'Clearance code accepted. Retrieving audio logs: Tekunin-Seidan partnership'.
A female automated voice said. After a moment of static, the deep and mechanical voice of Sektor began to speak.
'Day one: Onaga has promised Commander Hotaru of the Seidan Guard, a representative of the Naknada people, and me an offer to rule the realms under his direct command with each side getting two realms each. The Seidans get to keep their realm and Chaosrealm for water and mining. The Naknada get Outworld and Edenia, both originally ruled by Shao Kahn. We Tekunin get the abundant metal mines of the Netherrealm and Earth to do as we please. On behalf of the Tekunin, I find this deal acceptable. A plan to overthrow the Seidan government is being discussed. End of the entry'.
'Day twenty-five: It has been discovered that Orderrealmers have the potential to generate a powerful energy source. The material known as Lava by outsiders of the realm can be harnessed for electricity production. An entire complex has been running for ten days with just two liters of Lava and is expected to run out of energy in the next two months. Currently developing new technology with engines that can harness the substance. End of the entry'
'Day fifty-seven: Commander Hotaru and Onaga have succeeded in overthrowing the previous government and eliminating the Resistance. Orderrealm has been offered as the new grounds for weapons and technology development with the condition that I serve in their new government, hidden behind a ministerial position. I've agreed. Note: If in a month the event that Onaga predicted has not happened, the Tekunin will walk away from the deal. No party has been warned about this decision. End of the entry'.
'Day seventy: The event has happened. Sensors all throughout the realms have reported severe seismic activity at the same time. Search teams to find any irregularities caused by the quakes have been deployed. The Tekunin will honor the agreement. End of the entry'.
'Day eighty-one: An anomaly in the fabric of reality has been found and it will be referred to as a tear or rift by all parties. Due to security reasons, we are required to eliminate information regarding the location of said tear from the memories of any low-level members of the Tekunin'.
The lack of the previous closing statement was noticeable. For as much as Sektor wanted to be a full machine, his human side still managed to come out one way or another.
'Day eighty-three: As expected, with enough energy the tear can be stabilized into a portal. Following the warnings of Lord Onaga, no living being is to pass through it. The tear will remain closed until a plan to find out where they lead to is approved by the Emperor and his new council composed by the Seidan Hotaru, the Naknada known as Kollector, and me in the representation of the Tekunin clan'.
'Day eighty-six: A remote unit has been deployed. The object can travel far away from the stabilized portal before losing the signal. Point of interest: even after the portal has been closed, information can still travel through it. Energy consumption of the transmitter and receiver will increase by three hundred percent. We have received visual confirmation: Either the unknown realm at the other side contains a series of tunnels for an underground species, or we have found structures like what is referred to in Earthrealm as a sewer'.
'Day eighty-seven: An infiltration team has been deployed by the Seidan Guard. They have found the structures are, indeed, a sewer system and are located under a human city resembling those of Earthrealm. This seems illogical by all standards, but we must make sure. They have been ordered to confirm if this world is Earthrealm or not and report in seventy-two hours, Earthrealm standard'.
'Day ninety: The infiltration team sent by the Seidan Guard have confirmed this new world is not Earthrealm. Locals refer to this world as "Remnant". Upon closer inspection, the dominant species of this world are divided into two kinds: The humans, and the self-determined faunus; humanoids with physical animal characteristics. Humans hold power over the faunus due to victory over a conflict between the two races. Despite England not existing in this world, every humanoid is capable of speaking and writing in English.'
'Day ninety, second entry: Differences between our English dialect and that of Remnant's have been found: the use of the letter 'C' and 'K' seems to be reversed'.
'Day one hundred and one: By selling precious metals and jewels acquired over the years from mines in Chaosrealm; Orderrealm has acquired properties and currency from Remant under the name Lien. Technology from this world has been acquired as well; in due time we'll be able to crack the security systems and gain access to government databases to create new identities. As of today, Lord Onaga has instructed that the invasion has begun'.
'Day one hundred and nine: Although the human anatomy from Remnant is identical to that of one from Earthrealm, the presence of the natural energy known as aura interrupts the correct function of the mechanical augmentations. Furthermore, the presence of animal traits in faunus remaps the entire functionality of the nervous system. A second observation reveals that different remappings occur with each of the animal characteristics. Further research must be conducted. Refer to ICR'.
With that, the screen went to static. Even after all that had happened, Glynda and Ozpin were still able to be left speechless. "And these are…" Ozpin began to speak only to be cut by Fujin.
"The files you were unable to read. All because of an incompatible format, our source tells us".
Each headmaster would be briefed by their corresponding teams. General Ironwood would also be briefed shortly with Raiden present. It would be decided later who would tell Theodore, but from the looks of it, there was more to come.
"What is the ICR?" asked Glynda soon after.
"Infiltration and Conquest of Remnant…" answered Fujin, knowing beforehand what was about to come. Without further interruption, they then played the file.
Sektor's face appeared on the screen before he gave his explanation. This file, however, was accompanied by graphics.
'The following is a presentation made for those superior officers in charge of the conquest of Remnant in the name of Onaga and the Realm of Order. If you are not authorized to see this file, close it immediately.
Sektor went silent for a few seconds before continuing.
'Our mission in Remant is to infiltrate their societies with the final objective to create an army with which to then deploy on all other realms. The first step is the infiltration of the criminal rings in Remnant giving us further monetary power, influence over the black market, and for a worldwide distribution overstepping legislation, allowing our network to cover well over ninety-seven percent of Remnant's inhabited areas.
By expanding our market and favorable public perception, people will surrender their security and trust, allowing us to infiltrate their defenses and governments; this step will be completed once the huntsmen academies, which seem to be some of the most influential bodies in Remnant, become dependent of us on their entirety.
The people of Remnant have abilities that can be harnessed and possibly augmented with Tekunin technology. The faunus, overall, could serve as even more powerful units given their natural senses and night vision that do not require additional sensors. By recruiting most of the faunus population with criminal backgrounds and returning them into society as law-abiding citizens, our positive image will grow, even more, giving us an ample pool of test subjects until the final algorithm that works for every person in Remnant is found.
'Once all the above have been completed, conquest can begin. Military defenses will be shut down, communications between kingdom capitals will be terminated with the destruction of the CCT towers while the SSS works as a containment unit for the villages. Every citizen in Remnant, be it faunus or human, will then be sorted. By our estimation, at least twenty percent of the population has powerful semblances or semblances that can be genetically passed down; while eighty percent will be turned by the Global Cyber Initiative, the remaining population will be kept for breeding purposes; giving us new and genetically superior warriors or those who can retain powers from old bloodlines. A never-ending supply of soldiers, stronger than the previous one, will exist to serve an always expanding empire headed by the Dragon King and administered by all members of the council in equal parts'.
Terror, indignation, anger, and more emotions bombarded the teachers. The 'small' number of humans and faunus they thought would need saving now turned into the entire world. Not only that but what awaited the 'lucky' ones was an existence as farming animals to be sold and bread for military purposes or to increase the wealth of their new 'masters'.
Those thoughts, however, were suddenly replaced when both Glynda and Ozpin considered something about the briefings. "Did Raiden and the Atlas team already started showing this?" Glynda asked with rising concern.
Their answer came in the form of an incoming call from Ironwood himself. Weary of their ally's tendencies to threats, Ozpin answered but said nothing like the image of the General, sitting still while resting his chin over his thumbs. He was clearly displeased, and his hands seemed to be shaking occasionally. After a long silence, however, he finally spoke. "If I'm not mistaken, Fujin must have already shown you what Orderrealm wants, right Oz?" he asked as Ozpin nodded. "Good. You and I both know I want them GONE, right?".
Ozpin sighed, feeling this would be a long battle of wits. "James, we must-".
"I know what you are about to say Oz. You know I would like nothing more than sending every soldier at my disposal to their doors; but… as many have already said…" he then said while looking at Winter, Raiden, and Sonya in front of him. "Fighting them now, with the information they already have against us and not knowing much about them would be a poor choice. Not only that, but an action like that would only make the people side with them. I am willing to hold back for now and fight them on every front other than the military; but if, and when, the time comes, know I will not be holding back! Are we clear?".
Glynda let out a silent sigh of relief. Ozpin gave his answer. "Yes, James. Thank you for understanding".
The call ended and Raiden went on to calm Ironwood. "You have my word; we will not let them win" he reassured.
"For all that is worth, thank you" he answered back before looking at the women also present in the room. "Schnee, Blade, dismissed!".
As Winter was already leaving the General's office, Sonya decided to speak with Raiden one last time before the god parted to the next kingdom. "That new face is gonna take some time getting used to. Anyway, what will you do now?".
"Head to Haven. The Shaolin and Professor Lionheart must be briefed Ge-" Raiden explained and then held back, noticing he had almost revealed Sonya's real rank. He quickly corrected it as Winter, holding the door open, was now looking at them. "Like General ironwood was, Private Blade".
"Good luck then Raiden" Sonya said, saluting the thunder god before he teleported away, and she headed for the door.
It was a couple days after Winter returned from Beacon and the whole ordeal was revealed. Nonetheless, their rivalry did not seem to have faded. "So… Private Blade, isn't it?" Winter asked
"Yes…" Sonya answered. Annoyed by the little smirk forming on Winter's lips.
"So, is that like…?".
"The same as a Private in this world as well, yes" Sonya lied with clear annoyance.
"In other words, you could say I outrank you. You said you were hiding your age, so how old must you be? And still not being able to ascend the ranks?".
There it was. That full-on gloating smirk. 'If only I were your CO…' Sonya said to herself; thinking of all the punishment she could inflict on Winter.
"Oh my… oh my… this is too much" was all Lionheart could say as he was done watching the videos in his office, sweating by the overload of information.
"It's ok professor, do you need anything," Kitana said while patting the headmaster on the back.
"Yes… drink!" the petrified teacher said from his chair. Kitana looked at Jade who went on to get some water.
"Do not fear, professor. We will stop them before they can make their move!" Liu Kang told the older man.
"Thank you all …" Lionheart said with some ease before looking at Raiden and then gulping. "You too… um… 'Lord' Raiden… was it?" he said, remembering how the god materialized, without warning, out of nowhere, behind him.
"Indeed; but you can call me Raiden if you wish". With that said, three out of four headmasters were warned about Seido's true plan in Remnant.
"So, will you be… leaving now or…?" Lionheart asked awkwardly.
"Professor Theodore is occupied with other things. I still have a few hours before our meeting" Raiden answered.
At that, Kung Lao finally spoke. "If you want, we can show you around" he offered.
Raiden then looked out one of the windows facing the school grounds. "Haven does make me feel… at home. I guess it can't hurt" said.
Before LKKJ left with Raiden, both monks then bowed. "It's good to know you are back with us, Lord Raiden" Kung Lao said.
"We never lost hope" Liu Kang added.
"I am glad your faith in me was not lost," Raiden said with a smile. He then turned around to face Lionheart, still sitting on his chair. "Will you be joining us, headmaster?" Raiden asked.
Leonardo seemed to have had a heart attack in answer to that question. He, however, quickly recovered and gave a proper answer. "Sorry, but… I… I cannot. I still have duties as the headmaster. You understand, right?".
Raiden's concern then morphed into a smile. "I do. Thank you for granting us this audience" he said with a bow before leaving with the other four.
As the door closed, Kung Lao immediately spoke. "I still can't believe he made it as a huntsman".
"Lao!" Liu Kang said with a warning tone.
"You know what I mean, I do believe the man is scared of his own shadow sometimes".
"Have to agree with him there" Jade added.
"Whatever the case, he has been kind to us. Even when we were being held, he never threatened us or made us feel like prisoners" Kitana said in the defense of the faunus teacher.
"I do see good in him. I just hope he is not troubled by the demons of his past" Raiden said.
"Demons of his past?" Kung Lao asked.
"I still don't understand all my new abilities, but his… aura, you could say, seemed to be tainted with more shadows than others".
"Should we be worried?" Jade asked.
"I don't think so. Some other allies have similar shadows. If you trust him, then Professor Lionheart is more than worthy of my trust" Raiden told the four people as Lionheart retrieved all the hidden cameras in his office.
None of the inhabitants of Salem's castle knew what to say. What the man who identified himself as Raiden told was crazy, but considering what Cinder, Watts, and the others saw it all just made sense.
The silence was finally ended by Tyrian, who, opposite to his usual fanatical and ecstatic behavior, looked at Salem with doubt. "What should we do now, my Goddess?".
Salem considered her next moves for a long time. She then stood up from her chair and began to hover around the room. When she finally stopped and seemed ready to give her orders, she was stopped by Cinder.
"Mistress, if I may?" she said with a bow, asking for permission. Salem looked at her with interest before allowing her to continue. "I believe this is a great opportunity for our own plans. If we make that Onaga monster enter a war with Ozpin, then we could use that to move forward without problems down the road. We can seek for the maidens without interruption, and with this information, we can finally bring Seido to their knees while blaming Ozpin, or even better, we can make them work for us to fight the academies. This will also manage to divide humanity! And even-".
Salem said nothing back; almost as if she was waiting for something to stop Cinder's exposition. During that time, Dr. Watts did nothing to hide his annoyance, massaging his brow while saying something in a low voice.
"Care to say that a bit louder, Arthur?" Cinder dared him, finally stopping her explanation.
"I said: There that idiot goes again!" He screamed back, slamming his fist against the table.
That display, for better or worse, made the room return to what was somewhat their usual dynamics with Tyrian even giggling at their hostility.
Cinder, on her end, slammed her palms against the table, making small fire waves leave her hands and scorching the surface. "Give me a good reason why my idea wouldn't work!?" she demanded.
Watts responded first with a fake laugh before giving a proper response. "What do you think this is, a debate club!? But fine, I'll amuse you; I don't think I can only give one answer though, how about five!?". Not intimidated by what he saw as Cinder throwing a tantrum, Watts began to walk towards the woman at a slow pace. "Let's say you stand in the middle of a crowd or get to hack a TV or radio station to tell everyone about that evil alien army… led by the world's most popular person! And how much credibility would you, a wanted criminal and terrorist, have against him!? I know! How about if we then leek it online? I mean, maybe it'll have as much traffic as that article claiming Jacques Schnee is an unholy demon because of a hand gesture he made ten years ago!". Watts was now face-to-face with Cinder, but his rant was far from over. "Well, then let us go and blackmail those monsters of Seido like we did last time, what could go wrong this time!? Oh, but now we do know who they really are, don't we!? We know what their actual weapons are, how well trained their soldiers are, what else they are hiding back from whatever place they came from! Or at least you seem to know, don't you, Cinder? And do you think that just because Ozpin will be fighting Seido, everyone will forget we exist!? He has been fighting Salem for ages, but maybe he will give us a cease-fire until everything is sorted with Seido Industries! And going back to blackmailing them, what exactly do we have for it? They'll easily dismiss all as outrageous accusations; we don't have anything else because all the information I gathered" he said with emphasis on the 'I', "got lost because of your failed attack! The only thing we can do is go back to try and find out where the other maidens are, try to get another army like the White Fang to storm the academies, and wait until one side kills the other. And before you ask: Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to get back into Seido's systems if I ever manage to dodge that abhorrent Sektor thing! Did all that get through your overinflated ego!?".
Cinder was livid, but she could not find an answer to counter Watts. She then looked at Salem for support, only to see her scolding gaze; seemingly agreeing with Watts. "Anything to add, Cinder?" she asked.
"No…" she admitted with defeat.
"Good. Arthur, how possible is it for you to get something to spy on Seido?".
Watts sighed before heading back to his seat. "As I said, with that wretched Sektor thing involved, I cannot really tell. The way he took over my inventions must have given them an idea of how my tools work. I risk detection within seconds in every part of the world. I would require months before testing even".
"Good. The rest of you, our main priority will be to search for pawns to raid the academies. Arthur, you'll oversee a way to infiltrate Seido. Take as much time as you need".
It had been a couple of days since the last time Maurice went to the office of Dr. Oniro. Ever since the day he was asked if he knew the identity of Neptune, he began to make a local duplicate of his memory. The first day, he returned not knowing what that strange file was, then he was able to regain what he could only define as fragments of 'lost' memories. By retrieving those lost memories, he was able to slowly figure out inconsistencies with him and his surroundings.
In due time, he finally noticed that whenever he grew over emotional it was when he was called to the medical wing and that whatever happened there also messed with his memory. He developed a system in which he backed up his memory, and when he returned, loading it back up would be the first thing he did as per written instructions. It shamed him to admit he did not realize he was now a robot until the third time. Every time he used his processor to dig for further memories only made him angrier, sadder, more scared for the results he got.
He was almost caught doing the backup the day he remembered when he was caught stealing and sent to The Pyramid; not much because of the event, it was reasonable, but for what they did to him. The pain, the horror, and the humiliation were more than enough to trigger Hotaru's alarm more than once. When he refused to answer his scroll, it took the businessman less than a minute to send for security to get him to Dr. Oniro almost by force.
Although he was armed with the truth about him and what happened to other faunus and humans all throughout Remnant, Maurice also knew there was nothing he could do personally. If he was a machine, then his movements were most likely being followed and they would know he went to the police; even worse, he remembered his every action was being recorded.
Although he could control his anger most of the time, it was the guilt he felt when remembering what he did to Sun that that almost blew his covers.
Knowing he was a machine now, Maurice tried to recover information not accessible for normal people. During his own investigation, he found another server room far bigger than the hotel's official one. If anything, the one upstairs was a cover, being fed small doses of information from the one deep underground.
When he found that information, he knew he had to tell someone about Seido Industries. One of the things that shocked him the most was the number of plans they had in case something went according to or against them, but Maurice was no fool. He saw the news, he saw how the academies were acting against Seido, and with each action the number of end-game scenarios that could possibly happen grew shorter.
But as much as he would like to tell the world about it, he also feared being tracked down and his discoveries covered up. With resignation, he programmed for vital information to fight Seido to be sent to a particular person should the situation head to a specific point.
When the files were ready, Maurice then prepared the camera on his computer to record one final message. It took an insane amount of concentration and willpower for him not to break and be found immediately by security.
"Sun… if you are watching this… know that I am sorry for what I did, but you, and whomever your allies might be, won't be able to defeat Seido, or should I say Onaga's forces without this…".