Invasion
It has begun.
[Author's Note: This story follows the story Maybe Science, Maybe Magic, and is the eleventh episode of Volume 7.]
"Lieutenant, you have to recall the Atlas battle fleet," said Ruby. "Right now. Or even sooner."
Lieutenant Rondel, acting commander of the military forces – what there was of them – in Atlas stared at them. "And just why should I do that?" he said.
Both of the battleships, all but a few of the cruisers, nearly all of the soldiers, and the force of Hunters were in Vale, preparing to participate in the ceremonies set up for the activation of the new Cross Continental Transmit System. General Ironwood and his senior staff would take the salute of the assembled forces. While the CCTS would serve all of Remnant, there would be no doubt that it was the result of Atlas technology, lien and resources. It was the way Atlas did things.
"Because Atlas is about to be attacked by Salem," said Ruby. "She has the capacity to generate a portal large enough for thousands of Grimm, including the very big ones."
"She has been waiting for this moment, when most of the forces are elsewhere," said Blake.
"Uh-huh," said Rondel. "And how do you know that she will attack Atlas, and not somewhere else?"
"All her recent actions have been directed this way, and her assistant, van der Twitch, told me that Salem would be master of Atlas soon," said Yang.
"Van ... der ... Twitch?" said Rondel.
"Yes, I know, it's a really stupid name, but that's what she's called," said Yang.
Weiss took a pocket-watch from her mini-pack and looked at it. "The parade in Vale will be starting about now," she said. "And the CCTS will be coming on line at the same time, so everyone can see the General's toys."
"Hey, I didn't know you had one of those," said Ruby.
"Just got it," said Weiss. "Lieutenant, if you send a message now the battleships, at least, can re-fuel and get back in six hours or so."
"What, and miss the parade?"
"I scream in frustration at your foolishness," said Blake.
"Okay, if you're not going to recall them, at least tell us what forces are currently in Atlas," said Ruby.
"Hmm," said Rondel. "That information is classified, but since you are the Dragon-Slayer Four, and are close to General Ironwood, I suppose I can tell you."
"Wrong on both counts, but tell us anyway," said Yang.
Rondel called up a screen of data on his computer. "Seven light cruisers, about seventy ground soldiers," he said. "Plus the prototype Praetorian. Some repairs to it have just been completed – "
"No!" said the four of them together.
"And the experimental android," said Rondel. "Polly."
"It's Penny, and we'll take her," said Ruby.
"Take her ... where?" said Rondel. "Even if there was going to be some sort of attack, where would it be?"
The four of them looked at each other.
"Get us a map of the city," said Yang.
Rondel produced one and they spread it over his desk. They pored over it.
"The plaza where they snatched Blake?" suggested Yang.
"Or how about this park, near the river?" said Blake, pointing at another open space.
"Neither are big enough for a portal hundreds of metres wide," said Ruby. "It would be somewhere with a large open area. Somewhere that the Grimm can take, occupy, and defend. Somewhere they can spread out from, attack the population."
"A hub," said Yang. "Somewhere at the centre of a lot of roads."
"Then that," said Weiss, "means ... here." She tapped the map.
Atlas Airship Port.
"That's it," said Ruby, and Yang and Blake nodded.
"Are you suggesting that I order the shutdown of our major airship field?" said Rondel. "On your say-so?"
"Ruby," said Weiss. "You're the strategist. If you were planning this attack, how would you do it?"
Ruby considered. "I would secure the area first," she said. "Make sure there was plenty of room to mass forces as they come through the portal. I ... er, let me think ... uh, yeah, I know. I would send a force of Nevermores and Gryphons to clear the way. A beach-head."
"Lieutenant," said Weiss. "Can you access the long-range sensors from here? Look east."
Rondel turned to his computer and began to push buttons. He turned the screen so the others could see it.
"There," he said. "You see, nothing in sight. Nothing in the east ... er ... well, yes, there's these ... probably just some birds. Happens all the time."
They watched the shapes grow larger as they drew closer. "Birds," said Yang. "Sure."
Ruby drew herself up. "Let's go," she said.
Muriel Magenta was saying: " – and we have just received word, in our Atlas studio, that the CCTS has gone live in Vale, so all of Remnant can now see the remarkable ceremony, featuring the military forces, led by General James Ironwood. This is a great day ... uh, wait, I am receiving information from our mobile unit at the airship port ... apparently some sort of disruption there ... there has been word ... Grimm flying creatures, huge and dark, have attacked several airships ... ladies and gentlemen, I am temporarily going off air, and I will rejoin you in a few minutes, when my camera crew and I reach the airship port ... "
"Oh ... dear," said Ruby.
"It's ... hard to know where to start," said Blake, looking around at the chaos.
"I was expecting maybe ten, twelve of them," said Yang.
"Way off," said Weiss.
A flight of Atlas cruisers passed over them, firing. Immediately, most of the Nevermores and Gryphons turned to attack them. But several Grimm continued to attack incoming civilian airships. Several had already gone down. The port terminals were being evacuated, some in an orderly fashion, and some in ... a screaming panic.
Two military trucks pulled up and several dozen soldiers jumped out. They began to fire. They were joined by a contingent of Atlas police.
"Salutations, good friend Ruby and other friends who are not as good friends as Ruby but still very good!" said Penny, as she came up to them.
"Uh, hi," said Blake. "You think you can get the attention of one of those things, get them to come in low?"
"Certainly," said Penny. She released her swords, and then generated a small energy ball, and launched it at a Nevermore. The creature dived towards them.
"Yang, put your arms around me," said Blake, as she readied Gambol Shroud.
"Any time," said Yang, as she did so.
"And you other guys might like to, oh I don't know, run," said Blake.
Ruby, Weiss and Penny ran. The Nevermore swept down, snapping at them. Blake threw the Shroud, and the anchor end wrapped around its talon. In a moment Blake, with Yang holding on, had swung up onto the creature's back. They began to fire at the Nevermores and Gryphons around them.
"Huh," said Weiss. "How about that. You know, those two really love each other."
"Yes, they do," said Ruby.
"I do not understand this love business," said Penny.
"Welcome to the human race," said Weiss.
A Gryphon swooped at them. Ruby lifted her gun and fired, Weiss released a blast of ice, and Penny shot an energy ball. The Gryphon exploded into ashes.
"One more down," said Ruby.
"Leaving a large number, minus one," said Weiss.
Blake and Yang suddenly landed beside them. "Killed five," said Blake.
"We saw two of the Atlas cruisers go down," said Yang. "Another two in trouble."
"And this fight hasn't even started yet," said Ruby.
"Really?" said Penny. "When will it start?"
Ruby pointed. On the far side of the airfield, a portal was beginning to form. "Any time now," she said. She called out to the soldiers and police; the momentum of the fight with the flying Grimm had broken them into small groups. "Everyone with a gun, form up on me!" she shouted. "Concentrate your fire, pick your targets, don't waste ammunition. It's going to get a lot worse."
Muriel Magenta ran up to them, trailing her camera crew. She thrust her microphone at Weiss. "As the leader of the Dragon-Slayer Four, what do you have to say about these incredible events to the people of Remnant?" she said.
Weiss stared at her. "First," she said, "I'm not the leader, Ruby is. Ruby Rose. She's the one in red. But we're all busy fighting off an invasion at the moment, so I doubt she'll want to stop to do an interview. Second, it's Team RWBY. Always has been. Get it right. Third, and this is really important. Stay out of the fucking way!"
Weiss looked around. Ruby and the others were running for the portal. She ran after them.
"So there you have it, viewers," said Muriel, turning towards the camera. "The fate of Atlas is in the hands of ... Team RWBY."
END (to be continued)