Ruby and Summer Got off Fredericks ship much to them getting embarrassed from Ruby's outburst but no one actually minded. Ruby then looked at the Titan.
"Who's he?" Ruby asked
"A friend." Summer said as she nodded at Frederick. She then watched another ship come down into the hangar, and smiled upon quickly deducing who could be in there. "And that over there…"
A medical team on stand by with multiple stretchers came to the ship's blood tray. It was the same model of Frederick's. Three people carrying two others came out quickly, yet carefully carrying people out, a titan, warlock and hunter respectively. A rather old man with a patch on his left side was laid on there. The other was a sickly looking woman. As well as many barely dressed women. The three people slowly got them on the stretchers and the doctors swiftly carried all the women and the two critically injured to the infirmary. Frederick, Team RWBY, and Summer recognized the armor of the Hunter among the three. Summer and the other walked over and The Hunter saw her and the others walking over.
"Heya Summer." She then took off her helmet, revealing it was Daisy the whole time. She initially seemed like she just wanted to talk, but then noticed the Titan among the ladies and two still recovering Huntsmen. Her face brightened up in a smile and she essentially tackled him.
Frederick just hugged back. "Hey Kiddo. Your Grandmother says hi." He replied.
"Well I better tell her sorry… Cayde's has been keeping me busy." Daisy replied.
"I take it that your last mission was a success?" Summer stated more than asked.
This seemed only to dampen her mood. Daisy sat down on the ramp that her two teammates were on. "It's not really the family friendly type. Drugs and stuff, usual narcotics. Got into a bit of a jam even with the two Vanguard Agents at my side."
Everyone listening in flinched, already figuring out precisely what in particular had gone down, but not the when or where. Not that those were necessary at that moment. "People still died?"
Daisy nodded. "Still died. But we did our best, and that's what counts." Daisy then smiled, as she decided to change the subject. "So, where are you guys going? I thought you and grandpa wouldn't have been back until the war was over?"
"We're on break to find my old sword, while Pyrrha is out being supervised by a friend in the Plaguelands." Summer immediately replied back, as she got to walking to Cayde's office. "They said they could handle the rest of the situation there for until they found the base. Kind of doubtful about them being able to handle Kovik, but knowing him he'd probably have some sort of ingenious plan set up."
00000
Pyrrha and Barloc were practically annihilating the splicer forces with the small group of uninfected fallen they had behind them. Barloc was firing upon the hordes of splicers with deadly accuracy, while Pyrrha misplaced their guns, or in other cases, their mechanical arms and cybernetic enhancement, small things that meant a lot to them. Emptying out the ketch was practically a breeze, and with Pyrrha having a nifty supply of motes handed to them by a few guardians that were in the area, the Splicers were looking to have no chance, as they could only occasionally get a shot out, before finding parts of them being ripped off.
Yet despite this, Barloc still looked tense. And while the uninfected fallen were wiping out the Splicers with ease, Pyrrha only took a single look at Barloc, before coming to the same conclusion as well. "There's gonna be a big guy to shoot, isn't there?"
"You learn quickly." Barloc commented, before shoving her out of the way of a sniper shot from a splicer vandal. "But not quick enough to realize that combat comes first."
One of the vandals that was nearby shot the offender in the head as Pyrrha got back up, resuming her work with her semblance. The vandal looked to Barloc. "Kell be happy, yes? Yun Eliksni shes... ha sloat."
"Yus Rahndel?" Barloc said back in response. "Ge ki, Rahndel nas dra Eliksni. Dras Eliksni ge."
The vandal was impressed, while Pyrrha was confused. "Uhhh, what are you two talking about?"
"You strong in Eliksni… impressive."
A roar from within the confines of the ketch resounded throughout the place. Barloc only paused for a moment, before reloading his weapon, and getting on top of a crate. "Ha ra lun! Shar! Shan!"
The small group of fallen he had behind him let out a battle cry, as the group pressed deeper within, aided by the powerful onslaught that was Pyrrha's semblance, and Barloc's leadership.
The original House of Devils would find their vengeance on this day. Even if a few of them may die in the process.
00000
"Well, hopefully they don't overdo things and just only wait to drop a giant boulder on Kovik." Daisy couldn't help but note. "The Fallen are crafty after all. They probably have a bug watching them while they mess around elsewhere."
Summer couldn't help but laugh. "I think that might be what's already going on with Barloc at the moment."
"Barloc?" Ruby couldn't help but raise a brow at that as she cut in. "You mean the guy that's making it mandatory for these metal detecting bugs to be placed all around the computers?"
All at once, the conversation came to a abrupt halt, as the two guardians stood stock still, quickly coming to the realization that something was very wrong.
"Yeah the things are annoying too." Daisy said as she pulled out one of the metal detecting bugs. "The alarm sounds like chalk on a nailboard. I had to remove a lot of knives just to- why are we stopping?"
Like a blur of motion, Summer pulled out Thorn and shot the bug, causing Ruby and Daisy to jump, while Frederick practically bolted over to Daisy, double-checking her for any extra bugs. He quickly pulled some out of his stunned granddaughter's pockets and crushed them, while Summer went over to Ruby and did the same, but saved a few of them for herself and had Drei put them in a safe container.
"M-mom?!"
"Grandpa, Summer, what the hell!?"
"Do you know where all of those bugs are?" Frederick hurriedly asked, as he had Naomi transmat Twilight Garrison onto his body.
"Why are you- oh." Daisy said in realization, as the dots finally connected in her head. Ruby's eyes widened too in fear.
"Daisy, you're with me, Summer-" Frederick turned around just in time to catch a massive trail of white petals that danced about in the air.
"...I-I'll get Glynda!" Ruby hurriedly said, before she too disappeared in a flurry of red petals.
00000
Cayde sat in his office bored as hell as he went through the paperwork Barloc decided to leave him. His brow creased into frustration as he read through each document.
"Why couldn't Ikora or Zavala give me more secretaries? It'd make my time here so much easier." Unbeknownst to him, Barloc was also mocking his words while also copying his arm movements, directly behind him.
He sighed in mental exhaustion after having dealt with what seemed like dozens upon dozens of mountains of paperwork. He half considered breaking out an ahamkara bone and using it to wish the work away, but he knew the only thing that he'd get out of that would be not only two angry warlocks, but the damn dragon purposely screwing something up just to make everything even worse. Not to mention he didn't know who's bone he had, and he certainly didn't want to use Eao.
They had been the worst out of all the Ahamkara, having scattered their many scales throughout the solar system for unknowing guardians to collect, and even the knowing the begrudgingly take. Their knuckle bones were perhaps the worst of the bunch, as they'd always be found in the beginning of every active raid entrance thus far, causing guardians probe the entrance to the raid until they've collected a few of his Knuckles, and thus allowing those inside of the raid to prepare accordingly. He considered himself lucky that Summer didn't care for the knuckles when she went to fight Oryx. If the Taken King had prepared fast enough, he would've sabotaged certain sections to the point where it'd be nearly impossible to continue on.
And speaking of raids…
He had to wonder what the heck the level of activity Salem's place would be, whenever he found it that is. That alone would prove to be a difficult one from Summer's reports, and may require the restrictions of 6-man fireteams to be lifted once more in order to ensure nobody died in that fight. It'd probably be more annoying than Barloc himself when he-
He felt the back of his metal head cave in, the last thing he felt before literally dying. About a few moments later, Sundance resurrected him, and he turned to look at the assailant, rubbing the back of his head. "OW! What the heck-"
"You were thinking out loud again." Barloc pointed out with his oil covered hand, as he narrowed his eyes. Oddly enough, the hand was slightly red, but Cayde had chalked it up to a few bones or so being broken and the skin torn. "And in case you forgot our deal, you specifically requested that I do the task you've given me in favor of taking the workload. That means you should've expected this."
"Wait a minute, aren't you on a mission back in the Sol system?" Cayde was quick to point out. "Why the heck are you here?"
"As she herself would say it, circumstances have forced me to take a…" He sighs in annoyance of what he's been forced to say due to a bet he made with the guardian herself. "Summer break. So I am stuck here until Summer is finished doing some inspections here, and looking for a couple mementos, both on Earth and Remnant."
"So does that mean that Pyrrha is in Sol Alone?" Cayde asked hesitantly unlike many times before. "If so, you're the worst blue falcon ever."
"Pyrrha has the ability to fully manipulate metal, Cayde." Barloc said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm sure she'll be fine. And this is more for everyone's benefit than mine, if you may recall."
But Cayde wasn't fine. In fact, several alarm bells were already beginning to sound from his dented head. Narrowing his eyes a bit, he looked away in thought for a few moments as he considered a few things to ask Barloc.
Barloc however, didn't seem to notice or care that Cayde wasn't paying attention. He produced a data chip. "I have crucial information that I need to download into the school system as to help the students of Beacon Academy prepare in the event SIVA manages to get here. I forgot the password though and I cannot find the password sheet. Info?"
"Barloc." Cayde said, as he turned to face him once more. "What kind of taken powers does Emerald have?"
"She's gassy."
"Who's the two kids I like?"
"Daisy, Ruby." Barloc then crossed his arms, annoyed. "Are you done with your little interrogation yet?"
"Almost." Cayde crept his hand closer to his gun out of sight. "How'd I do in the reef?"
"You did it horribly." Barloc stated flatly, as if it was a blatant fact. "Now, the pass-"
Barloc was cut short as he was shot in the chest three times with Ace, Cayde having fanned the hammer as if to ensure he hit any critical spots. Barloc fell to the floor, looking at Cayde in the eyes as he looked up. "W-why?"
"Multiple things." Cayde said as he continued to keep aim at him, while backing away. "One. Your responses aren't what they're supposed to be. You refer to Ruby as 'picnic girl' and Daisy as 'flytrap'. When you talk about the powers of light and dark, you state their scientific processes… and on top of that, you damn well know I remember the Reef."
In an instant, Barloc's pained expression changed to a grinning one, as he laughed at Cayde. "Oh my… I knew he was senile, but I didn't expect it to be that much. Then again, you always had a thing for hanging around the dead." He then got off the ground, staring at him as SIVA took over into a combat form. "After all, you tend to let a lot of people down with how useless you are. Like say, what was the fool's name? Sandal Flask?"
Cayde growled in annoyance, and was about to pull out his golden gun until he noticed Aksis charging at him again, this time with a drill for his left hand. He instead unsheathed Dreadfang and swiftly blocked, raising a void barrier that the drill instead struck. But rather than bouncing off due to the lack of impact, Aksis kept the arm there, rapidly draining the weapon's reservoir energy as Cayde looked for any sort of way out.
"You should just give up Cayde." Aksis laughed. "I know how much you've failed from the guardian files about you that we've obtained in the Cosmodrome. You've already failed Andal Brask. Failed your fireteam. Failed your little 'bet'. Failed to stop your 'daughter' from immersing herself into the Whirlwind's power. Failed everyone you ever knew and love, because you'd never be there for them when they needed it most. Ba Dar Ra, Lo Yur Sha, Lo Sher. A hunter who's little more than a mouse."
Cayde grit his teeth, not really listening to Aksis' words. It was then he got an idea. His beautiful horn would end up being scratched, but it's better than going out and joining the big infected petri dish in the Cosmodrome. He reeled his head back, charging it with all his light.
And headbutted Aksis.
Aksis stumbled back, apparently momentarily stunned as his body crackled with powerful energy. Cayde quickly took the opportunity to unleash a full 6-shooter golden gun at him, reducing him to ash as beams of light shot into the fake of his assistant. All just in time for Summer to barge in, having heard the noises and being able to watch as the fake was turned into ash.
Cayde's wiped off some of the steam that made his mechanical forehead moist. "Heya kiddo! How's SIVA coming along? Definitely wasn't Barloc I was shooting by the way."
Just then Daisy, Frederick, and Daisy's teammates came in through the window shattering it with their rifles up And all four looked confused as there was no one but Summer and Cayde and a pile of ashes.
Cayde turned to Frederick. "Oh hi Frederick."
"Cayde." Frederick replied nonchalantly as all four of them put their rifles down. He then looked at the pile of ash. Before scoffing. "Friend of yours?" He quipped while kicking the ash a bit.
"If you count getting your head bashed in and almost stabbed with a giant drill with red and black tendrils on it, then yeah, a good friend of mine." Cayde sarcastically quipped back, as he rubbed his head. His ghost hadn't healed it fully, but the leakage had at least stopped. Though now his horn was chipped from having headbutted the SIVA doppelganger of Barloc.
"Clearly Cayde." Daisy replied. "By the way, is that a new scar on your horn?"
"Don't remind me." Cayde grumbled, as he turned to Summer. "So, what's up kiddo? You wouldn't happen to know what that warlock I sent to assist you is up to at the moment?"
"He's still in the Plaguelands with Pyrrha." Summer said, as she looked Cayde over with a sad frown.
"That's a relief. Now I know I made a good bet."
She stopped at Dreadfang, her frown becoming stronger. "Cayde… is it alright?"
"Horn took quite a beating yeah. Scar from overuse of light, ain't gonna heal back." Cayde said, as he smiled at Dreadfang. "If it wasn't for old Dreadfang here, the zombie dude would've got me."
Though he wasn't what she was frowning at. In a fit of grief, Summer carefully took Dreadfang from Cayde, went down to her knees, held it up and the air, and let out of a cry of anguish. "NOOOOOOO!"
Cayde merely facepalmed. "Of course you're more worried about the sword."
"Daisy, is Summer always like this?" Daisy's warlock asked, confused at Summer's apparent lack of care for Cayde at that moment.
"Yea, she is." Daisy replied
"Thank God you didn't inherit her personality." The second teammate, a titan had said.
"Anyway, what do you really need Summer?" Cayde said completely ignoring Daisy's conversation.
"I came to talk about where I last died in my first life…" Summer choked out, as she stroked Dreadfang softly. "C-can Ozpin tell me where I was sent?"
"Yeah figured you came here for that, let me hit him up on the plasma." Cayde replied while picking up a remote only for the TV to not turn on. But a DVD player did shoot out an old Star System Wars CD.
"Uh Cayde, that was the DVD player." Daisy pointed out with a smirk under her helmet
"Damn remotes. They all look the same!"
"They're LITERALLY color coded Cayde." Frederick pointed out in exasperation, until he also noticed something on one of the remotes. "And labeled?!"
"Okay, maybe my optics DO need some teensy weeny adjusting." Cayde said in defense, as this time he picked up the right remote. He then turned on the TV, which only took a few seconds to fully start up, during that time he gave a text to Ozpin over his scroll to be ready for a little meeting. After a couple minutes of time, in which Cayde used to quickly bandage up the horn and fix his hood, Ozpin came onto the TV screen.
Ozpin was planning on immediately answering with a happy greeting and asking what they needed, but had to pause at the damage on Cayde's horn. "Hello Cayde… did something happen at Remnant's Vanguard Headquarters?"
Cayde turned to look at Summer. "Think you can handle this?"
Summer, who was recovering from the loss of Dreadfang, mentally preparing a funeral for said weapon, sniffed and stood up. "Should we give some good news before the bad news, or vice versa?"
"Up to you guys." Cayde said, waving them off. "I got paperwork to deal with, and as much as I'd like to chat, I also have a horn to nurse."
As Cayde walked off, Summer also turned to Frederick and Daisy. "Well, I'm also leaving this up to you guys. I'm dreading the mere idea that Cayde's sword will lose it's fang, if I don't fix it." She then turned to Ozpin on the screen. "You know where I last died? Like, what mission?"
Ozpin paused for a moment in thought. "We don't have records of this stuff unfortunately, as they were lost in the invasion. However, if I do recall correctly, the mission was somewhere around what we call, the Land Of Darkness-"
"'Kay thanks bye!" Was all Summer said, as she blinked out of the room and out the window, leaving Daisy, Frederick, and the warlock and titan that came with Daisy to deal with Ozpin.
"As undisciplined as she usually is I see. At least in regards to professionalism." Ironwood said, as he also came onto the TV screen, having heard everything. The man had a dirty beard on him this time around, and he was looking a little under the weather "Should I warn the soldiers who created a beachhead there?"
"Knowing the newfound Summer Rose, chances of her dying there again would be extremely unlikely, and I'm sure she'll not care to aim on minimizing damage this time. So yes, you should warn your soldiers." Ozpin said in regards to the troops Ironwood was talking about, before giving focus back to Daisy. "So Ms. Daisy. Was your mission a success?"
"It was. And remind me to castrate every drug lord there is." Daisy replied as she walked out as did everyone else.
Ozpin sighed in annoyance at being left alone once more, as he stared out from the TV monitor. "I never get a thank you…"
"On the bright side, the people still look to you with absolute loyalty." Ironwood pointed out. "These guardians, though…"
"Don't remind me of them." Ozpin shuddered at the mere mention of the newcomers to the world.
"If this is what they're like, I am afraid of how far down Summer Rose goes in terms of maturity." Was all Ironwood said, as he took a seat on the table, the hand on his own coffee being the only thing visible.
"Touche, my friend. Touche."
0000
Deep in the Grimmlands Dredgen Vena got off the hacked security cameras from outside of Cayde's to Merlot and Watts enhancements and new skills they at least managed to hack the security cameras of the CCT tower and Beacon Academy but only for short periods of time due to Ghosts and Warlocks constantly updating the Firmware and Firewalls of the damned thing.
She saw Aksis with a newly designed toy trying to infect the CCT, but failed due to inadequate information. However thanks to her little snooping she did find out that Summer was coming here just not specifically looking for them, but some old mementos. She walked to the Throne Room where she saw Cinder practicing with a combat form that uses her semblance with her Maiden powers. Vernal and Raven just sat back and watched. With Raven all the more annoyed as to why she was even here, and not caring for the few remnants of her bandit tribe.
Which in all honesty was a stupid idea in hindsight but no matter. Her anger was more towards her brother for getting her "Family" killed by these pests. Vernal didn't feel or even looked comfortable here. She felt Vena's eyes look in her direction before walking to Salem as if they were long time friends rather than forced allies. She walked up the steps and stared dead into the White Grimm Witch's red eyes.
"By any chance, do you still have that traitor's old sword?" Vena stated more then asked.
"I do. What of it?" Salem responded all the while not looking away from Cinders performance.
"Give them to me. I have a plan that involves that old thing you have locked up here. And with a bit of help, Merlot can make it even more useful and get those Atlas and Guardian forces off the Grimmlands.
Salem's eyes widened. "She's coming here!?"
"Yes. Now, do you want those Atlas forces and Guardians off your shore's you idly let on because of your incompetence, or not?" Vena stated before overpowering Salem with her own malice.
Salem grit her teeth in frustration as she considered going to use her power in full again, before taking a deep breath. "Fine. What good does it do if we give her the old weapon?" Salem asked
"With that creature, we can hopefully infect her and make it spread." Vena stated, as she then placed a finger on her ear. "Merlot, Vena here. You know that old Grimm you've been studying? We're giving it a test run on the Island. If it's a success, then we launch test 2 of the enhanced prototypes in Mistral."
"Of course but I do have one suggestion against that idea."
"What might that be?"
"Its intelligence is… massive. If we lose it, we lose any history this beautiful creature has."
"I don't care, we unleash it now."
"As you wish."
0000
"And you're certain you need the chainsaw cannons?" Drei said with a droll, as he watched Summer replace the guns on Frederick's ship with chainsaw cannons. "The very same things you used against some of the other giant SIVA monsters that have been spotted running about the Plaguelands? We really don't need these."
"One. There is never such a thing called 'no need for chainsaws'." Summer said as she finishes attaching the last cannon among the dozens of others… and also adding unnecessarily high amounts of duct tape to them all. "Two, I also wanna give these bad boys a test run." She then produced about a dozen dormant SIVA clusters.
Frederick spared a worried glance towards Summer, before looking away, mumbling to himself as he noted without Summer hearing it. "Hope those don't stick…"
"SIVA powered chainsaw cannons." Drei whistled in awe. "Lemme guess, self-"
"Replicating chainsaws." Summer's eyes shone with delight. "Complete with every elemental combination of arc, solar, and void. We're gonna literally rip and tear through the grimm!" She let out a squee of joy, dancing in place a bit and only barely hearing Ruby coming up from behind.
"Hey mom, can I ask you something?" Ruby asked
"You just did sweetie." Summer said with a huge smirk on her face.
This causes Ruby to blush and pout a bit. "Mooooom!"
"Kidding, kidding." Summer laughed a bit at the face Ruby was making. "What is it my fellow gun buddy?"
"I was wondering if i could go with you." Ruby asked.
Almost instantly, Summer tensed, stopping what she was doing to look Ruby in the eyes.
"...No."
"But mom!"
"Ruby, I died where I was going…" Summer stated with sad, yet firm conviction in her voice as she stared Ruby in the eyes.
"But how long will you be? Shouldn't take too long to find your old sword!"
"Ruby, please…." Summer pleaded to her daughter holding her hands together. "I didn't plan to leave you here alone the last time. And while I certainly don't plan to ever again, this is uncharted territory to both the Vanguard and all of Remnant. For all I know, this could be another one of Salem's hideouts, and we could be giving her a better chance to..."
"What? But Daisy's going with you!" Ruby stated as a matter of fact, pointing to Daisy who was carrying a few weapons into the ship.
"Grandpa and Summer aren't taking me either." Was all Daisy said, as she placed a weapons crate down. "Just let it be, Ruby. They'll be fine. Grandpa would get hit by the moon, and still be able to keep Drei and Summer safe from harm."
"You're not helping by just quitting like that Daisy!" Ruby said in exasperation.
However Summer did hug Ruby close and tight. Rubbing her back before kissing her head, though she had to stand up a little more for the latter half. "Don't waste your life doing something vain, my rosebud. Go hang out with your friends." She smiled at her, before she broke the hug and entered the ship.
"Ready to lift off Fred?" Summer asked
"Yep." Frederick replied as he started the Engines and started preparing for the lift off.
They then started to hover in the air. Flying out of the hangar, the ship's hangar bay closed as Frederick pushed the throttle forward. The ship slowly left the hangar, before speeding off into the location they were heading to.
00000
In the land of Darkness a Atlas Cruiser was stationed along the shore with a landing beach head for the area. in the control Center. A short old woman contemplated whether or not to pull back as a new enemy was upon them. Despite the Guardians being a help She sighs as she has no choice but to retreat and Scorch the area as she left.
"Pilots, ignite the engines and recall all Patrols. We can't hold this line." The women said.
"Commander Caroline, what about the Guardians!?" Said one of the Communication officers.
"Open all channels, we can't deal with this threat like this!" Caroline stated
"Ma'am, I can't get through to platoon Commanders Cody and Rex!" Said another Comms officer.
"What's the rate of this thing spreading!?" She stated.
That's when they felt a large bang from the rear of the cruiser.
"MA'AM MAIN ENGINES WENT OFFLINE I CAN'T GET THEM STARTED!" Said one of the Pilots.
"Get me Engine maintenance! Have all Gunships prepared for Evac!" Caroline ordered
"Ma'am Engineer squad 2487 aren't responding!"
"What!?"
"Wait, I'm getting a signal!"
"OH FOR THE…*STATIC* HELP! IT'S THE GRIMM…*STATIC* NOOOOOOO!..."
"Was that Scotty!?" Said the logistics officer
Caroline looked to a ballad man manning one of the Radar stations.
"Gunny Lazar, Take a Squad of SAWs and Flame throwers and clear the engine Room! Where Evacing off this Island." She ordered.
"YES MA'AM!"
He grabbed his rifle and made to leave the control center. A loud bang stopped him in his tracks.
"...Commander…"
They heard another Bang, but this time it dented the Hatch.
"Everyone to the Escape hatch!" Caroline ordered.
"What about you Commander!?" Said one of the comms officers.
"Get out of here and get everyone evaced to the gunships!" Caroline ordered.
They all looked at each other before nodding. They took out their pistols and rifles that were immediately next to them and all formed a somewhat line of defense in front of the door as the bangs continued to grow louder and the hatch dented more. The sound of sloshing pigs and flesh was heard on the other side. She Immediately got on the open channels.
"This is commander Caroline of the Atlas Cruiser "Everest". We are overrun by unknown grim hostiles Evac to the Hangars. Gunship pilots get to your seats and prep for Evac and get as far away with as many people as possible! We can't hold this line, I repeat, fall back to the Hangers and evacuate by gunship, that's an Order!" Caroline repeated the order several times on all Channels.
The Guardians in the air and ground immediately falled back while trying to save as many soldiers from this threat as they retreated. People scrambled to the hangers as well as the pilots to the gun ships trying to get them to hover to blast off when they had enough people in them. Unfortunately for those in the Control room. The hatch was losing its integrity. And she pulled out her pistol as she was done relaying orders to the air born Guardians and Gunships.
"It was an honor to be on command of this ship and its crew." Caroline said aloud.
The escape hatch then collapsed as they tried to get to it only for the escape elevator to fall unexpectedly as if someone had cut the car cables. All the soldiers in the room and Caroline looked at the door again and something shot through the titanium reinforced hull of the Hatch before pulling out. Showing the shadows of grotesque monsters giving off the sounds of dead or dying like pigs that are throwing up.
"And it was an honor to be under your command Commander." Gunny Lazar said as they all aimed their rifles at the hatch.
"And I, the same." Caroline said as the hatch was ripped off its frame.
And everyone screamed a hellish symphony of war cries as their rifles and pistols fired. And blood stained the Control rooms observation ports, as they had their last stand.
00000
Frederick started refitting one of his many Pulse rifles with Summers' idea of a Chainsaw attachment or basically a Bayonet of sorts.
"Looking great, I gotta commend the handiwork." Summer stated as she saw her friend toy with the Chainsaw idea.
"It's a rather crude attachment but given that the Grimm are well just mindless beast I'm sure they'll won't mind a Hard light powered Chainsaw Bayonet." Frederick replied.
That's when they heard a beep coming from the cockpit and Frederick immediately went to the pilot seat. He noticed a small Island that's about five miles or so away from the Land of Darkness. Hundreds of intact and heavily damaged Gun Atlas gunships were there as well as people trying to get wounded out of them. As well as what appears to be survivors of some kind. Summer however only looked at the horizon to see that the Atlas Cruiser up ahead was on fire in some places. And looked worse for wear.
"Any station available, this is Guardian Dropship "Nightmare" calling anyone on this channel, come in over?" Frederick said on the coms.
"This is Atlas Gunship "Romeo" to Guardian Dropship "Nightmare" we read you loud and clear." Said the coms
"I need a place to land on the Island. Acknowledged?"
"Copy "Nightmare" coordinates sent to your Hud Awaiting your landing."
Frederick then followed the coordinates to a small clearing. Several Atlas Soldiers in blue and orange combat Armor awaited the landing. When the ship's hangar bay opened showing Frederick and Summer as they walked down. The two men in front of the few soldiers saw them and one recognized that it was Summer Rose the hero of Remnant and even recognized Frederick who was the hero of Menagerie. Both men gave a salute before Frederick returned the gesture.
"Greetings to the two star Heros. Please follow us. We'll debrief you on the way to the ALock area." The man in blue said.
Summer and Frederick nodded as they followed the men.
"I'm Captain Rex of the 501st Atlas Marine Corp Drop Battalion." The man in blue said.
"And I'm Commander Cody of the 212th Atlas Marine Attack Battalion."
"What happened here?" Summer spoke up as Frederick looked about the hastily set up medical tents.
"That's sadly one of the problems. We don't know what attacked us. Other than that we were losing men fast and hard. It was so dark we couldn't see what was attacking us." Rex stated as he looked sadly to his wounded comrades.
"And the ones that survived there...closer encounters with these new unknown grim types are… well they broke under some sort of psychological pressure." Cody continued.
"The voices!" Said a random soldier from there right who was getting strapped down and immobilized by several others and combat medics. "OH BROTHERS THE VOICES!"
"Should we check up on that one?" Summer slowly asked, out of concern for what happened to the soldier, before quickly whispering. "Also what kind of voices were you listening to, hentai?"
"You're welcome to try, but we couldn't get anything out of him other than promises of self-harm." Rex sighed as he looked away.
"Okay… not the voices I was expecting."
They finally reached the A Lock camp where the command center was as well. Several people looked at a halo map of the area so far that was catalogued but the rest of the Island was unknown. The clothes the Commanders wore were similar to that of Ironwoods but refitted for combat to be practical for an up armored uniform. And one looked like he was from the Valen Bounty Hunters Guild. As well as Handcannons that looked like Duke Mk 44.s in Drop leg holsters with molle belts around there's waists with Cylinder pouches.
One was a rather older middle aged man who seemed to be in thought as he was listening closely to and a rather angular brown beard. He had what also looked like a beauty mark on his forehead mostly been there since birth. He had nothing more than a refitted officers uniform with a collar breach armor protecting his neck and sternum with white atlas gauntlets and leg armor. Another had brown hair to his shoulders like that of a surfer. His blue eyes also starred in thought as he listened in to the current coms coming in from returning rescue gunships. His uniform was more crude and not Atlas like in color because of the brown and black color scheme
The last one was obviously the Bounty Hunter. He had chest armor that looked like Cayde's except for the molly belt with the cylinder pouches for his dual Handcannons. And an extra ammo satchel on his left leg with what looked like knight like leg armor and a welding mask. As they noticed the two Guardians enter the A lock tent as well as the junior officers, the junior officers saluted the three as they went on through.
"Hello there." The older man said.
"Let me guess."
"Oh no not this…"
"Kenobi, Skywalker, and what Plo koon?" Summer started with a smile, as Frederick facepalmed.
The three looked at each other in confusion before turning back to her, unaware of what she meant.
"No, I'm Luke. That's Tullius, and that's… I'm sorry but your name?" Luke said to the masked individual.
"Digar Kuvaldar. Call me Digar." The masked man said with a grunt of annoyance. "Ugh…"
"So do you guys know what happened?" Summer asked
"Sadly much like what Rex and Cody told you, we don't know. One day we're fine as the Grimm started disappearing from the lines. Next thing we knew, we were losing soldiers left and right and had to retreat here because our wounded would have died sooner than later." The worry was evident in Tullius' voice as he spoke. "Guardians are the only thing keeping the line as it is, and they're barely managing to hold it off without casualties. Between you and me, this thing went to hell in a handbasket way too fast."
"We haven't been able to get in contact with Commander Caroline in the past hour after she gave the troops the order to retreat after losing contact with her. Her signal is faint, but is still somewhere in the "Everest". We can't risk a recovery mission with our depleted forces that took a hard hit. Hell Cody and Rex with their Battalions were close to being wiped, and we haven't even got word of what hit us while guardians were down there fighting almost non-stop. There's also the fact that some troopers are still on the Island." Digar said as he showed the Evac points of the known parts of the Island.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Frederick replied
"Is there anyway we can help?" Summer asked
"Other than saving folks? Nope." Luke said as he sat back in a folding chair.
"We do need better medicine though for those returning to Atlas." Tullius pointed out. "Not that you guys are carrying a supply of it I'm betting."
"Actually, we do. A nice amount of it is in my ship." Frederick replied. "However, Summer's gonna need a ride out to the Dark Lands, because we're here for a different reason."
That's when the Comms opened up.
"General Tullius! I finally got in contact with General Ironwood, calling now." Said a Radio Operator who finally got the radio Com lines up and running.
"Patch it through." Darrell replied and Ironwood's voice came through the coms line.
"This is General Ironwood of the Atlalisan Armed forces does anyone read me?" Ironwood's voice stated.
"This is General Tullius of the Atlas Marine Corp To General Ironwood, we read you over."
"What happened, General." Ironwood avidly said with no shred of anger in his voice. "I've been waiting hours just to get a report back from any of you."
"Something was jamming our comms over her, I take it? You did get the message I sent from another Guardian, right?" Tullius asked with a raised brow.
"I did. Where's Caroline?" Ironwood replied.
"MIA." Tullius said with a sigh. "Last we heard from her was her giving her last orders from the control room of the "Everest" We still have a faint signal from her scroll but we cant send a strike team to recover her from the ship due to heavily depleted forces."
"Roger, Get the wound back to Atlas, I already have another Cruiser "Fortitude" incoming. If Summer Rose is there, help her out any way you can." Ironwood replied
"Copy that."
"Copy over and out." Ironwood's last reply was.
Tullius sighs as he then looks at the map of the known Region. He then looked about the Evac points.
"You said Summer Rose needs a lift?" Tullius asked
"Yeah, her ships are currently sent to the Tower for repairs." Frederick replied he then looked at Summer. "I find it funny your belief that your machines work with just faith itself to be most odd. Considering that the power fluctuations thanks to Cayde's stealth drives should have exploded your ship but only caused significant damage to the Frame."
"Really?" Summer replied. Her attention was brought to Tullius who coughed for said attention.
Tullius then pointed to a Evac point called "Alpha 2" that was literally the only one on the beach "near" the ship. Though the forests around it didn't seem to be friendly.
"I can get you to the evac point on the Starboard side of the "Everest." However you are going to have to go through the lower decks of the ship to get to the other side as the ship was positioned in a way that Grimm would be bottlenecked into this Narrow path coming from the mountains. Save whoever you can."
00000
Dustiniz117 Omake:
Summer Rose approached the casket near the shores of one of Vale's beaches, wearing mourners black shader for her armor. Behind her, several guests, bystanders and her daughter, a fellow mourner stood.
"Dear friends, we are gathered here today to mourn the passing of a valued member of our team."
Ruby bawled her eyes and cried. Weiss, who was watching with half lidded eyes, watched this ridiculous event. "This is completely stupid…" Ruby silenced her with a quick shush.
Summer stared into the casket gazing at the departed Dreadfang in pieces resting on velvet interior. She then nudged the coffin with her foot into the surf and waited till it went a good distance and used her Golden Gun to set it on fire, giving the weapon a proper viking funeral.
As the assembled gazed at the fire on the water, Barloc approached Cayde and whispered, "She does know that she could of reforged that right?"
"The last time someone said that to her, she gave him so many boots to the face, every time he's revived by his Ghost, he has a boot on his face."
"But that titan friend of hers could easily-"
"Yeah, no, not touching the goop." Frederick said flatly, as if there was no room to talk on that.
Barloc looked around everyone involved, genuinely confounded at what was happening. "...This has to be the best- no, worst few hours of time I'd ever wasted." He then sighed, as he gave a mock salute towards the casket. "Next thing I know, that very guardian appears before me with a boot on his head."
He then caught the scent of a fish fresh out of the ocean. Turning around, he saw a hunter with a boot on his head.
"I'm cold, I'm wet, I have a boot with a fish on my head from being buried within the ocean, IN a pile of boots!" The hunter drawled out to Cayde-6, who was more amused by how he ended up like this. "And now the sword's gone! Why didn't you guys stop her?!"
"Nice boot by the way, Jack." Cayde-6 gave Jack a thumbs up. "Make sure you give that fish to the kitty cat over there, maybe use those flames to heat the thing up."
Barloc promptly slammed his head into the armrest of the chair he was on.
"Do we have to do this?" Daisy whispered to Yang whom the rest if RWBY was next to her. All with ceremonial rifles in the Order Arms Position.
"Look it's for Ruby ok. I hate this as much as you do, my legs are killing me too. How can you three stand this?" Yang whispered back.
Almost immediately, the other three whispered back at the same time. "Combat training."
"And dance training." Weiss finished up on her own, causing everyone in their quiet conversation to look at her. When she noticed, she continued. "Ballet requires one not only to be precise in movement, but also with strong and flexible legs. Also I myself had to stand for hours on ends back home."
Yang just sighed and continued to stand there. "Why me?"
Ruby stood up with tears in her eyes. "Port. Arms!"
Daisy and WBY then as if in the silent drill team. Lifted the rifles by their fore grips and placed their right hands on the pistol grips.
"Half right face, Arms!"
They then turned slightly to the right.
"Shoulder, ARMS."
Everyone watched as Daisy and the other girls shoulders the butstock of the guns to their shoulders.
"BEGIN 21 GUN SALUTE!" Ruby stated as she and Summer saluted the casket as the four girls fired a volley of 4 bullets 6 times.
"I counted 24 shots, not the required amount." Barloc whispered under his breath.
"Thanks wizard of the obvious." Frederick muttered as well.