After successfully disabling the vigilance system of Forever Fall, Cyrus and his scouts have scouted the forest and reported their findings to the Force Commander Aramus and Captain Diomedes who have decided to send a relief force to aid the Sergeant of the 10th Company.
Strike Cruiser Retribution
Location: Real space, orbiting around Fragmentum
Time: 6:10, Local Planetary Time (LPT)
In the control room of the Retribution sitting around the holographic display of the planet they were currently orbiting where Captain Diomedes, Force Commander Aramus, Assault Sgt. Thaddeus and Tactical Sgt. Tarkus. The later two were awaiting instructions from their superiors that have summoned them there.
The Force Commander began, "brother Tarkus, brotherThaddeus we have called you here for an important mission that will start the assimilation of this planet to the Imperial fold and the Blood Ravens chapter."
Captain Diomedes continued, "not only that but you have been selected to aid Brother-Sergeant Cyrus," he took a brief pause, "we fear that there are more enemies than we originally predicted and as to not lose more of our battle-brothers you have been selected to set up the first base on the surface."
"You will be provided with an assault squad, a tactical squad and a group of chapter serfs accompanied by servitors to aide in the construction of the base, this contingent will be transported via Thunderhawks Gunships. Any questions?" Asked Aramus.
Thaddeus raised his hand. "Have we received any new information about the inhabitants of this planet?"
"Negative, but remember to be vigilant when you made planetfall, if we receive any new kind of information about the people that live here then we will contact you as soon as possible. And that is all, may The Emperor protect both of you in your task." Responded Diomedes.
With a nod Tarkus and Thaddeus went to the hangar bay where their squads will be waiting them along the chapter serfs and the servitors. While they were walking through the ship Thaddeus said.
"I hope Cyrus is doing well, it would be a terrible loss for our chapter if he died." Said Thaddeus honestly concerned.
"Do not worry Thaddeus, Sergeant Cyrus is a hardened man, fought on various battlefields and served in the ranks the Deathwatch, I'm sure he will be alright." Stated Tarkus trying to comfort the young marine. (A/N: Young for Astartes standards he is like 80 years old)
"It's not that I doubt of his abilities, is only that this world… it gives me a bad feeling."
"Well we have already became experts in defeating the unpredictable don't you think? Now let's hurry, our brothers are waiting us." said Tarkus with a small smile.
Remnant Surface
Location: Beacon Academy, Kingdome of Vale
Time: 9:00
Atlesian ships passed through the skies surrounding Beacon Academy. Those ships carried a mix contingent of students, soldiers and robots all the way from Atlas to Vale. The Atlesian airfleet symbolized the might of their military, capable of deploying troops anywhere around Remnant in a couple of minutes and also the possibility to withstand an attack by Nevermores surely did represent the might of the strongest military in this world.
Ozpin was observing the show General Ironwood had set up, then the door of his office opened, from there emerged Professor Glynda Goodwitch looking more worried and stressed than usual.
"Oh Glynda sorry for not answering your call before, I had been a bit busy with the paperwork of the school. So what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Ozpin asked calmly taking a sip from his mug.
"Ozpin this is serious! The entire camera system of the Forever Fall has been shuted down! I have already tried directing the power source from the station but it didn't work out, the complex was also unmanned that day so it couldn't have been fault of one of the workers and the area has a low level of grimm activity. So the only explanation possible is…"
"That it was sabotaged, but if the intruders wanted to lunch a surprise attack why didn't they took the chance last night?" Ozpin interrupted Glynda, he was thinking on how to deal with this situation and how to approach it but before he could come up with something General Ironwood entered the headmaster office.
"Ozpin!" James greeted him cheerfully
"Hello, general." Ozpin answered respectfully
"Please forget about formalities." James responded as he extended his hand Ozpin grabbed it and shook it.
"It's been too long… And Glynda it has certainly been too long"
Glynda looked at him with a dull expression, "Oh James… If you need me I'll be outside, Ozpin we will continue our conversation later." she said as she walked to the exit.
Once she left Ironwood spoke again, "well she certainly hasn't changed"
"So what brings you here all the way down from Atlas? Headmasters don't typically travel with their students for the Vytal Festival." Asked Ozpin while pouring some coffee into a mug and handing it to Ironwwod.
"Well I figured since you will be hosting the Festival it would be a great time to catch up."
"Well I can certainly appreciate quality time between friends, however the small fleet in front of my window has me a little concerned." Said Ozpin
"Well concern is what brought me here, if what Qrow said is true…" Ironwood was about to continue but was inturrepted by Ozpin.
"If what Qrow said is true, then we will approach this situation tactically. It is the Vytal Festival a time to celebrate unity and peace, so I suggest you don't scare people transporting hundreds of soldiers across the continent."
"I'm just been cautious, besides I think there is a way to show you this method works." James declared, Ozpin raised an eyebrow with interest, amusement and a little bit of annoyance.
"I have heard of your little problem with your camera system on the Forever Fall, so let me take care of that. I will dispatch 125 Atlesian Knights-200 and 25 of my soldiers to that forest, find the trespassers and apprehend them in the quickest and most effective way possible." Ironwood said with determination in his eyes.
Ozpin sighed, seeing as there was no way to make the general back down from this he said, "Alright fine but please try not to instigate them if they are passive, maybe we could talk this out."
"Then I will be on my way." And with that said Ironwood excited the office.
"I hope you don't start another problem." Said Ozpin but the general couldn't hear him he was long gone by now.
Remnant Surface
Location: Forever Fall Forest, Phoenix Base
Time: 9:30
The servitors along with the chapter serfs have already begun the construction of Phoenix Base hour ago, they have already constructed some living quarters for their Astartes Lords, a landing pad for the Thunderhawks and other sort of aerial craft, a command centre and now they were marking the perimeter with barbed wire while the Space Marines where patrolling and watching out for the serfs. Scout Sergeant Cyrus and his two scouts were approaching the base, they have already finished mapping the area and where entering the newly constructed checkpoint. One of the serfs approached him.
"My lord", he bowed, "Lord Thadeus and Lord Tarkus are currently waiting in the command centre for you." the serf said while been hunched on one knee and still looking at the floor.
"Thanks humble servant, you may proceed in your work." Said Cyrus while heading to the command centre, when he arrived at the door he motioned Reis and Carolus to get rest. The door opened and in front of him appeared the figures of Tarkus and Thaddeus.
"Greetings, Cyrus is good to see you safe." Said Thaddeus a bit relieved to see one of their brothers safe and sound.
"Thanks Thaddeus is good to see you too, same for you Tarkus." The scout sergeant responded.
"Then Cyrus what can you tell us about your findings? We have been informed that you battled the hostile species of this planet. What can you tell us about their combat capabilities?" Tarkus asked.
"Well my team and I encountered a group of them when we sabotaged the energy complex of the vigilance system of this forest; their fighting style resembled that of a pack of wolves." Informed Cyrus, "Then there is another type we engaged during our scouting rituals, it seemed like bi large bear and there is also an aerial type of creature but we haven't engaged that one."
"Has there been contact with the citizens of this world?" Thaddeus asked with a bit of curiosity.
"Negative, there has been no contact with them."
"That will be all for know thank you Cyrus you may leave." After that Cyrus departed.
"Tarkus I will go supervise my squad; contact me if you need anything." Said Thaddeus
"All right I will inform Commander Aramus and Captain Diomedes that the base is already set up and done."
Remnant Surface
Location: Forever Fall Forest, sabotaged energy complex
Time: 9:30
Captain George Gray was not in a very good mood, after arriving in Vale from a long flight from Atlas he just wanted to relax and just stretch his legs a little. But General Ironwood had ordered him and his company to arrest a group of tress passers on the Forever Fall that had sabotaged the complex that sustained energy to all the cameras around the forest.
The general had ordered them to find the prospectors and bring them to justice so we can interrogate them, if any of the criminals resisted then my company was authorized to use lethal force. There were only twenty five humans in his company, the rest were the android model Atlesian Knight-200 which the general wanted to field test.
"All right gentlemen lets move!" Gray shouted to his men and androids as they began to establish a battle formation. In the formation the vanguard was composed of androids, as they were the most numerous and durable troops at his disposal he decided to put them at the fore front of the attack and him and his human troops were positioned on the rearguard.
Even though the captain was not particularly fond of tress passers he had to admit they were pretty skilled. There was almost no trace of them except for a few spent shell casings and a hole on the fence that Gray deduced was the general direction where they came from. And so they advanced forward not yet knowing what awaited them.