A new Atlas

by Th 1998

Jaune gazed out of the window, his gaze somber. Below him he could see the mighty city of Atlas, it's lights glowing in the dark. Nothing that would indicate what had taken place just hours before. After all this time they had finally taken the first step towards their goal. They would make the world a better place, even if it required a few sacrifices.

4. A different view

Disclaimer: And to no one's surprise I still do not own anything.

Okay then, this chapter will deal with a new PoV.

We have seen how Jaune views what they are doing and how his family does. So what other perspective could be better than that of an overeager new recruit?

Of course, the chapter will still be mainly about him but his actions will be described from the view of a fresh recruit to the army. Well, 'fresh', he is after all already in active service. Even though it should be obvious I'd like to point out that his view as well is extremely subjective.

This chapter will also finally show more of the extreme behavior I talked about already(remember how they got where they are now) actually happening. The last chapters did not really show it all that much because Jaune was around family and friends, this time he won't be.

ATTENTION: THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN UPDATED. I FIXED A FEW MISTAKES, CHANGED A FEW LINES AND ADDED A GOOD AMOUNT OF LINES. JUST LIKE WITH CHAPTER 3 THE ENDING OF THE CHAPTER HAS BEEN CHANGED.

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''normal speech''

''Jaune speaking with his full armor (Imagine the Mc's knight from white knight chronicles but with a more classic knight helmet and Jaunes sword and shield instead) on''

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Cobalt loved his Job.

Ever since he had been a child he had dreamed of becoming something important, to do something that mattered. But it had never been more than some vague wish, until that day 5 years ago. It had been a day like any other when he had decided to take a walk. The alarm had completely taken him by surprise, after all, they were supposed to be safe from Grim. But it was not the Grim, all over speakers droned the voice of general Ironwood, asking the citizens to stay in their homes and not open the doors to anyone. He had almost made it home when he saw the first Soldiers.

They must have thought him an enemy because he could see them raise their rifles at him, at that moment he was sure that his life was over. But then he had come, his whole body clad in shining armor.

In the blink of an eye he had cut into the soldier's line, they had not stood the slightest chance. His sword cut through their armors as if they were paper and whatever bullets might have hit didn't even seem to faze him. He knew that he probably should have run home but he couldn't tear his head away from this figure, looking like nothing in the world could ever cut him down.

When it was all over and done the soldier's bodies covered the ground and the figure took a deep look at him.

''Stay safe, don't worry, it will be over soon.''

And with that, he was gone. But he had left behind something far more important than just a few words, a dream. Cobalts parents had looked the proudest he had ever seen them when he had revealed to them that he planned to become a soldier and he had made sure to live up to their pride. No matter the task he had made sure to always be under the first to finish. No matter what the problem, he worked tirelessly to fix it.

In the end, it had paid off. When the time had come for their first duties, he had been chosen to serve on the Salvation, flagship of the Atlesian military under Jaune Arc-Schnees personal command. He almost couldn't believe it, he would serve under the hero of the revolution himself. That day was the proudest he had felt in his entire life. He knew that this would assure that he would work towards something that was bigger then he himself could ever be.

Yes, he truly loved his job... that, however, did not mean that he loved everything that came with it.

''For the last time sir, we will stay here and built an outpost, no matter whatever complaints you may have with this.''

The angry man obviously did not understand the meaning of the words Cobalt was trying to convey.

''And I am telling you that I refuse. I am the mayor of this village and I sure as hell won't allow some Atlas dogs to set up shop around here.''

Whoever had been the genius that decided they needed to come over as peaceful as possible?

''And I am telling you that I have my orders. This Village lies in the center of a number of other forward settlements, it is the perfect place to build a forward base that will allow us to respond to Grimm attacks in the shortest possible time.''

''You mean to say to keep down any who would speak against you.''

Brothers give him strength.

''We are here to protect you.''

''We didn't ask for your help.''

''And yet you need it. And we will be the ones to provide it, want it or not.''

''Yeah, along with taxes.''

It was as if he didn't even want to listen.

''As we have made clear multiple times, taxes will only be demanded when this village has been deemed to not be a frontier town anymore. And even when that time comes it will only be a small price to pay for what we are providing.''

''And what if I decide that we do not want what you are providing?''

''Then we will make sure that the next mayor will want it.''

Suddenly hearing the voice of his commander shocked Cobalt and he saluted as quick as he could while still keeping his composure, it would not do to seem unprofessional. Especially as the general had seen Cobalt fail just now. Despite the situation, he could not be helped but spend a short moment in awe looking in awe at the armor-clad form and two of the Soldiers of his personal guard. Cobalt recognized the two of them were wearing the newest Model of the X3523 Tactical dreadnought suit, or Hunter killers as everyone but the scientists called them. In their suits, they stood a good two and a half meters and definitly made for an imposing sight. The moment of awe passed quickly though when Cobalt remembered the situation he was in.

''I am terribly sorry sir, I have tried to talk sense into this man but I was unable to. I am ready to receive any punishment you deem necessary.''

But the general just let out a small chuckle.

''There will be no need for that soldier. Not everyone can be just convinced, it was not your fault. Some people simply require a bit more of a guiding hand, you were just following the perimeters giving to you in your orders, nothing wrong with that.''

It seemed though that the mayor did not like being ignored.

''Did you just threaten me?''

Cobalt could she the general slowly turning to meet the majors gaze head-on.

''Yes.''

''WHAT THE HELL DO YOU TAKE ME FOR TO TALK TO ME LIKE THAT?''

''I take you for a power hungry fool who refuses to give up on a bit of his power for the good of his subjects.''

''Subjects? Is that what you see us as? We just want to be left in peace.''

''No, you want to be left in peace so you can keep all the power to yourself. And with that decision, you would take away all the good our presence would do to the entire region. That is unacceptable. If you are not willing to comply we will simply search for someone that will.''

''And what if I decide that I do not agree with that?''

''Then we will force you to cease your position to another.''

''And if I resist against that what then? Will you kill me?''

Cobalt really didn't like the way the man spoke and made sure that his rifle was ready to fire if needed.

''I can assure you that we are capable of subduing any such attempt with non-lethal force. Now I ask one last time, will you work together with us or do we need to search for someone else that will?''

''If you will not leave then I will just have to force you, you left me no other choice.''

Cobalt could see that the general did not even try to move his hand towards his weapons.

''Cease this foolishness, you cannot defeat us, now stand down and stop this ridiculousness.''

But it did not seem as if the Major was ready to see reason.

''DIE YOU DAMN ATLAS DOG!''

Before he had time to truly realize what was going on Cobalt had already jumped in front of the Ax the mayor had suddenly swung at the general. Never in his life had he felt that much pain before, it took all he had just to keep his consciousness. He didn't know how long he had been lying on the ground when he finally felt the pain vanish. Opening his eyes he could see the general, his armor sprinkled with Blood, Cobalt had a strong feeling that it was his.

''Don't worry, your wounds are not lethal, you will be fine.''

''So- Sorry for act- *cough* acting so stupid general. I know you co- could have handled that Ax much better *cough* than me but I co- couldn't help myself.''

''Yes, it was extremely stupid. You are not Huntsmen, your body is not meant to take such blows. Not only does my armor offer much more protection but I am also protected by my aura. Not to mention that I far out skill him. Nonetheless, I feel touched by your actions, they showed bravery.''

''Wh- What about the mayor, did you *cough* take care of him, sir?''

''Take a look.''

Slightly turning his head, Cobalt could see the Major, still struggling in the grip of one of the general's personal guards. He was obviously not ready to give up yet.

''DAMN YOU ATLAS DOG, ARE YOU NOT EVEN MAN ENOUGH TO FIGHT ME YOURSELF?''

Cobalt could see the general once again turning towards the Major

''What made you think that you would be worth my effort?''

The Major simply spit at the Generals helmet covered face.

''Well, what are you waiting for? Kill me, show me your so called protection and justice.''

Not even seeming faced by what happened the General just looked intensively at the Major.

''Kill you? Oh, you misunderstand, I have no plans to kill you right now. No, you are much better served as an... example, to show the people what happens to dissidents that try to disrupt order. Take him away!''

''SIR!''

And with a salute, the two soldiers dragged the still screaming man away towards the Salvation.

After a few seconds of silence, the General turned to address Cobalt again. Slowly he reached up to his head before taking off his helmet. A young face with brilliant blue eyes and shining blond hair appeared in Cobalt's view. ''Now then, what to do with you?.''

Cobalt struggled to lift himself into an upwards position with little success. But before he could fall down again he felt himself be caught and he made out a faint chemical smell, it seemed the medics had arrived.

''Just *cough*, just patch me up a bit and I am ready to go again, sir.''

Bravery aside Cobalt really hoped that this was the case. The look on his Generals face told him otherwise.

''Patch you up a bit? You can forget about using your left arm ever again and your chest does not look in any way like any chest should look like.''

Cobalt did his best to break down upon hearing that, he did not want to be a cripple. The change on his generals face told him that he did not manage to hide his shock to him.

''Now, you have to choices.''

He held up a finger. ''First, you stop being a soldier, we send you home and search you a job in our program for wounded veterans. Of course, you will also get a civilian level replacement for your arm.''

He raised a second finger ''Two, you stay in the military and enter the cybernetic soldier program. You will be patched up with military augmentations and limb replacement. Afterward, you will be assessed and possibly offered further voluntary augmentations to your body. Then if everything goes well you will be assigned to the specialist unit best fitting to you. Those include many units and just to name a few there are my personal guards, the underwater corps or the chem dogs. You do not need to choose right now of course.''

This was not even a question for Cobalt, he would never get a choice like that again in his life.

''No *cough* need for that sir. I will join the cyber- cybernetic soldier program.''

The General gave him an intense look.

''Are you sure about that soldier, this decision is final.''

Cobalt only nodded weakly but determined.

''It is. This is the biggest *cough*, biggest chance I will ever get.''

With a satisfied look, the general slowly put on his helmet again.

''In that case, I wish the best of luck to you, soldier. I hope that when we meet again I can lay my eyes upon a new specialist.''

''You will sir, I promise you that.''

With a thumb, the general hit his fist against his chest plate. ''For the Future.''

In return, Cobalt used the last of his strength to give the general another salute. ''May Atlas reign be eternal.''

And with that, he finally sunk into a medically induced sleep.

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And we are done for this time with the chapter.

But now I need to make a few things clear.

Why the full body armor?

Simply, it looks impressive as fuck and people love to have a hero to look up to. The armor is of course outfitted with the most modern technology available but the main purpose of it is to make Jaune look good to the people of Atlas, propaganda is a very useful tool after all.

Why handle the mayor so confrontational?

As you may have noticed he didn't really handle it as well as he could have been. Surely a more careful course of action could have convinced the major. That is on purpose, Jaune intentionally provoked the major. Again it's all about the propaganda. That's why he had to make sure that it would be the mayor to attack first and that only the major would be hurt. It's basically the whole carrot and stick thing. One the one hand it shows that Atlas is reasonable enough but on the other hand it shows that they won't let people fuck with them in any way. That Cobalt decided to jump into the attack was not expected but it only helped the whole thing.

Is the mayor supposed to be some total moron?

Yes and no. As I said, Jaune was kind of provoking him and they never asked for help, most outlying villages probably don't want to have much to do with any form of government too much. On the other hand, attacking when you clearly have no chance is quite stupid but so are many decisions made by people who are unable to control their emotions.

That said Jaune's concern over the solider was not meant to be fake in any way, nor is his desire to help.

As always every review is welcome, as are questions and especially tips on how to improve my stories.

This chapter has not been beta read yet.