Savage X-COM UFOPaedia Research
In progress[edit]
Experimental Warfare: Taking feedback and analyzing combat situations, we believe we can adapt earth technology to better face the aliens, with new enhancements for medical and drone technology. (5/40 RP)
Alien Substance Analysis: The initial analysis of the strange orange substance recovered from the UFO suggests that it consists of highly advanced micromachines that interface with tissue. This could potentially lead to advances in gene therapy and cybernetics (0/50 RP)
Alien Fuel Analysis: The alien craft is powered by a reactor that is like nothing we've seen. Learning the basics of the technology used to harness levels of energy that we've never seen before will require significant work, before we can begin to make use of it ourselves. To begin, we need to analyze the fuel it uses. (0/80 RP)
Alien Computers: Like us, the aliens have computers that drive their technology. The designs are radically different, but mastering the fundamentals should let us understand how alien ships navigate and communicate with each other. Furthermore, we may be able to find ways to interface our systems with theirs (0/60 RP)
Alien Origins: Now that we've begun our research into the aliens, it is vital we understand where they come from and what their goals are. Locked, requires captured alien leader (0/80 RP)
Laser Weaponry: Our analysis of alien weaponry has lead to a number of breakthroughs in directed energy weapons. We now believe it will be possible to create a miniaturized laser powerful enough to use in combat (0/60 RP)
Personal Armor: We've continued our experiments on the alien alloys, and one of the proposed applications is a lighter, stronger form of body armor. Our early tests are very encouraging. (0/60 RP)
Completed[edit]
Xenobiology: We recovered numerous alien corpses. Researching the bodies and understanding the core elements of their biology will let us learn how these creatures function. Furthermore, it may also us to devise ways to capture and hold them prisoner. (40/40 RP)
Codename: Mobius
We've managed to successfully map the alien specimen's entire genome, although I wasn't entirely sure it would be possible using our existing DNA sequencing techniques. However, our success has led to the startling realization that this creature's genetic structure is quite similar to our own. This discovery has piqued the interests of the research team, as it only raises more questions as to the origin of the species...
The aliens themselves are inimical to Earth's atmosphere. Analysis of lungs and cellular tissue of captured Sectoids suggest that prolonged exposure to our oxygen rich environment would prove toxic and fatal. We do not know the exact composition of their preferred atmosphere, but with what we've learned, we can provide a reasonable likeliness.
Having examined several of the alien corpses, we've also observed a trend - key components of the alien's genetic structure are mirrored perfectly across each of the specimens. Although it is presumptive at this point to draw conclusions as to how this is possible, I believe it is only logical to assume the alien is the product of aggressive genetic engineering, well beyond anything conceived of on Earth. If the aliens are truly capable of this sort of manipulation at a cellular level, I fear we may have only scratched the surface of their technological advantages over us.
In any case, further research is imperative... and while we've obviously made a number of discoveries working with the alien corpses, I feel we may need to acquire a living specimen if we truly hope to find the answers to these questions.
With our new knowledge of their physiology and biology, we now have the means to keep aliens alive after capture; we've devised a facility that will allow us to contain them and, using specimens recovered from corpses, 'feed' the implants that provide them with energy, allowing for prolonged containment and giving us the ability to seek knowledge directly from them.
Mechanical Impact: Alien containment facilities are being constructed at all X-COM bases. It is now possible to capture and interrogate live aliens.
Alien Weapon Fragments: While we could not recover any alien weapons intact, we do have the fragments from their destruction. Research may unlock clues about how they work and to improve our own weapons
Codename: Looking Glass
Our understanding of the alien materials is limited at best, and we could spend years deciphering the complex manufacturing process required to produce and manipulate these substances. The most commonly used alien materials are extremely light and durable, placing them in the 'Tritanium' class of materials, previously thought to be only theoretical. Initial research have revealed that traditional forms of working these metals are ineffective; being resistant to heat and pressure. However, when an electromagnet field is applied, they become elastic and easily molded. When desired, they can exhibit shape memory and superelasticity effects while being more durable than any other material known to science - basically a self-healing superalloy.
More research will be required to make specific use of them, to refine our understanding of the molding technique, but for the time being, we’ve been able to make some simple items using alloys recovered from abduction and crash sites. Armor inserts to replace the ceramic ones used in our Kevlar Vests, and knives and blades.
Mechanical Impact: Alloy Plates, Alloy Knife, Alloy Sword, Allow Hammer now available in armory.
Alien Materials: Alien weapons and abduction pods were made out of strange materials that have no immediate earth-like analogues. Understanding them may lead up to new developments in armor.
Codename: Sagaris
Although the alien weapon fragments provide a limited glimpse into the system utilized in their equipment, we've seen enough to confirm my worst suspicions about their technology... that is it is vastly superior to our own. However, I have been encouraged by the rapid developments the research team has made in studying the damaged circuitry and electronics we recovered. Our initial efforts have already yielded a successful outcome. The new integrated sighting module created for our weaponry was heavily influenced by the aliens' own targeting system. Furthermore, a sensing mechanism was designed to make a sort of proximity grenade.
While we are still quite far from being able to recreate and utilize the aliens own weapons, the new information our team has gained from studying them has opened up new possibilities for personal laser weapons that could be developed.
Mechanical Impact: SCOPE, Proximity Grenades now available in armory
Sectoid Interrogation: Our first prisoner. This represents an unprecedented opportunity to understand the aliens and their goals. This will also provide significant boosts to our research efforts
Codename: Roanoke
From: Dr Moira Vahlen
To: X-COM Senior Staff
Subject: Report on initial interrogation of member of the Sectoid species
The Sectoid claims to be a member of a group called the Starspawn. To note, it claimed that others called it the Starspawn; suggesting that the term comes form the interaction with some other alien race.
The interrogated Sectoids had starkly limited knowledge. They were experts at their particular areas. But outisde of that, had almost no cultural or historical knowledge. They seem to have been cloned relatively recently. They were in a base. They were assigned to a mission. They went on the mission. And then we captured them. Knowledge is uploaded, either through the cybernetic implants or some sort of telepathic imprint. There are no lessons or training.
Our hypothesis is that the subject was manufactured and programmed for specific tasks, not unlike a computer or a robot. While the subject does show significant signs of genetic modification, we do not believe that they are a specifically a genetic creation. Analysis of the DNA shows clear indications of millions of years of evolution, much like our own. Did this specifies modify themselves to become like this, ultra focusing individuals on tasks in service of a collective whole, or was it done to them by some other force?
Our next priority is to capture aliens with more knowledge. The leaders must know more about their tasks and their mission than the lower level researchers. Field teams had identified individual sectoids leading other sectoids in combat and missions; they should be prioritized for capture and interrogation. The Outsiders are also a high priority target. Perhaps they are mission commanders, above even the Sectoid leaders. Their status as some form of energy that manifests into physical form is radically different from anything we’ve seen thus far.
One proposal is to disrupt this energy somehow, without use of brute force that destroys the creature entirely. EMP grenades will be distributed to X-COM forces to test this hypothesis.
Mechanical Impact: EMP grenades now available. Future research periods will have bonus research points. Captured sectoids will provide bonus research points.
