Reviews:
Jane Rolfe Jalandoni: You faith in the Omnissiah has been duly noted. You will receive your reward in the afterlife, may the xenos blood stained on your hands drown the enemies of man.
Guest: Is your vox malfunctioning? I know an Enginseer who will be glad to heal its machine spirit.
Speech Syntaxes:
-Speech- Lingua-Technis
"Speech" Low Gothic/English
"Speech" Amplified Low Gothic
Chapter's Pre-readers: JVMMM and Forge Master 00
Notes: Since the notes for this chapter is long I am going to split it up into multiple sections.
Discord: I got the discord link working again if any of you want to join: hu5HdXn. We in the discord are planning to host a WH themed RPG game over the internet. If you want to join, hop on the discord.
Errors in last Chapter: The formatting for the last chapter's speech syntaxes messed up. Lingua-Technis was meant to be in greater than and less than symbols. I am going to revert it back to the original way until I can find a way that works. Test =Test= +Test+ Also last chapter when I said 'hit up Techpriest of Remnant by Megatronus95. It is a shame he stopped.' I was proved wrong 25 days later when he updated his story again. All praise, for another servant of the Omnissiah that is still writing!
What is Happening: I know many of you have been waiting a long time just to get back on the actual story, ten weeks if my cogitators are correct. This chapter has been pushed back for multiple reasons: the Heretek DLC for Mechanicus was launched (great game), marching band camp, school starting, and spending time with family and friends. Since this is the season finale, it would be insulting for it to only by 3k to 4k words. So I am aiming for at least 6k words.
Chapter Twenty-Three: The Breach
The Magos Dominus sat in the conference room on the Astral Knight with three of the nobles and one of their assigned sacristans. "So you mean to tell me that the four of you had the same dream and woke up at the same exact time."
Frygan warned Pugnus, -Yes Magos Dominus. This is either a warning from the Omnissiah of an Ork infestation, or a temptation from the arch enemy. -
-If there were Orks on this world then there would be no Grimm or feudals. And a dream about slaying xenos does not sound like a trap set by the entities of the warp. Do not waste my precious time with your pointless dreams! I have more important matters to attend to! - berated Pugnus.
Dominus Decium stood behind the lines of Skitarii, his volkite blaster sending the lesser Grimm to oblivion. His cogitators overclocked as he gave out orders to every single unit. The Kastelans and Kataphron Destroyers never ceased their elimination volley. The neutron laser on one of the Onagers burned the scales of the King Taijitu, while the icarus array shot all hostiles out of the sky. Then main threat that he focused on was the hoard of lesser Grimm slowly approaching the lines of Skitarii. Their strength is not the problem, it is that they might leave his meat shields weak enough for the giant snake to break through the lines effortlessly. The King Taijitu coiled around itself, with its menacing red eyes peered through the folds. It was waiting for something, and he knew it. The only question is what. -Skitarii Squads Beta, Delta, and Foxtrot, fall back and tighten the wall around the Onagers. Kataphrons, go onto the left flank and protect the Kastelans. Dragoon, stay in reserves. Ironstriders, crush that serpent! - Quin's cogitators informed him the distance he had from the enemy. Nine meters. 60.1036 seconds later, five meters. They are about to reach into melee range, high casualties predicted if nothing changes.
The citizens of Remnant watched in fear as the hoard of Grimm became a few feet away from the forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus. That was when their walkers strode around the right flank, while the Grimm had all of their attention on the Skitarii. That was when the Dragoons started to play prayers of vengeance over their speakers to sound the charge. "There can be no mercy! There can be no forgiveness! None can survive! Our victory is certain! They must be destroyed! We are His judgement! His remorseless fist!" Their taser lances pierced the chests of the abominations, while smaller and unfortunate Grimm hand their skull crushed by the hoofs of the chicken walkers. Now fighting on two fronts, the hoard started to split their attention. Everything is going according to Decium's plan. That was when the snake uncoiled into the lines of Skitarii.
Dominus Decium cursed under his breath, as he remembered that the changer of ways lives to screw all. As the demon serpent raised its head to lunge at the Skitarii again, the neutron laser pierced through the bottom of its jaw and into the skull. With a heavy thud, the beast was laid on the floor dead. But this was not the end of the fight, as more Grimm poured out of the breach just to bash into the Adeptus Mechanicus lines. Cracks were starting to form in the defensive position. Skitarii stood upon their comrade's corpses with little regard for them. Precision was repairing the Kataphrons while Cyber commanded the Kastelans. His gamma pistol barked into the maw of Beowolves. Eights made sure that the Skitarii did not flee by any humane ways at his disposal, why do they limit themselves to gain the favor of the primitives is something Quin cannot fully understand. Contemplating this now is a waste of my cogitators.
The Tech-Priest turned his attention back to the battlefield, logic says that if nothing changes he would have to abandon this position sometime. But reports from Ira state that this attack was not fully prepared, instead it was rushed due to it being discovered. The hoard of Grimm, while numerous is not infinite. Eventually the enemy's manpower here will run out, his predictions state that the forces of man will win this day. The only question remaining is the amount of casualties. That was when he spotted a few Grimm leaving the area of the battle down the multiple side streets in the corner of his vision. He did not expect the xenos to be wise enough to pull a flanking maneuver. More orders had to be given out. -All Skitarii and Kataphron squads start the push forward to the breach, I want our two defensive lines to connect. Dragoons and Ironstriders, eliminate all of the Grimm leaving this area. Kastelans, suppress the breach itself. Onagers, pick off the largest targets. -
Eights countered, -Dominus Decium, we have suffered 27.5% casualties throughout the squads of Skitarii. We could hold against this size of hoard at full strength while having to give up ground to prevent casualties. What makes you believe that at three quarters strength we can push them back? -
-Our objective is to prevent the Grimm from harming civilians, and they cannot if their entrance has been secured. Since the King Taijitu has been slain, our only major threat are the Ursa. Also the serpent was the one that caused most of the damage to our Skitarii, - reasoned Quin. The Enginseer accepted his superior's logic and sent out the order via the noosphere.
Without a word, the lines of metal slowly started to push forward into the black sea. Their metallic fingers never let the trigger of their weapons go, while the Alpha's arc mauls and power sword cut into the closer Grimm with ease. The Kastelans' heavy phosphor blasters poured out hate into the breach, slowly the broken concrete and remains of the train around it started to melt. The opening began to be filled shut. The chicken walkers disengaged from the main fight to run through the streets of Vale, any marauding Grimm found were slain with ease.
Ruby Rose dipped back into consciousness again, her first mission was not going as planned. Once she first woke up and tried to reach for Crescent Rose, but the amount of pain her body endured made her pass out. She bit down on her hood to not focus on her pain, which was when she felt something weird in her mouth. On instinct she spat out whatever was in her mouth. The crimson student stared at three bloody teeth that laid in a small puddle of dirt and spit in fear. The team leader quickly checked her scroll to find that she and her team were on critical amounts of aura. With her friend's aura slowly dropping. Ruby turned to see her sister cradling her left arm, and her partner covering her nose with her two hands as blood slipped through her grip.
Doctor Oobleck awoke in complete darkness, from the looks of it he was still in the train tunnel. He turned on his scroll to act as a flashlight. The dim light moved across his surroundings. He was surrounded by the remains of the train cars, to his left was a Skitarii Ranger that was not in perfect condition. The signature electric blue eyes were colorless and stray a steel beam jutted out of his chest. The professor spared a moment to mourn for the soldier, his scroll tilted down so that he could inspect himself. Nothing appears broken, or missing. Then he realized there was a small sheet of iron stuck in his left leg. "That's not favorable." His aura appeared to have stopped the bleeding, thank Oum he packed the supplied needed to fix this. As if directed by fate, crimson eyes encroached upon him from the darkness. "That's not favorable at all."
Under the light of the rising sun, the situation was starting to turn out favorably. The icarus array stayed silent as the feudal craft landed behind the Skitarii lines to deploy their reinforcements. Dominus Decium found the feudal relief force to be…smaller than he expected. Three huntsmen teams, two professors, and thirty-two Atlesian robots. All that Vale had as a quick relief force was twelve children and two teachers. While the QRF from Atlas was better than their ally's, it was missing a command element. Similar to the Skitarii, they can hold a position by themselves but no orders then efficiency is wasted.
The Atlesian Knights moved into support the lines of Skitarii with any hesitation, but the same could not be said for the huntsmen in training. The team designated as CFVY spared a moment before heading to the right flank of the formation. The transfer team of three from Mistral chased through the side streets, Quin knew that they were the enemy but Pugnus wants to know who they work for before removing them. The two professors and the team designated as JNPR approached him. Jaune was the first one to speak. "Where is team RWBY?"
Professor Goodwitch watched the gaze of the Tech-Priest turn from her student to the battle. He face, or what was left of it, gave no hint of their fate. He raised one of his mechadendrites and pointed it to the giant hole in the ground that was being suppressed by the Kastelan's fire. "That is the most probable location of them. Their fate is unknown." Her grip tightened around her riding crop.
"Why are you suppressing their position? A better question is were they not under the watch of Dominus Ferrum?!"
Quin explained, "Answer to the first question: the Grimm are attacking us from their position. Answer to the second question: her fate is unknown, similar to RWBY. Resolving this issue is now our secondary objective."
"Then what is our first?" questioned Ren.
The Dominus was responded quickly, "Protect the civilians at all costs." A series of binary speak escaped the mouth of the Tech-Priest. The half metal soldiers started to push further into the Grimm hoard, some of whom forgo reloading their weapons in favor of using the butts of the rifle to bash in the skulls of the enemy. The flamethrowers mounted on the Kataphron Destroyers came to life, forcing the pavement and the remains of their enemies to become one.
Eights watched team CFVY engage the Grimm, to say the least he was surprised at their choice of weapons. One had a two handed great sword, one pair of bladed tonfa, and one of them was unarmed. Their leader had yet to engage, but she was holding a purse. Out of all the planets he had visited, this one is the most illogical. A squad with only melee weapons, or none at all, fighting against an enemy that only has melee weapons. Sure they had the Sicarian Ruststalkers go against this statement, but they are being sent against the White Fang who mostly use ranged weapons. His mechanical eyes spotted the team leader walking up to an Ursa while her lips were moving, the Enginseer could not make out what she was saying due to the rhythmic song formed by the galvanic rifles with the staccato beats from the radium carbines. He could not believe that his vision was properly calibrated when her purse mecha shifted into a rotary cannon. Sure he had seen these feudals turning scythes into sniper rifles, or spears into either a sword or rifle before. But he did not know that mecha shifting can be made to this scale. The Magos Dominus must hear about this later, any assassins could potentially hide a weapon in the smallest and most unexpected objects.
Doctor Oobleck's hand reached for his weapon and quickly shifted it into the flamethrower form. A torrent of flame bathed his surroundings, which allowed him to see the numbers of the Grimm around him. It was not much, a small pack of Beowolves that a fully trained Huntsmen could dispatch. The professor's only problem was that his wounded leg prevented him from using his high speed to evade the enemy's claws. With them slowly approaching and his weapon could only kill so many, he prepared himself to find out what comes after death. Oobleck's concentration was broken with a force similar to lightning slamming into his encroaching doom. Behind him he could see five pairs of electric blue eyes. A familiar mechanical monotone voice called out to him, "Doctor Oobleck, you will not join back with the Motive Force today while your duty is unfinished."
Ira launched a hail of fire into the nine Beowolves that were left, her eradication ray forced four of the xenos to disappear. A clip from her macrostubber found their mark in five different skulls. With the enemies dealt with she approached the professor, her auspex informed her that he will live and his combat effectiveness has lowered greatly. "Thank Oum you all arrived to save me from the clutches of the Grimm. Dominus Ferrum, how is your squad of Skitarii faring?"
The tech-priest remembered back to the one Skitarii that attempted to flee, which her macrostubber remedied, and the five other Skitarii that were killed in action. "It is still able to eradicate the xenos. Come along professor, we must search the wreckage for what remains team RWBY."
"What remains?"
Ira explained, "They were at the front of the train inside the cars when the explosion occurred. The students would have been assaulted by shrapnel, and the blunt force of slamming into the walls due to the sudden stoppage. I do not know how much of that aura can protect, but do not hope for their survival. For it is the first step on the road to disappointment."
Back on the surface, the forces of humanity were getting close to their goal. The dunestriders returned from the intersecting streets of Vale with reports of all flanking Grimm slain. By this time the only part left of the hoard was Beowolves and the rare scattered creep. The lines of Skitarii and Atlesian Knights renewed their efforts, with the help of the Dragoons, to push the xenos back underground. No quarter was given. No remorse was shown. For how can you against an enemy that only hates.
Doctor Oobleck's left arm reached around the Domiuns' neck to help him stand upright. The remains of the Skitarii squad formed a protective wall in front of them as they passed through the remains of the train. While soldiers searched through the wreckage as the moved along, they could not waste time to leave no stone unturned. The professor watched as Ira's mechadendrites slowly repair herself, but her attentions were focused with the sway of her eradication ray in case any more Grimm dared to approach them. "Dominus Ferrum, are you hurt? I can support myself with a makeshift brace if you to focus your strength on your repairs."
"No, that would waste our precious time. The longer we delay, the closer the team of students-under our supervision-come closer to no longer being a four man squad," countered Ira. A muffled yelp came from the pile of scrap metal to their left. The four Skitarii without hesitation moved to the heap and started to search through it. After a wasted four minutes, they recovered the canine familiar of Ruby designated as Zwei. The dog was oddly unharmed by the entire situation, which would have to be researched at a later time. Before anything could be said, the dog leaped out of the Skitarii's metal arms and started to run to the exit.
Oobleck jested, "Turns out that Ruby was a genius for being her pet after all. His perceptive nose and heightened sense of sound makes him an excellent companion for a search and rescue mission such as ours. He will lead us to Ruby."
The Skitarii turned to face their Dominus for guidance, only for them to be berated. "Did you not hear the orders given to you by Doctor Oobleck? Follow that dog!"
A peculiar idea formed in Dominus Decium's cogitators as he watched the battle starting to come to a close: Can you commit war crimes against the Grimm? The Adeptus Mechanicus defines nothing as a war crime, but these feudals do. His programs of thoughts were interrupted when he saw the last remaining Beowolves running to the tunnels. While their numbers were miniscule, fifteen in total, none would be allowed to escape. -Charge them! Do not let them leave with their lives! - He ordered his Skitarii. But they were terribly slower than the enemy, so some stopped their advance to let one final volley lose.
"Yang, are you okay over there?" asked Ruby.
A grimace took her face as she spoke, "I think I broke my arm." Ruby's eyes grew wide, because she never saw her older sister in a weak position. On the rare occasion she lose a fight, she would tell jokes and puns to brush it off.
"What about you Weiss?"
A muffled reply came, but the team leader was able to understand her partner. "I think I broke my nose"
Ruby then asked the question that was on all of their minds, "Have any of you guys seen Blake?" Before anyone of them could comment, they heard the whimpering of a canine creature. "Zwei!" Ruby called out to the darkness. But she received no response from the hateful crimson eyes that pierced through the shadows.
Doctor Oobleck began to hear the distant sound of gunfire ahead of them. Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he started he staggered run towards combat. The Skitarii doubled their pace to keep up with the professor. Upon reaching the encounter, Oobleck did not hesitate to leap into the fray. His club imploded the closest beowolf skull, but before the Grimm could counter attack the Skitarii made their presence known. Their desolated ranks fired into the xenos, removing a few but in total just annoying the hoard. The professor shifted his weapon into the flamethrower and ignited the Grimm as they charged the Skitarii. One final volley was unleased before the claws descended on the last of Squad Charlie.
Weiss watched as three of the Skitarii were torn to shreds by the Grimm. Doctor Oobleck let his flamethrower burn only a few of the creatures of fear as to not cause friendly fire. Then she remembered back to her question to Dominus Ferrum. 'These exact Skitarii are relatively fresh converts'. A staccato sound of gunfire came from behind the final Adeptus Mechanicus soldier, the bullets themselves killed the last three Beowolves. The tech-priest walked out of the shadows to only stare down at the remains of her squad.
Ira stared at the remains of her squad as she finished her report of the entire battle. She allowed herself two spare seconds to mourn the casualties taken under her command before sending the file to the Magos Dominus. A minute too late, three squads of Skitarii lead by Dominus Decium reached their location. The tech-priest noticed one of their Skitarii carrying the unconscious form of Blake Belladonna. Quin ordered, -Let the Rangers help the wounded out of here. I do not want any primitives dying of rad saturation while under our care. -
Four Skitarii Rangers holstered their galvanic rifles before picking up the rest of team RWBY and Doctor Oobleck in the fireman carry position. The teenager girls did complain about their predicament, but Quin reminded them. "The longer we are down here complaining and sorting out who can walk, the higher chance your comrade can die of her injuries sustained." The Vanguards and the Rangers with arc rifles covered their retreat back to the surface.
As the Skitarii jogged past Professor Goodwitch and Professor Port, their injured college greeted them. "It is swell to see you two here, I will regale to you my story at the infirmary." Once the two tech priests exited the breach, the female professor used her semblance to repair the damage and close off the tunnels.
Dominus Ferrum noticed a drunkard being escorted by Mercury and Emerald unto an Atlesian bullhead. He mumbled as the android grabbed unto him, "I was not supposed to get fucking caught! That fire man was, but he bitched out! Oum damn backstabber. Hey, hey! Watch the mead!" Team RWBY and Doctor Oobleck in the meantime time were loaded into a medical bullhead to be taken to Beacon post-haste.
A gaggle of news reporters approached the two Domini and the professors, but before they could say anything Quin cut them off. "Magos Dominus Pugnus will give the official statement from the Adeptus Mechanicus in one standard hour."
"Why not now?" yelled one of the people in the crowd.
Ira informed them, "This matter is too important to have a simple chat over a scroll. That is why he is going to make planet fall to make his future plans clear."
The news reporters turned on the professors, "What does Beacon have to say about this?"
Goodwitch deflected them, "Headmaster Ozpin will give our statement once the Magos Dominus arrives."
Ozpin was completely silently in his office, with only a fresh cup of coffee to warm his hands. He had to prepare a speech for the public to calm them down after they the Grimm have rampaged into the city. The headmaster was preparing himself for what to say to the public, he did not want to scare them by mobilizing more forces but if they did not feel safe he would get no support. The fact that Pugnus was coming to the surface to give a speech was a peculiar move. But he knew that he was not going to waste resources and time just to give a speech. His train of thought was halted when he got an alert from his scroll. The council was calling him, with not a lot of options he accepted the call. "Ozpin!"
"Yes, Councilman."
The councilman explained his situation, "You've left us no choice! The Vytal Festival tournament cannot be broadcast, let alone held, if we are unable to ensure the safety of the citizens. Without the help from outside forces. Therefore, we have reached out to the Atlas Council and the Adeptus Mechanicus. Together, we have decided that the best action is to appoint either General Ironwood or Magos Dominus Pugnus as head of security for the event. But before we make a final decision, we would like you opinion on this matter."
"While I would prefer to stay at the head of security for the Vytal Festival, I would have to choose General Ironwood to replace me. To have a person from a country not in the Vytal Festival be the head of security would not be great news to our citizens," reasoned the headmaster.
The General started with his speech, "Thank you for your support, Ozpin. Atlas is happy to lend as many troops as it takes to ensure that the Vytal Festival runs smoothly and safely as possible."
Another council member interjected, "But the Adeptus Mechanicus would be the best choice for Vale's safety. After all, the Magos Dominus warned us about the hoard of Grimm in close proximity to the city. And he did inform us that the headmaster sent a first year team to deal with it."
The first councilmen spoke, "We cannot trust those cultist at all. They want to remove the idea of an independent Remnant. Right now, Atlas and the other Kingdoms are our only allies. The Adeptus Mechanicus is still useful to us, and therefore they shall remain here. But we are still going to have a serious discussion about Ozpin's position at Beacon Academy. The reports given to us by the General over the last few weeks have lead us to be…concerned. I am sure you understand."
The video feed with the Council of Vale was cut, leaving only Ozpin and Ironwood in the call. "This is the right move, Ozpin. I promise, I will keep Remnant safe from all threats, you have to trust me." And with the end of his statement, the video feed was cut entirely. Ozpin stared into his now cold cup of coffee. A report appear on his scroll. It appears that Pugnus' ship was spotted nearing Vale. But an additional five VTOL craft following.
The Magos Dominus exited his transport, with the third Onager in his detachment slowly following him. He gazed rested upon his forces as they prepared to march into the city, they were planned to meet up with Dominus Decium's contingent at Beacon. But he might accidentally take a detour to pass by General Ironwood's speech about his plans for security for the Vytal Festival. Pugnus could only worry about the tension between the Fulgurites and Copruscarii, but he had warned both of them that any attacks against the other will lead to a fast pass to Servitude Imperpituis.
"Citizens of Vale. Due to recent events, your council have wisely chosen to put myself as head of security for the upcoming Vytal Festival. I will do everything possible, in my power, to maintain the safety of this lovely city and its proud people. Under the protection of the Atlesian military, there will be no repeat of the beach that occurred earlier today. Multiple Atlesian Knight-200 will be deployed to the edges of the city to keep the Grimm at bay, all I need is your cooperation and support." The hologram of Ironwood spoke to the crowd, who were listening intently. But their attention was starting to be drawn away by the distinct sound of marching metal. Ignoring the distracting noise, the General continued his speech. "Atlas plans to have talks with the Adeptus Mechanicus so that we can coordinate our forces to better defend Vale."
As if on cue, the forms of white garbed cyborgs entered the park in which he was giving his speech. The distinct form of the Magos Dominus was leading them. This was not the force that toiled during the breach, this was another wave of reinforcements. Ironwood spotted long sniper rifles, bulky rifles with a dangerous blue glow, and shirtless men with blue tinted skin. Are they part of a subspecies of humans that they tech-priests have talked about, or was their skin color changed by experimentation. Questions for later. "The Adeptus Mechanicus does not plan to defend Vale." Pugnus' statement was taken well by the crowd, the wide eyes and glares were evident of it.
"The breach was evident enough that I cannot trust General Ironwood or Headmaster Ozpin on problems outside of these walls. After all, Ozpin did send a first year team against a Grimm hoard will Ironwood sat on his hands." The Magos Dominus stepped out of with marching formation, and approached the stage where the hologram of Ironwood was projected. His soldiers stood silently and motionless in the street. "But now is not the time to lay the blame on anyone. With this third wave of reinforcements, I have enough firepower on this planet to clear a portion of the Kingdom of Vale from the Grimm menace!"
The hologram of the Atlesian General was replaced by a map of Remnant, an area around Vale was colored white in contrast to the midnight black everywhere else. "If given consent by the Council of Vale, the Adeptus Mechanicus will push the black tide away from these unguarded walls. With support from you and your leaders, soon the Grimm shall be only remembered in history classes." The light slowly pushed the darkness away from Vale and to the shores of Saunus, with the softened sounds of gunfire and primordial growling repeating in the background. The animation was switched back to show Ironwood again, who did not look pleased about the interruption. The Magos Dominus slowly walked off the stage to take his place in the marching block. Without a spoken order, the forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus started their perfect march that not even a human could replicate.
After the Breach, team RWBY and Professor Oobleck were split up. Yang, Blake, and the Doctor were taken to the nearest hospital. On the other hand, Weiss and Ruby were confined in Beacon's infirmary. Professor Goodwitch was given a list of their injuries and their predicted hospital stay, and the information did not calm her anger.
Name: Miss Ruby Rose
Injuries: Three missing teeth and a grade three concussion
Recovery: Three days
Name: Miss Weiss Schnee
Injuries: Nasal fracture and minor epistaxis
Recovery: One week
Name: Miss Yang Xiao Long
Injuries: One radius fracture of the right arm
Recovery: Two to four weeks
Name: Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck
Injuries: One fibula fracture of the left leg
Recovery: Two to four weeks
Name: Miss Blake Belladonna
Injuries: Three rib fracture and class one hemorrhaging
Recovery: Three to four weeks
With one Vale's team out of action less than a week away from the Vytal Festival, something needed to be done to fix the tournament brackets. Whether that be moving the entire Vytal Festival back or replacing the spot left by team RWBY. With several taps and presses on her scroll, the hospital information was sent to the Council of Vale for their decision on the problem.
General Ironwood walked away from his scroll, his in depth speech was cut in half by that dust damned Magos Dominus. He was not enraged at the moment, just slightly irked. James did consider today a victory in the big picture. An important member of the White Fang was captured, another White Fang plot foiled, and he has complete control of the security of Vytal Festival. All at the cost of a few Atlesian Knights. The Adeptus Mechanicus did suffered casualties, but that is not his problem. The General walked to the heavily guarded holding cell, his gaze shifted from the door to the pair guards. "Leave us."
Without hesitation, the two soldiers left the presence of the General. Once they were far enough, Ironwood waved his scroll against the side of the cell. The door smoothly opened without a sound, in the dark corner he could spot the figure of a human. "You are Honig Wein, a citizen of Atlas. I've been informed that so far you've refused to cooperate with the local authorities."
The criminal rubbed his hands together. "I would not call myself uncooperative…the correct way to phrase it is that the people here are uncompromising."
"What I am concerned about is how uncooperative you will be with the world's strongest military?" countered the General as he crossed his arms.
A confused glance mixed with a devious smirk replaced Honig's emotionless face. "Eh, didn't that title go to the toaster fuckers?"
James' glare only hardened, he did not fall for the bait. "Do not attempt to derail the conversation. Who is really behind this?"
"It should be obvious if you have a brain," stated Mr. Wein. His left hand reached into his jacket's pocket to pull out a rectangular flask. With a flick of his right hand, the lid screwed off and bounced onto the floor. Slow placing the cold steel to his lips. With a quick twitch of his neck, the contents of the flask emptied down his throat. "Not fucking me." An electronic buzz tore the General's attention away from the interrogation. Ironwood's organic hand fished out his scroll to check the message.
'Due to team RWBY begin hospitalized, the Vytal festival has been moved back a week so that they could participate. And the Council have deemed that since the lead criminal in the breach is a citizen of Atlas; all problems regarding custody shall go to you and the Council of Atlas.'
He allowed his steel composure fade into a minute smirk. "Very well then. The Council of Vale has given me complete custody over you. Make yourself comfortable. I can be sure that you'll have plenty of time to remember who is behind this."
The drunkard laid back onto his temporary steel bed. As his cell's door shut, he presses a concealed button on the back of his whiskey flask. The metal panel of the flask slide off silently, to show a small hidden electronic device. A simple flick of a switch caused its light to start blinking red. "Oh how wonderful."
Pugnus stood near the docks of Beacon Academy, his forces were too large to keep on the school grounds. The only error preventing him from moving his forces outside the walls, is the fact he had a few severely wounded Skitarii. In the Astra Militarum, they would have been fixed with a bark of a laspistol. But this world prevented him from taking the most efficient route. If he were to order the mercy killing of even one Skitarii, his political enemies could use that for propaganda. There were a few news programs that attempted to portray the Magos Dominus as an authoritarian conqueror. While they were partly correct, the larger information outlets showed all the good the Adeptus Mechanicus has done for this planet. And if anything got out of hand, the Talpa Code would remove the offence.
With that tangent done he remembered why he was still here, the near death Skitarii were being held in the forge at Beacon Academy. The two Enginseers were repairing them slowly with the scraps of their dead comrades. He could order them to be sent up to his fleet for conversions, but the transports have left at the start of the day. They would return within 24 hours to replace fresh recruits. All that Eights and Precision had to do was to keep them alive until then, for any more dead could be used to suggest the inferiority of the medical procedures of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Inferiority is not a trait of mankind, and Pugnus would have none under his command.
The forty electro-priests had to sleep in the spare rooms inside Beacon Academy, he was able to organize ten to a room designed for four until Professor Goodwitch caught on. Thankfully the Magos Dominus allowed Dominus Decium to stay behind to be yelled at as he left to check on the rest of his brigade. Dominus Ferrum reported that she had already chosen a spot for their encampment, Pugnus stared at the location in the Noosphere. It was deep into Emerald Forest, around five clicks, and it would be assaulted by Grimm at the same rate a village would. The Magos Dominus ignored her suggestion and placed FOB Wraith two clicks away from Vale. Ira then countered with setting up in the ruins of Mountain Glenn, due to it being mapped out by herself when she was there. Pugnus chuckled as he informed her, -No, I have plans for those ruins later.-
"All in all, I call today a success." commented Cinder as she stood upon a rooftop alongside her subordinates. Emerald nodded in agreement, as Mercury shook his head, the two Faunus stayed away from the conversation.
Emerald questioned her boss, "That crazed arsonist left before he could carry out his part of the plan. What should we do if we meet him again?"
"Demand his service or his head," ordered Cinder.
The grey haired kid pondered, "You still think the White Fang is going to listen to us after they lost a lot of grunts?"
The bull sneered at his insult of the organization. "No. But they'll listen to me." The raven Faunus stared at the group from afar as he constantly kept rubbing his hands together. Birdman had worked with Meadman for the majority of his life, for they each complemented the other's weakness. That is what made them inseparable, but not invincible. The Faunus felt a buzzing from his pocket, he quickly pulled out the device and stared at the blinking red light longingly. His comrade was still alive, and he would make sure they will meet again. After that? Since Meadman called the shots, Birdman was only certain of one thing. Nothing would ever tear them apart.
The electronic blue glow of a computer was the only source of light in the room. The only occupant, a man covered in fire retardant suit, stared at the screen as he replayed the video footage. Nothing seemed to catch his eye, a gaggle of children not knowing how to hold a proper conversation. That was until a man caught his eye. His prize was dress up for an exploration into a safari, which was colored a mixture of browns and greens. The method of conversation came in a long metallic club; that he previously assumed to be that of a brute's choice. How ironic that his greatest joy came from one of his least errors. The tinted lenses were glued onto the screen, some of his flaky skin started to peel off as he lips formed a demonic smile. A raspy voice emitted to no one in particular, "If memory serves me justly, that would be…Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck! Yes, a professor at Beacon Academy. A shame how his talents are wasted within those putrid stone walls. I shall free Dr. Oobleck from his cage of metal by the power of conversation. Then like the great phoenix from the pitiful ashes of humanity, he shall be reborn!"
Afterword: Unlike in cannon, team RWBY and Doctor Oobleck were harmed by the train that they were on ramming into metal blast doors which caused an explosion. I do not know if I punished them too lightly or too heavily. During the fighting scenes attempted a different formula in writing than in previous chapters. Let me know what you think of all of this, so I can refine my writing style for future chapters. ALL forms of criticism is appreciated.
End of Gleaming Giants Season One: First Contact