burns in the heart

wow

This is one of be few stories on here that actually made me FEEL, this is a damn fine story, I'm glad I found it.

XCom is the story of the underdog putting the entire world on it's shoulders, then being asked to climb the stairway to heaven. The stories behind our brave soldiers are what make that world worth fighting for and this story really captures their reality. A reality where not coming back from the next mission is not only possible but likely for you and everyone else in your squad. One where the stakes aren't about borders on a map, economic doctrines, religious fervor, or any other petty political BS that Humanity uses to justify the death and distruction of war. The stakes are fight and die or surrender and be enslaved. That is what you have captured here.

Ouch, right in the feels. Very well written.

I never played XCOM before. The only reason I know if it is because of this site, and from watching my friends handle Enemy Unknown.

Why am I saying this? Because even though I don't understand what it's fully about, this piece still managed to bring up the feels. A job well done.

Somber.

Nicely done.

Damn, this one punches me right in the feels.

Well done.

This is very well written, and deep too, you have my thanks for posting such an amazing story.

10/10!

a touching look at the psyche of the commander, it cant be easy to have the fate of humanity resting on your shoulders

I just started playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown not too long ago and this is totally how I feel whenever my people die. Been playing on normal so not too much of it yet, but I suspect classic run will hit me with a lot more feels.

I really like how you captured the ugly realities of war in this story. When playing X-Com, one can always either be a commander that focuses on keeping your soldiers alive at the cost of the bigger picture (not taking in aliens alive, use lots heavy explosives), or fight for the greater good at the cost of the individuals. While it might be tempting to just see the rookies as faceless chess pieces and use them at human shields or advance scouts, it always makes you wonder if you just condemn someone's loved one to their deaths. I am sure that the commander that I played as felt the same as your's whenever he had to deliver the bad news to the families of his fallen soldiers.

As for the commander's speech at the end, I image that it will go something like this (inspired by something from Warhammer 40k, Mass Effect, and the historical D-Day speech given by Eisenhower):

"Men, we are the first, last and frankly the only line of defense Earth has against the genocidal tide of the alien invaders. Look at everyone around you, and know that you and the fine pieces of weaponry you all hold in your hands is all that is keeping humanity alive. I will not lie to you, your task will not be an easy one. The alien monstrosities are battle hardened, wield superior technology, and desire nothing but our total extermination. Most of you will probably not live to serve a second tour and most of you will probably never see even survive the next few weeks. But know that even when you do fall, the hopes and dreams of every mother, every son, and every unborn child march with you, for we are fighting not for ideology or religion, but for our very survival and to defend our very home. I have full confidence in your courage and devotion. Good luck, and even in the darkest hour never forgot what we are fighting for."

Beautiful work. Haunting and thought-provoking in equal measure. Thanks for sharing.

matches the tone of the game perfectly.