March 5th, 2015, 0900 hours

In-camera session of the United Nations Security Council

"Next slide, please. These are the best images we've been able to gather of the objects, mostly using ground-based telescopes. The vessels have destroyed any space-based assets we have used to observe them, including, tragically, the Hubble Space Telescope." Dr. Valhen's crisp English leaves little room for emotion, but the loss of the Hubble has clearly moved her. "We have attempted to communicate via broad-spectrum and narrow-band radio transmissions, but they have not responded in any way." She motions to the aide at the computer, and the slide advances.

"Since their insertion burn, we have detected thirteen high-altitude, high-speed objects, which have entered the atmosphere and then returned to space. Although we have received no visual data on them, I conjecture them to be spaceplanes of some sort, probably on scouting missions. As you can see on the map, they have primarily been overflying space launch facilities and military installations, except for these two, which appear to have been overflying major population centres." 

"It is clear that these vessels belong to some extraterrestrial intelligence. Another species, most likely, although they may be automated. We cannot know their intentions at this time, but their complete lack of communication and the destruction of our satellites does not indicate a friendly posture."

"Thank you, Doctor Valhen. 

I will not waste time. When this council began, it was not for such a purpose. But now we must go beyond our past arguments and understand that the world changed. We cannot approach such an extraterrestrial force as individuals. We must prepare a unified response, for all the world, to meet force with force and to meet peace with peace. I hope you will join me in recommending a coordinated effort between nations to deal with these beings.

I will now open the floor for discussion."

Normally the speaking order is by draw, but not for something like this. Deals have been made and need to be presented in the right way.

"Thank you, Chairman Levitte. The United States entirely agrees that these extraordinary circumstances require us all to work together. The unprovoked hostility of these aliens needs nothing less than a worldwide rejection. Friendly neighbors do not act this way, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to aggress upon us until they are taught the error of their ways. We cannot sit here and hope that they change whatever they use for their minds without any effort from us. If they show they are willing to communicate, let them talk. But until that moment, we must treat them as our enemies. 

Humanity will rise to this moment. The United States proposes an international organization, reporting ultimately to this committee, to coordinate our military reactions to these invaders."

A nod to her aide sends him around with a packet for each ambassador, though the key ones should already know the contents.

"Mister Chairman, Russia stands against any attempts by aliens to invade our planet. However, although the distinguished representative from the United States speaks of an international organization, the documentation speaks of an organization established through a NATO command structure, with western personnel.

The distinguished representative is correct: this is a threat that requires a worldwide response. Russia supports this. However, Mister Chairman, Russia cannot allow this 'international organization' to be corrupted into a tool for expansionist NATO imperialism."

Pytor is not shouting, but he is speaking forcefully, and with theatrical distaste.

Xiu puts on a disappointed frown.

"Sadly, the distinguished representative of Russia is correct. The use of these troubles as a flimsy vehicle for NATO's naked ambition is all too apparent. The People's Republic of China cannot condone this. Better that we decide our own course than submit to any organization corrupted so."

She's restraining the urge to roll her eyes at that with the ease of long practice.

"Distinguished representatives, our proposal clearly includes personnel from every member country in this council. There are provisions for absorbing additional talented staff from wherever they are found. Certain organizational patterns and resources are drawn from NATO, yes, which is the only multinational military institution with the practice and experience in tying such a wide array of armed forces together. We need immediate action, not six months of debate over the details. This sets up a sound foundation with room to adjust as the situation requires." 

"Mister Chairman, Venezuela will not -- cannot -- support an international military force under American command." Juan Valero speaks firmly. "And although the distinguished representative from the United States seems perfectly willing to absorb talent and resources from other countries, the leadership of the proposed organization is drawn either from the United States or its close allies."

He continues, adopting a more conciliatory tone. "If the United States is actually trying to protect Earth, they must make a show of good faith, for instance by not giving overall command of the organization to their own Colonel Bradford."

"The distinguished representative from Venezuela speaks truthfully. The United States proposes a NATO-based organization, they propose to place their own officer in command, and they propose for this organization to act without any oversight except for this very council. Mister Chairman, this is clearly an attempt to increase American hegemony. If the distinguished representative from the United States wishes for us to consider this proposal, she should not attempt to have the organization commanded by an American officer, with his staff all officers from other imperialist western powers."

"Mister Chairman, the United Kingdom fully supports this initiative." Sir Matthew Woodward's voice was deliberately calm, the diplomat trying to bring the tension down. "We recognize in principle that we must compromise on a set of leaders which everyone can agree on." The plan didn't have any senior British officers, but the UK would be contributing several scientists and the support of their intelligence apparatus.

"We do state, however, that Colonel Bradford appears to be the man best suited for this job. He is of an appropriate rank to command a force of this scale, he has demonstrated tremendous competence in international exercises, and he is unique in that he has served previously with an air force and has an education in orbital mechanics. Our defenders will be weaker without him."

Moussa's deep voice seems incongruous with how quickly he speaks. "He must not be the only man qualified for the job? Colonel Bradford may give his experience to the team without leading it? Chad also asks that we consider a different commander."

"New Zealand recognizes that it is an absolute requirement that all nations are able to trust this force." By contrast, van Bohemen speaks deliberately, her higher voice clearly enunciating every word. "If all nations cannot agree on this colonel, by all means keep him as a senior officer -- but the commander must be a candidate everyone can trust."

Sir Matthew Woodward speaks next. "Although Colonel Bradford is eminently qualified, we recognize the valid concerns of the distinguished representative from the Russian Federation. We are willing to support a compromise candidate."

Woodward does not give an evil smile, because he is an experienced diplomat. Besides, he'd done all the evil smiling he needed to do in the backroom meeting with Amanda Sterns, where the candidate had been selected. "Major-General Sudlenkov Vasiliy Afanasievich, we believe, has all the necessary qualifications to lead a force of this size and importance." He was also, British intelligence believed, the least likely Russian candidate to allow the Kremlin to influence his decisions. But at the same time, he was a Russian candidate, and everyone could tell that he was hardly a NATO pawn either. Russia could hardly object.

Sterns isn’t smirking either, but she’s pretty sure her bland smile is annoying Churkin even more. 

Pytor Churkin had been given a list of seven names -- mostly Russian generals, but one belonged to an engineer. He had been planning on eventually relenting over Bradford's appointment, if it would let him get those seven names in the lower ranks of the new organization. He hadn't been told about this Vasiliy Afanasievich.

"The Russian Federation can agree to such an arrangement in principle" he hears himself saying, with formal sentence after formal sentence giving him some time to think. The Brits must have picked their candidate for a reason. But Pytor is boxed in: all of his arguments were against a NATO commander, and now they've offered him a Russian one. He can't say no. "I will, of course, need to forward this to the relevant military offices" he concludes. "Russia will formally respond to the proposal later today." Even as he says it, he doubts he'll be able to find an objection. A coordinated move from the US and the UK like this one -- and with Amanda's bland smile she must have been in the loop -- is bound to have been scrupulously well-researched.

After a few more countries voice their support he’ll table the issue pending Russia’s response. 

“Thank you, distinguished representatives, for your understanding and work towards cooperation. Given the urgency of the matter, we will reconvene in the afternoon for a vote.”

March 8th, 2015, 1030 hours

Situation Room, XCOM Headquarters

The newly-appointed Commander of XCOM eases into his chair. The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity. Even now, he can hear the construction crews working to excavate additional rooms. He gives a soft chuckle. It's perhaps the first time he's seen a military -- let alone a government -- work with anything approaching swiftness or efficiency.

The steel-reinforced door swings open, and the command staff walk in: his executive officer, John Bradford, his chief scientist, Doctor Valhen, and his chief engineer, Doctor Shen. He waits for them to sit down.

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the XCOM project. It is our purpose to coordinate global response to the aliens. The four people in this room are, in all honesty, the most important people in the world right now." He speaks calmly, as though stating simple facts, and with only a slight Russian accent. "I have news from an hour ago of alien activity in small towns across the world. Casualty counts are still being assembled, but current estimates suggest approximately one hundred killed or abducted. I know that there was some hope of a peaceful meeting with the aliens. Those hopes are dead. We can treat the entire alien force as hostile." His unwavering tone is assured, though he knows as well as anyone else the danger ahead.

"I'll be meeting with all of you individually later today, but I think it is a good idea for everyone to have some idea of what everyone else is doing. We need to be well-coordinated if we are to have any hope of final victory."

"I do have some good news. United States military has sent us an experimental transport aircraft, codenamed Skyranger." His begging for command over a ground force on every continent had gone unheeded, but the Skyranger was the next best thing. "I understand it was being developed as a successor to the V-22 Osprey. In its high-speed configuration, it can travel at MACH 4, theoretically delivering its cargo anywhere in the world in up to four hours, although in practice in-flight refuelling adds some extra time. Unfortunately, in high-speed configuration cargo space is limited. I understand we will only be able to deliver eight soldiers into combat."

The Commander turns to his XO. "Mister Bradford, could you please report on the state of our ground forces?"

"Yes sir." Bradford taps twice on his pad, bringing up an org chart on the wall screen.

"As of 0900, out of our assigned three hundred and seventy personnel, exactly twenty seven have arrived on base. Sixteen are support staff and nine are active-duty combatants. Only two of those have fought together before, both coming to us from the French 4 SAS company. Paratroopers, mainly. Reports say the rest of our complement is delayed; it's a devil getting any concrete estimates out of them but I don't expect to see a majority before the week's out. Maybe two-thirds of them over the next two weeks, the rest coming slower or not at all." Another tap grays out most of the chart.

"We did take delivery of two Panhard VBL ATVs, courtesy of the French Army. The rest of our vehicle pool is also delayed, including the construction equipment we need to build out the rest of the base. Apparently the contract has already been dumped through two different companies, I'm still waiting to hear back who I need to light up now.

Our charter grants us 'command privileges'" the phrase is draped with skepticism "over local national ground forces. My staff is in the process of setting up comms with them, and meeting resistance. Support from above on that would help.

Finally, we're in contact with special forces teams from France, the UK, the US, Russia, and India. I can't say how well they'll take any orders, but at least they're willing to talk."

Honestly, getting even that much done in the last 72 hours was a fucking miracle. Thank God he got to bring his own people to jumpstart the admin.

"Thank you, Central. If you give me a list of people who have been giving you trouble, I can make some phone calls or write some strongly worded emails. Can't guarantee anything I'm afraid, but my signature might inspire a little more helpfulness than yours." He considers the set of delays Bradford has listed, casting an appraising eye over the org chart. "With our limited transport capacity, getting more troops won't help us all that much in the immediate term. Your first priority is getting that construction equipment. We need this base operational as soon as possible. Getting the rest of the people and resources doesn't much matter if we don't have anywhere to put them."

He turns to his R&D team. "Doctor Valhen, Doctor Shen, how are your departments coming along?"

Doctors Shen and Valhen both give the other an opportunity to speak, then both begin at the same time. Eventually Dr. Valhen speaks first. "We've been hiring scientists and engineers, mostly from civilian university faculties. I've made a list of the equipment and supplies we need most urgently, and another list of less urgent resources. There's not much we can do before our construction crews finish the laboratory, but we have been analyzing all instances of satellites which were destroyed in orbit." She taps her own pad, sending a list of incidents to the screen.

"We believe that several Chinese satellites were also shot down, but they haven't broken official silence. If you can get us those reports, that will help. But examining the timelines, it appears as though satellites are being detected primarily by their radio emissions. Within a few days, my team should have a design for an observation satellite which communicates with the ground by laser. Along with the stealth coating that I believe Doctor Shen is working on, we should be able to detect and image alien craft without being immediately destroyed."

The Commander nods, a slight smile crossing his face. "That would be very useful. It would be difficult to fight the aliens if we didn't know where they were. I'll make sure to get you the Chinese satellite reports. Doctor Shen, do you have anything to add?"

Shen drums his fingers on his leg while he ticks off points.

"The coating's incredible, when we get it right. Which is one in five tries, right now, banging together scraps in the hangar. Won't get any better until we have a real workshop. Should hire whoever made the sample, it's quality work. Or ask if they can make us more."

A short pause as he looks at the corner.

"Can't say how it'll look to the aliens, don't know what sensors they have up there. Can say it's better than anything else I've seen. Or not seen, in this case.

Valhen's got the stuff I need on her list. Made plans for the shop, got some ideas for what to make next, sent you the notes. 

Just working on the coating right now, and doing interviews." He very obviously prefers one of these over the other.

"I'll extend your compliments on the coating to the gentlemen at Lockheed Martin." With some effort, the Commander keeps any trace of enmity from his voice. We're on the same side, he reminds himself.

"Right, over the next few days we need to get this operation up and running. Dr. Valhen, I'll make sure they start building your labs as soon as they have the construction equipment. Your workshop will be next, Dr. Shen, but until it's done you'll have to make do with the vehicle garage and sharing Valhen's lab." He taps his own pad, switching the screen to a map of the world with UFO contacts superimposed. "Now, I want to hear opinions on the alien fleet. I know there were forty-three large contacts, and many smaller ones. Valhen, Bradford, what can you tell me about their radar signatures? What would our best strategy be for shooting one down in-atmosphere?"

The meeting continues for half an hour, and then the four get back to their work. There's plenty to do.

"New contact, designate U-FO 1. North four-seven degrees five-five-point-two minutes, east one degree three-eight-point-five minutes. Altitude eight-zero-point-one klicks."

The screen-covered globe in the centre of Mission Control lights up with the contact as several radar officers wrestle with the incoming data, trying to get an accurate speed and heading. The ship is over France, but heading northeast, and losing altitude quickly. As it crosses the border into Germany, it's dropped to 18,000 metres and is continuing to descend.