by Rick Barba
On-screen, Bradford glanced down at something. He nodded and then looked into the camera again.
“Four minutes ago, we received a field communication,” said Bradford. “Somebody calling himself Jeriah transmitted an open channel call that Bird One relayed to the Avenger. He claims to represent a clan called the Templars. They want to talk about joining the Resistance effort.”
Petrov glanced at Rika and said, “Well . . . the more the merrier, I guess.”
“Yes, but some are merrier than others,” said Bradford. He held up a piece of paper. “This is a full transcript of the conversation.”
Now Mahnk pulled off his helmet, listening.
Bradford read from the transcript. “ ‘We suffered grievous losses today in Roaring Basin. Our new foe is a product of the Elders, like the other monsters. He calls himself the Warlock, and his psionic power is immense.’ ” Bradford looked into the camera. “Jeriah also said, and I quote: ‘We felt a duty to help your force in the Whitehouse couloir last week.’ ”
Petrov sat upright. “It was them.”
“Yes,” said Bradford. “Dr. Marin spoke with Jeriah and verified that fact.” He waved the transcript and then sat it down. “These people have great psionic resources of their own, as you well know. If they join our cause . . . and if your mission secured the coordinates we seek . . . well, our future just got two huge shots in the arm.”
Petrov exchanged looks with Mahnk and Rika. Then she said, “Let’s hope so, Commander Bradford.”
Bradford scowled and rubbed the scar on his cheek.
“Soldier, I’m your central officer, not your commander,” he said.
Petrov frowned. “What’s the difference?”
On-screen, Bradford’s face twisted into a half smile.
He said, “If we’re lucky, you’ll soon find out.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RICK BARBA is the author of more than one hundred titles in the film and gaming genres, including books on Star Trek, StarCraft, and LEGO: Jurassic World, to name a few. He lives near Boulder, Colorado.
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©2017 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 2K, Firaxis Games, XCOM, and their respective logos are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All rights reserved. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
Published by Insight Editions, San Rafael, California, in 2017. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.
ISBN: 978-1-60887-992-2
ISBN: 978-1-68383-048-1 (ebook)
PUBLISHER: RAOUL GOFF
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: VANESSA LOPEZ
ART DIRECTOR: CHRISSY KWASNIK
DESIGNER: YOUSEF GHORBANI
SENIOR EDITOR: MARK IRWIN
MANAGING EDITOR: ALAN KAPLAN
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: MAYA ALPERT
PRODUCTION EDITOR: RACHEL ANDERSON
PRODUCTION MANAGERS: ALIX NICHOLAEF | GREG STEFFEN
COVER ART BY ALEX GARNER
