Part 25.4 - The End
![[Image: 25_screen087.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2ycembqmaz7ilh5/25_screen087.png)
Turn 9: RefSteel has a clear shot on the Chryssalid, and kills it without any trouble.
![[Image: 25_screen088.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/hfprryw5qdkc47l/25_screen088.png)
For the first time in a while, Dreylin finds himself under his own power near the north squad. Welcome back! For the moment he hides himself in a small room.
![[Image: 25_screen089.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5v5rxy24jia22fs/25_screen089.png)
Adrien's a little far from the rest of the pack now. He checks the room above him, then opens the far door to find a Celatid. He'll deal with it next turn.
![[Image: 25_screen090.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wvrc3vsd1souxg0/25_screen090.png)
novice sees a Chryssalid wandering dangerously close. Neither he nor El Grillo can get in range and shoot it, so both of them hide in a corner.
![[Image: 25_screen091.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fkn5lh6mrkwxig2/25_screen091.png)
The Chryssalid instead runs up to Dreylin and...runs away again. What? This near-death experience is sufficient to make Dreylin panic himself.
![[Image: 25_screen092.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/hg9r6h3wmgx43vh/25_screen092.png)
Turn 10: Whyever that happened, the solution is simple: novice sends a Blaster Bomb weaving through the hallway until it collides with the Chryssalid.
![[Image: 25_screen093.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wbgw5x1asakhaox/25_screen093.png)
REM, Molach and Bobchillingworth have been contending with a Silacoid in this elevator room for a couple of turns now; a plasma pistol burst lays it to rest for good.
![[Image: 25_screen094.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0gowp43hzlsvcqj/25_screen094.png)
Adrien's Celatid has been joined by a Silacoid; he shoots the Celatid and runs back inside.
![[Image: 25_screen095.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/70gc1fymi83a01q/25_screen095.png)
In the center DaveV sees, well, something. Old Harry uses his Mind Probe to confirm that the alien is in fact an injured Silacoid. OH has been Mind Probe scanning for most of this mission; I don't trust his low Psi Strength with a weapon, but with how much the aliens like Dreylin perhaps it's a moot point.
![[Image: 25_screen096.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/p79ofysxns7cpll/25_screen096.png)
RefSteel and Molach are surprised by a Sectopod which emerges from the south elevator. Strangely, it declines to shoot, instead walking back and forth a little.
![[Image: 25_screen097.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2khvspsu9fge4uk/25_screen097.png)
Turn 11: After RefSteel drills it with six Heavy Plasma shots from behind, Molach's last two incendiary rounds tip the Sectopod over the edge. That was close.
![[Image: 25_screen098.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/p5oj69wbzv6tdyf/25_screen098.png)
Adrien doesn't find his Silacoid, but he does find an Ethereal to shoot.
While this is going on, Dreylin slips into alien mind control again.
![[Image: 25_screen099.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/o56cr21bcs5j60m/25_screen099.png)
Turn 12: Bob enters the chamber the Sectopod dropped in from; there's plenty of weird stuff but no aliens around.
![[Image: 25_screen100.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/e5c8qa4d7h9x7ho/25_screen100.png)
There's not much left to explore; the control center might be up by Adrien, who's exchanging Plasma Rifle fire with another Ethereal right about now.
![[Image: 25_screen101.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0ce1jvy9vpdfcrs/25_screen101.png)
Everyone advances to the west.
![[Image: 25_screen102.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/yamnv85eu7rt1tz/25_screen102.png)
A lone Ethereal goes berserk over here; with REM's help spotting, novice sends him the last Blaster Bomb.
![[Image: 25_screen103.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ad7st26vdodem5e/25_screen103.png)
Even with all the aliens slain so far, there's no room to relax - this patrolling Sectopod could kill haphazard if it turns around and finds him.
![[Image: 25_screen104.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/q61qqpz2d93ev11/25_screen104.png)
It doesn't, but on the next turn haphazard shoots it thrice with his Heavy Plasma; the Sectopod replies with three shots of its own.
![[Image: 25_screen105.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/7tz9vxxo13qvo4u/25_screen105.png)
This is a tricky situation; nobody is in range to shoot the Sectopod, but it could get at anybody on its turn. For the moment Quagma Blast primes a High Explosive charge and waits.
![[Image: 25_screen106.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/l5fn2do48w8rdtm/25_screen106.png)
The alien turn sees a sudden burst of activity. Molach is mind controlled and attempts to stun Lewwyn...
![[Image: 25_screen107.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wpgzn1xibr5rrn1/25_screen107.png)
...while El Grillo is ambushed by a Chryssalid. Farewell El Grillo.
![[Image: 25_screen108.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9tutip6k1y3acfz/25_screen108.png)
Turn 15: REM finds himself uncomfortably close to the Chryssalid; he and novice fire a salvo of plasma pistol shots to no effect, leaving them hideously exposed.
![[Image: 25_screen109.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u3mgo8wxjhi8k1x/25_screen109.png)
With no other options, RefSteel primes a High Explosive and throws it to David Corperial, who throws it under the Chryssalid. Hopefully that will be enough, because if not there's three juicy humans waiting to be killed horribly...
![[Image: 25_screen110.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/leqvdt9lkqoimzv/25_screen110.png)
This Sectopod's still kicking, too. Quagma chucks his own High Explosive underneath it.
Both charges go off, killing the Chryssalid but not the Sectopod.
![[Image: 25_screen111.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/8ly0770cihf9pqo/25_screen111.png)
Turn 16: Sadly, Quagma Blast pays for his bravery with his life. Happily, the Sectopod is so heavily damaged that a Stun Bomb from Dreylin finishes it off.
![[Image: 25_screen112.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/kbl35fljob869oh/25_screen112.png)
With the Chryssalid dead, those in the south prepare to hold El Grillo's funeral next turn.
![[Image: 25_screen113.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v06rg0sdblwcb2a/25_screen113.png)
Up north, AdrienIer comes across the last big room left unexplored. This must be where the alien Brain is lurking.
![[Image: 25_screen114.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/vpce5c2sijbw9z0/25_screen114.png)
After taking care of a straggler, the remaining agents approach the last chamber. Lewwyn opens the door and kills an Ethereal hiding within. The psionic attacks are still going on, so only the most psi-capable agents will continue from this point.
![[Image: 25_screen115.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nxfsv7n7j9amux9/25_screen115.png)
Bob approaches the two elevators and finds another Ethereal. He misses all of his shots, so RefSteel ends up taking it out.
![[Image: 25_screen116.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/f2i5stishwodl81/25_screen116.png)
It turns out, that might have been the very last alien left. The troops enter the brain's chamber to find it totally defenceless.
![[Image: 25_screen117.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rrbvm1b8yy4oxa4/25_screen117.png)
Might as well let the Commander do the deed, right? One shot from DaveV's Heavy Laser, and the game is won.
When the final shot is taken, the ending screens play out:
![[Image: 25_screen118.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ckqujsfm2ll8pjt/25_screen118.png)
![[Image: 25_screen119.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0p640ko8iws0vmm/25_screen119.png)
![[Image: 25_screen120.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5uit7bnxhkk6jl5/25_screen120.png)
![[Image: 25_screen121.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3gewqpkw4iwtxzs/25_screen121.png)
![[Image: 25_screen122.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/yx64gylm55iegti/25_screen122.png)
In OpenXcom, you get one last look at your statistics:
![[Image: 25_screen123.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zikcpggj1r6ull3/25_screen123.png)
![[Image: 25_screen124.png]](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/h9t533s67tcwh91/25_screen124.png)
The good old Laser Rifle takes the top weapon spot, and Floaters weigh in as responsible for the most deaths - surely due to the multitude of Floater missions I went on. Humanity will forever honor the courage of those who perished (and perished, and perished again...) in the line of duty. I'd have liked to collate statistics for each soldier, but once the game's finished you can't go back and look at them and I can't take any backups. So we'll leave it here.
Thanks to everyone who followed along! It was a blast doing this playthrough, and especially with the Realms Beyond viewers.
Turn 9: RefSteel has a clear shot on the Chryssalid, and kills it without any trouble.
For the first time in a while, Dreylin finds himself under his own power near the north squad. Welcome back! For the moment he hides himself in a small room.
Adrien's a little far from the rest of the pack now. He checks the room above him, then opens the far door to find a Celatid. He'll deal with it next turn.
novice sees a Chryssalid wandering dangerously close. Neither he nor El Grillo can get in range and shoot it, so both of them hide in a corner.
The Chryssalid instead runs up to Dreylin and...runs away again. What? This near-death experience is sufficient to make Dreylin panic himself.
Turn 10: Whyever that happened, the solution is simple: novice sends a Blaster Bomb weaving through the hallway until it collides with the Chryssalid.
REM, Molach and Bobchillingworth have been contending with a Silacoid in this elevator room for a couple of turns now; a plasma pistol burst lays it to rest for good.
Adrien's Celatid has been joined by a Silacoid; he shoots the Celatid and runs back inside.
In the center DaveV sees, well, something. Old Harry uses his Mind Probe to confirm that the alien is in fact an injured Silacoid. OH has been Mind Probe scanning for most of this mission; I don't trust his low Psi Strength with a weapon, but with how much the aliens like Dreylin perhaps it's a moot point.
RefSteel and Molach are surprised by a Sectopod which emerges from the south elevator. Strangely, it declines to shoot, instead walking back and forth a little.
Turn 11: After RefSteel drills it with six Heavy Plasma shots from behind, Molach's last two incendiary rounds tip the Sectopod over the edge. That was close.
Adrien doesn't find his Silacoid, but he does find an Ethereal to shoot.
While this is going on, Dreylin slips into alien mind control again.
Turn 12: Bob enters the chamber the Sectopod dropped in from; there's plenty of weird stuff but no aliens around.
There's not much left to explore; the control center might be up by Adrien, who's exchanging Plasma Rifle fire with another Ethereal right about now.
Everyone advances to the west.
A lone Ethereal goes berserk over here; with REM's help spotting, novice sends him the last Blaster Bomb.
Even with all the aliens slain so far, there's no room to relax - this patrolling Sectopod could kill haphazard if it turns around and finds him.
It doesn't, but on the next turn haphazard shoots it thrice with his Heavy Plasma; the Sectopod replies with three shots of its own.
This is a tricky situation; nobody is in range to shoot the Sectopod, but it could get at anybody on its turn. For the moment Quagma Blast primes a High Explosive charge and waits.
The alien turn sees a sudden burst of activity. Molach is mind controlled and attempts to stun Lewwyn...
...while El Grillo is ambushed by a Chryssalid. Farewell El Grillo.
Turn 15: REM finds himself uncomfortably close to the Chryssalid; he and novice fire a salvo of plasma pistol shots to no effect, leaving them hideously exposed.
With no other options, RefSteel primes a High Explosive and throws it to David Corperial, who throws it under the Chryssalid. Hopefully that will be enough, because if not there's three juicy humans waiting to be killed horribly...
This Sectopod's still kicking, too. Quagma chucks his own High Explosive underneath it.
Both charges go off, killing the Chryssalid but not the Sectopod.
Turn 16: Sadly, Quagma Blast pays for his bravery with his life. Happily, the Sectopod is so heavily damaged that a Stun Bomb from Dreylin finishes it off.
With the Chryssalid dead, those in the south prepare to hold El Grillo's funeral next turn.
Up north, AdrienIer comes across the last big room left unexplored. This must be where the alien Brain is lurking.
After taking care of a straggler, the remaining agents approach the last chamber. Lewwyn opens the door and kills an Ethereal hiding within. The psionic attacks are still going on, so only the most psi-capable agents will continue from this point.
Bob approaches the two elevators and finds another Ethereal. He misses all of his shots, so RefSteel ends up taking it out.
It turns out, that might have been the very last alien left. The troops enter the brain's chamber to find it totally defenceless.
Might as well let the Commander do the deed, right? One shot from DaveV's Heavy Laser, and the game is won.
When the final shot is taken, the ending screens play out:
In OpenXcom, you get one last look at your statistics:
The good old Laser Rifle takes the top weapon spot, and Floaters weigh in as responsible for the most deaths - surely due to the multitude of Floater missions I went on. Humanity will forever honor the courage of those who perished (and perished, and perished again...) in the line of duty. I'd have liked to collate statistics for each soldier, but once the game's finished you can't go back and look at them and I can't take any backups. So we'll leave it here.
Thanks to everyone who followed along! It was a blast doing this playthrough, and especially with the Realms Beyond viewers.
I was pretty much just waiting to see how long it was before my last clone got offed.
He's even got enough mental strength to be trusted with a real weapon. 
So off we go to Cydonia...and look at him, shooting up cyberdisks with bursts of plasma. Go me! 
