/==/ Would You Like to Know More? (1) /==/

Ruby was so excited that she was literally vibrating causing her bed to actually sway. She was missing Jaune, and worried about her first friend of Beacon; but she was also bored. Blake and Weiss had to go for some type of meeting, and Yang was being Yang. So Ruby had resigned herself to browse her scroll as she had already worked on her baby. Notifications from one of the "Weapon Enthusiasts" message boards she was a member of, drew her attention. Links posted by multiple members, took her to a VNN new video, plus multiple personal scroll recordings.

Her eyes had grown wide, and shone with a light of pure desire, at the images that assaulted her senses. The pure amount of hardware on display just called to her. She recognized Atlas, but the other group clade in what she hoped was power armour; was unknown to her. So she actually watched the news video a second time paying attention to what was being said.

"Ansel?" her slim index finger tapped her chin, "Jaune's from Ansel!"

Her fingers flew over the onscreen keyboard as she opened the CCT-Net browser, and started searching. Several links showed up, and she clicked on the first one presented.

"Welcome to AnselNet. Would you like to know more?"

Ruby's fingers were shaking as she reached forward to tap the first video link. The sight of a fighter aircraft with a massive rotary nose gun claimed her undivided attention.

"The ASDF has long asked council and the people to give them the tools they need to defend not only the Kingdom, but also the outlying settlements."

"Fight" by All Good Things began to play in the background as images of pilots zipping up flight suits and then running along the tarmac towards a pair of the aircraft the thumbnail had shown.

"Introducing the Fairchild Replublic AC-10. This twin-fan, straight wing,subsonic Close Air Support fighter craft is the NEWEST addition to the ASDF's extensive grimm busting arsenal. Capable of carrying various munitions, it's true strength is the nose mounted 30mm electric-gatling."

The music continued, serving as backdrop to clips of Warthogs in flight and of pilots signalling each other. Ruby jumped when the speakers on her scroll let out a loud BRRRRPPPPPTTTTT as the aircraft opened fire, and found herself laughing briefly as the combination of prominent muzzle flashes and trailing smoke brought to mind the image of a dragon. The next footage was of explosions erupting among a grimm horde, tearing the creatures into dissipating shreds."

"Lovingly Nicked named the Warthog, it recently saw action during a grimm incursion near the edge of the Ansel Protective Radius. The settlement in question was untouched during the ensuing engagement with the ASDF suffering minimal casualties... and the Warthog racking impressive kill counts. Would you like to know more?"

Ruby quickly clicked the next link that showed up, not even paying attention to the thumbnail or video description.

"Ansel, the unrecognized Kingdom. With a population, as of last census nearing three hundred thousand, with another fifty thousand hardy souls manning the towns and settlements in the frontier. It is equal to size of all the other named kingdoms. Yet still Ansel is prevented from joining Mistral, Vale, Vacuo, and Atlas at the table as an equal."

The video showed a long aerial shot of the massive wall surrounding Ansel. Ruby instantly noticing the hard-point weapon placements. The images switched to show busy and crowded streets, with happy people moving about their daily business. Once again the images swapped out this time showing smaller walled settlements, many surrounded by large fields of crops, which were encased in less but still stout walls.

"Responsible of approximately thirty percent of Vale's food production, and..."

The image changed showing a busy lumber camp, before flipping to an aerial view of an extensive open pit mine.

"Twenty percent of Vale's lumber needs, plus fifteen percent of Vale's steel production. Makes Ansel an economic power, capable of standing toe-to-toe with any other of the four kingdoms. But why are we denied. Why are we snubbed?"

A video of a man and woman who Ruby felt looked very similar to Jaune, played showing them greeting and shaking hands with a pair of faunus that reminded Ruby of Blake.

"Because we recognize Menagerie, and have tied ourselves to their success with multiple accords, trade deals and treaties. Ghira and Kali Belladonna lead another shunned kingdom, a kingdom that Ansel is PROUD to call their ally."

The images fades out artistically, to be replaced a still photograph of a rather large Blonde haired blue eyed family.

"But Ansel's true strength is not her economic might; or the untouchable strength of the ASDF. No; it resides in the heart of all our citizens and residents. A strength that is made flesh by the service of the very family that stood their ground and dragged this land from the grip of the grimm. The Arcs. Would you like to know more?"

Ruby took her time, actually reading the presented links. The thought about how Jaune's family founded Ansel rolling around her head. The image of the large family had been a little zoomed out; in an effort to show the large gathered group. So she she didn't notice Jaune among them. She was sure he was there. Her finger hovered between a few links. One labelled, "The Invincible Girl, Pyrrha Nikos... How does she compare to the Arc Shield Maidens?" "Roughnecks on the move... No rest for Ansel's most decorated ASDF Company." "Lady Arc set to take her rightful place." "Looking for a change of pace? Welcome to Ansel!"

All four tags made Ruby want to click on them. Pyrrha was an exceptional fighter. Ruby had watched some of her videos after meeting her; and she wanted to know who the Arc shield maidens were. Obviously by the way the tag was written, Ansel thought the Shield Maidens were better. Then of course an article focused on warriors, caused a thought to jump into her head. Were these Roughnecks the ones here in Vale? She also wanted to know more about Ansel. It sounded like and interesting place. Finally the one about Lady Arc. She had to be related to Jaune right? Same last name, but that didn't mean anything. But still she was an Arc, and Jaune didn't really talk about his family much.

/=/

Doctor Oobleck was was a little taken aback when Ms Rose knocked on his office door. Even with her younger age she seemed to be handling the material of his classes well enough to not have felt the need to visit him during office hours. Yet here she was, and he could tell she had questions.

"Ms. Rose please come in. How can I help you?"

"I have some questions, and was hoping maybe... um... if you're not busy..."

"I will always make time for my students. Please come in and have a seat." Oobleck waited for Ruby to make her to one of the two seats situated before his cluttered desk. It took a little longer than needed as it wasn't only his desk that was cluttered but also a fair bit of the floor space was piled high with various materials needed for his multiple research ventures. Once she had finally worked her way to one of the seats he continued. "Now what part of the material are you having trouble with?"

"It's not classwork that I have questions on. Weiss is helping me stay on top of the reading assignments."

"I see. So what is it you think I can help you with?"

"Do you know anything about Ansel? Like real information, not just stuff I can find on the CCTnet?"

"I do know a few things. Why do you ask?"

"Well I was watching videos about all the soldiers that arrived today, which was so cool. I mean like Atlas always look neat but they're always blue, white and black... but then the ones from Ansel. Power armour, and CAMO! I mean actual camouflage. No one uses that, but they are and it made them even more bad-ass...I even saw some of them with like Beowulf skulls painted on their helmets..." Oobleck just smiled and let Ms Rose's rapid fire explanation run its course. He was sure she would get to her questions shortly. "And I know Jaune leader of JNPR is from Ansel, so I started looking, just to see... if I could find out more, because Jaune really doesn't talk about his home or his family."

"Ah yes, your are correct Ms Arc is from Ansel."

"What?"

"Is something wrong Ms Rose?"

"You said Ms Arc. Jaune's not a Ms."

"I'm sorry," Oobleck tapped his fingers on his cluttered desk top understanding he almost let something slip, "Must have been a slip of the tongue."

"Slip of the tongue?"

"I happens to the best of Ms Rose. So please go on and ask you questions. I will do my upmost to answer them, or at least guide you to were you can find out the information if I do not have it."

"Well as I was saying, I started looking on the CCTnet, and found a site. It has lots of short videos and trivia like answers. SO I started watching them, and they are interesting... like did you know Ansel has a Mutual Defence Accord with Menagerie? Not sure what that means... "

"You found AnselNet." Oobleck chuckled before moving into answer Ruby's question. "It means if Menagerie or Ansel is ever attacked say by bandits, or Brothers forbid another Kingdom that they would move to help defend each other. Many feel that Accord is the only reason Atlas hasn't launched an invasion of Menagerie, to try and capture the leadership of the White Fang."

"So if Atlas raided Menagerie to capture White Fang, Ansel would come to their defence?"

"Yes, that is exactly what would happen. Though the Accord is more than that simple explanation, in general that would be what would happen." Oobleck smiled as Ms Rose seemed to be contemplating something. "Something on your mind?"

"So does that Accord mean that the White Fang are hiding behind Ansel?"

"One could say that, but it is a documented fact that there have been no White Fang attacks in Ansel's territory, and there is a good reason for that."

"There is?"

"The Accord." Oobleck watched as again Ms Rose appeared to be considering something. "because if..."

"If the White Fang attacked Ansel that would make them an enemy and allow Menagerie to ask for assistance in dealing with them?"

"Exactly. So while the Accord does help protect the Fang, it is also keeping them confined. They can not take control of Menagerie due to drawing the attention of the Ansel military."

"Are the ASDF that scary? I mean they look totally awesome, and well power armour; but?"

"While there is no ethical way to truly compare them aside from having them actually face each other, there have been some simulations done, and yes the ASDF is scary." Oobleck picked up a couple stacks of papers and books that covered his desk, and set them aside on the limited floor space, before activating his holographic terminal, and turning it to face Ruby. "Pull your chair closer Ms Rose. I'm going to show you an independent video that can help address your query."

Ruby pulled her chair over closer to the desk, and once she was settled Oobleck started the video he had taken a minute to find. "Ansel vs Atlas – Whose Force is better". The pair sat in silence, with Oobleck watching the entranced Ruby through out the short but well made video. Fifteen minutes later, Ruby was ready with more questions.

"So while they say Atlas's fleet is stronger and larger, Ansel's Mobile Infantry is more effective and adaptable..."

"So in six of ten simulated battles Ansel defeated Atlas."

"That means they are pretty much equal."

"It does, but remember as the content creator stated, it would depend heavily on where Atlas and Ansel fought. If it was in a place that allowed Atlas full freedom to use their larger fleet ships to full affect, then Atlas has the advantage, however..."

"If it was a more confined battlefield that prevented that... Ansel has the advantage because of the power armour, and the versatility it provides."

"Correct. If Atlas can exercise Air Superiority than Ansel will be in for a tough time. But the creator didn't mention on very important factor, that I feel would push any conflict towards Ansel's favour."

"What would that be?"

"Nationalist pride. Ansel's population is happy with their kingdom, and how it functions. Atlas was formed due to a revolution in Mantel. Ansel has been as they are now for five hundred years, give or take a little modernization. So one can put forward that with that type of satisfaction, that the people of Ansel would be very driven to protect what they have." Oobleck noticed Ruby biting the inside of her cheek. "You can ask me anything you want Ms. Rose. Like I said I will do my best to answer your questions or if I can not, help you find the answers."

/==/

So this is an experiment. It's an attempt to help the world building without directly using the plot to do it. So yeah it's "filler" but I hope it's entertaining "filler". I do think this could be a fun way for me to expand the world and provide you guys with a better understanding of how I am visioning Ansel and her interactions with the rest of Remnant.

So these will be short, 2k to 3k words in length; mostly feature Ruby and Oobleck, with maybe a cameo or two from Ozpin, or maybe even Jasmine Arc.

Got the idea from two sources, the first being the "FedNet" from "Starship Troopers", and also the shorts RoosterTeeth released (World of Remnant I think they were called.) that were not directly related to the plot of "RWBY"

So if you enjoy this and don't mind me dropping some more of them every so often to break up the chapters, let me know. If it throws things off, let me know. I am planning a few more, but if the general thought if that they don't fit in the story I'll make them a separate production that runs concurrent the Secret's plot/timeline.

Thanks to Firefly25 for letting me bounce the idea off of them, and in helping me tweak it slightly.

Again if this doesn't fit, feel free to honestly tell me that. I want the story to be enjoyable, and I know not all my harebrained ideas are good, or even useful.

Chapter Eleven should be up sometime in the next day or so. Hope you enjoy.