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The results are...confusing. Although the samples lack traces of known bio-agents, the man's biology had been altered extensively and irreversibly. Every somatic tissue appears as a mosaic, with normal human cells existing alongside adaptable neoblasts with no known species-of-origin. Entire sections of the man's genetic code have been rewritten by an aggressive network of epigenetic writers and mobile genetic elements, yielding developmental programs capable of producing novel anatomical structures. While you lack the equipment and expertise needed to understand the full extent of these changes, its complexity clearly outstrips anything produced in a federation lab. The agent that had infected the man and his village was almost certainly alien. For a few moments, you dwell on the possibility that it is an Aeldari weapon before discounting it. Even if the Aeldari had enough familiarity with human biology to craft such a bio agent, you doubted that they would put in so much effort when they had other means of warfare. If there was any connection between this agent and the raiding team you encountered, it remained elusive.
You share this information with Liscia and Alberico, the latter still recovering from his rushed return to your base-station. Both of them look grim as they consider the possibility of facing another alien threat - one that was not only mere hours away from reaching our base, but also insidious enough to mimic the human form. While you suspect that whatever malign intelligence is guiding the villagers is broadly aware of your presence, you doubt that it has located your location or gathered any information about your capabilities. You discuss strategic options with Liscia and Alberico as your tactical core furiously churns through battle projections against an unknown enemy.
[REMINDER: Your current base-station is three hexes from the town. Its the large dark-green hex close to the camera, not the smaller hex close to the village where your chassis was originally housed]
《Hold position and ambush the two scouts once they arrive. Defeat the enemy piecemeal once they send a larger scouting force》
《Preemptively kill the two scouts as a diversion. Assault the town while their forces are occupied.》
《Assault the town directly. Collapse marked tunnels with thermobaric artillery to restrict movement, offload anti-armor duties to Liscia and the mercenaries》
《Write-In/Combine》
