Chapter 3: offworld
(Shot filler chapter. More in the next ones coming. Note that I don't own RWBY or Stellaris. God bless Monty Oum and enjoy)
(Also to answer someone's comment about the Remnant Protectorate in 'Fire for Stellar Effect', no Remnant is not a superpower like the other species. As their name suggests, they are a protectorate under the United Nations. The Aragon class Carrier you saw in the last chapter was donated to the People of Remnant. It's just that Remnant, thanks to its access to Dust and Hunters, is in a powerful economic position."
Ross-Limburn Residence (Technically a mansion, but its filled with military-grade gear) Commonwealth of Oceania, October 21st, 2857
Literally four months ago, former Cinder Falls expected to be cleaning her orphanage in Mistral and being bullied by her mates.
Now, she was literally across the galaxy, in a completely new nation, and being loved by a family that she was unexpectedly thrust into.
The first night she was there in her new life, she thought about running away as she simply wasn't used to this kind of life, only to find a younger Sydney Ross hugging her in her bed.
Then she decided that you know what, this life wasn't so bad. And now the girl was Cinder Falls Ross. She spent much of the blistering summer (thank goodness for air conditioning) learning skills and information that was barely touched on in the orphanage. Unfortunately, she needed to be caught up on basic math, history of the UNS, some science, technology, currency, etc.
This was why she was spending her first year on Earth in a specialized program meant for refugees or illiterates to get her caught up. And she was being tutored a lot in culture and math by her parents.
Admittedly, it was a bit stressful, being told to learn new concepts and ideas. Which was why she and Sydney were in their home's holo-practice room, honing their self-defense abilities.
(Note that in this AU, Cinder has not unlocked her semblance. She had Aura, no semblance. No one outside of Remnant or some of the Fallen Empires have Auras).
And at the moment, Cinder was smashing apart holographic targets, mainly fake Grimm and a few red-coloured dummies with simulated tasers.
"Ahh! Fuck!" Cinder swore as she was tased in the simulation. Thanks to advanced simulator technology, you can experience things in fiction, like touch and pain. And Cinder was enduring some pain via being electrocuted.
"Language!" Her adopted younger brother called out, watching from the sidelines. She learned that her brother, who despite being 10 years old, was as mature as a teenager. Minus the weird puberty thing, something about being a pureblood offspring of two crusaders.
"I don't see you fighting!" Cinder shouted back as she punched a target in the gut.
"Because you've been hogging the simulator for 45 minutes. Let me join!"
Wait, it's been 45 minutes already? Shoot, maybe I should let him in. Cinder paused the simulation and took off the VR goggles. "And you were standing there for how long?"
"15 minutes, I think. Or maybe 20, I lost track of time." Sydney shrugged.
"Alright come in. We'll play Duel Master," Cinder sighed.
"Yyyaaayy." Sydney rushed to grab another set of VR goggles and placed them on. Soon within the simulation, the setting turned to an arena with the looks of ancient Japan.
"So best often?" CInder asked.
"You're on." Sydney smiled.
And so the next 15 minutes, Cinder and Sydney spent their time mock sword fighting. But before long, it devolved into the siblings madly changing the settings of the arena in hopes of getting an advantage over one another.
And then 15 minutes dragged onto two hours.
"Stay still emu!" Cinder yelled as she threw a fireball at another of Sydney's chicken grenades.
"Never!" was the reply. Another object was thrown at Cinder, this time a stun grenade which went off before Cinder could fling another fireball.
"Oh, you piece o-" Cinder had to stop herself from swearing. How did we go from Sword Fighting to throwing military-grade hardware? Oh wait, Syd's a sore loser.
"That's it!" Cinder spawned a cruise missile out of nowhere and flung it at Sydney, who shrieked and tried to run away. Thing was those cruise missiles, when active, moved very fast. And thus, Sydney found himself thrown out of the arena by 10 tons of TNT.
Knock out! Cinder Ross wins!
Cinder took a breath and took off her goggles. She had worked up quite a sweat, along with Syd.
And both her and Sydney's stomachs growled. The disadvantage to being an Aura user and the offspring of Crusaders, you always worked up an appetite no matter what you do.
"So race to the mall for Pavlovas and Beef noodles?" Syd asked.
Cinder smiled. "You're on."
December 21st 2857
"-and in other news today, the situation in Taidai space has grown more tenuous as galactic peacekeepers struggle to maintain law and order. Several radical factions have been forming and are demanding the full withdrawal of foriegn troops. United Nations General Secretary Clarkson and Commonwealth High Chancellor Garcia, along with dozens of leaders from several different nations, have ordered additional resources to help rebuild the tattered region. Analysts have reported that it may take up to five years to fully rebuild former Taidai space."
"Taidai? So that's the name of the former Fallen Empire near Remnant. Wonder how they found that out." Limburn asked as she was making dinner.
"And in other news, the UN senate has given the greenlight to lay down 6 more Titan class vessels, and to fully refit the entire UN fleets, both Maritime and Spaceborne, with up to date technology. This includes Zero-point Energy Reactors, New Antimatter missiles, refurbished MRLS pods, and a new defense grid. This comes after another evaluation of UN forces during the Khanate Wars, as the UNAF strives to fully modernize its forces."
"Looks like the fleet's getting another refit. What's that now, three times this year?" Ross added.
"Four, they had to add those new Nano-Fabricators in November. Something about the older ones being two slow." Limburn frowned.
"Why the heck is the fleet's budget that big? How the heck are our shipyards not overtaxed yet." Ross grumbled.
"Cybrex Prime, the Wua Megashipyards, and the dozens of dedicated drydock and shipyard stations across the UN." Limburn deadpanned.
"In addition, we will move onto the recent incident about the science COMS Olympia. The Olympia recently took a mass accelerator round that has been traced back to the Triangulum galaxy. This has sparked interest by scientists and explorers from across the galaxy, claiming that we should look into exploring the Triangulum galaxy in search of new life. Several galactic leaders have indicated they are interested, but are in no rush for exploration."
"Mass Accelerator Round? Wonder what they shot. Giant squids maybe?" Limburn wondered.
"Why would you think of that?" Ross asked.
Meanwhile in the ME galaxy.
The great black swarm that was the Reaper fleet suddenly awoke and sneezed as one. They panicked as they thought that their true nature was revealed, only to realize that nothing happened. Shrugging, they went back into dormancy.
That was a mistake, one they would regret in half a century.
Back in the home galaxy
"So anything new from Remnant? I haven't been caught up to date with preparations for the winter holidays and teaching Cinder how to take care of her hair." Limburn asked.
"Aside from the incident with the Huntress known as Summer, no nothing much actually. There is this new movement called the White Fang all about Fanus equality and is growing quickly. " Ross nonchalantly replied.
"So pretty much nothing new." Limburn frowned.
"Well, one thing. Apparently a bunch of shady people have decided to set up camp in Southern Vale. Bandits or traffickers. The local forces want to wipe them out and take the loot. Spoils of war." Ross said.
"So let them. What's the worst that can happen?" Limburn paused for a moment. "I did not just say that out loud."
"Yup you just did. Apparently, Fanus trafficking has spiked a bit. After that Jacques Schnee took over their biggest Dust producing company, Fanus inequiltiy got worse. Apparently our agents caught wind of some big abduction scheme, mostly targeted at the very outlying villages. Children included to acquire additional manpower. And if I read the reports correctly, smugglers tend to bring the children down to areas where Hunters and the Atlas military can't catch them easily." Ross sighed. Slavery, the bane of the galaxy.
"And?" Limburn asked.
"It's a matter of whether to intervene or don't intervene. If we don't our intervene our forces are can concentrate on the Grimm more and are less likely to expose our operations, but we condemn hundreds of children to slavery and risk major politcial change regarding the White Fang. If we intervene and attack the camp, then not only do we risk exposing our operations, we then have to figure out what to do with hundreds of children. Most of them are going to end up in the orphanages in the Kingdoms, which let me remind you, are in shitty conditions. I rather not condemn hundreds to what Cindy suffered, she still has nightmares occasionally. It took both Syd and the two of us to get her to where she is now mentally." Ross said.
"Hmm, and both sides have a point. One could say we are interfering with an alien culture but another could say that we are liberating children from a terrible cause." Limburn added.
"And both ways, our operations could still get exposed. We're already in the public image of Remnant, sooner or later we need to interact with the locals." Ross said before turning his attention to a datapad. "And it looks like our allies in the Pact and Elder Alliance are getting a whiff of what's happening. A few people are asking why hundreds of SF operators and armor detachments from the 2309th are being sent to Taidai space."
Limburn sighs. "How long do you think we can keep this from the public?"
"Maybe a few more months? Our allies are starting to get suspicious of why billions have been invested in a few new projects" Ross said, "That includes the Commonwealth Super Heavy Tanks, our new IFVs, and the retrofitting of several Aragons into assault carriers."
"Tssch. Who wants to break the news that we found a deathworld with Humans on it?" Limburn questioned, as she finished seasoning four steaks that she was preparing.
"Annastasia, followed by a meeting with Clarkson and Garcia. And I'm thinking of letting the Elder Alliance in as well." Ross replied.
"Hmm, maybe they know how Humans got to that world." Limbuen comments. "Hey where's Syd and Cindy?"
"Near the coast for a walk," Ross said, looking over the datapad.
"And in other news, a series of international naval and planetary military exercises have been announced by the United Nations, Commonwealth, Directorate, Ztrakphor Star Kingdom, and the Federation of Free Nations. This is to build additional trust and cohesion within the for….(fades away)."
Some cliffs near St. Vincent Gulf
Both Cinder and Sydney watched in amazement as two F/I-60 Starchaser interceptors were launched off from a UNAF maritime Aircraft Carrier. It wasn't uncommon for a UNAF fleet to do a few exercises off the coast, though it was uncommon for a UNMF (United Nations Maritime Force) battlegroup to be visiting the place.
"Over 80 Billion energy credits in materials and technology. Packing 8 turreted Gauss cannons, a dozen CWIS turrets, dozens of VLS tubes, and over a kilometer long." Cinder muttered. Unlike the old Atlas airships that sometimes visited Mistral, these UNMF ships simply exude power by being present.
"And to think that Procyon and Cybrex Prime have a higher presence," Sydney muttered.
"Come on, let's head back home." Cinder said. The two start waking back home, enjoying the sunset that shadowed their weekend.
"Cindy? Do you miss Remnant?" Sydney asked.
Cinder paused for a moment. She had been thinking about that question for a while.
On one hand, she was stuck in a miserable hellhole that would have turned her insane if not for the fact that she ran away and followed two UNAF soldiers.
On the other hand, life was simpler….. Actually nevermind. Remnant was still a hellhole
"No little bro. I don't miss it. Earth is my home now." Cinder responded. "I'd take you over my old place."
Sydney hugged Cinder's arm, and the two spent a quiet evening together.
Haven of Life (Gaurdian Alliance Ecumenopolis)
2 days later
"So you found this world with more Humans on the planet with Superpowers." Elder Alliance representative Artani said.
"Yes. And the giant black death creatures on the world as well. Out of curiosity, do you know something about this Grimm?" Annastasia Cantil asked.
Cantil, another close friend of Ross, was a former operative of the United Nations Intelligence Service. Now she was called in to help explain the ongoing situation of Remnant to the Alliance of Former Fallen Empires.
"Grimm…..hm there may be some history about them. According to Taidai legends, their empire supposedly saved the galaxy from an extra-galactic threat called the Prethoryn scourge. However we can't tell how much is true." Artani said.
"What about the Humans on Remnant? From the old sensor logs of the Grand Herald, no ships entered Sol during its stay here for the last hundreds of thousands of years." Annastasia pressed.
"Well, if my sources are correct, the Taidai once had access to some impressive cloaking technology. Much more advanced than your Skuas Cloaking Devices. Unfortunately, nothing is left of the Taidai fleet so we can't verify these claims." Artani commented.
"Fantastic. And the Aura users?" Annastasia asked.
"Hmm, from the initial reports, it looks like an evolved version of Pisonics. However it appears that somethings…..off." Artani hesitated. "It's not like the regular pisonics we have."
Annastasia sighed. "Well thanks for the info Artani. I'll head out now."
"Just a moment Mrs Cantil. I actually have a request from the rest of the Elder Alliance. We wish to join this Operation Beacon of Light by contributing Troops and sciententists." Artani quickly said
"Wait what? Why would you-"
"You mean besides the fact that you are our allies? We heard about this Salem and we are….interested in how she's remained unaged." Artani smirked. "And we knew about this Operation Beacon of Light for a while now. Our technology is still centuries ahead of you."
"Well, impressive. You just found out about the largest secret operation conducted by both the UN and Commonwealth. Very well, I'll tell Clarkson about your request." Annastasia said.
And as such, Operation Beacon of Light received a new partner.
United Nations High Command….Selecting Operations
Operation Beacon of Light: Ongoing
Sub-Operations: Shadow Hawk (ongoing)
Operation Rat hole (ongoing.
Objectives:
~Ascertain the threat level of the species known as Grimm (Ongoing)
~Acquire the resource known as Dust for testing (ongoing)
~Determine the threat level of local inhabitants (Complete)
~Determine the effectiveness of conventional and special forces against (ongoing)
~(new) determine the threat level of the new POI, codenamed Salem.
~(New) conceal Allied operations from the planet of Remnant.
Assets:
~Elements from the UN 75th Ranger Regiment (preparing for full mobilization)
~Elements from Commonwealth Ghost Units
~Elements from the UN 9th Pathfinder Battalion (Fully mobilized)
~Elements from the Commonwealth 25th Special Force Brigade (Preparing for full moblization)
~Elements from the UN 2309th Unified Assault Force (Primarily armed ground transports)
~34th Joint Crusader Force
~22nd United Nation Aerospace Recon Squadron
~UNS England Battlegroup (Aragon Class carrier, Assualt Variant), detached from the 10th Fleet
~(New) COMS Maher Battlegroup (Unity Class Battlecruiser), detached from the 19th Assault fleet
~ (New) Commonwealth 42nd Armor Regiment
~(New) Commonwealth 403rd Infantry Regiment
~(New) UN 89th Marine Regiment
~(New) UN 8th Combat Aerospace Group
~(New) Elder Alliance Junak Force (elite shock troops of the Elder Alliance)
~(New) GAV Derzkiy Battlegroup (Alliance 'Battlecruiser') Detached from the Herald Fleet.
New Sub Operation: Operation Cub scout
New Objectives: Determine if nearby bandit and slaver camps are a threat to allied operations. Prepare to engage if necessary.
Approve operation [Y/N] [y]
Preparing recon and assault teams.
Signing off
United Nations Database:...Guardian Alliance.
The Guardian Alliance is a supernational body representing three of the oldest and most powerful species in the galaxy. Formed by the T'Jell Proginters, Tiyal Protectors, and Jess'Inax Star Seekers, they are considered the most advance governmental organization in the galaxy.
The Guardian Alliance was formed during the War on Heaven or simply named the Unbidden War. This was a way for all three species to better coordinate their resources in combating the Unbidden threat. Without their help, several crucial Juggernaut class vessels along with upgraded Titans needed to better combat the Unbidden, would have never been completed. Alliance battlecruisers (note that when we mean battlecruiser, we are talking about the 35 kilometer wide vessels, not those experimental ships being designed by the UN Space Fleet) were vital in pushing Unbidden forces and provided key Dark Matter for Pact forces to power their war machines. It is also importent to point out that while it was a Comomnwealth Darkmatter bomb that destroyed the Unbidden portal, Alliance personnel were instrumental in helping in the construction.
After the Unbidden War, the Guardian alliance was fully cemented as a powerful force in the galaxy, due to their large fleet reserves and technology. Alliance diplomats played a key role in bringing over half a dozen new species into the galaxy and provided a large chunk of Galactic Peacekeepers and Humanitarian aid workers (With the United Nations of Sol and Federation of Free Nations being the other key benefactors). However it should be noted that outside of it's large planetary defense forces, the Alliance lacks a standing military and has no offensive planetary capabilities outside of a few divisions worth of elite troops. Thus, the Alliance works heavily with the Mutual Assistance Pact (renamed from the Pact of Defiance), the Federation of Free Nations, and the Commonwealth of Man.
A fun fact is that they are also commonly known as the Eldar Alliance. This is due to a translation error for several species. Instead of just changing the name to something else, the Alliance as adopted both the Elder Alliance and Guardian Alliance so they won't be offended if you use the name interchangeably. What they will be offended is if you try to attack their diplomats. Alliance Diplomats are extremely well trained in close quarters combat, pistol shooting, and sword fighting. They are so proficient that even UN and Commonwealth Crusaders respect them as proficient warriors. This mistake would be made by [redacted] and is a lesson to all people to try a diplomatic option.