 547 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 547 Anatolia Plateau, Turkey .................................................................................................................. 548 JUNE 24TH, 2001...................................................................................................................................... 553 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 553 CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN CHAOS ............................................................................................. 556 JULY 21ST, 2001 ...................................................................................................................................... 556 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 556 AUGUST 15TH, 2001 ................................................................................................................................ 558 Alameda, California, US................................................................................................................... 558 Golden Gate Bridge .......................................................................................................................... 559 Alameda ............................................................................................................................................ 559 AUGUST 18TH, 2001 ................................................................................................................................ 562 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 562 SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2001 ........................................................................................................................... 564 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 564 SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2001 ........................................................................................................................... 571 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 571 OCTOBER 25TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 573 Marss Orbit ..................................................................................................................................... 573 OCTOBER 29TH, 2001............................................................................................................................... 574 MacMurdo Station, Antartica ........................................................................................................... 574 CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT FIRE AND ICE ................................................................................ 576 NOVEMBER 4TH, 2001.............................................................................................................................. 576 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 576 NOVEMBER 7TH, 2001.............................................................................................................................. 577 Mother One, Germany ...................................................................................................................... 577 NOVEMBER 12TH, 2001............................................................................................................................ 580 UNSS Avenger, south of the Hawaiian Islands, Pacific.................................................................... 580 Vostok Base, Antarctica .................................................................................................................... 581 CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE ITS FULL OF THEM! .................................................................. 596 NOVEMBER 13TH, 2001............................................................................................................................ 596 Central America................................................................................................................................ 596 Vostok Base, Antarctica .................................................................................................................... 596 Over the Andes Mountains, South America ...................................................................................... 597 Vostok Base, Antarctica .................................................................................................................... 599 Earths orbit...................................................................................................................................... 600 Moons Far Side ............................................................................................................................... 601 Moons orbit ..................................................................................................................................... 601 Upper Atmosphere, Earth ................................................................................................................. 602 NOVEMBER 21ST, 2001............................................................................................................................ 603 Unknown location, North America ................................................................................................... 603 NOVEMBER 24TH, 2001............................................................................................................................ 605 London, United Kingdom.................................................................................................................. 605 NOVEMBER 25TH, 2001............................................................................................................................ 606 Mother One, Black Forest, Germany................................................................................................ 606 DECEMBER 7TH, 2001 .............................................................................................................................. 611 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 611 CHAPTER THIRTY AMBER BLUE ................................................................................................. 614 DECEMBER 9TH, 2001 .............................................................................................................................. 614 Unknown location ............................................................................................................................. 614

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DECEMBER 11TH, 2002 ............................................................................................................................ 615 Sea of Japan...................................................................................................................................... 615 DECEMBER 16TH, 2001 ............................................................................................................................ 615 Unknown location ............................................................................................................................. 615 DECEMBER 19TH, 2001 ............................................................................................................................ 618 Frankfurt-Berlin IDE, Germany ....................................................................................................... 618 DECEMBER 21ST, 2001 ............................................................................................................................ 627 Forbidden City, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China....................................................................... 627 DECEMBER 22ND, 2001............................................................................................................................ 628 Moon ................................................................................................................................................. 628 JANUARY 1ST, 2002 ................................................................................................................................. 630 Geneva, Switzerland ......................................................................................................................... 630 CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE HERE IT ENDS...................................................................................... 634 MARCH 7TH, 2002.................................................................................................................................... 635 Valles Marineris, Mars ..................................................................................................................... 635 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 636 Valles Marineris, Mars ..................................................................................................................... 638 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 639 Valles Marineris, Mars ..................................................................................................................... 640 MARCH 9TH, 2002.................................................................................................................................... 647 Xanthe Terra, Mars........................................................................................................................... 647 The Pyramid, Cydonia Mensae, Mars............................................................................................... 649 Acidalia Planitia, Mars..................................................................................................................... 650 The Pyramid, Cydonia Mensae, Mars............................................................................................... 651 Far Side of the Moon ........................................................................................................................ 652 The Pyramid, Cydonia Mensae, Mars............................................................................................... 654 Close to the City, Cydonia Mensae, Mars......................................................................................... 655 CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO CRIMSON DEATH .............................................................................. 658 MARCH 9TH, 2002.................................................................................................................................... 658 The City, Cydonia, Mars................................................................................................................... 658 The Pyramid, Cydonia, Mars............................................................................................................ 680 MARCH 10TH, 2002.................................................................................................................................. 681 Earth ................................................................................................................................................. 681 EPILOGUE............................................................................................................................................... 684 OCTOBER 12TH, 1952............................................................................................................................... 684 Area 51, Nevada, US......................................................................................................................... 684 MARCH 9TH, 2002.................................................................................................................................... 685 Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Earth.............................................................................................................. 685 MARCH 17TH, 2002 ................................................................................................................................ 687 Chryse Planitia, Mars....................................................................................................................... 687 MARCH 9TH, 2012.................................................................................................................................... 689 Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States...................................................................... 689

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PrologueDecember 17th, 1946USS Philippine Sea, South AtlanticAlthough it was summer on the southern hemisphere, the United States Army Air Force officer that was near one of the elevators on the flight deck of the Essex class aircraft carrier had chosen to wear his flight jacket since the temperatures had been dropping as the fleet moved south towards its destination. The man, who seemed to be in his early thirties, had a smooth face and light eyes, with his nose and ears starting to turn reddish from the cold air outside. The weather was a bit cloudy and it was the first sign to the fleet of gray ships that things were about to get rougher in their mission. The Philippine Sea was the largest ship of the sixteen vessels that made up the task force. Besides the combat escorts it included tenders for seaplanes and tankers, together with a Coast Guard icebreaker that had been rushed from California to be included in the force. Looking at the deck of the carrier and seeing his own plane, he shook his head in frustration. He couldnt understand the reasoning behind the Navys decision to send a dedicated task force of nearly five thousand men to such an extreme place. And it annoyed him even more that his superior officers hadnt deemed him to be important enough for him to know the reasons of the mission. He had fought a number of operations in the war as a part of the OSS, the more general name for the Office of Strategic Services that had been retired last year. But now that the war was over it seemed as if the politicians were bent on getting rid of all things military. The intermilitary branch agency that had been responsible for espionage and secret military missions through the war had been dismantled last year and he had barely managed to stay attached to what remained of it. However nowadays the Army seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of every soldier and officer in its ranks. He wore golden seven-sided leaves on the collars of his shirt that had almost disappeared completely into the inside of his thick flying jacket. Normally, hed be considered a bit too young for the rank of major but the war had given him several chances for promotion. However he hadnt missed any of the action since the Battle of Britain in 1940 where he had volunteered to fight for the Royal Air Force. By the time of the United States entry into the war at the end of 1941 he was one of the top US fighter pilots. And the Pentagon had been really quick about assigning him to the newly formed OSS, which badly needed veteran combat pilots. To his surprise he had found out that the other half of his work there, which was related to intelligence, started to be the one which attracted him the most. The information, that had been revealed to him, gave him a view of how military decisions where made based upon intelligence along with his realization of just how fallible the system could be also. And in the case of operation High Jump, he was still wondering what the people at the Pentagon and the White House were thinking about when they called the mission. They were had been ordered to conduct a survey of Antarctica and perform military exercises

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to provide information about combat in those conditions. It simply didnt make any sense to him to be here. His attention turned to one of the planes parked at one of the ends of the deck, which was completely clear of personnel and stood attached by cables to the floor. The converted DC-3 cargo planes hadnt been originally designed to be flown off carriers but from long runways on land. However since the Navys seaplanes didnt have the necessary range to reach the inner areas of the pole safely, the DC-3s had been equipped with rocket pods strapped to their wings in addition to their engines, in order to allow taking-off from the short deck. And they were also equipped with large skis to land on the airstrip that would be built on the land by the Navy Seabee construction crews that had been brought for the mission. Underneath the flight deck there were six brand new helicopters or whatever the new rotating flying machines were called, together with a small force of Navy fighters and dive-bombers. The officer suspected that there were unofficial reasons for the inclusion of combat aircraft and vessels in the force. At the end of the war in Europe strange reports had started coming in from the South Atlantic concerning large movements of German submarines heading for an unknown destination. And after Germanys surrender further support for the sightings had been found in the Kriegsmarines logs that failed to report a number of U-Boats. Also there were rumors in the OSS that a number of high-ranking Nazi officers had evaded capture by the Allies at the end of the war and were still at large. He tried enquiring the personnel of the Office of Naval Intelligence that was present at the task force, but to no avail. The officers had simply refused to answer any of his questions and had refused to further comment on the matter citing secrecy laws. But the worst part had been the arrogance and pettiness in their tone of voice. Although both the ONI and the OSS had worked together during the war it hadnt been without points of conflict between the two organizations, with much jealousy and egoism present on both sides. And now the Navy officers were simply ignoring him and the dead OSS, in no doubt getting revenge for old grudges. As he started walking down the flight deck and heading towards the mess hall, the officer looked at the setting Sun that was giving mixed color tones to the white clouds overhead. The Moon was also starting to appear on the horizon, glowing white. A mix of excitement and fear passed through him. Well, soon well all discover whats the real reason behind all of this.

February 25th, 1947Ross Sea, AntarcticaLeisurely cruising at 250 knots per hour the converted cargo plane was flying over the Antarctic coastline at a height of four thousand feet. The ski-equipped DC-3 had been painted in a new white and gray artic camouflage and was now standing over the packs of icebergs that littered the waters close to the massive white and blue glaciers. Its cargo section, forming the main body of the plane, had been adapted to carry photographic and other survey equipment, leaving just enough room left for a number of technicians to operate the machines.

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The Major and the co-pilot completed the rest of the crew for this mission. They had taken off from the improvised landing strip at first light and now were following the coastline until the point at which they would turn inland into inner Antarctica. Both men were seated inside the cockpit of the craft, still dressed into winter parkas since the plane wasnt pressurized. So far operation High Jump had been a success. The naval task force was able to enter the Ross Sea and land a party at the continent that had later established a provisional base. Then the DC-3s had successfully taken off from the deck of the carrier and land there on the airstrip without incidents. Both them and the seaplanes had now been operating for more than three weeks conducting photographic and weather surveys. And while it was summer, the cold Antarctic weather still took its toil on men and equipment but that was what they had come here for. However there were still some questions that the major hadnt been able to find answers for. A number of incidents had taken place since the task force had arrived: Strange lights in the skies that had at first been attributed to boreal auroras. But more unexplainable events had occurred in the past week as one of the destroyer escorts detected the sound of an unidentified submersible object in the proximity of one of the groups. No official explanation had been advanced to expl