Ross

Chapter 3

A Scourge of Grimm

'In the year 1 AGH, the Valkaln Kingdom sent an estimated 83,400 Christian soldiers to heed the call of arms of Duke Boswell of Auvgon. While far to the west, the Al-Riqqulan Emirate managed to gather over 100,000 Muslim warriors to march on the holy city of Jizaha. For both the Christian and Muslim World, this city was one of the most important in their histories. For the Christians, it was the first landing and the beginning of the Christianization of the New World. And for the Muslims, it was where the First Prophet was born and began preaching his teachings. When both armies meet within a week's march of the city, an unexpected thing happened. The many generals and leaders of the two armies met and formed an alliance. On August 14th, 1 AGH, both Christian and Muslim forces marched towards the holy city of Jizaha, as brothers in arms. Despite the defeat they suffered against the Grimm Horde on the 22nd of August. The stories of survivors have told us of friendship which lasted to the modern day with Mujaheddin (Holy Warriors of the Muslim faith) fighting alongside the Cristeros in the Second Human-Faunus War.' - Excerpt from 'History of Sanus,' by Francio Chvoune

Ross looked at his phone to read the news report of recent events in Vacuo. In his general opinion, Things are not looking too well for the old nation. They lost half of its territory to the Al-Sudeen Caliphate, and its military presence in the east, bordering Vale, is slowly diminishing due to new hurdles of the new Caliphate has provided.

The Muslims still put up one hell of a good fight, even in this world. Curious to see where things will go for them. Ross knew things like this take time to do. No nation or empire was built in a day and neither it will ever be. So, he will not be a hound watching the news every day. He will only check on it every few weeks or months at a time. Besides, he has more important things to do.

He turned his phone off and looked around and walked his way to the stairs. As he walked by Yangs room. Ross smiled softly at the memories they shared. He was quite sad whenever she left for Beacon over a week ago. However, he was glad that she did leave for many things has happened when she left. He pressed the touch screen to her room for it to be empty. Ross took a deep breath and walked in.

He looked around the empty room to see it void of life, nothing of Yang remained in the room. Nothing from her clothes to her personal belongings. Even the color of the walls, which were once a bright golden color, have been stripped of their life and left with a dull grey. The flooring has been replaced with something newer and more modern, a hard pine lacquered wood. He stood in the room emptiness, filling the void Yang left behind.

Around this time, she would be playing her boyband music. Ross thought. The music of this world is something strange, while it does not compare to some of the bands, he came to recognize like The Beach Boys of Earth, or the rising band named The Beatles, the boy bands of this world were mediocre at best. Yang did always bring life to the house, with her personality and sense of humor. She really did earn a place in his heart.

"Don't do anything stupid now Yang. And you better live through that test of theirs." Ross knew the mortality rate of entering a Huntsman/Huntress school being high. Mostly being 60 out of a hundred whenever you first join one until you enter the final four years of training. Then the mortality rate shoots up to being 22 out of a 100. Ross could only chuckle at the death rate.

Death.

A funny word to him for he has seen it, embraced it and found an odd sense of comfort by it. Ross could not place his finger on the odd sensation. A feeling that reminded him of a mothers embrace yet far more comforting, a feeling of achievement, satisfaction with oneself. Quite queer for Ross, he did not like anything out of place. Death liked playing jokes with him as he assumed it does.

The house began to shake as something flew over it, he walked towards the window to see an exceptionally large ship fly across the sky. A ship that was far too large to even be in the sky.

"The technology of this world scares me at times." What Ross saw fly across the sky was a frigate class ship flying in the sky. "To think man was able to achieve this, to build ships meant for water to be in the sky. It must be a marvel of engineering." He muttered.

Truly for Ross seeing these massive ships fly through the sky is something straight out of a science fiction novel. A very distant dream in his world, yet here he is in this one. Marveling at the very same ships he read about. His ears faintly picked up the sound of blades quickly cutting through the sky.

Helicopters was his first thought. However, when he saw them, they looked nothing like the ones back on Earth. These are far larger, bulkier in design. These new transport ships did not have the blades he was used to seeing, there was none. Instead of one main rotor blade there were two rotor blades on each side of the vehicle. Below it was an engine far too complex for Ross to understand but it made it work. From what he has read it can carry up to 60 people and carry a heavy tank. They were called VTOL.

His gaze stayed in the sky seeing dozens of them. Seeing various kinds of VTOL's flying in formation, many carrying supplies, weapons, or taking civilians to the mainland. He clenched his fist at the memory of the announcement on the Holoscreen.

'A scourge is approaching, all able-bodied personal report to your nearest government building. Order 237-7 shall be initiated. All non-combatants please gather your personal belongings and prepare for departure. Order 238-22 through Order 239-66 shall be enforced.'

Ross is no idiot, something similar happened like this back in America at the height of the African War. The only difference is RFK made the speech about issuing orders to send out a draft, while this nation had a monotonic robot say it. Yet he did not know the all the orders mean. Whenever he asked his uncle what it meant, he answered solemnly.

"Trust me when I say this Ross, I don't like this at all. But the orders they give out just now were laws they put in place a long time ago, 900 years ago. Order 238-20 through 238-28 are laws enlisting Huntsmen/Huntresses to the military. They as well impose restrictions on their activities. Not only that they also require all able-bodied men to be drafted, all men between the age of 18-40 are required to answer the call to fight. The women have a choice to join. But than theirs the other law of drafting Huntsman/Huntresses-in-training to be enlisted in the military. The minimum age required for this law to act is 14, for it to work the General of the Army and his senior staff must approve this act when the politicians make this request. And it seems they have accepted this request, so that means you and your classmates have been enlisted in the military. You are not huntsman anymore, but soldiers. But be wary son, be wary of the military's motto.'

Ross wanted to laugh, truly he wanted to. To be a soldier once again? To lead men into the battlefield. To see war machines destroy and rape nature? Ross wanted to scream, to punch several holes in the wall. Ross does not want to be a soldier once again.

I already served my duty to my country once before, served all my life till I died. I'm not planning to throw my life away once again and die a soldier once more. Ross served America proudly, faithfully, and sorrowfully. He did not plan to waste his youth serving a nation again, not in this life. He already took a life for him to be here, so he will do it justice and live to his fullest. But the military makes it harder now.

9:43 am

Ross needed to get down to the FOB and get checked in to get his uniform and other credentials. He left the room and went into his and grabbed his bag lying on the bed, he checked it first to see if all that he needs is there. From clothes, munitions, and cleaning supplies for his weapon and his books and writing materials. He cannot leave that behind so easily. He looked around his room to see it mostly empty. From the drawer to his desk to the closet has been emptied. Next to his bed were two large cases and a large heavy-duty bag. The two cases were longer and rectangular in shape for they carried his sniper rifle and his bastard sword/scythe. While the bag carried more munitions specs for his weapons. He lifted the bag and had the strap go behind his neck so it can hang off it and grabbed his other two cases.

I need to do more wight training. Ross thought. He carefully walked out his room and into the hall and to the stairs. It was all empty and lifeless. The pictures that once hanged up on the wall were now gone, with rugs and couches and anything else Tai has bought was now gone. With a threat of a Grimm scourge looming on the horizon the government issued an order to evacuate civilians off the island and make it a staging area to intercept the Grimm. Thankfully Yang was gone once those orders were issued. If I'm right, she should be in a forest close to the capital taking her initiation test which will last a month. And with no communication to the outside world until the test is over which should be around early August. I might have to give her a call sometime after. Ross thought. He did not like how everything has changed. Just last week he talked to his uncle Tai about skipping grades and such. Yet here he is, going to the FOB to be a soldier once more.

Ross walked out the door and made his way to town, the long winding dirt path lead him through the forest. Such a beautiful forest it is, Ross only grew more sadder knowing it will all be destroyed. Once he reached the paved road he went right to head into town. As he walked, he heard the VTOL's fly through the sky, the giant ships flying through the sky. Ross was mesmerized by the sight, on the paved road convoys of military trucks passed by him. The trucks carried troops, supplies and weapons. Ross waved at each one whenever they turned to glance at him. As he got closer to town a single convoy caught his attention. They were massive vehicles.

The first two in the convoy resembled tanks to Ross but instead of having the simple layout he came to recognize they were far larger. Strang mechanical devices were on the side of, appearing more like legs that can extend out. The head where the gun is mounted was far larger and longer than normal, its barrel thicker than Ross thought it should be. It was angled high as if made for long range shooting. The front part of it is heavily armored from Ross could tell, long with its side and less near its engine. In the middle of the convoy are three heavy duty military trucks carrying 4 massive missiles each. Ross Recognized them as ICBM's. Intercontinental ballistic missiles.

This is not good at all. Ross thought. He knew the power and range of these missiles, to have them here on Patch was not a good sign. The scourge must be big, if they have them here than we must be facing the brunt of it. Shit. He walked a bit faster towards the town, with a heavier step in his pace. Shit. Shit! Ross is old, an old soldier. The thought of seeing teenagers as young as 14 fighting in the military was something he did not want to see.

They are nothing but kids. They are nothing but kids. He told himself. Ross marched past the military convoy and towards the town. As he approached the town, he saw the basics of a military checkpoint. Two squads of troops with one of them holding . . . . . something. A computer? A large phone? He did not know what it was. He only knew it was a large holographic screen facing the holder on his left arm. As he approached the soldiers took notice of him, one pointed at him and turned to her partner, he shrugged as if not knowing why. Once he got closer one of them spoke.

"Hey kid!" His eyes glowed yellow for a few seconds, his eyes went over his bags and him. "You seem to be packin quite a bit of gear. You headin off to war?" Ross slowed his step till he came to a stop. An amused smile appeared on his lips.

"Yes sir. I got conscripted, was a huntsman-in-training before. But now. ." He lifted his bags and gestured around him. "I'm a soldier." The final statement seemed to unnerve them. A few looked at each other and held their weapons closer.

Even the soldiers have better and advanced guns. I believe they are also mechashift weapons. Ross looked at their gear and was impressed by it. Ross would have volunteered to clean the toilets every day with a toothbrush and sing happy songs. With a smile too if he had to.

"Can I see your papers?" His attention was drawn away from their gear and to the man with the holographic screen. Ross tilted his head to the side and looked at him questioningly.

"Papers? I thought that thing can scan my face?" Ross questioned. The soldier nodded his head.

"I did. The only thing missing from your file is your weapons registration. Things happened so quick and with so many people to keep track of the Intelligence Agency has been a hard time updating everyone." The soldier snorted, looking mildly annoyed. "They can't even keep track of the fucking kids either." He muttered the last part under his breath. Yet Ross heard it, only faintly. Ross sighed and put his things down and reached into his bag.

"Good thing I got these papers at the government building then." Ross pulled one sheet of paper with many of its boxes checked marked or notes scribbled in. The soldier took it and had it float over the holoscreen for a few seconds until a ping was heard. Ross took the time to see what this soldier had on his person. As he did a quick once over, he saw an insignia. A bar with two blocks in it.

Chief Warrant Officer 2, interesting. You usually don't see them in these places. They are usually doing . . . . other things. Very strange. He continued to watch the CW2 with great interest. Ross's gaze was so intense the officer took notice and eyed him wearily. The rest of the troops continued their job at inspecting and registering every vehicle that passes by. Ross looked over to one of the troops and noticed on of them carried the large patch of the UVF's military insignia along with its motto.

Pas de Retraite, Pas de Reddition

Ross was surprised to see his family's native tongue in this world, when he thinks back on his childhood in this new world, he does remember Summer speaking French, along with the rest of his family. Minus Tai, he picked up on it but never really committed to it. He always pestered Yang in speaking it better, so she has no accent whenever she does.

At least I have a piece of home with me.

"Hear you go." Ross was pulled from his thoughts as the officer handed him his paper back. Ross took it silently and placed it back in his bag.

"You are now cleared, head into town and report to Major Lammert." An old habit showed itself.

"Yes sir." Ross did the standard response and salute. One of the female soldiers gave a small giggle and whispered.

"How cute." Ross blushed, a few of the soldiers gave a small laugh. Ross kept his composure and began walking into town with a faster pace.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Ross screamed internally. As he approached the town, the first thing he noticed was how empty of life it was. On this fine Thursday morning the regulars would be walking around getting their shops ready to open or few people going in and out of the coffee shop nearby. Kids his age would be walking to school or getting food at the local bakery. Peaceful, it would be the word Ross would have described this place. But now it was taken over by soldiers, moving and shouting. The shops once filled with the smell of food, the sound of laughter and cheer were now replaced with the sound of machines, commands, and the air was filled with the smell of diesel.

"No matter what enemy it may be, war never changes." Ross muttered. He walked through main street which was filled with soldiers passing through the town going to other parts of the island. Nearby he saw one of his classmates walking west into 2nd St. So, Ross followed him. The classmate in question was named Basile. Ross had to chuckle at the way he was walking.

Basile walks as if something is up his ass. Jesus. Ross gave a small chuckle at seeing him walk. 'Never change Basile, never change.' Ross followed him at a good and steady distance. He never really got close to him or with anyone in fact. But there is this one girl that always pestered him, or as the adults say, "bully him".

Yet she always tried to pair up with me whenever we went out on Grimm extermination rounds. Or whenever we have school projects. Ross was curious about her; she always came to him to pick on him or even talk to him. She always made fun of my height. Ross grew a pout thinking back on her smug smile whenever she used him as an arm rest, or at times to tease him and rest her large breasts on his head. God, please tell me how in the world some women here have better bodies than the ones in my old world? Is it the food? Or some kind of drug that exists here?

Ross blushed when his thoughts turned to some of his female classmates in how they dressed and looked. Keep your cool you horny bastard. Your older than them, mentally at least. Being a fucking 15-year-old boy with hormones sucks. He told himself. As he tried to calm himself, he heard a low rumbling sound. It held a high pitch to it. It slowly grew and grew till he heard multiple sounds coming from his right, out of view due to the buildings. One the sound grew louder; he immediately knew what it was.

"Jets." His words were drowned out by their engines as they roared over the island. Ross could not count how many flew over, if he had to guess it would be at least 200 fighter jets flying northwest. Where the scourge is approaching. Either they were being sent on a suicide mission or. . .

"May God be with you fly boys." Ross did a quick prayer and continued to follow Basile.

The moment Basile took a right close to a dust station he knew where he was going. The bust stop that takes you everywhere on the island. Smart choice. Ross quickened his pace and turned the corner to see a large group of people gathered. Many he recognized as some of the people who worked or lived in town. The bus stop was of decent size for a small amount of people to gather, not the size of the whole town there. The building contained three garages, all opened, with enough space for two small busses that can hold up to 30 people each. He saw those very same busses across the street of the building with people getting on them. In front of the building larger busses were parked on the curb with its door open. People still getting on them. Ross tried to find Basile but could not see his dark blue hair.

Now where would we be? In the parking lot? Ross walked carefully towards the bus stop; half his mind wanted to ask the soldiers where they would be, the other half did not want to. I better check first before I bother them. He walked through the crowd of people, many recognized him and called out to him. One told him something interesting.

"Hey Ross! If you're looking for your school buddies, they are behind the building. Go before they leave you!" Ross smiled and responded to him. The man who called out to him is named Fredrich Rogers, a kind man of 38 years.

"Thank you, Mr. Rogers! I'll see you than!" Mr. Rogers laughed and waved him off. Ross quickened his pace to the back of the building. As he got nearer and closer to the back, a single thought went through his mind. Why am I doing this? It was a silly question for him to ask and yet the thought grew more and more prevalent. With each step he found himself struggling to make the next. Why? Why am I going back? Ross stopped and looked ahead. The sound of VTOL's echoed around him; the voices of many fresh recruits echoed around. Yet Ross stood there, frozen. Am I scared? He found himself thinking. Scared of what? The military or dying? Ross did not know what the answer to his question was, he only knew was to not step forward.

But the kids. They are nothing more than kids. He looked at his hand to see it shaking, his sweat rolled down his face. When he looked up, he saw Bejing on fire for the briefest second. He flinched back and the whole world returned to the bus station parking lot. I need to pull myself together Goddammit! Ross chastised himself. He took one quivering step forward, then another and another. By the time he reached the corner he mostly calmed himself, mostly. The moment Ross went around the corner to the back he saw some familiar faces.

Guess the entire school is here, all 343. He gave a low chuckle. I wonder how many people I know will die in this battle. He told himself.