Ace-Operatives
The Ace-Operatives, or Ace-Ops for short, are an elite group of Huntsmen part of the Atlas Military in Remnant. They are graduates of the Atlas Academy and are well trained. Having joined the Military and received additional training alongside equipment and have taken special classes to improve themselves.
They are considered some of the best and are an elite group that serves the current general known as Ironwood. Having undergone countless missions and work well together, particularly under Clover Ebi. Utilizing their abilities versatile and have defeated many strong foes and Grimm.
Despite this though, the team has lost members and have switched teammates with the latest being Marrow. This has caused the current members to take a 'professional' relationship. Despite this saying however, the team has shown friendly interactions and hang together.
The members of the team consist of Clover Ebi, Marrow Amin, Vine Zeki, Elm Ederne, and Harriet Bree with Winter Schnee as a part-time member. By GrimmFall ranking standards, they'd be a rank four team.
It has been a few days since the crash in the cold miserable sea. When the engines were ruined beyond prepare, water entering inside, and a quick panicked scramble to ensure nobody drowned.
Thankfully, Ironwood along with everybody onboard managed to ensure the vessel didn't sink, and checked to see that nothing was attacking them. As such, they were safe from hotels as there were no Grimm out to get them and none of those mobians to attack. Of course that didn't mean they were out of trouble.
"And here's another one." Clover says as up on the ship, with his trust fishing pole, Clover reared in another fish which he then placed in a bucket. Ignoring the fish's struggling and then went back to throwing his line. "So. How many does that make this?"
"Twenty-five." Vine says as he looks at the bucket where all the fish are in. "For that bucket anyway." Then proceeded to look at the other buckets full of fish that Clover has brought up. Not just fish either, but also starfish, crabs, and even a shark somehow. All this to feed the crew onboard with Clover chuckling.
"Guess I'm just lucky." He jokes with Vine throwing a small smile.
Things have been...rough since the crash.
Stranded. Limited way to send a message back to the portal. Penny was incapable as she didn't wish to leave them. Drones unable to be sent as they'd lose their charge from the numerous day trips. But even worse...they had no idea where they were, as their ship had drifted from their original course.
"Gotta say," Clover says to his teammate. "Things are looking kinda bad here. Isn't it?"
"Oh indeed." Vine doesn't sugarcoat it. Knowing they were in a horrible situation at his moment. Unable to contact for help at all. "Still, I could be worse. At least with you around, we won't starve."
Clover giggled a bit.
While it sounded exaggerated, in truth Clover's semblance Good Fortune indeed helped the team out at times thanks to bending fate to his whim, even if limited. Particularly how with Clover here, the fish always came to him and just the right amount to feed everyone.
Including their prisoner, who at the moment is knocked out cold. Not because of the crash, heck, the guy was tough. No because they had to tranq him again when the crash released him and he tried escaping. After that, he was put in the cell and given three meals a day and watched when he used the restroom by the men.
Overall, their situation wasn't good.
Something Ironwood hoped to change with little success.
"Damn it!" The general just got a report from Pietro. It was impossible for him to fix the engines. Slamming his fist on the wall as he looked at the scroll's message with Peitro showing the sorry state the ship's engines were in. Ironwood had truly hoped maybe a small fix up would get them running, but that isn't the case here.
'Even worse, we're completely lost in Remnant's seas!' Ironwood thought glumly as he recalled it all. How during the crash some like Harriet and Pietro got knocked out. Others like Marrow and Elm got injured and had to be on the beds. Not to mention Winter forced to face Mermaid Man who tried to escape, and Penny doing her best to pull the ship up while Ironwood alongside Clover and Vine did their damnest to ensure the ship didn't sink to the bottom of the ocean.
By the time things calmed down, it was discovered the ship had drifted away from their path, and they had no methods of flying off the sea and no coordinates to even just have Penny push the ship to land. Land they couldn't see with only the blue ocean and cloudy skies that were in sight.
"One mistake." Ironwood muttered. "One mistake that wasn't even anybody's fault….and now…" Now they were trapped here with no way back to Atlas. Where it's undefended and was now likely realizing their general and elite team is gone. Oh sure Ironwood knew that eventually they'll send in drones to search for them once they realize they weren't coming back. The problem was if they could even find them.
It's well known that a ship lost at sea is likely a ship that'll never be seen again.
Pietro tried to rig up an SOS signal, but it was too weak and unless any search teams were in a close range, they wouldn't detect the signal. Added in the fact that the search team will likely try to find them in their original path means they'll drift farther and farther until chances go from low success to impossible.
'Even worse,' Ironwood thought with fear. 'If it isn't the Grimm that gets us, it'll be the lack of supplies.'
Clover, thank the Bothers or his semblance, was keeping everyone well fed by catching many fish a day. Not to mention the rations they had that while a bit dull in taste, did help them out. So food wasn't a problem. No, it was water and energy.
While Ironwood ensured this ship had plenty of liquid, it'll only last another week. Maybe three if they really rationed it. As for energy, which powered the ship, they had around a month until power went out. Meaning the SOS signal they were sending out will die out. Not to mention their radar, ability to detect signals, and other essential things.
In other words, they'll die.
"And Salem will start taking over." Ironwood moaned as the dark truth hit him. That Atlas was now vulnerable. Sure Qrow and whoever is with him will be coming soon, as Ironwood recalled the message sent to him. Yet when they find out he's gone, that'll stall them more than a lot while Atlas will undergo panic as the general of Atlas vanishes off the face of Remnant. To think...this was their end. With no real hope as even Mettle, Ironwood's semblance that allowed him to hyper-focus on his goals, couldn't help.
His people needed him, and yet he'll be dead in just a matter of time.
With this realization, Ironwood sat down on his chair behind his desk and just put both hands on his face. Unsure of what to even do other than just pray that maybe, maybe one of Atlas's drones or ships will find them. Otherwise, he could do nothing else but let time pass by. Something that the rest of the people onboard knew as well, even when it isn't said.
SLAM!
So it came to a surprise when Winter came in and said, "Sir, we have contact from a ship!"
"...what!?"
Upon hearing this news and giving quick command, in ten minutes everyone gathered together, ensuring Mermaid Man is still knocked out and alive, and then heading toward the cockpit, all were inside with Pietro checking the computers onboard which thankfully, weren't completely damaged. Some are broken, yet a few computers survive the crash.
Alongside the weapons and ammunition, which everyone quickly prepared themselves and had their gear in case a fight happened. Maybe they were being a little overcautious, but after the island incident, Ironwood believed they should be prepared for another fight just in case. Just because a ship is near here, didn't mean they were friends. Just as likely they would attack them like the faunus and mobians. Still, at the least they'll hold their fire. For now.
"So, any idea who it is? One of ours?" Marrow asks aloud wondering if the search party has come to bring them home.
"No man. Pay attention!" Harriet tells Marrow with a shake of her head. "If it was one of ours, then it'd be one of our ships."
"She's right." Elm checks the screen. "That ship isn't Atlasian design." Indeed it wasn't as while the ship itself didn't look impressive, it's color scheme was dark black and grey with no logo on it or any form of symbol seen anywhere.
"Yet it isn't a ship I recognize from the other kingdoms." Vine adds. "Is it the same for the rest of you?"
"Indeed." Winter says as she to had no recollection of such a design. "Granted, it may be possible this is a custom made model."
"Does it really matter?" Clover then asks. "We could probably get help now. Especially since it's coming to us."
"They must have received our distress signal!" Penny claps her hands while smiling. "Meaning we're saved."
"Maybe." Ironwood narrows his eyes. "Still, just in case everyone be ready for any surprises in store. No telling if these people are friendly...or hostile." The seas of Remnant held more than just Grimm. It held pirates and sea bandits, and while rare, it isn't unheard of for such criminals to use airships as their way to rob people blind. As such, those combat ready such as Penny decided they shouldn't let their guards down.
Still, the fact is they were in trouble and needed help to escape. So Pietro decided to try and make contact with the unknown craft. If they're lucky, it'll be people who won't try and rob them blind. Instead, it'll be people who are willing to help them, and if so, Ironwood will compensate them greatly for the help. A quick look at pietro and the scientist nodded.
Pushing some buttons, Pietro typed down a message and then clicked a blue button with the computer lighting up. From there, the signal sent the message to the mystery ship. Everyone then waits to see if they'll get a reply back. The message being relatively simple simply asking for help to give them a lift elsewhere, nothing more than that. Now what will the response be, is what everyone is thinking.
A response that seemed to be taking a while, as they received silence. Waiting to see if they'll even answer. Then after what felt like an hour, the computer lit up. One that asked a question instead of actually answering if they'll help them or not.
It read, "Where are you from?"
"That's...a weird answer to give. I mean, we're from Atlas." Marrow pointed out the obvious. "The sign is literally on our ship."
"Maybe they do not see it." Penny tilted her head believing that is the cause.
"Pretty sure it's visible." Harriet retorted. "Look, just tell them we're from Atlas and let it be over with. Solitas may be cold, but at least it's better than all this damn sea motion. Can't even run anymore unless I wanna trip myself."
"Okay." Pietro responds as he simply types down they're from Solitas and would like a ride back from Atlas. The message was then sent.
"Interesting. Bring them in. We need to see what they know about that portal." One that caught the interest of a group of individuals known as the Center. Who have decided to risk it and head towards where the unknown portal was at, and have discovered none other than the very vessel they found some time ago.
"Are you certain that's a good idea sir." A woman asked the man who's in charge. "We have no idea who these people are, or the potential fact that they could be enemies."
"The readings I'm getting say the weapons on that ship are active with Dust." Another person says.
"Dust?" Now the man in charge was interested. Either these people found Dust and managed to equip it to their ship, or… 'There's more to them than meets the eye.'
Things were already bad enough with Sammael making a move along with other dangerous figures. More so with the climax of Van Kleiss about to happen very soon. Countless heroes gathered for this operation. Yet in spite of this danger, other threats were still around. While they may not be as prominent as the escalating battle with Van Kleiss and all those he angered, the fact is earth was far from being capable of ignoring other problems seen.
In the Wilds, Grimm activity from spies have been reported to be very unusual, yet couldn't find anything due to the Grimm themselves seemingly defending whatever it is their hiding.
The cold weather that had been running rampant had been dealt with, yet environmental changes of such sudeness are still being handled.
Minor yet rising earthquakes were being detected all over the planet, with the Center knowing the cause being the Cluster as they had been told with only the Crystal Gems to stop it.
Terrestrial threats being detected, with the most recent being what was a terrifyingly massive robot that nearly blasted the planet to hell.
In Japan, Kaiju Grimm were repeatedly coming with only those so-called alien Transformers stopping it while a new and horrifying Grimm known as the Hound was killing off Huntsmen one-by-one.
Britain having a scandal involving torture.
Satyra making moves that got them closer to Kur!
So many problems with this ship now being one of them. Either it was just a group of unfortunates who clearly weren't from their dimension since the message stated they were from Atlas, whatever that was. Or, they were just the latest batch of dimension jerks. Either way, they had to handle this situation well and take careful steps in what to do.
So for now, they'll help these people and see what trouble they had. Who knows, it might just help them.
The world was experiencing many things and many movements. People all over have heard news of a massive Grimm horde heading toward a place called Nowhere. Thankfully, those not part of the west were glad they didn't have to deal with it.
"W-w-wai-!"
Splat!
Instead, they had to deal with another problem. Particularly the Hound who cracked it's latest victim's skull by crushing it with it's bare hands. Gore and bone splinters spilled between it's claws alongside some brain matter with a lot of blood. Mercury flinching and Emerald turning around and vomiting.
"Uh. Talk about overkill." Mercury says before looking around. "Though I suppose this may as well be our last gift to this cruddy place." More so since around the three were many dead bodies composed of a few Huntsmen but mainly civilians the Hound used as meat shields. Apparently having walked through what appears to have been a party.
"Gra!" One the remaining Grimm enjoyed as they began devouring the corpses of the men and women of this establishment. The rangers area where they had come for one reason.
"Look Em. There it is." Mercury grins as Emerald finally manages to calm herself and sees it. A helicopter. The very thing they needed to fly the distance they needed across the country known as Japan as they learned from the people they talked to. Where this helicopter will fly them as close as it could to the airport where they'll then try to steal an aircraft with enough gas to get them to where Cinder and the others were at.
"Now this is perfect." Mercury says as he and Emerald walk towards the helicopter with the Hound following. "We can finally make progress and lose those bastards hunting us."
"Yeah. Maybe that's for the best." Emerald says as she looks a bit sorrowful of a corpse of a woman in armor. "At least now they can't send more Huntsmen to their deaths."
"Uh-huh. Sure." Mercury can't say he really cares as he opens the helicopter. "For now, let's get going. It seems the jerks here are sending the more tougher ones after us. They slaughtered more Grimm than the ones we usually met."
Yeah. That part was true. As during the duo's journey to find a way off this country, they still did their best to keep up the news where apparently their new friend the Hound has been quite the focus. All the deaths it brought in Japan freaking everybody out, where apparently some sicko on the net actually displayed pictures of the victims and an apparent list of how many the Hound killed. Emerald internally admits that she didn't think the Hound had killed that many, and yet the list proved otherwise.
Already the kill count was nearing a hundred.
Again. Close to a hundred! Heck, probably above it with the recent additional eighteen people just killed now by the Hound and the Grimm it brought with them.
While a good fraction was from the many Huntsmen they faced, most were...regular people that they met along the way. While they (Mercury and Emerald) could have avoided them, the Hound like any Grimm did otherwise and slaughtered them. No wonder the military and Huntsmen were sending the bigger guns. At this point, Japan wasn't playing around with them and wanted the Hound dead.
"Do you think it's actually Salem?" Emerald then said, to get her mind off the deaths. "You know, what we saw on the news? On the whole horde of Grimm heading to this...Nowhere place?"
"Has to be." Mercury says with belief in his voice. "I mean, who else could control that many Grimm?"
Emerald seemed unsure, but nodded. I mean, in Remnant they only knew Salem as the one who could command Grimm. While this may be a different world, the two have yet to see evidence there was someone like her here. As such, the two criminals naturally concluded that Salem must be behind the attack for some...reason. Either way, they'll find their answers soon enough.
The two get in the helicopter and start it up. Leaving behind the rangers station with the Hound following close behind by flying alongside them. By morning officers would find the bodies, and a message would be sent that the upper brass decided.
A hero will be the one to kill the Hound.
Sorry for not updating last week. Hit writers block.
But I'm back with this new chapter to make up for it. One with Ironwood and the others about to meet the Center and will soon learn they aren't on Remnant. The Center also learning more of the portal and see what is up.
Meanwhile, under the false (but justified) belief that Salem is plotting something in Nowhere, Mercury and Emerald continue onward to leave Japan. Though it won't be easy since their 'friend' the Hound hasn't been helping out in letting them leave a crime scene quietly. With someone important going to be sent after them.
In the end, I suppose it doesn't matter how smart a Grimm is like the Hound or even the other unique Grimm we've seen in GrimmFall. A Grimm will always kill, no matter what. Until Next Time.