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CHAPTER 22
"Please, Senator, take a seat." Captain Aegeus urged the tired-looking Peleus. "It's not much, but given the circumstances, it'll do."
"Thank you, Captain," Peleus nodded, taking the Mistral guardsman's offer of a folding steel chair. After determining that they were allies, the residents of the Kingdom had led the wayward Senator and Eve to their nearest base of operations, a hidden complex underneath the ruins of the Historical District. While Peleus had been greeted with cheers and handshakes, Eve felt the locals' eyes digging into her back. "What's the situation?"
"Here," Aegeus spread an old paper map across a nearby table, "the unidentified army has-"
"The Order," Eve interrupted. "They're called the Order."
"Alright, nice to finally have a name for them..." Aegeus nodded. "Anyway, 'the Order' has managed to secure the Government District and the surrounding residential areas. They caught us off-guard, but the Mistral Guard and Army have the areas around the Historical District under control now."
"How are you doing on weapons and supplies?" Peleus asked, moving his chair slightly to get a better view of the map. "And is there a way to procure a transport to alert the other Kingdoms?"
"Our forces are doing fine on food and weapons for the moment. The Order had the initial upper hand when they surprised us, but things ended up turning into a stalemate."
"That's likely because their troops are used to fighting people with no powers," Eve supplied. Peleus nodded thoughtfully. The red-haired woman had explained to him the basic outline of how Auras in her world worked when they had been working their way into the city. If Aegeus was confused, he wasn't showing it.
"As for vehicles, Senator... Well, we're more than a bit short on those. Those Order ships shot down most of our pilots during the initial attack. Any transport that's still intact is going to be in a hangar... and there aren't exactly any of those readily accessible at the moment," the Mistral Captain shook his head. Peleus eyed the map, looking for a possible solution.
"Wait, Captain, what about Outpost Hydra?" the Senator inquired, pointing to an area on the map.
"The old decommissioned military base, Sir? What about it?"
"It may not be in use for training or staging anymore, but I recall it was still being used for storage. We may find a transport there."
"The problem is, that base is a mile behind the enemy line..."
"It may not be impossible," Peleus explained. "All we would need is a proper opening-"
"And you have me at your disposal, which the Order will not expect," Eve added.
"What? Why would-"
"Captain, Sir! I'm sorry to interrupt!" a Mistral Guard burst into the room, cutting Aegeus' question short.
"Report."
"Sir, three enemy ships have departed the airspace above the city via some sort of... portal... technology. We do not know why, but this means that the enemy's strength has likely been more than halved," the Guard relayed sharply.
"Well, Captain," Peleus spoke up, "I believe that is our opening. We can only hope that it hasn't come too late."
"Feeling less grumpy today?" Cherri asked, finding Ryan staring out at the desert once again. It had been an awkward few days since their last major exchange. The had barely spoken beyond what was necessary, perhaps because they were both unsure of what to say.
"Yes," Ignis nodded, paused a moment, and cleared his throat. "I believe I may owe you... an apology... for my rather... abrasive tone before. I truly am grateful for your aid in my recovery and I did not mean to insinuate that-" He stopped when Cherri raised a hand.
"Just so you know... you weren't wrong. I am lonely out here by myself. And I get tired of being treated like some sort of dangerous creature, 'for my own good' or not," the Maiden said kindly. "You're the first person I've talked with face-to-face in... years."
"Well, it would be hypocritical of me to hold something like that against you, considering you are not repulsed by my history with the Order," Ignis turned to her and bowed slightly. Silence hung between them for a few moments.
"So... is that it? Are we okay with each other again?" Cherri scratched the back of her head.
"I... suppose?" the Bloodline replied with confusion. "Gah... I've never been one for social skills, that's Sven's domain..."
"Sven?" Cherri perked up, sensing a way out of the current awkwardness. "Is he a friend of yours?"
"He's the Reaper, the one who offered me a second chance."
"Ah, I see-" Cherri began. A loud noise interrupted her, like nothing she had ever heard. She and the ex-Lord whirled towards the sound in time to see a circle of distortion tear open in the sky in the distance. A giant ship, dwarfing even the largest dustplanes, drifted out of the portal, casting a gargantuan shadow over the desert. Lances of energy suddenly fell from the flying construct, raining down upon a location out of sight. Cherri saw Ignis freeze. "O- oh, no... It- it's attacking Vacuo..."
"You said you had an emergency transport?" the Bloodline asked urgently.
"Y- yes!"
"Get it ready, we have to leave. The Order is here."
"So, Anika, you feel like sharing the names of whoever else is still kicking?" Marcia smirked. "You've been awfully tight-lipped about it."
"Nah, I think it should be a surprise," Anika winked.
"Need I remind you that I outrank you now?"
"What're you going to do, court-martial me?" The two women laughed amongst themselves, while Jerloh trailed a short way behind, shaking his head and grinning. Lex drifted between the various members of the group, always giving each person a smile as she did. Arthur and Emerald were keeping an eye out for Grimm together.
Pyrrha shifted her stance nervously. She felt like the odd one out in this situation, but she couldn't bring herself to bother anybody. The Mistral girl's attention was called to the sounds of a small pair of feet beside her. She looked down, greeted with the sight of Lex's curious stormy-gray eyes.
"You look lonely," the little girl stated. "How come you aren't talking with anyone else?"
"Well, I..." Pyrrha trailed off hesitantly. "The others are all so... busy, so... I didn't think it was right to disturb them..."
"Then I'll talk to you!" Lex grinned happily, and Pyrrha couldn't help but join in on the girl's infectious enthusiasm.
"Alright then, Lex, what would you like to talk about?" the crimson-haired student asked with a gentle smile.
"How 'bout... where we are?"
"Well... this place is called Forever Fall. It got that name because of how the trees here stay red all year-round, as if it were Autumn," Pyrrha explained.
"It smells sweet," Lex observed as she sniffed the air.
"That's from the trees' sap, and it is very sweet."
"Huh," Lex nodded appreciatively. "What about-"
The girl's words were drowned out as a loud noise ripped through the air above them. The sun was suddenly blocked by a massive metal shape, casting a large patch of Forever Fall into darkness.
"We need to get back to Vale now," Pyrrha heard Arthur call over the ship's roar. Lex gripped the Mistral girl's hand anxiously, and Pyrrha gave her a reassuring squeeze, despite her own mounting fear.
Alyia wasn't quite sure what to make of Atlas. A grand majority of the people she had met were kind and compassionate, and the city was a sight to behold. However, now that she had agreed to accompany Winter, Weiss, Charles, and Anise on a meeting with the Kingdom's council, she had found a blemish of underhanded politics on an otherwise spotless city.
Winter and a man Alyia had met just today, James Ironwood, seemed to be true stalwart protectors of the people, but the seven individuals seated on the Atlas Council seemed only to care for either results, or whether or not something benefited them.
"You have my sincerest apologies, Director Schnee," one of the Councilors said sneeringly, "but until you can provide us with the Dust needed for our military efforts, we cannot agree to allocate any of the crystals towards the medical sector."
"That's absolutely absurd!" Winter shouted angrily. Next to Alyia in the stands, Anise and Weiss were glaring daggers at the Council, both looking like they'd enjoy throwing something sharp at the rude politicians. Charles patted them both on their heads gently, seeming to calm them a bit. Alyia had to admit her father was uniquely apt at keeping the girls' tempers under control.
"The army is bloated enough as it is!" Winter continued. "You don't need a tenth of the Dust that my family's company is supplying you, let alone twice the current amount!"
"I believe Director Schnee has a point," Ironwood spoke from his spot beside the furious Winter. "There has been recent unrest with the Kingdom's military spending. The civilian populace is fearful of how our forces have continued growing. I would recommend-"
"What you recommend, General, is irrelevant, as is whatever Director Schnee has to say on the matter," another Councilor cut Ironwood off. "Neither of you holds a seat on this council, and neither of you has the slightest understanding of the inner workings of this Kingdom. The Council's decision stands. The Atlas military forces will requisition double the normal supply of Dust, and their funding will be increased by twenty-five percent."
"Why?!" Winter yelled helplessly. "What on Remnant could possibly warrant spending that many resources on-"
"You, of all people, should know, Director. After your experiences two years ago, I would have thought you would understand our position. That is all. This meeting is adjourned."
"Those irrational, greedy, blind imbeciles! I swear if I get the chance I'll shove my boot so far up their-"
"Winter," Charles placed a hand on the Schnee's shoulder to get her to stop her rant, "as much as I feel your anger with the Council is justified, I will remind you that Anise is standing right here."
"I-" Winter looked down at the small dark-haired girl, who was clearly wondering the precise destination of the older Schnne sibling's shoe. "Ahem, right. Sorry, Anise, I didn't intend to subject you to that."
"For what it's worth, I'd be happy to join you if you ever got around to teaching the Council a lesson," Alyia added in.
"As much as I'd like to take you up on that offer," Ironwood spoke up, "I fear that it would only wind up fortifying their position. They managed to push these spending plans through by playing on the peoples' fear of groups like the White Fang."
"And the Order?" Alyia inquired, having heard about Ironwood's involvement with the events following Charles' arrival.
"The Order isn't public knowledge. The Council managed to paint the events in Vale as a well-organized terrorist cell, an off-shoot of the White Fang. It's why there are no Faunus holding any Council seats now."
"That's terrible," Weiss shook her head, "the Council should be disgusted with themselves."
"I agree. Civil unrest amongst the Faunus population has only worsened in Atlas lately. From what I hear, it's becoming more difficult for Mr. Taurus' group to talk down White Fang groups because the Faunus are afraid that Humans will turn on them in an instant."
"Can you really blame them? Especially when the Council in Atlas is acting like they are?" Winter stated.
"Not at all," Ironwood nodded, "I've been speaking to some of my fellow commanding officers about banding together to push a petition to the Council floor. With any luck, we-" The General stopped as the entire building shook. A shockwave blew the glass from the windows. Charles and Winter both reflexively shielded Anise with their bodies. Weiss managed to protect herself, Ironwood, and Alyia with a floating glyph.
The group quickly rushed to the damaged windows as soon as the dust had settled, searching for the source of the blast. An Order ship hovered menacingly over the city, flames quickly spreading across the buildings. They watched as the communications tower crumpled and fell.
"What do you think, Senator? Will this do?" Captain Aegeus asked, gesturing to a beaten, but functional, Bullhead dropship. Their hunch had been right. With the absence of more than half of their forces, the Mistral Guard and Army had made multiple pushes into the districts the Order had taken. Peleus, Eve, and the handful of Mistral soldiers they had run into had proceeded to Outpost Hydra, where they had gained access to an old bunker filled with supplies, weapons, and vehicles.
"Yes," Peleus nodded, "I believe this will accomplish what we need."
"Alright, we'll get set on fueling and loading this bird," the Captain promised. "Leo, we're going to set up a dropship for Senator Nikos. What's the word out there?"
"Uh, Sir, you might want to hold off on that... Scouts just spotted a single contact. Female- Dressed like a what?- Looks like a mental patient," the Mistral Guardsman responded. "Let us take care of her, then you can bring up the transport." Peleus' eyes widened as he overheard the transmission.
"Captain, you must tell them not to engage! If that woman is who I think it is, they will die!"
"Leo, this is Aegeus, do not engage. Repeat, do not engage contact," Only silence answered the Captain's call. "Leo, respond. Leo? Leo! Dammit," Aegeus swore.
"You two work on getting that dropship ready," Eve cut in. "I will try to keep the enemy away from you both."
"What are you going to be able to do that my men couldn't?" Aegeus asked incredulously.
"Trust me, Captain. I will handle it."
Enigma looked at the two pairs bladed claws protruding from her gauntlets. They were covered in the blood of the soldiers she had just killed. For a moment, she wondered why she had killed them, but that just led her into asking why the men had attacked in the first place. It was all so confusing for her. Lord Agony tended to explain things in ways that made sense, maybe she'd ask him later, but only if he wasn't too busy.
Enigma's head shot up as she detected a powerful energy signature. She very quickly found its source, a freckled woman with blood-red hair and emerald-colored eyes. How odd, she looked quite a lot like Lord Agony. She also wore Order armor, but Enigma did not recognize her. She must be an enemy.
"So," the redheaded woman looked at Enigma with an unreadable expression, "I don't recognize you, which one of Agony's new cronies are you?"
"I am... Enigma... the... Faceless... Bloodline..."
"Do you even care who I am? Or are you one of those honor-bound types that wants to know who they're fighting?"
Enigma cocked her masked head at the woman. "I... am... curious..."
"Fine, then. My name is Eve. I am Despair, Bloodline of Sorrow." The woman flared her ability, two transparent blood-red owl's wings materializing at her back.
"Pretty..." Enigma said. "Does this... mean... I... have to... kill you?"
"That's all up to you," Eve narrowed her eyes. "You can walk away right now, if you want."
"That... would make... Lord Agony... unhappy..." In a flash, Enigma was in Eve's face, swinging her bladed gauntlets wildly, with no semblance of control or technique. However, this was more than made up for by the girl's immense speed and strength. For a few moments, Eve managed to lock her own gauntlets with her opponent's. Enigma tilted her masked head at the other Bloodline questioningly. "You have... another... name... Why?"
"What?" Eve took the Lord's momentary lapse to kick her in the gut, sending the smaller form flying a few feet. Enigma rose without any apparent pain and closed on Eve again in an instant.
"You... are called... 'Eve'... Why... do you... have a... second... name?"
"That's none of your business. Maybe ask Agony next time you see him!" Eve grunted and slashed one of her gauntlets across the girl's chestplate. Deep gashes appeared in the black metal, and Eve felt her claws tear into the flesh and bone underneath. Enigma staggered back a few steps and looked down at her own blood seeping from the wound. She didn't seem at all fazed.
Eve's eyes widened as the injury began to close. What the hell was going on? Enigma had so far displayed increased strength and speed, and now regeneration. How could she have multiple secondary abilities? Unless-
"Your Bloodline," Eve questioned, "it allows you to use more powers than your normal ones, doesn't it?"
"Lord Agony... told me... that... the Faceless... embodies... the Neutral Aura... I can... use... many different... powers... at will..." Enigma nodded. Suddenly, the Lord was thrown as high-caliber rounds impacted her body. Eve turned to find the Bullhead dropship hovering behind her, Aegeus manning a side-mounted minigun.
"Take that!" the Captain cheered. "That was for Leo!" His joy was brought to a halt as Enigma rose from the attack, her wounds healing rapidly. "Oh, come on!"
The Bullhead swept low, clearly moving to pick up Eve. She jumped and glided with her wings, grabbing the side of the craft and pulling herself in. Aegeus moved to close the transport's doors. Eve turned to make sure Enigma couldn't bring the dropship down. For a moment, Eve felt her heart freeze in her chest. Enigma was staring up at them from the ground, a large section of her helmet blown away. A single emerald-colored eye locked with Eve's, right before the Bullhead's door closed between them.
A/N: The war begins.
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