Chapter 33: Operation Start the Presses!

"The next matter to discuss is the XCOM Resistance Newsletter" Operations Officer Mike McCall announced to the assembled members of the XCOM Public Relations Department. "Now that reliable contact has been re-established with the independent settlements, we need to expand our propaganda and cascade training opportunities with the establishment of a regular XCOM newsletter"

This was met by the usual murmur of agreement from the assembled team.

"XCOM Command also wants us to take the opportunity to showcase XCOM successes and help to boost morale and recruitment" McCall continued. "So team, any suggestions for the first issue?"

"What about highlighting our recent success to rescue the defector in New Seoul" Operator Kelly Abrams offered by way of an opening suggestion. "Call it 'XCOM does it Bangnam style'"

"I'm not sure people would take us seriously with an opening headline like that" McCall replied.

"We could always go with 'Super caley go ballistic ADVENT are atrocious'" Operations Technical Gary Armstrong interjected.

"I think we're missing the point here" McCall fought to bring the meeting back to some semblance of order. "The purpose of this is to promote XCOM as well as providing support and training to the resistance. We need to instil the resistance with technical knowledge to better help them in the fight against ADVENT"

"Alright" Abrams conceded. "If we're looking to interest people in practical skills then how about 'They only blew the bloody doors off! An XCOM guide to delivery of high explosive ordnance'"

"Does this shotgun barrel look clogged to you? Basic weapon maintenance with Technician Adams" Armstrong offered.

"Is that an alien parasite in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me? A brief guide to alien diseases and infections by Dr Albright" Abrams suggested.

"How about a security story 'Is your neighbour a Faceless? 1 out of 5 humans may be living next to an alien infiltrator" Armstrong proposed.

"Again, we're trying to provide something to raise morale and teach useful skills, not stoke people's paranoia" McCall clarified.

"What about going with a classic, we've got to got to get people hooked with the first issue" Abrams held her hands aloft. "What about 'The Art of Phwoar: Babes and Hunks of Menace 1-5'. That way we get the readers queuing up to read about spark plug replacement or how to properly skin a ferret"

McCall could only lean back in his chair and listen to his colleagues fervently debate the merits of turning their flagship publication into either a conveyance of bad puns or peddling 'Special Interest Literature'. This was going to be a long meeting.

XCOM Rule 963: All official XCOM propaganda, training manuals, announcements or other literature are to be approved by XCOM command prior to distribution.