Chapter 4: Setting up for Reforms and the Wolfsrudel
Present Time, Jaune's Room, Atlas
It was the next day, with General Ironwood and Winter Schnee outside the room of Jaune Arc. James knocked twice, before they heard a reply.
"Come on in," Jaune replied. The two entered, and Winter and James couldn't hold back the shock at the transformation the room went under. Where the walls and desk were pristine yesterday, this morning they were littered-actually no, they were covered in papers. Littering would indicate that the papers had no order and that it was a mess for no purpose. Instead, they could quite clearly see that the papers were filled with sketches of vehicles that neither one of them knew, architectural details of defenses, or quick expositions on things that needed attending to.
"Please forgive the mess, but last night I couldn't sleep so I tried to write down all I could from memory about the ECA's military tactics, and with the help of a couple field manuals hidden in my prosthetic draw out the various vehicles that I worked with in the field," Jaune said. "Now, how can I help you General?"
James grabbed one of the sketches. On it was a massive vehicle that rode on a wide pair of tracks. The front was sloped back at a degree, with two massive casemate cannons jutting out offset from the center left and right. James tried to figure out the purpose of such a vehicle before giving up and asking Jaune.
"What is this vehicle, and what was it supposed to do?"
"That there is the Jagdmammut," Jaune began. "Based on the scrapped VT-tank destroyer, the Jagdmammut was pushed into service when emerging technologies started to render the man portable anti-tank systems that most of Europe had converted to nearly obsolete. It is armed with two 140mm smooth bore cannons that could use the Penetrator shells, which have the tendency to punch through one tank and into another. They were the main element of my division, with a brigade of these Jagdmammuts under my command."
"I see," James said, wondering what in the hell one would need an entire brigade of these tank destroyers. "Anyway, I came down after talking with Specialist Schnee about what you two had talked about, I've decided to see if your expertise could be used for the betterment of Remnant. However, we have some obstacles to giving you a position of command."
"Let me guess, my name would bring some issues as how would you explain a 15-year old kid being suddenly 34?" Jaune asked. James nodded.
"Yes, that would be the biggest issue. The next issue would be getting Atlas's council to listen to any of the recommendations you have," James pointed out. "They are firmly in the pocket of Jacques Schnee of the Schnee Dust Corporation, and since none of your weapons use dust but are seemingly better at first glance to what we use, it would be a problem."
"Ah, the joys of pocketed politicians; always willingly to throw away good equipment and technologies if it means more money in their pocket," Jaune bitterly said. "I take it that this Jacques Schnee would hate if I began to offer a bunch of weapons that didn't use dust correct?"
"It is foreseeable that he would…'encourage' the Council to reject your proposals, and perhaps even have you removed from the military, assuming I could get you in that is," Ironwood explained. "However, I want to run tests on the weapons and ammunitions that was recovered from your unit's position; if the costs of these weapons are cheaper than whatever the SDC and their affiliated companies are offering and they perform better, then I could use my weight as Atlas's primary General to sway the Council to listen to what I've to say."
"Alright, fine, do what you think it will take to get the council to listen to you, but what do I do in the meantime?" Jaune inquired. "I've been an Oberst-ahem, a Colonel that has seen and fought in war since I was fifteen, and so sitting around with a thumb up my ass isn't sitting with me well."
"General if I may offer a temporary solution?" Winter asked. James nodded, letting Winter continue. "Jaune, while making getting you to command a unit in Atlas might be impossible at this time, there are a few private contractors that work closely with the Atlesian Military directly, often taking high risk jobs that the military high command would deem too risky for the average soldier, too large for one huntsman, or too low paying for a team of huntsmen. The Council isn't above providing the funding to start up one of these corporations in return for services rendered, generally taking 50% of the profit to be had from high paying jobs to 75% on moderate to low paying ones for a set period."
"In addition, these corporations wouldn't be limited by what the council or their backers want, so long as the jobs get done and they get their cut. This would allow you to work around Jacques Schnee's opinions and use the equipment and tactics you see fit."
Jaune felt a bitter taste enter his mouth; there were very few good PMCs back on Earth, and on more than one occasion had to deal with those that were being paid by the GLA to undermine the ECA's efforts in North Africa. He knew of some volunteer fighting groups, such as the French Foreign Legion, but they were under government oversight and weren't 3rd parties that could be paid to protect a VIP one day and the next paid to kill them. However, he could see the purposes on having his own group led by him, organized by him, and trained to his standards.
"Has it been possible for these contractors to be absorbed into the Atlesian military after considerable services?" Jaune asked. "I rather not have the reputation as a mercenary commander hanging over my head for the rest of my foreseeable life."
"Yes, it's possible, but only when those contractors have proven themselves so successful as their goals and missions that the risks are outweighed by the gains," James confirmed. "Although how would you begin your company?" Jaune smirked.
"Why, every commander needs a headquarters, and I shall see to it that my base becomes the standard for Remnant," Jaune replied, grabbing his blueprints. "So, General, how soon can I get started?" James smiled; glad that Jaune wasn't one for sitting on his ass all day.
"Today once I convince the Council to back your efforts up," General Ironwoods stated. "In the meantime, Specialist Schnee will be working with you to get your base started; due to her connections, she can find those looking to serve as a private contractor, connect you to arms manufacturers, and find a suitable site for your base to be built without the eyes of the media getting into your business."
Jaune nodded, and soon the trio separated, with James heading to the council, and Jaune and Winter heading to a nearby intel server room to get started. As they walked, Winter struck up a new conversation with Jaune.
"So, Jaune, if you don't mind asking, what happened after…" Winter paused, not sure how to continue onto the sensitive subject of Jaune's family demise and the aftermath, however Jaune had noticed where the conversation was going.
"You needn't feel the need to beat around the bush when it comes to my past," Jaune said. "But what happened after my family's death wasn't simple."
"As you recalled, I was knocked up by falling debris from the bomb truck's explosion, leaving me in the middle of a warzone. Alas, I was found by a group of German resistance fighters that were taking the fight to the GLA. I was taken to a nearby apartment that was being used as a makeshift bunker." He sighed, his time in the Wolfsrudel coming back to him.
January 2028, Outskirts of Berlin, Germany
"Er wacht auf!" shouted a man, just as Jaune's eyes began to flutter. His throat felt like it had been coated in ash, his face felt raw, his body ached, and Jaune could feel the stinging of several cuts and bruises on his arms and face. Jaune couldn't make much out with his eyes, but his other senses kicked in. He felt like he was on some hard fabric item with two metal poles on either side of him, and he could hear the coughing, moaning, crying, and weeping voices of several dozen people around him.
"Wie geht es ihm?" asked another man.
"Ja, er hat kleinere Kratzer und Schnitte, aber er sollte gut sein," the first man replied.
"Gut, dann bringen Sie ihn zu unserem Führer, damit er diese Rolle des Mannes entscheiden kann," the second man replied.
Jaune then felt a man grab him by the shoulders, raising him up. Jaune saw the older man's weary face and dulled blue eyes looking at him.
"Sohn, verstehst du mich?" asked the old man. Jaune shook his head, and then saying no, before realizing how stupid it was to speak in a foreign tongue, as how likely would it be they would understand him? This however caused the old man to shake his head.
"A foreigner caught up in our war, shit," the old man said in Jaune's tongue. "Well, you look like your fifteen, where's your family?" Jaune paused, before remembering the explosion and the faces of his family.
"Th-they're dead," Jaune said. "They died not too far where I was in that ditch, in an alleyway. That explosion, it-it-my father, my mother, all of my sisters, they're all dead." The old man placed wrapped Jaune in a hug.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but I need you to follow this man here-" the old man pointed to a younger man, wearing a camo jacket "-and listen to what the lad in charge has to say." The old man was cut off a whistling noise that preceded an explosion, shaking the building they were in. "Scheisse, there's no time, the GLA are probably already striking at us! Follow that man, go!"
Jaune got up and quickly followed the young man down the various hallways, surprised by what he was seeing around him. Rooms were being used as make shift shelters, medical centers, armories, and kitchens. Men scrambled down the hallways with weapons, mothers were herding the children away from the windows as the crack of gunfire were heard outside. Jaune couldn't understand this chaos, wondering what the hell he was dropped into.
The man led Jaune into a room that was your typical command room, if the maps, soldiers, and radio equipment were a given. But Jaune realized that all of the 'soldiers' weren't much older than him, most looking to be seventeen or eighteen, with some being in their young twenties. The camo jacketed man began talking to a young man with short light brown hair, who had a shotgun strapped to his back. The two talked briefly, before the young man pointed at Jaune.
"Young man, I'm sorry to hear about your loss, but right now I need everyone who can hold a rifle to fight," the young man said. He quickly pointed at and motioned for a man next to a box to grab a weapon and handed it off to Jaune. Jaune accepted the large weapon, a large tube with a scope and a massive warhead. The man also handed him a couple of warheads.
"You will follow Hans here to the northern gate, where the GLA are attacking. You will use that weapon to pop enemy tanks and anything else Hans here tell you to shot at," the young man said. "I know you don't speak German, but I trust you can follow orders yes?" Jaune nodded. "Good, then follow Hans and his orders."
"Right then Jaune, follow me to the roof!" Hans barked out. Jaune quickly (well quickly whilst carrying a massive anti-tank weapon) followed Hans up five flights of stairs. His legs began to burn from the build-up of lactic acid, and his lungs felt ready to burst, but he couldn't stop. Hans led Jaune to the edge of the roof, dragging the blonde down. Jaune was about to ask why when he heard a bullet whiz above him.
"Alright Jaune, here's the deal; I will find targets, and when I point them out, you destroy them, alright?" Hans said. Jaune mutedly nodded. "Good, now when you line the shot up, don't take too long; the GLA have snipers and they will try and kill you."
Jaune didn't really know what a sniper was, but from Hans's tone it wasn't something he wanted to deal with. However, he watched Hans peak over the low lying wall, ducking back done as he motioned Jaune to come over. Jaune crawled over quickly despite the heavy anti-tank weapon, and Hans pointed over the wall. Jaune peaked over and was puzzled by what he saw; a largish metal vehicle with tracks and a ramshackle bar grill in the front with a turret housing a large gun being escorted by several soldiers carrying those banana clipped rifles. He ducked back down, with Hans smirking at him.
"You saw that tank, right?"
"You mean that metal thing with tracks and a turret, yeah," Jaune said.
"That Jaune is the GLA's Scorpion tank; apparently, it's based on some Italian medium tank from the second World War, but that doesn't matter. What does matter however it that unless you have another tank, plane, or someone with a anti-tank weapon, like you got, those things will dominate the battlefield. You job Jaune is to knock it out!"
"With this thing?" Jaune asked in doubt, pointing at the weapon he was given. "How is it going to knock it out?!"
"Trust me Jaune, that Panzerfaust 3 you got will punch through that like it was made of paper!" Hans reassured Jaune.
"Alright, anything I should know about this weapon?" Jaune asked.
"Yes, first shoulder it-good, now aim through the scope once you have the tank in sight, and when you're ready pull the trigger," Hans said. "It'll kick a bit, but make sure the tank is in your sight before you fire, its unguided and so you need to make sure your shot is lined up."
Jaune nodded, peaking over the wall again, quickly seeing the Scorpion tank. It was firing a missile at the base of the building he was on, showering the defenders with molten steel fragments. Jaune peered through the scope, getting a good look at the tank, before seeing a man pop out the turret and staring right at him. Jaune froze, realizing he was about to fire and kill the men inside that tank.
However, Jaune wasn't given much time to reflect on this as the cannon traversed upwards, aiming right at him. He realized he would probably have nightmares about this, but it was kill or be killed. He squeezed the trigger, feeling the warhead rocket out of the launcher and screamed towards the tank. Moments later, the warhead connected, and exploded.
Jaune, having grown up on a steady diet of action films, expected a simple fireball and then the vehicle would be disabled. Instead he got real life, where the warhead penertrated and ignited the fuel and ammo. The explosion created a large plume of black smoke and sent shrapnel out everywhere, eviscerating the men standing next to the tank. The fuel also burned hot and bright, engulfing the tank's crewmen in fire. They climbed out of the tank, screaming while rolling on the ground, trying to extinguish the fire.
Jaune slumped down behind the wall, his stomach churning at horrible it was watching that tank explode. In the films the heroes always seemed relieved at taking out the baddies, but here, he felt nothing but disgust and self-hatred at how easy it was to kill those men. Hans gripped his shoulder.
"I know what it's like taking your first kill, but we have more work to do, as the GLA will be sending more tanks this way," Hans said quietly. Jaune merely nodded, following Hans around on that roof for the rest of the day, the memories of what he did that day staying with him.
Present Time, Jaune's Room, Atlas
"I see," Winter said, wondering just how bad it must've been for his 15-year old self to come to terms with having blood on his hand. "So how…I don't know how to ask this, but how-"
"How many tanks and vehicles did I take out on that day?" Jaune asked. Winter nodded. "Well, the first day I took out only two Scorpion tanks and a technical, but the 'siege' lasted two weeks."
"My god, but you said that the apartment was just filled with civilians and resistance members!" Winter said. "Why would they fight that hard over it?"
"Because the GLA knows no mercy, they only know what their goals are," Jaune rebutted. "That and they knew the Chinese were coming to relieve the pressure put on the European nations. They had to do as much damage as quickly as possible before the Chinese arrived and cleaned Europe of them." He paused, thinking about how many lives he took during that siege.
"In total, I took out fifteen Scorpion tanks, five technical trucks, a bomb truck, and finally a Marauder tank, claiming somewhere an estimated seventy five lives, and that is only with the crew of the vehicles, not taking into account all the rebel soldiers that were standing next to them when they exploded," Jaune stated.
"Does it weigh on your mind at nights?" Winter inquired, wanting to know if she would be needing some help if she had to kill someone. Jaune shook his head.
"It did when I was in the middle of the siege, but afterwards, I was shown the GLA's true depths and afterwards, I beg forgiveness not for killing them, but for not killing more of them," Jaune admitted. "And before you start by saying how could I be so cold, I will explain; the GLA has no issue with using WMDs to kill civilians, using captured prisoners as slaves, both labor and sex slaves, killing off anyone who disagreed with them, and above all using child soldiers."
"But weren't you a soldier for the Wolfsrudel?" Winter asked. Jaune shook his head again.
"No, I was a young adult, the GLA used kids barely six or seven years old as soldiers," Jaune countered. "Those were the only lives in the GLA I truly despise myself for killing, as they were too young to make their own decision and were forced into the position."
Winter could hear the sorrow in Jaune's voice, how it was like he was walking around with chains binding him.
"I won't say I understand, but I'm sorry about what you've had to do for the purposes of peace," Winter said.
"I thank you for the sentiment," Jaune said. "But we need to settle the issue with my HQ, right? Have you been able to find anyplace suitable for the purpose?"
"I have," Winter said. "There is a section of land that is relatively clear of environmental obstacles, low level of Grimm, and is I think large enough for a base."
"How big are we talking?" Jaune inquired.
"Roughly five hundred square kilometers," Winter said. Jaune mulled it over.
"A bit bigger than Fort Campbell in the US, and given how I intend to build the base up…yes that will do," Jaune replied. "Any ideas where I am going to find men to recruit and any suggestions for men to train them? And what about contractors; kind of hard to have a base without buildings."
"Well the men you are going to have to find on your own, but I can get you in touch with someone who is quite skilled in Public Relations," Winter said. "As for training, you can come up with the basics of the training you want, hand them over to the general, and he can find you suitable men to train your recruits with. As for contractors, well, if you got plans for the buildings…"
"Have them right here," Jaune said, handing Winter the plans for his various buildings.
Winter looked over the ones labeled defenses and was quite surprised by their simple design. The first was a simple Guard tower, but with a machine gun that was likely one Jaune was familiar with on a 360 degree swivel and able to fire damn nearly vertically down from its position. The next was a series of three crisscrossing steel beams that lay in front of a wall of sandbags. Following that was a pit with two massive autocannons that were aimed towards the sky with a RADAR unit in the third pit. Finally was a small reinforced sandbag structure with room for three inside.
"Except for the tower, why are these so low to the ground?" Winter inquired.
"Target profile; the smaller you are, the harder you are to hit. Also these kinds of structure are pretty hardy against anything short of bombers and artillery; can't even begin to tell you how much safer it is to take shelter from an artillery barrage inside a bunker than it is outside of it."
"And what about this one with the two autocannons?"
"That is a Skyshield battery, basically two independent anti-aircraft cannon that is control by that RADAR unit; those things can slaughter helicopters before they do too much damage to a defensive line, and against fast movers they act as a deterrent," Jaune answered.
"Sounds like they could be a threat to flying Grimm," Winter said and Jaune nodded.
"I sufficiently doubt any Grimm can withstand a withering barrage of 35mm AA shells," Jaune said. Winter nodded.
"Well, the defenses look like something a military engineering corp could help set up, and as for the actual structures," she paused, looking at how heavily armored and defended the main HQ building was. "I know of a couple of companies that could prefabricate the structure and then it be a matter of rapid assembly. But I notice a lack of walls; is there a reason for that?"
"I assume that you have something like a Hesco Bastian, where a simple steel grid with hardened fabric lining the interior is then filled with sand or dirt, depending on the soil composition," Jaune said. He saw Winter's dumbfounded look and sighed. "Let me guess, no one thought to make something like that?"
"Eheh, yeah," Winter said. "That seems too simple; does it work?" Jaune nodded.
"Yeah, one that is about six feet tall, five feet deep, and running thirty-three feet can stop bomb trucks from breaching into the interior," Jaune replied. "Of course because of the Grimm I would want them a bit taller and anchored down into the ground with steel supports, but same end goal; a engineering team with a bucket loader can create the perimeter in a day, maybe two for a double stack."
"I see, well I think if you sold that as a patent you could make a decent amount of money," Winter said. Jaune nodded.
"Indeed I would, but I don't know the means on how to patent such designs," Jaune admitted. Winter shook her head.
"Again, I can help with that."
"Thanks Winter," Jaune said. Winter smiled for a moment before sighing.
"Well your welcome, but we have more work ahead of us," Winter said.
"I agree, let's crack on shall we?" Jaune said.
Author's Note: I am quite surprised by how many of you are enjoying this story so far. In 24 days I have had 3 reviews, 643 views, 15 favorites, and 14 followers. So thank you guys, and in response I shall respond to your reviews!
-Shashenka: Thank you for your response and I agree. Remnant is stuck so to speak and its that lazy view that 'hunters are the best' that bit them in the ass. Sure they are good, but as I say, what good is individuality of a few hunters when an army of dedicated soldiers is there to defend the world? Individuals don't win wars, armies do.
-Teehpootism: Jaune isn't going to be able to affect the entire Atlesian Army, but he is going to leave a defining mark, one that Salem and her supporters are going to feel.
-DuManHeiu: Glad you are enjoying this story, so enjoy this chapter! And not many stories tackle the problems I've addressed as it's a prime example of wish fulfilment in story; the characters are always right, and you can live through them as they tackle seemingly insurmountable obstacles, on their own. I call bullshit on this and I'm bringing Remnant to reality (or as real as you can with CnC: ROTR) by showing how one would really need to tackle the problems Remnant is facing. And fuck RWBY's deus ex machina!
As for things I want to personally address, do note that these flashbacks won't be in every chapter; at most every other, but most likely every so often. They will cover Jaune's past, and appear when context is needed, so pay attention to those flashbacks from here on out!
In addition, Jaune's defenses are based on those that the ECA has in-game. The ECA is the turtler's preferred faction in ROTR, as you can often build your defenses so thick that the enemy struggles to breakthrough if he doesn't have access to things like Nuke Cannons or strong bombers. They trade mobility and price for strong defenses and long range combat, which Jaune will be showing Atlas how to hold ground.
About the size of land Jaune's base is going to be set up on; 500 square kilometers is indeed slightly larger than fort Campbell in the US, but it is nowhere near the largest bases in the US; Fort Hood roughly 870 square kilometers, twice the size of Fort Campbell.
Final note before I go, I really want to know; do you guys want a section at the end of each chapter detailing the various weapons, generals, and factions that appear in ROTR, so that even if you don't play it you guys have some idea of what I'm talking about? Please leave a response in your reviews.
That's all for now, until next time guys, please read, review, follow, and favorite this story, and I'll catch you guys next time!