"Look at that thing? They call it a Super Hornet? That thing can't fight our fighters! Can it? Just in case, activate the AA defenses. We're gonna keep Atlas pre-occupied. They can't find out how little their forces matter in the grand picture." -RADAR/Comm operator on the East Coast of Hammond.
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Fort United, Hammond East Coast
Grunts stationed on the walls watched in awe as cannons situated on the ground powered up. The smaller 105mm Howitzers were cool and all, but the majestic look of the bigger cannons that stood situated near the center of the base were something awe-inspiring. The huge barrels, the sound of the charging of the ultra-heavy cannons that had just been designed were now being tested, the loading of 1080mm shells into the cannons, it was all a sight to see. Some even cheered as the cannons rose, and the first few shots rang out. The shells from the Mavor cannons and quantum shells from the Disruptor cannons rose into the sky, the shells falling towards the ground. The shots impacted, and dirt was thrown into the sky as targets were ripped apart.
"So this is what the Experimental Department is putting out? These cannons are huge!" A soldier exclaimed. "We could wipe out Grimm hordes in an instant with these things!"
"That's what they're made for!" Another shouted. "These things are being implemented on the Grimmwoods wall! If we leave them out long enough, we could probably wipe out every single Grimm in the Grimmlands!"
"That's why they were built, private." The two turned around to see a woman wearing armor similar to Edler's, though her helmet wasn't broken. "But if Atlas keeps testing their luck, our new toys may find their unintended second use."
"Lieutenant Kohr! What are you doing here?" A sergeant asked. "Isn't today your day off?"
"I was called back after Atlas decided it was a good idea to develop technology to get frisky with us." Lieutenant Kohr said, taking her helmet off. "I would've been spending time with my sister while her boyfriend is in Beacon, but nope. Atlas has Super Hornets now. Bet they aren't that super as they say."
Lieutenant Elizabeth Kohr was a moderately tall woman, her pale complexion and red eyes made her seem like an evil version of a Schnee. Her snow-white hair was put into a ponytail, while her snow-leopard ears would flicker occasionally at the wind. Her armor, unlike Edler's, was white with black accents. Attached to her waist was her chainsword, Unyielding Anger , and on her back was a Flatline rifle.
"Ma'am, shouldn't we still be worried?" A soldier asked.
"Of course, it has been forever since we were challenged in the skies. Nevermore are easily killed using SAMs and Griffons never make it past the flak guns." Elizabeth answered. "Now, as for what to do with Atlas having them?"
The soldiers looked at each other, and shrugged.
Elizabeth smiled. "We could alway just let them see how insignificant they are."
The soldiers seemed shocked. "Ma'am, isn't the whole reason we're here is for Atlas to never see the real threat?" One asked.
"You are correct. However, look at it this way. Atlas sees our territory as theirs. If we show them how many Grimm are on this landmass, they'll back off. Maybe."
The soldiers looked at each other again, sharing looks of agreement or confusion. "Ma'am, wouldn't it be more prudent for us to help them?"
Elizabeth shrugged. "It would be. HIGHCOM, however, has come to a different conclusion. There's someone in the Four Kingdoms that is dangerous to us. He would exact control over us, and use us in a way we weren't intended for."
"Who would that be?" Another soldier asked.
Elizabeth stayed silent, and only looked out at the open fields.
Beacon
Edler and Adam walked the halls of the main building, both of them wearing their combat gear. While they were both getting ready for the school day, they had been alerted to meet with Ozpin about something. They both assumed it was about the Atlesian WF, meaning Edler was probably in trouble for killing them.
'Maybe Ruby was onto something…' He mentally sighed.
They walked into the Cafeteria, and Edler had a split second to dodge a tray flying right towards his head. "Ah shit, I was correct."
In front of them were students who all looked very angry at the current moment.
"Can we help you gentlemen?" Adam asked, his hand hovering near his weapon.
"Not today. We're here to deal with the one who decided it was a good idea to insult Pyrrha!" One of them, a short pudgy brown haired kid, exclaimed.
"Insult Pyr-Oh! You mean the fight!" Edler asked, sarcasm barely hidden in his voice.
"Yeah!" A tall lanky kid answered back. "How dare you!"
"How dare I? She challenged me. It would've been an insult for me to hold back on her." Edler explained. "Unless you all are going to fight me, step aside. I have a meeting with Headmaster Ozpin."
They all gritted their teeth or scowled, but stepped aside regardless. Edler and Adam walked by them, only when they walked out of the Cafeteria and into the outside did Adam remove his hand from his weapon.
"Jeez, if I knew this was gonna be a problem I would've stayed away from Pyrrha." Edler sighed. "What's done is done, but jeez these fanboys don't lay off."
"They idolize someone who doesn't love them the same way back." Adam stated. "They're in for a world of hurt."
"They trained to be here, so I think that should count for something." Edler responded. "But they won't be a threat. C'mon, let's get this meeting out of the way. We need to cause havoc once we're done here."
Adam nodded, and the two walked towards the tower. Along the way, they both could feel the stares from the students in the courtyard. It had been a week since Edler had returned from Vale covered in Atlesian WF blood and bits, and a day short of a week since he had beaten Pyrrha, and people were still talking about him. "We're ordered to cause havoc?"
Adam nodded.
"Do you think I could keep things like this and it be good?" Edler asked.
"Not likely. It's probably for the best that we cause more than just this. We're gonna need to contact one of my 'friends' for help here." Adam answered. "Hope you don't mind the Vale Underground."
Edler smiled. "After this."
They walked into the clocktower base, and right up to the elevator. The door opened automatically, and the two walked in. The doors closed, and the elevator started to move up.
"Guess he was expecting us." Edler remarked.
"That he was." Adam said.
They both checked their weapons, knowing they weren't in for a fight. However, anything was possible when the soldier of an unknown kingdom and the leader of the Vale WF branch walked into the office of the most important person in Beacon and possibly Vale.
The elevator stopped, and the doors opened to reveal Ozpin standing in front of his desk with his cane.
"Ah crap." Adam mumbled. "He's not happy."
The two walked out of the elevator, tense. Edler looked wary at Ozpin, while Adam's eyes were unreadable thanks to his mask. "Headmaster." He started.
"Mr. Taurus, Mr. Adler, do you know why I have called you two here?" Ozpin asked.
Edler crossed his arms. "Does it have to do with the fight in Vale?"
"It does. The Council doesn't take too kindly to my students going down to Vale and fighting White Fang. They also don't like it when there's corpses left behind."
Adam sniffed. "So?"
"So it has come to my attention that White Fang operatives and grunts from Atlas may be in Vale now." Ozpin answered. "I'm guessing you two already knew this."
"Obviously." Edler answered.
"I'm going to be brief then. You two will be dealing with the White Fang threat. While the Vale Branch of the White Fang is peaceful, the Atlas Branch is the polar opposite. I'm tasking Team AE to deal with the White Fang threats in Vale." Ozpin stated. "I say this because of one reason."
"Why?" Edler asked.
"You two are the only ones willing to kill."
"You want us to kill them?" Adam asked.
"I have already communicated with High Leader Khan. She wants the Atlas Branch gone as much as anyone else. You two will be fighting them. Because of this unprovoked attack, we have some support from a place that is the most and least likely to help us." Ozpin continued.
"Where?" Edler asked.
General Ironwood's office, Atlas Academy
"General Ironwood, we can't condone this blatant ignorance of power here!" A councilmember exclaimed. There was an emergency meeting in Ironwood's office, though it wasn't concerning the newest items in Atlas's inventory.
"We also cannot allow terrorists that have grown in our Kingdom run amok in others!" Ironwood countered. "We have survived without needing the new territory, we can survive a little longer without it!"
"The General is correct." Councilman Harling agreed. "There is no way we can let the White Fang become this violent, especially if they're from our own Kingdom!"
"We need the Dust that's over on the island!" Jacques Schnee argued. "The money we could bring to the Kingdom! The ammunition and fuel we could have!"
"I can't tell if you're being greedy or sincere, Schnee." Ironwood sniffed. "While you're correct, we can't ignore these terrorists nabbing potentially dangerous weapons. We caught trace amounts of radiation at the scene of where the weapons were."
"Wait, weren't the weapons unrecovered?" Someone asked.
The council paused, then paled. "Are we implying that there is a loose nuke in Vale right now?" General Ironwood asked. "Let me get this straight: Atlesian White Fang are loose in Vale while a nuclear weapon is also loose in Vale? Are we sure we want to continue working towards colonizing the island?"
The Council, sans Harling, shuffled nervously.
"I'll put together a force to head to Vale." Ironwood sighed. "Let's hope the nuke hasn't gone too far already."
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"Koko, you're telling me that's a real nuke? Like, an honest-to-Stryker nuclear warhead? What in the hell made you think bringing an ACTUAL nuke to Vale was going to achieve?" -Major General Acerius, Intelligence Division Commander, HIGHCOM
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Beacon Grounds
Edler ended the call on his phone and turned to Adam. "Remember that fake nuclear warhead from when we fought the Fang?"
"Yeah?"
"It wasn't fake. HIGHCOM just found out it was real." Edler sighed. "Koko fucking played us."
"Wait. Doesn't that mean?"
"Vale and Atlas now believe that there is a loose nuke in Vale at this very moment." Edler pinched the bridge of his nose. "Stryker-dammit."
"This bodes well, actually." Adam reasoned. "Atlas will surely have to focus on Vale now."
Edler came to the same conclusion. "That's right. A nuke here, coupled with loose Atlesian WFs…"
"Boom. Refocus of priorities." Adam smiled.
"Great." Edler clapped. "This is terrific news!"
"What is?" Pyrrha and Jaune walked up to them.
Edler and Adam looked at the duo. "Oh nothing…" Adam whistled.
"It sounds like something…" Jaune arched an eyebrow. "What did Ozpin want with you two exactly, anyway?"
Adam and Edler shared a look, then turned to Jaune and Pyrrha. "We've been tasked with hunting Atlesian White Fang in Vale."
"You're kidding!" Jaune exclaimed.
"It's gotten that bad?" Pyrrha asked.
"It has and it will only get worse, according to Ozpin." Adam answered. "Edler and I have been deemed fit enough to rein them back in."
"Why's that?" Jaune asked.
Edler winced. "You're not going to like the reason."
Adam tilted his head in agreement. "Edler and I are the only two willing to kill them. In fact, we've been ordered to kill them."
Pyrrha and Jaune recoiled. "W-what?" Jaune asked weakly.
"My partner is correct. Adam and I are weapons free in Vale, end of discussion." Edler stated, leaving no room for debate. "Ozpin and Khan want them dead? Then so be it."
"You'll go as far as to kill , though?" Pyrrha asked.
"The Atlesian White Fang has been a thorn in everyone's side. It's time they were dealt with once and for all." Adam explained. "If we show them that we've had enough of them, then perhaps they'll come to the table to, at the very least , negotiate."
Pyrrha and Jaune seemed to share a knowing look, then turned back to the duo. "If you all are okay with this…"
"It's for the greater good." Adam reassured. "And that's coming from a White Fang Branch leader."
"You can't really argue with that." Pyrrha pointed out. "Well, we do have our first fights tomorrow for combat class."
"Oh. Yeah…" Jaune looked sheepish at the prospect, something Edler and Adam didn't miss. They looked at each other, and nodded.
"Well, we'll leave you two be." Edler said. "We're gonna head down to Vale. I gotta get more ammo."
"I still can't believe you blew all your ammo already." Adam shook his head. "You need more gun variety. You have too many rifles that share ammo."
"So I just buy more ammo." Edler shrugged. "See you two." The duo walked off, leaving Jaune and Pyrrha.
"So...our friend and his partner just got free passes to murder White Fang in Vale?" Jaune asked. "How bad is the Atlesian White Fang?"
Pyrrha looked to her partner. "I'm not sure. We should probably ask Weiss, she would know more."
Jaune nodded, and they walked to the dorms.
RWBY Dorm
Ruby could barely focus on her homework. Even while reading about the Faunus Revolution, she couldn't stop imagining Edler's words in action.
Crescent Rose sliced a goon in half, the blade becoming coated in a dark red…
Ruby shook the scene out of her head, and tried to refocus on her homework. The sound of Yang and Blake talking wasn't helping, however.
"I can't believe you have a boyfriend!" Yang exclaimed. "And that you left him because of 'orders'!"
"Look, High Leader Khan wanted to make sure Beacon was holding up its side of the bargain." Blake explained. "I was chosen because I was the least likely to arouse suspicion and because I was the most capable."
"Why not send Adam?"
"Everyone knows Adam, there would be too much work involved to get him here quietly then keep him here."
Yang nodded, it was a solid explanation. "Still, never would've expected you to have a boyfriend or partner first out of all of us."
Blake narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well…"
Before Yang could explain, there was a knock at the door. Ruby got up, thankful for a distraction, to answer the door. She opened the door, surprised to see Jaune and Pyrrha on the other side. "Hey guys, what's up?"
"Is Weiss here?" Pyrrha asked. "We have some questions."
Weiss, who had been on her bunk reading, looked up. "Questions?"
"It's regarding the White Fang in Atlas." Jaune answered sheepishly.
Weiss looked to Ruby, her eyes filled with worry. She closed them, then turned and opened them to Jaune and Pyrrha. "What do you want to know?"
"What can you tell us?" Pyrrha asked.
Weiss sighed. "The Atlesian White Fang is a branch of the White Fang based in Atlas, obviously. They are known to be the most violent and racist towards humans, and even more violent towards Faunus that don't support their cause outright. They're more of a military than a political organization...maybe polar opposite of the other branches is more accurate."
Jaune and Pyrrha shared a look, something Weiss ignored as she continued. "They have engaged in skirmishes with the Atlesian Military multiple times in the recent past. Several times there have been full battles waged. Atlesian White Fang members...actually, soldiers is a more accurate term...are well armed and well trained. They'll fight to the death, no matter what."
"So that's why…" Pyrrha seemed deep in thought. "Well armed...would they be supplied enough to open a new front in a different Kingdom?"
Weiss seemed to think on that question for a bit, until she answered. "Yes, they most likely would be."
"Then we have bad news for you all...they have." Jaune reported.
Team RWBY shot up. "What!?"
"That skirmish at the Club? It's no longer an isolated incident. Atlesian White Fang are here now." Jaune continued. "They almost got away with a large cache of weapons, but Edler and Adam stopped them."
"But Team AE can't be everywhere at once. What about classes?" Yang asked.
"That's the thing…" Pyrrha scratched the back of her head. "Team AE has been given special privileges for dealing with Atlesian White Fang."
"I don't think I'm gonna like what 'special privileges' means." Blake said.
"Edler and Adam have been given freedom to kill on sight any and all Atlesian White Fang." Jaune stated. "They are to show no mercy. And considering Edler's treatment of them before, coupled with Adam's past with the White Fang in general, they may just hunt them down instead of waiting for them to strike."
"What?!" Ruby exclaimed. "You mean-?!"
"Yes, Edler is going to paint Vale red until they leave." Yang finished.
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"Yo buddy, still alive?" -Unknown pilot, sometime during an air battle over Grimmlands Sector B7R
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Sector B7R "The Round Table"
Explosions and gunfire filled the sky as planes roared, the sounds of engines joining the cacophony of screeches and roars from the airborne Grimm. The Hornet fighters ripped apart Grimm with missiles and their 30mm autocannons as Nevermore and Griffons tried to take down the armored fighter aircraft.
"Viper One in the pipe, five by five." A pilot announced. "I got a lock, Fox 2!" A missile flew from its rail, and straight into the side of a Griffon. The Griffon exploded, leaving bits and red mist to fall to the ground. "Score another kill for me!"
"Viper One, that's the fifth kill today." Viper One's comm device reported.
"Does that mean I'm an ace?"
"No, they're Grimm. If they were a REAL threat, you would be."
"Understood." The pilot responded.
The fighter roared away to find another target as the Airborne Grimm started to thin out. The ground fight, which was occuring at the same time, was going less smoothly. Tank rounds flew through the air as Paladin tanks duelled with Goliaths and Death Stalkers. Atlas and Ogre Titans fought against Beringels and destroyed Titans that had been possessed by Giests. Infantry, both human and robotic, fought against the hordes of Beowulves and Sabyrs. Artillery would occasionally fire to suppress incoming enemies, but it couldn't help the troops that were already under attack, as the fight was more or less an all out brawl.
"Son of a bitch! I need reinforcements in these sectors, the Grimm are breaking through!" A commander shouted at his comm device. "I know this is a test of our enemies strength, but this is going too far!"
"Reinforcements unavailable, all forces in the 887th Infantry Division are currently deployed. We have gathered enough information. Have your forces pull back and prepare to defend the decided LZ. Command out." The device squawked.
"Great…" The commander sighed. "Soldiers! We're leaving! Titans and tanks, cover our retreat!" he switched to his radio. "Air squadrons, we're pulling back. Status in the air?"
"This is Viper One, the air is clear enough for us to cover your retreat." As if to back up the claim, several bombs struck Grimm groups, scattering Grimm and killing a good number of them. "Get your forces out of here."
"Many thanks, Viper One." The commander put the radio away. "Move it! Fall back!" The soldiers and robots moved at a rapid pace to get away from the Grimm as danger close artillery rained down to cover them.
Sector U9J "Avalon"
While the 887th Infantry Division fought for their lives, the 98th Infantry Division was fighting a much different enemy.
"I need you all on that hill!" A sergeant shouted, as rounds flew through the air. "We got WFs on the opposite ridgeline!" Bullets ricocheted off of the rock the sergeant was using for cover. Explosions could be heard around the entrenched Hammond soldiers. Dirt and debris flew into the sky, raining down on the soldiers. As artillery rounds from the Hammond side rained down on the White Fang on the opposite ridgeline, the soldiers ran to the top of the ridgeline to get a better firing position on the enemy. More bullets rained down from the enemy, some of the Hammond soldiers didn't make it from their cover, dust rounds killing them instantly.
"Where the hell did these bastards come from?!" A corporal asked. "I thought our AA was up!"
"Because the AA facing Atlas was activated, but we ignored the southwest portion of the island! They snuck around and entered through that way!" The sergeant answered. "They landed two divisions, according to our intelligence!"
"Two my ass! If it was two then we would have overrun them an hour ago!" Someone shouted, as more bullets pinged off the rocks. A soldier stood up to fire, only to get shredded by gunfire, the bloody body falling back down to the ground.
"Shit!" Another soldier shouted. "I'm calling this in!" He motioned for a radio operator to bring his gear to him. The radio operator ran up to him as bullets missed him. The soldier took the phone off his comrade, and waited as the operator dialed in a signal to Fire Support.
"Garm Team Arty." The other side responded.
"I need fire support on Baker mark in Indigo Grid!" The soldier exclaimed. "I got several bunkers laying hell on my platoon!" More bullets flew over them, several explosions rocked the rocky hill they were on.
"Baker Mark, Indigo Grid, copy. Firing for effect." There were several dull thuds, and the soldiers looked up to see multiple artillery rounds flying through the air as the shells impacted the enemy hill. Debris from the now destroyed bunkers flew into the air, and the soldiers could see body parts in the debris. More shells rained down, completely destroying the side of the hill. The artillery fire stopped, and the sound of enemy gunfire stopped.
"That's our cue! Get to that hill!" The sergeant ordered. "K-3-5, capture that hill!"
The soldiers got up and moved towards the other hilltop. White Fang who had survived the artillery barrage emerged from cover in the hills to shoot the charging soldiers, some were able to land some hits, but they were ultimately gunned down without mercy. One WF was hidden enough that some soldiers passed her. She waited till they passed, and jumped from her cave hiding spot. She raised her Dust rifle, only for a sword to penetrate her back and protrude from her chest. She grasped weakly at it, only for a hand to grab her head, and swiftly move it back far enough for her skull to become disconnected from her spine. She hung limply from the sword, until the Spectre holding the weapon whipped the weapon to the side, throwing her body away.
"Thanks." A soldier said. "Good eye."
The Spectre wordlessly nodded, and moved to lead the group. The sword was reattached to it's back, and the Spectre pulled out it's Volt SMG. As the group ascended the hill, they came under fire from a hidden MG. The Spectre took cover, and raised it's Volt above it's rock cover, and fired several bursts. The MG went silent.
"Moving up!" A soldier announced, and made his way to the hole where the MG was firing from. He looked inside, finding a WF in the hole, clutching his chest. The soldier pulled his P2020 out, and fired a round into the WF's head. "Clear!" He shouted, holstering the pistol.
The rest of the group moved forward, the soldier falling in behind them as rear cover. The sound of distant gunfire could be heard all around them. Until…
"Kill the liars!" A group of WF jumped out from all around them. The forward facing soldiers and the Spectre opened up, while the rear soldier killed two WFs charging from behind them. The bodies hit the ground, blood pooling in the dirt.
"Clear!" A soldier shouted as she reloaded her rifle. "Keep moving!"
This cycle, with minor variations, would repeat the rest of the day, as the White Fang was pushed back to their beachhead.
White Fang Beachhead HQ
Two hooded figures looked down at the map of the surrounding area. One had wolf ears, while the other had dog ears.
"Jax!" The dog faunus exclaimed. "We're being pushed back again!"
"I am aware of that, Elise." Jax sighed. "Yolin said we just need to cause as much damage as we can. He knows we can't do much with the EMPs still active on the island."
"Well, what can we do to counter their charges? Are we even fighting anyone of note?" Elise asked.
"It's the 98th Infantry Division." Jax answered.
"Isn't that a majority Faunus Division?" Elsie asked.
"Correct." Jax sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yolin will be pleased to hear that we killed traitors, but our soldiers won't take too kindly to it."
"I see…" Elise seemed deep in thought.
A grunt ran up to the duo. "The 4th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Division has fallen back, heavy casualties."
"Damn...they were the last line before the reserves." Jax sighed. "Have our remaining divisions form a defense around us. Begin evacuating our wounded."
"Aye, sir." The grunt saluted, and ran off.
Elise looked up at Jax. "Yolin told us to not come back if we didn't engage the 99th Hell Divers. "
"Then we won't. We're going to Vale." Jax said, turning to Elise. "Our... brother ...has gone astray. We need to show him the error of his ways. Two infantry divisions were sent to Vale to prepare for the plan."
"I still don't know why Yolin agreed with that... human ." Elise spat.
"Because the outcome outweighs his morals." Jax answered. "She knows how to bring Vale down to its knees. From there, we can exact our revenge on humanity and all the traitors."
"Understood." Elise answered. "I'll pack the gear." She walked off, leaving Jax to stare at the holographic map.
He traced a scar on his eye. "Adler…"
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"The White Fang forces are being pushed back to their final defenses. The Grimm are defending B7R still. Command has seen fit to send the 12th Expeditionary Force and the 36th Air Force to deal with them. Hang on to your hats, and expect a lot of casualty reports in the coming days." - The 1st Legion Supreme Commander, Supreme Commander Rapsis
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Downtown Vale
Edler and Adam walked to streets, their combat gear attracting stares and some low whistles. Edler had decided against wearing the helmet tonight, since his shield would still protect his head whether the helmet was there or not.
"What are we doing here now? You bought your ammo, and there's no WFs here." Adam whispered to Edler.
"Simple, we're gonna go find them." Edler answered. "It's the second Monday of the month, meaning Atlas's Dust Shipment comes tonight."
"So you're thinking they might seize the cargo."
"Exactly what I'm thinking." Edler smiled. "We jump in, and decimate them."
"What if the others hear about this plan?" Adam asked. "A firefight would attract attention."
"If they come down to join us, then I hope they're prepared to kill." Edler answered. "Most likely they won't."
"Blake might." Adam stated. "She's been outside the wire longer than all of them combined."
"Experience does make it easier." Edler hummed. "We'll see what happens. Shall we head to the docks to see whether our good friends are there?"
"We should." Adam agreed, and the two walked towards the docks.
Capitol City, Kingdom of Hammond
Capitol City was something akin to a fortress than a city, when a first look was taken at it. The walls stretched high and all around the city, while smaller walls, towns, and bases lined the outside of the city. Farmland was protected by contingents of soldiers, while towns had small walls armed with turrets surrounding the houses and buildings.
The Capital Wall, as it was called, was enormous. The wall itself had gun emplacements on platforms on the sides, armed from 50mm autocannons and 8.8cm anti-Grimm cannons to railguns and multi-barrel mortar launchers taken from Titan weapons. On the top of the wall were railguns and 155mm flak cannons. With them was the peak of Hammond point defense weaponry, manned by armored operators.
The Assault Cannon, a gatling gun firing a large .75 caliber round at 3,900 rounds per minute. The ammo was the very impressive APHE round, which could penetrate and explode inside an enemy. Though, a Grimm was usually torn apart by the weapon anyway.
The walls were equipped with RADAR stations at certain points, and the wall was wide enough that multiple Titan patrols could be seen on the tops of the walls when dropships flew over them. Soldiers that patrolled with them could see for miles, some were lucky enough to watch the sunrise in the morning or the sunset in the evening. Of course, only the best were guarding the city. The top division in the Kingdom's military, which was none other than the 256th Defense Division, an element from the 4th Army. And while they may be the best, even they had some...faults…
256th Barracks, Wall Sector 3A
PVT Seisel was lying in his rack, throwing a ball up and down while waiting for his patrol to start. Multiple times this week the barracks had been put on medium alert, but they were always put on medium alert when it came to the White Fang attacking their territory. It could be on the other side of the Kingdom, but they were always put on alert in case something happened. While Capital City hadn't been attacked since the infamous coup years earlier, HIGHCOM still wanted to be ready in case something happened in the towns surrounding the city.
"Seisel!" Seisel turned to see who called him, finding Corporal Otim standing in the doorway to their barracks. "Patrol's back. Get your gear, we'll be heading out soon."
"Roger." Seisel answered, putting the ball on the table next to his rack. He grabbed his pack, loaded a magazine into his Hemlock rifle, and walked outside the barracks while putting his helmet on. He hummed to himself as he walked outside, turning to see his squadmates singing some kind of parody of a popular song. He walked up to them.
"One!"
"Nothing wrong with me!"
"Two!"
"Nothing wrong with me!"
"Three!"
"Nothing wrong with me!"
"Four!"
"Nothing wrong with me!"
"One!"
"Something's got to give!"
"Two!"
"Something's got to give!"
"Three!"
"Something's got to give! Nooooooow!"
The two privates started to bob their heads aggressively as they sang in unison. "Let the Grimm hit the floor! Let the Grimm hit the floor! Let the Grimm-"
"Kiele! Hytch! What in the name of Stryker are you two fucks singing?" Their team leader asked, walking up behind them.
"Sorry, Sergeant." Private Kiele apologized. "Just boosting morale."
"With singing like that, you two are just demoralizing everyone." Corporal Otim responded. "Morale boosting my ass."
"Sergeant Krist, any news on the recent Atlas developments?" Seisel asked.
Sergeant Krist turned to Seisel. "Atlas has yet to make any moves. We've got our own orders right now, let the coastal divisions worry about Atlas."
"'Our own orders', same shit different day." Hytch muttered.
"You got a problem, Private Hytch?" Krist asked the younger private.
"No, sergeant." Hytch responded, looking surprised momentarily that Krist heard him. "It's screwby, that's all."
Krist nodded, satisfied in the answer. "Let's go then." He turned around. "Kiele, Hytch...keep that singing up. I like what you did with the song."
Kiele and Hytch smiled. "Hell yeah, sergeant." Hytch nodded. They continued as the team walked on.
"Siesel." Otim started. "You're from one of the coastal regions, right?"
"Yeah."
"Makes sense that you would ask, then." Otim nodded. "I would be worried, too. But have faith, just because we're the best doesn't mean the other divisions can't hold their own."
"That's true, but are we ready for an attack? We've been putting down Grimm and WFs this entire time, but a truly organized force?" Siesel asked.
Otim seemed to ponder the question. "We have numbers and technology, and in a sense the forces we've been fighting are organized in a sense . But...Atlas has better tech and numbers than WF and more organization than the Grimm. They would be a challenge if things happen to go south, but we should be more than enough to handle them."
Siesel nodded. "Very well, Corporal Otim."
"C'mon man, I told you to just call me Otim! We're not that far in rank, dammit." Otim sighed. "You passed basic training and qualified to protect the most important city in our Kingdom, you don't have to look at rank unless it's some O-whatever speaking to you. Even then, you just say ma'am or sir!"
"Sorry."
"Dammit, don't apologize either. Jeez…" Otim sighed, but had the ghost of a smile on his face. "Where do we find privates like you three?"
Hytch looked back. "I'm from a goddamn farming town, Kiele's from an Industrial City, Sarge's from a fishing port on the west coast, Siesel's from an east coast defense town, and you're from the very city we're patrolling. Face it, Otim, we're a ragtag bunch working with other ragtag bunches in a military that fights terrorists and monsters to protect a world and people that don't love us."
Krist smiled as he walked in front of the squad. "Regardless of who's from where and what we do, we still have a job to do. If we're lucky, we might be able to see the sunset today."
The squad nodded, and continued to walk. Far above them, CFA-44s flew over the city, patrolling the skies for any brave (or stupid) Grimm. It was almost comforting hearing the roar of the engines to the soldiers on the ground.
"Ah jeez." Kiele muttered as they walked past a group of Spectres. The Spectres looked on at the human squad, their glowing eye-ports seemingly watching the squad as they patrolled. "I know we're using them to bolster our numbers, but why do they have to be so...off?"
"It's just the fact that they're robots." Krist answered. "You're used to human interaction in the military, especially in this division. However, we have trouble replacing soldiers who retire out of our unit because it takes so long to train new soldiers. Thus, we have to use the Spectres until we get replacements that meet our standards."
"Wasn't there talk of lowering our standards?" Hytch asked. "I heard some scuttlebutt about our division trying to make numbers."
"Major General Keating had some hearings last week from some of the brigade commanders about certain things regarding standards. He turned them down. Apparently, it was more a formality thing than an official thing." Krist answered. "The only people complaining are the ones who aren't in the military."
"Politicians?"
"Yep." Otim sighed. "Some people in the progressive party want us to lower the standards to let more people in our division."
"But the standards are fair across the board, right?" Kiele asked.
"That is correct." The patrol stopped, seeing that their platoon leader was standing in front of them.
"Ma'am." They all saluted.
"3rd squad." 2nd Lieutenant Alina saluted back, then dropping her salute so the squad could drop theirs. "The standards are fair, at least according to those who have made it, and to those who haven't as well."
"So the people complaining?" Siesel asked.
"Not a problem at all." Alina answered. "We have to look at the protection of the city over the whining of politicians that enjoy our services. Lest they forget who protects them from the monsters that go bump in the night."
The squad all shared a chuckle at the comment.
"How's the patrol?" Alina asked.
"Screwby, ma'am." Hytch answered. "May I speak frankly?"
"Go ahead."
"Ma'am, it's same shit on a different day."
Alina sighed, but smiled sadly. "Nothing I can do, fellas. City walls need patrolling."
"A shame we're the best division and this is all we do." Kiele mumbled.
"What about the 99th? Aren't they, like, scary good?" Hytch asked their platoon leader.
"The 99th isn't a part of the conventional military structure. They're in the Trench Corps, so they fall under the HTC's command structure, not ours. The 256th is the best in the army, while the 99th is the best in the Trench Corps." Alina explained.
"Huh, very well, ma'am." Hytch nodded.
"Now, go finish your-" She was interrupted by a roaring noise as the CFA-44s seemed to fly away. "Huh?"
The squad looked up, only to see multitudes of Ambassador bombers fly over, in V-wing formations of five planes. There had to be hundred, maybe over a thousand, in the sky. Squadrons of Hornet fighters were intermingled in the formations, ready to provide support to the bombers.
"What in the Stryker-damn?" Krist asked aloud.
"It looks like the 687th Strategic Wing, 88th Fighter Wing, and the 90th Fighter Wing are going to do some heavy hitting." Alina stated. "I guess there's an offensive coming up for the HTC."
"The HTC is going on the offensive again?" Siesel asked. "But they just finished their last offensive a couple weeks ago."
"HIGHCOM and HTCCOM wanted to be in the Grimmlands before the year was out." Alina sighed. "If memory serves me right, I believe the 50th Expeditionary Force…" She paused. "No, the 50th is on hold for something right now."
"They are?" Krist asked.
"Yes, one of the 99th's operatives is in Beacon right now. ACCOM suspects DARKNESS is making a move in the Kingdoms." Alina answered.
"Oh shit, you mean Adler?" Siesel asked, causing everyone to look at him. "Oh...uh...I'm friends with him and his girlfriend."
"I forget Adler went through INDOC earlier than all of us." Alina sighed. "Bastard took the streamlined path when he turned 15."
"You mean he's around the same age as us?" Hytch asked.
"Yep, he's 19."
"Huh…" Hytch seemed impressed.
"Hey, what's ACCOM?" Kiele asked.
"The Spooks." Krist answered. "They're the guys who run the Attentäterkorps ."
"Oh…" Kiele trailed off.
"Fucking A, those guys scare me." Hytch asked.
"Whatever. The 50th isn't going to be fighting Grimm for a while." Alina pulled the squad back on track. "It's the 49th Expeditionary Force. And get this, the 48th is joining them."
The squad looked shocked. "We're sending two expeditionary forces for an offensive?" Otim asked.
"Correct. We're using shock and awe to push into the Grimmlands." Alina smiled. "Now…" She grabbed her rifle off her backside. "Mind if I join you all?"
/-/
"Once again, as I give an order, I condemn men and women to death as though I were God Himself." -Supreme Commander Holtis as he gave the go ahead for Operation to begin. Casualty predictions put the casualty rate at 50 percent, while deaths would be around 19 percent of the force of a combined total of eight million. Current tally would pale these numbers, as 6.96 million would be casualties, with 2.3 million dead and a loss of 4.7 millions automated soldiers. The operation is, of course, still ongoing.