Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY. All characters/concepts/ideas aside from my original characters/concepts/ideas belong to their respective owners.
This tale takes place on a world named Remnant. Here the humans are plagued everyday by creatures of the dark known as Grimm, monsters without souls whose only pleasure is to feed on those who have them. Thankfully, humans found a way to fight back against these monsters. The discoveries of Dust, Semblances, and Aura allowed the humans to form an effective fighting force and beat back the Grimm towards the outskirts of Remnant. These warriors are known as Hunters and Huntresses, those who fight Grimm to protect the world from the darkness who intend to swallow it. They eventually formed four kingdoms, the final bastions of human society. These kingdoms are Mistral, Vale, Vacuo, and Atlas.
This story will focus on a particular resident of the last kingdom, Atlas.
Atlas is by far the most technologically advanced and innovative of the four kingdoms. They do not rely solely on their Hunters and Huntresses, instead supporting them with an army of fully trained soldiers, known collectively as the Atlesian military. Their primary purpose in the battle against the Grimm is to provide firing support for the Hunters and the defense of key locations, such as the boundaries of kingdoms. It is here that this story will begin.
Are you ready?
Then let us start.
Outskirts of Atlas – Battlefield
It was the dead of the night, the pitch black darkness only pierced by two sources of light. The first was the searchlight provided by Remnant's shattered moon, illuminating patches of the shadows. The second, the flash of blaster and gunfire aimed directly at the oncoming hordes of Grimm.
The Grimm have been particularly aggressive in recent times, attacking even in broad daylight. However, it was common knowledge to all that the Grimm were most dangerous at night, when the darkness was strongest and permeated every nook and cranny of the land.
"Shit! Shit!" cried one soldier as he was forced to retreat. Despite the fact that their forces were bolstered by the newest line of android soldiers, the prototype Atlesian Knight-200s, the line was being overrun by an endless sea of Grimm monsters. A wave of opaque ebony dotted with splotches of white and red, the color of the masks and eyes each and every Grimm bore.
"Where the hell are our reinforcements?" yelled another, desperately hoping for an answer. The pained voices and final noises of several soldiers were drowned out by the roars and screams of the Grimm, who came as relentlessly as ever.
James Ironwood, one of Atlas's generals, watches the scene from his command center. Atlas has been trying to keep human soldiers off the front lines for years. Even with the best the kingdom has to offer men still have to be sent to die against the Grimm since the standard mass-production combat androids can only do so much. Even so, he had anticipated an occurrence like this, and had already prepared an appropriate countermeasure.
With a push of a button he established communications with his research and development team.
A scrawny, disheveled old man appeared on screen. "Hello General, if you wondering about Unit 02 we're still testing his combat ability and-"
"Professor Pollendina, send Unit 02 to the north border immediately. It's time for his first field test."
"What? We haven't finished running combat simulations with him!"
"He is still ready for battle isn't he?"
"Perhaps, but the Core is still unstable! If he is deployed now we risk scrapping him entirely!"
"It's either him or the Kingdom, Professor. I think we know who is more willing to rebel should the Grimm breach the walls."
After a long pause, the old man finally barked back, "Fine! But if my masterpiece is destroyed before it is even finished the bill is on you!" The screen then went black as the scientist hung up.
"Let's hope this masterpiece of his can hold up against the Grimm." pondered Ironwood as he continued to monitor the battlefield.
Atlesian Military Research and Development Lab
"Unit 02!" called the scientist to his creation. Unit 02, serial number CH-120443, stopped hacking away at his training targets long enough to turn around and listen. Unit 02, like his predecessor, was designed to resemble a human to match his ability to use Aura, the power inherent in all natural beings with souls. He appeared to be a fit adolescent male of around fifteen years of age, with short, spiky hair that shone a striking silver. His synthetic skin had a light complexion, his eyes a chestnut color. In order to properly link his experimental power source, known referred to as the Core, he was kept rather petite in stature contrary to his initial blueprints. The professor didn't fret over this fact as according to calculations this wouldn't affect his expected combat performance all that much.
"As much as I loathe to say this, you're going to be deployed to the front lines within the hour. I don't have any completed armaments available for you, but you're welcome to take any of the prototypes from the lab you feel comfortable with."
Unit 02 only nodded at the doctor as he received his directives. Proceeding over to the armory filled with experimental weapons. Among them included miniature warheads which split into cluster bombs, a massive beam cannon that could vaporize opponents, and a pair of gauntlets that would've amplified his already great strength to ludicrous levels.
However, the android ignored all of those things and instead took only two different weapons. The first was a massive blade as long as he was tall and nearly as wide. It was built to be as strong and sturdy as he was, thus a preferred weapon for his programmed role of being on the front lines of combat. The second, two .50 caliber heavy machine guns whose magazines were filled to the brim with explosive, armor piercing rounds powerful enough to blast gaping holes in any unfortunate victim caught in their firing paths. Having learned from previous exercises, he also took a number of sidearms, including throwing daggers, handguns, and enough explosives to sink a small fleet of military airship from the inside. Together the equipment would have weighed at least two hundred kilograms, unbearably heavy for a human, but handled as easily as children's toys by the android.
After donning the standard blue and silver Atlesian armor, the robot prepared to leave through the double doors of the lab before being stopped by his creator.
"02, you and your sister unit are my greatest works. Do not let yourself be destroyed. I expect you to be back here in one piece. Consider this a direct order, ingrain it into your main protocols immediately!"
The androids eyes, normally invisible behind the nearly-opaque visor of his helmet, briefly flashed a luminescent blue before returning to normal at these words.
"Directives received, Professor." The android stated in complete monotone as confirmation to the order's completion.
"Now go before that stick in the mud calls again."
With that, Unit 02 departed the lab for the first time to the dangerous, deceitful, and deadly outside world.
Skies Over the Battlefield
On the airship, Unit 02 waited in complete silence and with inhuman patience, exactly he was programmed to. He was sifting through the figures uploaded to him from headquarters on the battle's situation at a speed exceeding that of a quantum computer, soldiers confirmed killed, estimated Grimm numbers, current allied formations, and chances of victory during the current situation. The last value he recited to the soldiers inside the airship with him aloud.
"Estimated chance of victory: 0%" he said as if it were a simple fact, common knowledge that everyone knew.
This caused the gaze of the soldiers inside to narrow at the words of the robot before them.
"What do you mean zero percent? Are you saying we're only going to be going off to die?!" exclaimed a younger, more inexperienced soldier in panic.
The soldier was quickly silenced by his more experienced squad member with a slap on the back, "Pipe down, the kid in front of you is a robot. Unit 02 I think they called him."
"Oh... that explains why he's carrying so much." muttered the younger soldier in embarrassment.
"Hey, 02." The combat android looked up, preparing himself for additional orders or simply to respond. "Are ya feeling anxious? Penny did during her first mission."
"According to my schematics and the professor I was built to optimize my combat and calculation ability. According to my profile data and the professor I was built to lack emotional output due my nature as a strategic-class weapon created for the defense of Atlas. I am nothing more than a tool to be used as seen fit by Atlas' leadership. Thus I am not supposed to be able to feel fear, grief, or other sensations associated with the term anxiety."
"If ya say so kid, this newbie here could use some of that backbone of yours. Then again, you're a newbie too!" The veteran soldier gave a hearty laugh, clearly trying to lighten the mood.
"I lack human vertebrae. My body is supported by a ceramic-reinforced titanium skeleton in order to allow me to withstand any debilitating impact and support any equipment I carry into battle." 02 replied, once again without any feeling in his synthesized voice. The soldier simply shrugged in response before continuing to try and help his younger comrade relax.
"Objective point reached, commencing next phase of the operation." 02 rose from his seat and began to leave for the entrance hatch, despite the fact that the airship was still thousands of feet in the air.
The robot reached up and tapped the security camera to get the pilot's attention. "Captain, I have reached my drop zone. Please release the hatch so I may be deployed as outlined in General Ironwood's report.
Naturally the pilot paused at the ridiculous request before realizing who had stated it. The hatch opened, allowing the gales created by the engines and the atmosphere to rush into the cabin.
"Happy landings, Tin Can." 02 let himself fall out of the airship the same way a corpse would off a plane. He was about as aerodynamic as a brick, so he simply dived straight down to reach his target landing spot.
"Engaging optical scanners..." 02's eyes flashed green as they began surveying the battlefield. "Scan complete, initiating calculations."
The ground continued to dart towards him as he did so. Upon reaching terminal velocity he adjusted his position so that he wouldn't plant himself in the ground when he landed.
"Landing imminent in:"
"5..."
"4..."
"3..."
"2..."
"1..."
The android hit the ground with a resounding crash, catching the attention of all present, Grimm and humans alike.
"Calculations complete. Estimated Grimm population, one thousand. Estimated chance of victory: 5%"
The Atlesian soldiers were low ranking, and thus not keen on 02's existence nor his capabilities. As a result, they panicked when they saw their reinforcements consisted of a lone small figure on the horizon.
"He's supposed to be the cavalry HQ?!" 02 could hear one soldier growl.
"We're seriously doomed!" yelled another in despair.
All of the Grimm present, Beowolves, Ursas, and Boarbatusks growled and clawed at the air as they observed the new arrival.
He paid neither the soldiers nor the Grimm any mind however, instead patching through to General Ironwood with his built in communications system.
"General Ironwood, this is Unit 02, serial number CH-20443. I have arrived at the target location as ordered. Requesting directives."
Ironwood gave very simple instructions, "Eliminate all enemies. Do not allow a single one to enter Atlas!"
"Directives received. Commencing mission, elimination of all targets!"
02's eyes turned a brilliant shade of vermillion as he primed of the grenades he armed himself with. Throwing them into the crowd, he drew the two heavy machine guns from his back holsters immediately afterward, drawing a bead on the enemy as a reticule and dozens of targeting circles appeared in his vision.
"Initiating combat mode, fire!" 02 charged in guns blazing, gradually adjusting his grip to compensate for recoil and maximize accuracy as he swept the rifles through the crowd of monstrosities. The Grimm caught in the initial burst were instantly decimated and evaporated into nothingness as they were torn into chunks by the high caliber rounds. Those who followed met the same fate, the others flooding after the new, deadly target.
It wasn't long until the rapid rate of fire the caught up with the magazines and completely emptied them, forcing 02 to discard the rifles and draw the massive blade he arrived equipped with. A pack of Beowolves attended to flank him from the sides and pounce, only to be bisected horizontally as the edge seamlessly cleaved through flesh and bone.
An Ursa then attempted to attack from behind as the Boarbatusks charged straight towards 02 as he brought back his sword for another blow. Realizing this, the android jumped several feet into the air, causing the unfortunate Grimm to crash into each other as the blade descended upon them. The weight and sharpness of the blade allowed it to penetrate the tough, white armor of the monsters, tearing them apart and sending the remains towards their advancing allies as projectiles.
"Current enemy population: seven hundred. Requesting fire support."
These simple words snapped the soldiers out of their shock and confusion, "You heard the kid, fire!"
The remaining soldiers hunkered down before laying down a blanket of suppressive fire to help their new ally, knocking out a few dozen Grimm and giving 02 the ability to recalculate and consider all possible courses of action.
In the end, however, the android's order to keep any of the Grimm from entering the city took priority, causing him to just end up diving into the hordes and slashing the unfortunate beasts to bits with his sword. Noticing a few Beowolves once again trying to flank him, 02 brandished his throwing knives and flung them at the advancing pack. The blades sunk deep between the eyes, the rest of their bodies quickly collapsing in response.
Even with all of his programmed maneuvers and hours of combat practice the android certainly wasn't perfect. A number of Grimm managed to breach his furious assault and clawed at the robot furiously in an attempt to down him, tearing through the outer layers of his armor as well as pieces of his synthetic skin and outer skeleton. An Ursa managed to sink its fangs into 02's chest and Core, heavily damaging the vital component. None of this fazed him as he swept his attackers away with the blunt side of his blade in retaliation, imploding the monster's skulls and crushing their masks as proof. The remaining Grimm did not dare to advance, only roaring at the threat before them as 02 once again sized up their remaining numbers.
"Estimated remaining Grimm population... two hundred. Note, current population shocked by the sudden display of force and unwilling to attack."
02 was prepared to dive back into the thick of things when a warning notice appeared in his heads up display. The output of the Core, his power source and functional heart, had dropped to less than half of its maximum capacity and beginning to dip into the critical zone. He would've have pressed on regardless if the command center had not sent another message, stating "A massive wave of Grimm spotted heading towards the north border. Estimated numbers: four thousand."
"A wave of four thousand Grimm is heading towards this location." he relayed over the communications network. Switching channels, he contacted his creator as the Atlesian personnel scrambled to come up with a solution.
"Professor, requesting authorization to use the Galatine."
"Are your thought processes malfunctioning 02?! It takes at least two minutes to charge! Besides, the Core is at less than half capacity! If you use it now the potential backlash could destroy the Core and render you irreparable!"
"A wave of four thousand is headed straight for the kingdom, Professor. The Galatine is the only weapon available to the currently deployed forces capable of wiping out the enemy before any casualties can be inflicted."
"I am not going give you permission to destroy yourself! There has to be another way!"
"Professor, my programming states that I am to do whatever is necessary to act in the defense of Atlas. You were the one who told me that."
"No, means no! I already told you that you are to come back intact and that's final!"
"Do you have a solution 02?" asked Ironwood, accessing the communications channel.
"I am capable of synchronizing my Semblance with the Core to achieve a highly destructive arc of energy capable of wiping out the oncoming enemy. Known issues are the charging time and the potential for my own self-destruction as a result of my currently damaged state."
"We have the latest in military technology General! You can't risk destroying my creation over one attack by the Grimm!"
"What is your estimated probability that the wave would be destroyed by this attack?" asked 02, ignoring the scientist's pleas.
"96.6%, sir. There is also an 89.4% chance that the Core would be damaged beyond repair by the use of this attack in my current state. The probability of my destruction increases with time."
Ironwood mulled over the choice carefully. Ordering the attack would likely save the city from the oncoming Grimm and keep casualties at a minimum. This would however, come at a steep cost, the loss of Penny's "brother", an incredibly powerful weapon. If he did not, the Grimm would probably making it into the city and result in massive amounts of property damage and a high number of civilian deaths. However, there was a chance that Unit 02 would survive, but the same could not be said for the citizens of Atlas.
"Authorization granted. Destroy them as soon as possible."
"You can't do this!" moaned Geppetto as he faced his creation's possible destruction.
"We don't have a choice! Give him the code now!"
The professor finally gave in and said through gritted teeth, "Code: Galatine. Password: 3XC41I8U12."
"Authorization received." replied the android as he raised the sword in his hands into the air, "Releasing limiters. Core, full drive!" A brilliant white light began to gather around the blade, taking its shape and slowly extending into the sky. In spite of its damaged state, the Core in his chest began to shine at the same time. Dimly at first, but increasingly radiant with every passing second.
"Estimated completion time: two minutes thirty-five seconds. Requesting covering fire until the preparation for the Galatine is completed."
"He's the only thing we've got boys! Give em' hell!" hollered the veteran soldier from earlier, having landed only thirty minutes ago due to the Grimm having blocked the viable landing spots.
Having no other options, the uninjured soldiers all complied and began unloading every last magazine they had on the black and red tsunami in an attempt to buy time.
Two and a half minutes. A seemingly short amount of time. Time we take for granted. But on the battlefield that time feels like an eternity. In the minds of these warriors the sands of the hourglass of time were falling painfully slowly amidst the sound of gunfire and the smell of gunpowder. Any second now they could be killed by practically anything. Eaten alive by a Beowolf's fangs, rended asunder by an Ursa's claws, impaled upon a Boarbatusks's tusks, even shot by a stray bullet.
Yet to these soldiers every second was liquid gold. They pressed on in search of this invaluable substance. For every second was a chance to keep fighting, a chance to go back home, a chance to see their family.
Every second was a chance to live.
"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!" screamed a sergeant as the Grimm began to inch closer and closer to his position. They were fifty meters away. Then thirty meters. Then ten meters. The Grimm would soon be upon them. Just like the characters in the fairy tales of their name sake, the heroes would die a horrible and tragic death. The game seemed to be up, the match seemed to have been all but set, the end near. All of their hopes rested on their trump card, a weapon resembling a human but wasn't a human at all. They prayed, hoping for the miracle promised them.
Their prayers were answered by an artificial voice, its owner's eyes glowing the color azure as intensely as the stars themselves, "Charging complete. Code: Galatine, full power!" the synthetic voice shouted across the battlefield.
The sword, now enveloped in a pillar of blinding light that stretched into the sky that seemed to scrape every celestial body, came down to destroy the denizens of darkness. He left no time for the Grimm to react, the blade turning into a beam that shot through the never-ending hordes.
The light that resembled divine judgment itself did not merely defeat its foes, it obliterated, vaporized, and annihilated its unfortunate targets. It returned them to the nil from which they came, completely and utterly destroying them in a supernova of pure energy.
When the soldiers could see again, not a trace of the Grimm remained. There was no trace of their former foes left, not even particles. The night once again grew silent as the members of the Atlesian military stared blankly at the scene before them.
At first they couldn't believe it. Wouldn't you think it'd be incredulous to see the enemy simply vanish into thin air? They pinched themselves, trying to wake themselves up from what seemed like a dream too sweet to be true. Eventually they realized that the scene before their eyes was neither a dream, nor a mirage, nor an illusion. They had triumphed, their desperate struggle had born its fruit. They had triumphed. They immediately starting cheering, they had won their little war. Their impossible battle was a victory, a success.
For the android boy that made this possible, there was no celebration. The helmet that concealed his face had been blown off from the force of the attack, revealing his youthful, but exhausted and dazed face. He could hear nothing but warning messages and alarms as he felt his body systems shutting down due to the critical power failure. This was the cost of resulted of using his dangerously draining ace in the hole in his injured state.
"WARNING! CORE OUTPUT LEVELS CRITICALLY LOW!"
"WARNING! 60% OF THE CORE HAS SUSTAINED MASSIVE DAMAGE!"
"WARNING POWER LEVELS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT NORMAL FUNCTIONS."
Only the soldier from earlier, the unusually jolly and optimistic veteran, noticed the boy standing by himself. His expression a blank daze, as if he'd sustained some kind of head injury.
"That was something robot kid! You really saved our asses!" patting the boy on the back. The boy however, didn't feel the gesture, as that part of his body had already lost function. His legs gave out the second after, causing the soldiers' champion and savior to fall to the cold, hard ground.
"Kid, are you alright?" the veteran asked. The boy's limbs went limp, his sensors on the verge of following.
"Hey, Kid!" the words sounded distant and far away to the young warrior, the last phrase he heard before his sensors finally went.
The android shut down, unable to hear, see, or experience any sensation but the empty, unflinching darkness.
Another opening to another story. This is my bid at an original RWBY fan fiction, the idea popping into my head in the middle of class as usual. In the show, it bothered me that there were only a pair of guards to protect Penny in spite of the incredible military value she has. So I decided to make Unit 02 to satisfy my criticisms of this detail (don't worry, he'll be getting a more proper name later). I have an idea for his gun-melee weapon hybrid already, which you might be able to guess from this prologue alone. I certainly hoped you liked this story guys. Thanks for reading and post a review if you've got the time.