Bellenau. Population: ~4,000 residents, ~10,000 refugees
VAF Forward Operating Base
14:21 hours
Days since Invasion of Vale: 2
Ruby and Port reach the helipad just as the arriving bullhead doors slide open. The occupants; Ozpin, Glynda, and a green haired man with thick, round glasses Ruby doesn't know; jump out of the craft the second it touches down. They all wear standard issue VAF infantry uniforms minus the helmets. Glynda carries an M4 Carbine, while Ozpin and the other man only have a pistol holstered on their thighs.
"General!" Port shouts over the sound of the bullhead's engines.
"How goes the war, Colonel?" Ozpin asks as the two groups approach each other.
"Goddamn Feds are razing human territory, General," Port replies. "It's FUBAR, that's how it goes."
"Haven't you been getting reinforcements from the Coalition?"
"Oh, they shouldn't have even bothered. Look at these assholes."
Port points across the field. A group of Mistral soldiers, clad in their signature brown Osprey body armor and OR-201 helmets, pose in front of a highway sign, with Vale in the background, holding their XM8 rifles over their head while one of them takes their picture.
"Mistralian Guard is a goddamn joke. They dress up boys and girls in pretty uniforms, give them prototype weapons, and sit them down at their border. They'd be more helpful to us if they stayed in Mistral, stay out of the way of the real fighters."
"Yes, I've seen plenty of browncoat Hueys in the air," Ozpin says. "What about Vacuo? I've yet to see any of their troops, but I've gotten reports that they've sent up to a thousand mechanized infantry so far."
"Oh, fucking Vacuo Militia. Hell, you probably have seen them, just thought they were civilians. Goddamn foxtrotters in border countries have newer gear than Vacuo. I haven't seen so many different uniforms under the same flag in my entire career. At least they can actually fight somewhat well, and their technicals make them fairly mobile. You know, if it were up to me, I'd have sent all these poor excuses for soldiers home, let the VAF defend its homeland as it should."
"Even Atlas?" Glynda asks. As if on cue, a blue and white Oshkosh L-ATV rolls next their helipad. Four AA infantrymen disembark, wearing their standard issue uniforms that are only used by other Kingdoms for their most elite soldiers, and carry ACR and ARX 160. They start taking crates of supplies out of the chopper and hauling it to their truck.
"They're alright," Port admits dryly. "Good fighters, but too spoiled in my opinion. I've yet to find a sky soldier that could take me on in hand to hand combat."
"Soldiers of the Atlesian Army are no longer trained as extensively in no weapon combat," the man with green hair suddenly says. "They are highly reliable on their combat knives and sidearms in close quarters combat and thus your statement is most likely true, especially considering your time served as a paratrooper behind enemy lines during the first Human-Faunus War." Ruby's mind reels trying to catch up with the man while Port merely sighs.
"Still the same, Oobleck," he says.
"Ruby, this is Major Oobleck, an intelligence officer, engineer, and...historian, correct?"
"Among other things yes," Oobleck says. He swiftly extends his hand to Ruby. "Excellent to make your acquaintance Hunter."
"Uh, Yes, Sir," Ruby says slowly, shaking his hand. Oobleck takes out a thermos, removes the cover, and takes several large gulps.
"So how's the squad holding up?" Ozpin asks "I heard you guys had it rough in Vale." Ruby recalls the fighting in the city. While she was in there, with the bullets going past her head, artillery sending shrapnel into her AURA, and half deaf most of the time, it seemed so easy. Now, looking back on it all, she wonders how she made it out of that hell hole in one piece.
"It...was definitely something else," Ruby says. "A few close calls, but we're alright. Just waiting to get sent out again."
"Oh, almost forgot the whole reason I called you out here," Port says. "Ruby has acquired some...questionable intelligence."
"Is that so?" Ozpin asks. All eyes fall on Ruby.
"Yes, Sir," Ruby says. "Well, we're not entirely sure about what we saw - I mean, we know what we saw, but we don't know how it's possible. There was this group of soldiers, but I don't think they were Feds. They all had different types of uniforms, and most of them were human."
"Pro-Faunus human fighters?" Glynda questions. "This early in an invasion? It should take them a while to find their way over here."
"I don't think they were from the border country, if that's what you mean. They were organized and well equipped. And...they had AURA." Ozpin's somewhat bored expression suddenly turns serious.
"You mean, our AURA?" he asks.
"They had increased strength and ate bullets. I don't know if they're knockoffs or something, but...yeah, same function, anyway." Ozpin looks to Port, who shrugs.
"Interesting," Ozpin concludes. He turns to Glynda. "I think we have some things to discuss with Ironwood."
"Agreed," Glynda says. "He's currently on the HCS Highlander, enroute here."
"Then let's talk to him. Oobleck, do you mind if we wait until tomorrow for your presentation? This can't wait."
"Do what you have to General," Oobleck replies. "Faunus biology can be discussed at any time."
"Thank you."
"Have Ruby here show you around the camp," Port suggests. "Have you ever been on an active battlefield before?"
"I fought in the First Human-Faunus War," Oobleck replies.
"Excellent, the more experienced pogues the better!" Port bellows.
"We'll regroup during dinner chow to discuss this further," Ozpin says. Ruby nods, and the three officers leave. Oobleck offers his thermos to Ruby.
"Uh, no thanks," Ruby says. Oobleck shrugs and downs half the container in three gulps.
VAF Barracks
14:21 hours
Yang lays on her cot, holding Tukson's contact book. She's studying a picture of Neo, the child soldier she fought. Unlike most of the contact in the book, her "personal bio" and "history" sections are nearly empty, save for her birthplace, Atlas, while her 'affiliates' section is packed with more high profile criminals, warlords, and enemies to the Coalition than some of the highest ranking Faunus mobsters.
"Atlas Mob, South Vale Family, North Vale Family, White Fang (Coalition), White Fang (Federation), Fed General, Fed General, Fed Colonel, Fang Commander, Fang Commander…" Yang reads silently. A whole extra page is dedicated to her affiliates. "Shit, I hadn't even left Patch by the time I was sixteen, and this bitch has traveled Remnant several times over."
She looks down at the end of the list, where one of the names is highlighted.
"Cinder Fall," she reads. She flips to the front of the book, and finds the name again, with it's own profile. Cinder's picture, a mugshot from a Fed prison, looks old, but Yang definitely recognizes her from the office fight. She has Neo under her "affiliates," along with many of the same Federation and White Fang personnel, but one of the names, "Roman Torchwick," is also highlighted. She browses the book and finds Roman's profile. She recognizes the same hair style from one of the humans from the office. Neo and Cinder are also highlighted as affiliates.
"They're all connected, but so far none of them are Faunus," Yang thinks. "So why all the Fang connections?" She looks through Roman's affiliates, and finds a strange name: "Moni (NEO)." She flips a few pages and finds Moni's page. She's the same age and close to the same height of Neo, also comes from Atlas, and even looks similar to Neo, with light brown hair mixed with a few strands of a minty green color. The biggest difference is that Moni is not smiling in her picture, an ID picture. She's wearing a Federation uniform. Yang, growing with excitement, continues reading her profile.
"Former White Fang member, joined the Feds, planned participation in...Operation Checkmate! That's the invasion of Vale!" Yang leans over in her cot towards the nearest soldier.
"Hey," she says. "Where are the POWs kept?"
POW holding center
14:30 hours
Yang stands on the top of the bleachers, looking into Bellenau High School's soccer field, where the prisoners, both Federation and White Fang troops, are kept with over a dozen guns pointed in their direction and handcuffed in the front. Red lasers blink on and off the turf, mainly around the prisoners, in order to deter their focus and keep them from using their superior strength and agility in order to escape. Most of the prisoners were captured because of their officers overextending as they pushed the human forces back, caring more for territory gained than soldiers lost, allowing Fed scouts and Fang members meant for cannon fodder to be easily detained. Most of the Faunus in the field are scheduled to be used in exchanges for human prisoner exchanges.
She holds up her binoculars and takes a closer look at each individual Faunus. She knows it's a long shot, probably million to one odds, but if there's any chance that Moni, by some incredible coincidence, survived the initial landings in Vale, later captured, and transported to this very holding cell…
Yang's heart stops when she spots mint green hair.
"Holy shit," she says out loud. She rapidly puts the binoculars away and runs down the bleachers, then to the side of the field, where the entrance is. One of the guards, a Vacuo militiaman, clad in a flame resistant combat shirt and combat trousers with DBDU camouflage, a light bullet proof vest, a civilian baseball cap and shemagh, and carrying an AK 5, gives her a questionable look.
"I need to talk to a prisoner," Yang tells him.
"Under whose authority?" the other guard, a Mistralian, asks.
"I'm a Hunter. Let me in."
"I'm gonna need to speak with your CO."
"Why do you need to talk with one?" the militiaman asks. It takes not time at all for Yang to think of a lie.
"CO wants some intel on the local enemy movement," she says. "Wants it to be done low key, no official interrogation or anything."
"Nonsense," the browncoat scoffs. "It's impossible to do an 'unofficial' interrogation. I need to see your CO this instant."
"Like shit you do," the militiaman groans. "There's literally a field full of the fuckers, who cares if one chats with a Hunter for a minute?"
"I do." The militiaman rolls his eyes and turns to Yang.
"Which one do you want?" he asks. Yang points over his shoulder, where Moni is standing, leaning against the fence, arms crossed, head down.
"The girl with greenish hair," Yang says. "Her name's Moni. Private." The guard nods, picks up a megaphone from a chair, and holds it up.
"Private Moni!" he shouts into it. Moni quickly looks up, towards the sound. "Approach the front entrance with your hands on top of your head!" The girl puts her handcuffed hands on her head and starts walking towards the entrance. The militiaman drops the device and shoulders his rifle. The Mistralian does the same.
"What, you think she'll make a run for it?" Yang asks.
"I don't care if she runs, I just don't want her ripping my face off," the militia man says. He flips his gun mounted laser sight on and off a few times, making Moni grimace each time. The browncoat shines a handheld laser in front of her, wagging it back and forth rapidly. Moni tilts her head up in order to ignore it.
"Fucking dumbasses," the browncoat laughs. "They built creatures with superhuman powers, but they lose their shit when they see a little red dot."
"Sounds like a hell of a trade to me, man," the militiaman says. "Hey, Hunter. How did you know the Fed's name and rank?" Yang freezes for a second.
"My CO requested her specifically," she replies.
"How did he know she was in this specific holding center?"
"Hell if I know, I'm just following orders." The guard shrugs. Moni reaches the entrance, and the lasers are put down, and rifle barrels are raised.
"Take it easy, Fed," the militiaman says. "Our friend here wants to have a little chat." Moni looks at Yang anxiously.
"Let's sit over there," Yang says to the Fed, pointing at a picnic table in the grass next to the field. "You first." Moni nods and walks to the table, Yang close behind.
"Hunter," the militiaman says to Yang. Yang turns around to face him. "She gives you trouble, shoot. Not worth risking a riot over one alpha golf."
"Actually, it is worth it," Yang thinks.
"Got it," she says aloud, then walks to the table.
"Ok, just wait, hear me out," Moni stammers when Yang reaches the table. "I swear I paid off all my debts before leaving. I know I did. I only had a few thousand Lien to pay off. Whatever Roman said-"
"Whose Roman?" Yang interrupts. She flips through her book to Torchwick's page, then shows it to Moni. "This Roman?" Moni's eyes grow wide for a second, then relax.
"You're...not White Fang?" she asks. Yang shakes her head.
"Who is Roman Torchwick?" she asks.
"Why should I tell you?"
"Who is Neo?" Moni gulps.
"W-Who?" Yang flips to Neo's page and holds it up. "Where did you get that?"
"Tukson," Yang replies. She tosses the book onto the table. Moni picks it up and looks through the first few pages. "Shortly after his death. I'm honestly surprised I was able to find you so quickly."
"No shit, that's why I thought you were Fang," Moni replies, setting the book back down. "How do you know Neo? I didn't know she got out."
"I met her two days ago. In Vale." Yang pulls back her neck armor, revealing the swelled up burn mark.
"Oh, I guess she isn't out," Moni says, both with hints of disappointment and relief.
"Out from what? Who is she? Why are you so closely affiliated with her?"
"It's a long story."
"I have time."
"The Fang won't like me discussing matters like this." Yang unholsters her FN-57 and sets it on the table.
"But I don't have time for bullshit," she says. Moni looks at Yang, then the pistol, then Yang again, then shakes her head.
"Fuck, alright," she says, and takes a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. "I was born in Atlas, but Faunus are heavily segregated there, and my parents weren't ones to play by the rules. I ran away when I was little, I don't remember how old I was, and I lived on the streets for a few weeks, always starving, always thirsty. It sucked. Then I met her, Neo, and everything changed. She told me she was already living on the streets for four years-"
"Hold on a second," Yang says. "Let's take a step back. When you said she 'told you,' what do you mean by that?" Moni smirks.
"Yeah, she could talk back then," Moni replies.
"Did she always smile?"
"No, not then. She was, fuck, I hate saying it like this, but she was normal. She let me tag along with her, mugging people, teaching me how to use my senses to make bigger scores. Sometimes I was almost happy on the streets. Then, almost two years later she...well, she disappeared. Just like that."
"She joined Roman?"
"No, not yet. I lived alone for a few more months, then I found her again, in the exact spot where she first found me." Moni shifts her feet anxiously. "It was freaky. When we made eye contact, she was smiling, so I did the same. I went in for a hug, and she pushed me away. I asked her what's up, and she just shook her head. I figured some sort of gang shit went down, we were in with the Fang and a few other groups at that point, so I dropped it, and we went mugging again. The next few weeks were a nightmare. She never said another word, just smiled. That fucking smile drove her insane. Every time I tried getting something out of her, asked her why she was always smiling, she'd lose her shit. She'd cover her face with her hands, shake uncontrollably, hit her head against a wall, claw at her mouth. If I tried intervening, she'd turn on me, so I learned to take a hike if she was set off."
"That doesn't sound like the girl I fought in Vale."
"Right, well, after a while, when she started to become less violent, more accepting of her new self, I decided to fully enroll us in the White Fang. Figured it wasn't safe for her on the streets, so I was hoping maybe the Fang could give her some medical attention or something. We ended up getting split up with our assignments, and I never saw her again."
Yang goes over the information in her head. She holsters the FN-57 and picks up the book, turning to Neo's page. She looks at her picture.
"How did a phsyco kid become this trained killer?" She looks at Moni again.
"So who's Roman?"
"Torchwick? He runs the Fang. Interim CEO, if you will."
"Interim? Not permanent?"
"The Fang doesn't have a permanent leadership anymore. Makes it harder for humans to track and kill them. Torchwick is a veteran networker for crime syndicates. Appointed a while back."
"I think I fought him in Vale, alongside Neo."
"Well, I guess I know what happened to her."
"You never found out about her? The smile?" Moni shrugs.
"Hey, why do you care so much? What does your CO want?"
"My CO knows about none of this. It's personal." She digs into her pocket and pulls out her picture of the women and shows it to Moni. "Do you know this woman?"
"No."
"Well I think Neo, and anyone connected with her, can help me find her."
"Who is she?"
"Prisoner from the First War."
"Neo's the same age as me, she won't know anything."
"No, but she's close to Roman, who's probably close with other high up human criminals, who are probably close with high up Faunus criminals, who are probably close with Feds. Just gotta follow the trail."
"That's a pretty fucking far out trail."
"Well, if you have any better ideas, let me know." Moni thinks for a moment.
"You know, now that I think about it…" she says. "I remember back when I was in the Fang, Torchwick was working closely with some Federation special tasks unit. The leader, to be specific."
"Hold that thought," Yang says, flipping through the book to Cinder's page. "Cinder Fall?"
"Uhh, maybe. Yeah, it could've been Agent Fall. I don't know much about them, other than they're mostly human. But they've got ties with Federation's top brass. That Agent Fall probably has access to a lot of information." Yang nods.
"Yes, that's perfect!" she says. "Alright, go back to the field. I'll come back if I need anything else."
"Ok," Moni says. She starts walking back to the prison, but stops, turning to Yang. "Who's the woman in the picture?" Yang looks at the picture, stroking the woman's face.
"Not your concern," she tells Moni. Moni nods, and keeps walking.
Communications Tent
14:30 hours
"...And that leaves Fort Beacon only about fifty miles out of range of Federation artillery," Ironwood tells Ozpin, Glynda, and Port from a video screen. "The Faunus have sustained heavy casualties, but are still routing large groups of Coalition soldiers. We should be able to hold them, but we can forget about Fort Beacon leading the charge into UFF territory."
"We'll get there eventually, James," Ozpin says. He glances at Glynda who nods, then turns back to Ironwood. "I think you owe us an explanation." Ironwood glances at the three faces quizzically.
"Ok, about what?" he asks.
"One of my Hunter squad leaders just gave me some startling information from the battle in Vale."
"You mean something besides Faunus fighting in human territory?"
"They fought AURA users." Ironwood is stone still. "Not surprised?"
"You're right, Oz. I've been holding out on you."
"Why do the Feds have our tech?" Glynda asks. Ironwood shakes his head.
"Because it's not our tech," he replies. "AURA comes from Federation tech."
"What!?" Glynda exclaims.
"My soldiers are using alpha golf assets!?" Port shouts angrily. "I outta confiscate and terminate every last one of those suits right now!"
"Stand down, Port," Ozpin orders. "Ironwood, what are you talking about?"
"It's not all Faunus tech; the designs back been refined and, in some aspects, completely overhauled since humans have gotten their hands on them."
"And when was that, exactly?"
"A few months before the beginning of the war. The Federation called them Regenerative Combat Suits, RCS. They were big, bulky, and had a large, external battery. RCS users were more like tanks than infantry. I used some of my intelligence operatives to steal all of the RCS prototypes, ship them here, and turned them into AURA. I then destroyed all of the original RCS suits."
"All known suits," Glynda says. "I know about your 'operatives,' James. They're mercenaries, pure and simple. How do you know they aren't with the Feds?"
"Because they're human, and that's good enough for me in a war with another race. Just trust me, I know a lot more about espionage than all three of you combined."
"Apparently so."
"Does this mean Federation command knows about Project AURA and the Hunter Program?"
"Not before Operation Checkmate, I doubt it. As of today, after their infantry engaged with multiple Hunter squads at once, almost definitely."
"So what do you make of these AURA Feds?" A voice says something to Ironwood off screen.
"I have to go," he says. "My airship is being rerouted to the front lines. We've lost three Templar since yesterday. Our AA cannons can't take out all these Nevermore fast enough."
"Good thing you're there, Ironwood."
"You're free to join me anytime, Oz. You too, Glynda. Out." The screen flickers off.
"He's hiding something," Glynda says.
"No shit," Port agrees. "I don't like AURA in the hands of the enemy, not one bit. It could compromise the entire program."
"If it is, then there's not much we can do," Ozpin says.
"Well, what should we do?" Glynda asks.
"Let the war run its course, see if these AURA Feds pop up again. Also, Port."
"Yeah?"
"Don't tell RWBY Squad anything about this, or any Hunter for that matter."
"You got it."
Outskirts of Bellenau
18:20 hours
"This is about as far as we should go," Ruby tells Oobleck as they arrive at the perimeter of the town, outside the FOB. The perimeter is outlined by howitzer cannons, pillboxes, as well as dug in IFVs and self-propelled artillery pieces, all surrounded by sandbags, some connected with trenches, where infantry aim their weapons towards a still visible but distant Vale, and the approaching Feds. Vacuo technicals patrol the side roads leading from Vale to the small town, while the AA and VAF man the heavier barricades on the highways, mainly Vale Highway One. Refugees are still streaming in, like ants crawling back to their nest. Most of them have probably been on the move since the invasion, with very little rest.
"Reminds me of the First Human-Faunus War," Oobleck comments. Ruby braces herself for another ten minute rant about the technical details of the perimeter, or the efficiency or the roadblocks and technicals in the event of a Fed attack, or a carefully calculated estimate of the number of refugees coming into town every hour, like every other time Ruby showed Oobleck a section of the town. But, surprisingly, Oobleck is silent now, just looking at the high rises that make up most of Vale. The Federation has been constantly razing the city, pounding the buildings with artillery and controlled demolitions, creating huge bonfires in the streets, and launching illumination flares during the night. Now, as dusk begins to settle, the black smoke isn't nearly as prominent, but the orange flames shine bright. They're only specs at this distance, but Ruby can't imagine what they look like up close.
"Still can't really believe that the Faunus actually hold human territory, y'know?" Ruby says. Oobleck sips from this thermos. Ruby isn't sure how there's still liquid inside; the major has been drinking it nonstop since he got out of the chopper, with no refills.
"I can," he says.
"Uh, really?" Oobleck looks down at Ruby.
"How much do you know about Faunus? Not the Federation or Faunus civil rights movements. I mean how much do you know about Faunus as a species?"
"Not much, I guess. They were created by religious zealots who believed in eugenics and forced evolution over a century ago. They modified human DNA to give humans advanced senses and superhuman strength and speed."
"That's about as much as most people know. Not me, though. My generation was the first to truly see what the Faunus are capable of."
"Trench warfare during the First War?"
"I wish we had thought of it sooner. The Coalition will never admit it, but we were completely unprepared for the Faunus. They overwhelmed us in urban warfare, we stood no chance against them during the night, they used captured Coalition equipment and vehicles as their own; it was a nightmare."
"But the trenches stopped them, right?"
"Yes, trench warfare. It was the only way to combat their heightened abilities; flatten the land with artillery and explosives, dig in, and move them down. That's where we got our first real look at the Faunus. Do you know how exactly the zealots were able to make the modified DNA compatible with human tissue?"
"Um...wait, I thought the Faunus were an entirely different subspecies of humans. Like the neanderthals, right?" Oobleck smiles and shakes his head.
"It still baffles me how ignorant most in the Kingdoms are of Faunus anatomy. I don't mean that as an insult, I was the same way when I first enlisted. No, the modified DNA wasn't enough to create an entirely new fetus. They had to splice it with an existing embryo for the DNA to take effect, along with a sample of another kind of species."
"Another species?"
"Yes. This is where the zealots stump us. They used animal tissue to complete the DNA puzzle, if you will. We don't know what animal, how much was used, or even how it was used. But it gave the Faunus bizarre side effects."
"Like red dot syndrome?"
"Rapid moving lights triggering their heightened instincts, yes. They also have less control over anger and rage, can give off specific scents, smell the unique scent of individuals, increased hearing, overall suppression of emotion, seemingly lowered self-preservation, and barbaric personality, examples including making animalistic noises to attract mates and intimidate enemies, more brutal and unforgiving in hand to hand combat, a different understanding of love, et cetera. Do you follow?"
"...Mostly?" Ruby replies.
"Good enough. These traits played a psychological role in the trenches. If any Faunus broke through our lines, we would pray that we could shoot them fast enough before resorting to our bayonets. They were absolutely savages, abandoning their firearms and clawing at our faces, biting at any exposed skin they could find. We ended up wearing our MOPP gear for protection against their teeth instead of chemical weapons. Many didn't even consider them intelligent beings after a while."
"Did you?"
"On the contrary, it made me respect them more, almost admire them. Many try comparing them to humans, when in fact they aren't. It's as simple as that. They are, genetically speaking, part animal, and they have every right to act on that part, even if it's viewed as savagery."
"Which it is, right?"
"Yes, but nature has always been a savage beast. It created humans, after all. These are things I thought about day and night during the war, and after, I devoted my life to studying the Faunus, in the hopes of finding a way for them and us to coexist peacefully, not as two types of humans, but as two separate, yet equal, intelligent species. That's why I'm here, to talk to the brass about Faunus anatomy and biology. If we want to fight them, the leaders of the Coalition military forces should know exactly who we're fighting."
"Wait, really? Considering how you view Faunus, I thought you were gonna say you were going to suggest peace talks or something."
"I said I respect them, not pity them. They're the aggressors, and have every right to be, just as we have every right to kill them by any means deemed necessary. This is a war, after all. And I lost enough battle buddies back in the day to admit that I'd like to see them request peace negotiations first."
"Can't argue with that, Sir." A humvee rolls up besides them. Blake is driving, Weiss is next to her.
"Chow time," Weiss says. "Ozpin says he wants to hear more about our, uh, 'encounter.'"
"Very well," Oobleck says, and climbs into the back of the humvee without a second thought. Ruby gets in next to him.
"Guys, this is Major Oobleck," Ruby tells her squadmates. "Major, this is-"
"Weiss and Blake, members of Hunter squad RWBY, Assault and Stealth respectively." The three hunters look at Oobleck, perplexed.
"How do you know that?" Weiss asks.
"I am one of the head engineers of Project AURA. I designed the class-specific AURA hardware that makes each hunter class unique. Blake, how's your cloaking device holding out? Any technical difficulties, shortages of battery power, battery draining, and/or random decloaking?"
"...No?" Blake replies.
"Excellent."
"I thought you were a historian?" Ruby questions.
"And engineer, intelligence officer, and several other smaller roles, whatever my current task requires. Why just last week I was working on blueprints of an upgraded MBT, superior to the VAF's current arsenal…"
"Aaaaand here we go again," Ruby thinks.