Chapter 59 Breaking Loose
Character Shepard
They had cornered the Scorned in a slummy warehouse. Amazing how often Shepard found himself in warehouses with very dangerous creatures. Tali and Liarra were to Shepard's left and right as the three were scanning the building. K, C and Wrex came in behind them after a few minutes.
"You guys find something," Wrex asked.
"We saw the Scorned come in here," Tali said, "If it has left then it was not through the front doors."
"What about back doors," C asked, "In this part of town these places must have smuggling hatches and the like."
"Or it could still be here," Harbinger said as his Banshee warped up beside them.
"Uhhg," Liarra shivered, "I still can't get used to those things."
"Never said you had to," K said, "Harbinger, what can you sense?"
"Something is focusing a lot of dark energy in here," Harbinger said as he erected a barrier around the Banshee. "My guess is it will be focusing it at us here momentarily." A biotic enhanced grenade then rolled into the group.
"Oh..." Shepard stated, "Everybody down!" Harbinger grabbed the grenade and warped away with it before it exploded however. A moment later and an explosion rang out from across the warehouse.
"Did Harbinger just," Wrex asked.
"Yeah he did," K replied after a moment, "It has him really mad at this thing too, so we should probably find it."
"I have located it," Harbinger said as the Banshee returned a bit more decrepit than before. "I believe the explosion spooked it however. The creature is on the move, it was at the far corner of the warehouse. The dark energy was used to teleport that grenade to us."
"Then it likely has self teleport abilities as well," Liarra asked.
"If it did then I assume it would have used them instead of running away," Harbinger said.
"If it has grenades then it can make it's own exit," Tali said, "Harbinger you saw which way this Scorned went I take it?"
"Correct," Harbinger confirmed.
"Then lead on," Shepard said. Harbinger nodded and began leading them through the building. The evidence of the Scorned's passing was subtle but it was visible. A crate or two dislodged, warped pieces of metal, scattered bits of biotic enhancing elements and drugs, Shepard couldn't tell if the creature was trying to cover it's tracks of lead them to it, such was the placement and frequency of the signs of the Scorned's passing.
"Shepard you realize this is an ambush right," Wrex asked as they rounded a corner of a stack of boxes.
"You get that feeling too," Shepard said, "Good I was wondering if I was the only one."
"Really Harold," Tali said, "we're chasing something that knows we are after it and you think it is not going to try and ambush us?"
"It does seem rather obvious," Liarra agreed.
"It has stopped," Harbinger said as he came to a stop.
"Then why don't we go get it," Shepard asked.
"Harbinger doesn't mean it has stopped moving, he means it has stopped being," K said, "Physically at least."
"What do you mean," Liarra asked.
"It has become a being of pure dark energy," C clarified, "This entire warehouse has become it's killing floor."
"And we have been led right into the middle of it," Wrex stated.
"C you are energy right," Harold asked.
"Working on it," C said, "Just give me some time." An explosion at the doors to the warehouse drew the team's attention.
"It seems that some Blue Suns mercs are also attempting to collect the bounty," Harbinger said, "I am monitoring their communications and will up date you accordingly... it seems they have brought mechs."
"Those guys don't like sharing Shepard," Wrex said, "Maybe we should take them out?"
"Why don't we see what the Scorned will do," Liarra suggested, "It knows we are all after it. It is outnumbered, outgunned and, despite it's biotics, trapped in this building."
"I believe it has already shown us what it will do," K said, "That explosion was not made by the Suns."
"Wait are you saying it blew the doors closed," Shepard asked.
"That is a likely scenario," Harbinger said, "Additionally two of the mercs have been destroyed."
"So it runs into this building, cuts off the exit once a bunch of people who, for all it knows want it dead, are inside and then starts picking them off," C said, "That doesn't sound like the thoughts of just any random creature to me."
"No it doesn't," Shepard agreed, "Okay new plan we are going to kill the Blue Suns and then see if the Scorned is more cooperative."
"The Blue Sun mechs are making their way towards us," Harbinger said as two twelve foot tall robots with rocket launchers for arms and the ten mercs that accompanied them came around the corner and started firing, "Along with their crews."
"Okay you know what," Shepard said as the team ducked behind the cover of some shipping containers, "I'm getting tired of these games. K can you just melt these guys or something?"
"I certainly could," K said as he walked out in front of the Blue Suns while C generated a shield around him. "But I've got a more fun way to deal with these pests. Harbinger, I'd like control of those robots please."
"I have control," Harbinger said as the yellow-orange glow of his control enveloped the two mechs, "Shields and weapons amplified, targeting amplified, Melee protocols overwritten engaging targets." Shepard watched as the two heavy mechs and the Banshee ripped through the Blue Suns gang members.
"For an old enemy of ours Harbinger is really helpful you know," Tali remarked, "Of course we could have taken them ourselves too."
"You could have certainly," an ethereal voice echoed through the warehouse, "But you choose to let their own pride do them in." The Scorned reformed before them as it said this. "You are looking to use me to accomplish the same thing against my people, I can not let that happen. Fighting you however gains me and my people nothing, just as fighting the Reapers who have been working to undo us for so long has achieved us nothing. We dwell in the dark space between the galaxies, where Harbinger there and his kind used to also call home. With their return to this galaxy some of us hoped to venture into a living world, to see what physical life is like... you can not learn what you wish to know from me, we are beyond you."
"You're beyond the comprehension of a being older than time itself," Shepard asked it, "I doubt it, and we happen to have two of those beings here."
The Scorned seemed to 'look' between the members of the group. If the twin black holes that were it's 'heads' could be described as looking. "There are myths of such beings among my kind, those that came before the dark energy, before the collapses of the universes, those who started these events off of which we feed. You claim to have two of them here? I do not see them."
"Because we don't wish to be seen," C said, "Same as you. You even act like us, wrapping yourself in a physical form to avoid detection." A pulse radiated out from C and was replicated by the Scorned. "I am energy, and you are one of my counterparts." The Scorned seemed to consider this for a moment or two before landing on it's feet, as it had been floating this entire time, and walked up to K and C.
"What do you want then," it asked.
"Well you will have to ask Shepard there that question," K said, "We are just here to make sure things don't get... explodey."
"Your kind killed a Reaper," Shepard said, "Harbinger here is quite interested, to say the least, in how and why you did so."
"The Reapers tried to find a way to prevent the collapse, prevent the refreshing of our energy," the Scorned said, "Some still fear they will and so work to preserve our life force. These are very few in number though since most sane Epheriam know the collapsing can not be stopped."
"Epheriam," Liarra asked, "Is that your kind's name?"
"It is what we call ourselves," the creature replied, "but you have come here for more than just talk, you wish to remove my threat to this station. If so then to do that you will have to accept a proposal from me."
"I'm listening," Shepard said.
"I came here to understand mortals," the Epheriam said, "However I find them pointless and boring, but you all have a different energy about you... immortals. I would go with you and learn of you as you wish to learn of me."
"We were told you tried to attack a man when you escaped," Wrex said, "What would keep you from attacking us?"
"My name of course." The Epheriam said as it morphed from the imposing creature with singularities as heads to the form of a large wolf... with singularities for eyes. "I am called Cassity, by my name I swear not to harm any of you while we are working together."
Shepard looked to K who nodded before saying, "And as Kalathanon, leader of Dragon Company, I accept your offer. First we should let your previous... 'host' here on the Citadel know you are no longer a threat."
"K, C, Wrex, you three go inform Reginald of the situation," Shepard said, "We will take Cassity here and arrange for a meeting with the Council, they should know about the Epheriam race."
"This Council," Cassity asked, "What is it?"
"Follow us and you'll find out," Tali said.
"I will warn you though, the Council does not like new things," Liarra said, "You may not get the most warm reception."
"How fitting," Cassity said, "I don't plan on being overly friendly with them myself."
"Look I don't like the Council either," Shepard said, "But they are a handy bunch to have on your side, don't burn any bridges if you don't have to."
"They are mortals why should I care about them," Cassity asked.
"Because your Creator cares about them," K answered as he and his team left the building.
"My...Creator," Cassity muttered, "Could there be such a being?"
"K seems to think so," Shepard said, "And after all I've been through in just the short time I've known him. I tend to think he is correct."
"Isn't it something worth investigating at least," Liarra asked.
"Surely if you are interested in us then how much more interesting to you should the One who made us and brought us all together be," Tali added.
"The concept is worth investigating," Cassity admitted then with a sigh, "Fine, I shall endure the mortals with composure and not be argumentative."
"Then follow us," Shepard said, "I'll call the Council and tell them we are coming. For what it is worth you have my thanks for agreeing not to cause trouble."
"You're welcome," Cassity said after a pause. Shepard nodded towards the doors as he called the Council to let them know about their very unique guest.
Character Roland
Red had led them truly. After having to drain an entire lake, via Mr. Torgue's help, the Vault was exposed and Roland, Lilith, Maya and Krieg had entered it with Red and Athena. Outside the other DC members were holding back a flood of demons and creatures the kinds and variants of which were too numerous to fully describe. Suffice it to say there was a lot of fangs, claws, elemental powers, brute strength and weaponry going against, skill, tech, and an endless supply of the combat loader robots. The inside of the Vault was lit with the purple glow of Eridium that was coming from the metal walls that were covered in etchings from the creators of the vaults.
"We should be careful now," Red said, her voice floating through the air and echoing off the vaulted ceiling and out of the alcoves that lined the massive hallway into the heart of the vault. "While there are no enemies to us in here, there are many traps that were specifically designed to ensnare Vault Hunters like you."
"What even Sirens," Roland asked.
"Especially Sirens," Red said, "But since it is only a Siren that can deactivate the traps..."
"We have to be here to clear the path for you all right we get it," Maya said, "I assume you know how to deactivate these traps."
"I do," Red replied, "If you follow my directions everything will be fine."
"How much time does it take to deactivate these traps," Roland asked.
"I do not know," Red answered, "The traps have never been deactivated before."
"Wait but didn't the demons deactivate them to gain control of the Guardians," Lily asked.
"No they deactivated a substation that was deploying the guardians," Red said, "Without it's signal they fell apart."
"They why haven't you fallen apart," Roland asked.
"I am an Epheriam," Red said, "We are the creators of the vaults, using dark energy as the source of their power."
"So the guardians are just like robots to you then," Maya asked.
"In essence yes," Red answered as they entered a large room with purple laser beams converging in the center of it. "Here we are, the first barrier."
"Spiky kitten explosions," Krieg screamed.
"He means how do we disable it," Maya translated.
"The flow is distributed from two energy pockets," Red said, "These will continually redirect into the other barriers until we reach the control panel. Only when you are shifted out of phase with the flow can you pass through the lasers thus your Siren powers, however if you stay in the beams to long they will adjust to your phase shift and consume you. You must hit a series of power regulators to disperse the flow to the next section."
"That doesn't sound good," Lily said, "and there isn't another way to get through is there?"
"No," Red confirmed.
"Maybe there is," Roland said, "These energy sources, how much power are they putting out?"
"Enough that if they are not shut down properly they will detonate, collapsing the area around us into the core of the vault," Red answered.
"But the energy is recycled somehow," Roland said, "otherwise this place would have shut down long ago."
"Correct however the repeaters are also behind the barriers," Red said.
"It doesn't matter," Roland said, "If we know their precise location, Lily can warp us all there and we can shut the repeaters down, draining the power from the barriers."
"That would shut down all the barriers at once," Red agreed, "However it is uncertain how long it will take to run out of power, additionally we do not know the ramifications of depleting the power to this Vault."
"I thought you said you didn't know how long these defenses took to turn off anyway," Lily said, "We might as well try it."
"Very well we shall try your idea," Red agreed after a few moments, "It may be less dangerous initially but when the power is drained the creatures that are the source of the dark energy will be released. I can not say how they will react to this change."
"Wait you have creatures that are powering this place," Maya asked, "What kind of creatures?"
"When we power the defenses down you will find out," Red said, "They were already in place long before I was born or chosen to oversee the vaults."
"So you don't know what they are then," Roland said, "Great. Lily are you ready to warp us?"
"Oh yeah," Lilith replied as she enveloped the five of them in a phase shift, "Red hurry up and guide us." The guardian nodded and they started walking through the energy fields and structure of the vault. Lilith's phase ability had developed to the point where she was able to allow all of them to walk right through the walls of the vault. It was only a few minutes before they arrived in the repeater chamber. The repeater chamber that housed two of the largest creatures Roland had ever seen.
"Wow and I thought Beast was big," Maya remarked as she and the team looked on at the two creatures. They appeared to be crustacean type creatures with a shape very similar to Harbinger only about ten times his size.
"What are," Roland asked.
"The minds of the Guardians," Red said, "That makes sense I suppose, you get a real mind to control them."
"Happy parrot slaughter," Krieg stated.
"Yes they do seem to be stasised," Maya said.
"So when we power this place down they unstasis," Lily remarked, "great."
"It is possible that they are here by choice," Red said, "If they control the Guardians then their telekinetic powers must be strong enough to reach out into space and across the planet... more than sufficient to stop us from walking in here."
"And none of the guardians are here trying to stop us," Maya said.
"That may be because they are inactive," Lily countered.
"Does it matter," Roland asked, "One way or another we have to power down... wait. This station is supposed to reactivate the guardians right?"
"That is it's purpose," Red confirmed.
"Then why do we power it down unless letting those creatures out is the point," Roland asked. "Besides we only have this option open to us now, Red how do we wake those things up?"
"Maya your ability can disrupt the stasis fields in such a way that they redirect the power to a ground," Red said, "Using it could bypass the safeties and cause a short in the system, we would be able to free the creatures almost instantly."
"Uh aren't shorts usually bad in an electrical system," Maya asked.
"In this case it is a short to a ground," Red said, "We and the creatures will be fine."
"Hey Roland if you guys could hurry it up in there that would be great," Ax said over the ECHO.
"Maya just hit the field," Athena said, "besides we've faced worse."
"Have we," Maya asked as she phase-locked the stasis field. The entire vault shook as the field was disrupted and the power went out. The two creatures shook themselves as they were released. One looked at Red who seemed to fall into some kind of trance. After a few moments she shook it off.
"They have assumed direct control of the guardians," Red said, "Once these demons are dealt with they will unlock the rest of their kind that have been hidden in the Vaults to avoid the Reapers."
"Wait they fought the Reapers," Roland asked.
"No," one of them thought to him, "We created the Reapers. Harbinger is our AI. We are the apex race of the galaxy."
"I would argue that statement," Roland said as he approached the two creatures as the roof to the vault opened up, "Since I am technically from this galaxy, that would make me the apex race. I choose a human frame to be with my wife, but I am Leviathan."
"Leviathan, an old name, one we took for ourselves out of respect for the legends of those creatures," the other creature thought back. This one must have been female as it's voice was not as thunderous as the first's. "If you are really what you say then you are worth investigating, if not you will be in subjection to us. First these demons must die however." The roof had opened up by this time and the two creatures flew out of the vault.
"Roland two real life Reaper things just came out of the vault," Mordi said via ECHO, "I'm hoping that is your doing."
"It is but I don't know if they are friends or simply more angry at the demons than us right now," Roland said, "I think our best bet is to clear Pandora then convince them to follow us back to the Citadel. Dad and Harbinger can talk some sense into them there, they seem to think they can enslave the galaxy."
"The guardians are responding now," Mordi informed Roland, "get yourselves back here so we can get to work on that plan then."
"On our way," Roland said, "Okay the guardians are back in action, though I think those Reaper things want to use the guardians and other eridian remnants to enslave the galaxy."
"What," Lily asked, "Why did we let them go then?"
"I am going to talk with them," Roland said, "See if I can't convince them to meet with Dad and Harbinger. I don't know what all they are capable of but they can fly and have very advanced telekinetic powers."
"Yabba strip flesh, harry bones wound," Krieg said.
"He means if you use your Leviathan form to fly us out of here it may convince the creatures to listen to you," Maya said.
"Hmm... I can hold that form long enough to fly us out of here," Roland agreed after looking at the now open roof.
"I can fly already so will not need to be carried," Red said, "I will meet you outside."
Roland projected his Leviathan form into the world, allowing Lily, Maya, Athena and Krieg to get on before flying them out of the vault and landing among their friends before he snapped back to his human form. "Ah that was less than pleasant," Roland said as he suddenly hurt everywhere.
"Must be like getting hit by a truck," Lily said as she helped him up. "One second your a thousand feet long the next second your six feet tall."
"Yeah," Roland agreed as he pulled Lily's SMG off her hip and shot a demon with it. "I'll be fine after we kill about a million of these guys."
"Glad you all made it back," N said as she and River dispatched another straggling group of demons. "I'm hoping those creatures you let loose are helping us along with the guardians."
"They control the guardians actually," Red said, "They are helping... for now at least."
"Don't worry about them," Roland said, "Once we clear Pandora of demons I will convince them to be peaceful."
Character Yang
Moose Island park was, in a word, breathtaking. It's towering trees and lush grasslands a stark contrast to the metropolitan area that the fourteen friends and family had just exited.
"Whoo," Junior whistled, "some of those trees must be hundreds of years old."
"Why can't beautiful places just be beautiful and not also filled with deadly creatures," Weiss asked rhetorically.
"Beautiful and deadly seem to go hand in hand," Lao said as he looked at his wife.
"Aw thanks that's sweet," Summer said as the team stood on the outskirts of the park.
"Right we go in, clear it of Grimm and get back home," Jayne said, "Lets go."
"We aren't moving anywhere," Cloak remarked as the team continued standing and looking at the park.
"It's so big," Sun stated.
"It's only about a tenth the size of Forever Fall," Ruby remarked.
"We're still standing here," Cloak said.
"Most of this park is restricted right," Vince said, "I guess we should try not to get caught."
"We can just use Critical's hide outs to avoid detection if we need to," Blake said.
"No really, why are we not moving," Cloak asked.
"Taking a scan of the area," Ruby said, "If there are cybernetically enhanced Grimm in here then the omni-tool can detect them from as far away as five miles. It just takes a minute to scan that much area."
"Find anything then," Yang asked. She was also getting tired of just standing out in the cold.
"Uh... I think so," Ruby replied, "I'm still learning how to use some of these functions so... oh wait yeah that's right. Yes I've got a reading. It's not a Grimm though it looks like a grounds keeper's house or some sort of structure at least."
"Maybe whoever lives or works there can tell us more about the Grimm," Carter said.
"Better not," Junior said, "If this place is restricted as Vince said then it is most likely a guard station and since we know that all information related to these Grimm has been locked down by the Prime Minister then we can assume that whoever is working the office will not react well to us showing up and asking about Grimm."
"He has a point boss," Carl said, "Mrs. Rose do you have anything else on that scanner of yours?"
"Not this close to that station," Ruby replied, "We should head north-east if we want to get out of the structure's interference range."
"Finally," Yang stated as she marched off into the forest, "come on guys lets go, we at least have a direction now."
"Right behind you," Junior said.
"Yeah about that, why do you stay behind us all the time," Ruby asked as she came up beside Yang.
"Because that is where he works best," Yang said, "also it is hard to shoot rockets at things that I am punching without hitting me, and I get quite mad when rockets hit me."
"Oh okay, wait what," Ruby asked confused.
"Look I don't shoot her she doesn't kill me," Junior said, "Simple really."
"Exactly," Yang continued, "Besides this way anything coming up behind us is going to find a wall of metal and rockets." Looking back behind her Yang pointed to Scooter, Carter and Cloak who were keeping pace with Junior. "See?"
"Four years at Beacon and you still talk while hunting Grimm," Summer asked, "I'll have to speak with Ozpin about that, I though Huntresses were supposed to be quite."
"Thank you," Blake stated.
"Hey we're far enough away that I can take another scan," Ruby said, "Hold up a second."
Yang pulled her coat closed around her as they came to a stop. How such greenery could exists in a place where she could see her breath in the middle of the day, Yang didn't know but she was glad that her home was not in such a climate. Junior came up behind Yang and wrapped his arms around her.
"Warmer," Junior asked.
"Mmhm," Yang replied, "You?"
"Oh yeah, you're always scorching hot compared to everything else," Junior said.
"Actually I can control that too," Yang said, "well mostly, you just really set me off."
"Okay guys I got a reading," Ruby said, "We just need to go east, but I think the Grimm is heading east as well, so we should hurry."
"You're the speedy one," Weiss said, "make us faster."
"You really don't understand stealth do you," Summer remarked, "oh dear, it is like our team all over again."
"We grew out of it," Lao said, "Well Qrow grew out of it."
"What about Raven," Summer asked.
"Nope," Yang stated, "Sis are we ready?"
"Yep," Ruby said, "and this way." Ruby pointed to the east and just a little bit south before leading the team through the forest at a blistering pace, her rose petals made her passage easy to trace fortunately as even with her shared speed only Summer was able to keep up with her. They all stopped and collected their breath a few minutes later as Ruby got an updated reading on the Grimm.
"Hey Mom," Yang asked, "I though you and me shared semblances, how do you keep up with Sis?"
"Oh I guess Lao never told you, my semblance is copying another person's semblance," Summer said. "I... I guess there was a lot of things I didn't get to tell you."
"Like Raven being my birth mother," Yang said, "Though I guess your semblance makes your ambush seem more likely... with no one else around to help you..."
"Hush there is at least twenty Grimm within one mile of us," Ruby said, "I just picked them up on the scanner so that means that they are moving... uh and it looks like they are moving towards us and now there are more like sixty... no wait make that a hundred and they have us surrounded."
"Whatever your feelings are about Raven," Summer said as the group formed into a circle, "I wouldn't mind her and Qrow here right about now, even with our new friends."
"I agree," Yang said as she chambered Ember Celica, "But they are not, so that means more fun for us right?"
"You definitely take after Lao," Summer laughed as she hefted her twin ax pistols.
The first Grimm came into view a few moments later. A large Ursa with robotic limbs, it smashed down the thick trees in it's way with ease clearing a path for many of the smaller Grimm cyborgs that were following it. Yang spotted four more spearheads opening up as the cybernetically enhanced creatures attacked. The disturbing part was Grimm didn't use strategy or, other than basic pack mentality, work in groups. These cyborg Grimm however were not only demonstrating that ability but were doing so on a very advanced level.
"Okay this is new," Yang said, "Anyone ever seen Grimm work together like this?"
"No I haven't," Lao said, "I don't like it."
"Then lets kill it," Ruby said as she summoned the white scythe that Summer had brought to her.
"Ruby what are you, oh right," Scooter said as Ruby vanished in a cloud of roses and the two scythes began carving into the Grimm that were in front of them. Junior's rocket launcher was the next sound Yang heard followed by Summer's pistols.
"We can't let your sister have all the kills," Junior said as Yang quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah it is the points that matter right," Jayne said.
"Sure it is," Weiss agreed, "As long as those points are Lien." The two had a chuckle at their own joke.
Yang rolled her eyes as she punched a Boarbatusk that was rolling at her back before shooting it in the underbelly. She then had to parry a Beowolf's claws before dispatching it and then she shot down several small Nevermores that were aiming lasers at the team. The battle, though the team was outnumbered was looking good until the Goliaths lumbered into the fray. The three beasts each stood two-hundred feet tall, were eighteen feet across and several hundred feet long. The tusks on the elephant-like creatures had been modified with two, twelve foot long, chainsaws and on each one's back was a plasma mortar that was capable of building leveling destruction. Yang was about to engage one of the Goliaths when Summer rushed past her in a flurry of white rose petals.
Two fire explosions sounded as Yang watched her Mom take out one of the Goliath's knees. Summer then use a glyph to launcher herself into the air and then used a clone of herself to push off of to land on the Grimm's back. Yang stopped staring in amazement at her Mom when a King Taijitu attacked herself, Junior and Lao. Her Dad used Vertigo to trap the two heads of the snake while Junior bashed one into pulp and Yang burned up the other. Yang then killed an Ursa that was harrying Sun and Blake. The sound of one of the plasma mortars going off caused everything to stop, Yang turned to see a massive hole blown through the other two Goliaths and the one her Mom was on collapsing to the ground as Summer rode it down.
"Whoa," Junior said, "You weren't kidding about the super Mom thing."
"Killing is as easy as breathing when I have this many Semblances to use," Summer said with a smirk that reminded Yang of a smirk that Ruby would often make after she had demonstrated how to do something amazing.
"Is it not the slightest bit scary how close those two's facial expression are," Junior asked Yang.
"Like mother like daughter as they say," Yang replied. She also offed a few more Beowolves that had grouped up to make another attack on the party. "Speaking of Sis where is she?"
"Over here," Ruby said as she and Scooter were busy running over Grimm in Scooter's truck-armor. Ruby had put Crescent Rose and it's ghostly counterpart away to operate the explosive barrel flinging turret of the truck. Yang continued to check on her teammates since the battle on her side of the circle had died down for a bit. Weiss and Jayne were surrounded by Glyphs through which Jayne was shooting any Grimm that would pit itself against Weiss' barriers. Carl and Vince had given up on precision it seemed as each was firing from two guns each, a pistol and a rifle in their hands. Carter and Cloak had apparently given their weapons to Carl and Vince as they were laying into the Grimm with just their suits and draconic powers. Sun was in the middle of a melee while Blake was just a flickering shadow of blades that would warp through the melee and leave dead Grimm in her wake.
Satisfied that her teammates were doing fine Yang turned her attention back to the battle in front of her. A heavy punch finished off an Ursa that Junior was locked in a battle with and a few shots took care of the Nevermores harrying her Dad. Summer was ablaze as she waded through several Boarbatusks. Yang looked around again and decided that the battle was waning and that is when she heard it the distinctive ticking of a bomb, much like the bombs that had been in the Grimm sent to attack them at the club. Yang ran over to a dead Ursa and listened, the ticking was indeed coming from it's cybernetics... Yang then checked one of the Goliaths, it too was ticking.
"All the Grimm are bombs," Yang yelled, "We need to get out of here now!"
Scooter pulled up into the middle of the group and they all got into the back, even with several of them having to sit on top of each other.
"Ruby I'll need some more speed to get us going," Scooter said as Yang and the rest fended off the Grimm.
"Got it," Ruby said. A moment later and rose petals were floating everywhere. "Go." Yang had to hold on as Scooter drove them out of the forest. The first explosion was heard echoing from behind them not long after they had started driving. About five minutes later, and roughly halfway back to Moscow, their speed dropped to what seemed to be a crawl as Ruby collapsed in the gunner seat.
"Ruby," Yang exclaimed as she started moving to check on her sister.
"I'm o-okay," Ruby mumbled weakly as her hand became visible above the turret seat's rim and she gave a thumbs up, "Carrying all of you and this truck is a lot more work than it seems."
"Are you sure your okay," Summer asked as she reached the turret seat and looked in.
"Yeah, I'm just going to nap until we get back to the city," Ruby said, "Wake me when we get there."
"We will," Summer said as she returned to her seat.
"Too much even for Ruby huh," Yang asked.
"Seems so," Summer said, "She is strong but she has limits, same as all of us."
"Did we get all of the Grimm," Blake asked.
"I believe so," Cloak said, "The Grimm echo an emptiness that I no longer detect. We are free to join K on the Citadel now."
"Shepard was really talking that place up," Junior said, "I hope it lives up to his expectations."
"Shepard doesn't seem like a person who is easily impressed," Yang said, "I'm sure it will be impressive."
Character Johnson
"Okay everyone shape up," Johnson said to everyone on the Scarab as he, one of Doug's forms and Finis boarded it, "We've got Sith to hunt and this here is the man to do that."
Finis nodded to Johnson before speaking, "The Sith lord who escaped from the keep has hunkered down in a what looks to be a buried destroyer class dreadnaught. For those of you who have been on the Raven it is a lot like that."
"For those of you who have not," Johnson continued, "It is a sprawling labyrinth of heavily defended and monitored corridors and access tunnels that line the main cannon batteries of the ship. We won't have a lot of room to maneuver and the Sith will know the layout better than we will, so step up your sloppy ass game today, cause we're going to win this thing and then go get some of that sushi that Shepard promised us on his fancy pants Citadel."
"I'll take that action," Jr. said as the Scarab began moving again, "You three come on down and show me this buried ship."
"What do those of us who, you know, don't eat get out of this Citadel," Church asked.
"Shepard apparently inherited a massive building or some such from an old friend of his we can all crash or party or whatever we want to there," Johnson said, "I'm sure you will find something to do."
"Finis, I'm Jr. good to officially meet you now if you'll show me where this ship is on that map over there we can get going," Jr. said as Johnson, Finis and Doug entered the belly of the Scarab. The map Jr. Indicated was a monitor on the right side of the control panel that he and Arbiter were stationed at. "Oh and tell Church to get back on that gun, there are still Sith ships about."
"I shall return topside and lock down to help clear the skies," Doug said as his form scuttled out of the command center.
"Well Arbiter, Jr.," Johnson said as Finis went to the map, "When either of you joined up did you ever expect to end up here?"
"Back on Sanghelios, yes," Arbiter said.
"But in this fashion," Jr. continued, "Not in a million years and you've heard tales of some of the stuff we've been through."
"Yeah some of that stuff with Main and the AIs," Johnson said, "Yet here we are helping your people."
"True enough," Arbiter agreed.
"You should have a waypoint now," Finis said, "The ship is not far from here and we have been moving in a direction that is somewhat on course to it."
"Ah that should only take five minutes to get there with this thing," Johnson said after looking at the map. "Doug how is everything in the Keep?"
"About as good as can be expected," Dough replied, "We just got the Phantom with our last team on it air born so now it is just Arizona, Rtas and me guarding this post. Haven't had any more trouble with the locals though. I have taken out four Sith fighters for you however, they were lucky enough to get past Church."
"Nice work," Johnson said as he refocused on the physical and shut down his mental link to Doug.
"Doug I assume," Finis remarked.
"Yeah just getting an update from him, we've got as much air support as we are going to get for now," Johnson elaborated, "The Keep is empty of Phantoms and they are all busy with their own mission."
"Those missions will be a mute point if our mission is not successful," Arbiter said.
"We will be successful," Johnson said.
"Time to find out then," Jr. said, "The ship is just over the hill here. You guys may want to get topside, I can handle the Scarab, just leave Church on the gun for me."
"Sure thing," Johnson said, "Arbiter you coming with?"
"Of course," Arbiter said as he led the way to the Scarab exterior. Once outside the true scope of the ship was visible. Even half covered in sand the Sith dreadnaught was a mile long and formed it's own ridge with the sand that was slowly covering it up.
"So this is the lair of my enemy," Finis remarked, "We've no time to waste, if the Sith believe they can not win this war then they will set the core to detonate, leveling most of the planet and causing an extinction event.
"What," Tex exclaimed, "You could have said that sooner."
"Yeah way to kill the mood of our imminent victory with possible imminent death," Tucker said.
"Fine then we go take the core off line and Finis can hunt his Sith," Johnson said.
"No, he is already gone," Finis hissed as he snapped his fangs together, "Well played my enemy, well played. We must take the core offline, and I am the only one here who knows how to do that. We move together."
"Alright you all heard the man keep him safe," Johnson said as the Scarab knelt down to let them off. Johnson then jumped from the Scarab's back to the the top of the ship. "Where should we look for this reactor core, somewhere near the back I take it?"
"Right," Finis said as he landed beside Johnson. Finis was followed by Caboose, Tex, and Tucker. Doug had remained on the Scarab to take over the leg turrets for Tex. "First thing is getting in."
"Energy swords and lightsabers have that covered," Arbiter said.
"Second thing will be guarding the reactor core while we take it off line," Johnson said as he drew two Wraith shotguns. Shepard had given Johnson the weapons in exchange for some of the UNSC sniper rifles and Johnson had taken a liking to the powerful and accurate shotguns almost instantly. "I'm pretty sure we can manage to hold down one room for a few minutes right."
"The one room is pretty big," Finis said as he marched across the top of the ship and started to cut a hole in the roof with Arbiter and Tucker's help.
"Big rooms are good for my rifles," Tex said.
"But your rifles are not good against a Sith adept," Finis said, "Though bullets are much faster than lasers in this case, so some might make it through one's defenses. On the lesser troops though you will be devastating."
"Tex can keep the troopers off of us, you three can keep any Sith adapts busy, well actually that will be Arbiter and Tucker as Finis will be working on taking the core offline, me and Caboose will be on tank buster duty," Johnson said.
"Uh..um yes, Mr. Sergeant sir uh, I don't actually know how to ah you know, blow up a tank," Caboose said.
"Don't worry Caboose," Johnson said, "These things are not going to look like Shelia, they will look more like those robots and walkers we've been fighting and I've seen you put holes in those with that Spartan Laser of yours."
"Oohh okay good cause I don't think I would be comfortable shooting something that looks like my friend," Caboose said, "Unless that friend is Church."
"It's open," Finis said. "The alarms will have been triggered so expect company."
"Oh we will give them a warm welcome," Arbiter said as he dropped down into the ship.
Johnson followed Arbiter down with Finis behind him and then the rest of the team. Finis headed over to the core housing to begin deactivating the radioactive power supply. The room was a long narrow rectangle with two side doors on the right and a bay door directly in front of Johnson as he looked towards the stern of the ship.
Tex took up a position by Finis while Arbiter and Tucker covered the side doors. Johnson and Caboose moved up to the bay door so they could take out any heavy units that were sent to fight them.
"So your going to blow up a tank with a shotgun," Caboose asked.
"With these shotguns... yes," Johnson said. He was soon able to demonstrate their effectiveness when two walkers emerged from the bay doors. Johnson jumped on top of one and blew right through the cockpit with one Wraith while also taking out the second walker from the side with his second Wraith. Caboose then closed off the bay door by blowing up the ceiling of the hallway behind it, collapsing that entrance.
"I stopped the tanks," Caboose said.
"Good thinking Caboose," Johnson said, "Now lets go cover Arbiter and Tucker, looks like they've got a party over there." Tucker and Arbiter were facing two Sith adepts. The Adapts had the upper hand for the moment due to their use of the Force, Johnson and Caboose were going to change that. Caboose opened fire on the Sith that was closing in on Arbiter and Johnson moved in to assist Tucker. The Sith attacking Tucker was focused on shooting lightening at the teal soldier. Johnson took advantage of this to plant a Wraith to the back of the Sith's head.
"I'd stop shooting my friend if I were you," Johnson said. The Sith did stop but only so he could knock Johnson to the ground. Johnson fired his Wraiths which caused the Sith to back flip out of the way and get cut in half by Tucker.
"Thanks that guy was being a pain," Tucker said as he helped Johnson up.
"Any time," Johnson said as he watched Caboose slam the other Sith into the wall where Arbiter quickly decapitated their enemy. Tex was keeping the basic troopers suppressed as Finis finished deactivating the core. Tucker, Caboose and Arbiter switched to their rifles and helped Tex keep the troops out of the room. Johnson took the more direct approach, preferring to jump into the middle of a squad of the white and black armored Sith troopers and dispatch them with his flood strength and the shotguns.
"I'm done," Finis said, "The core is still going to detonate but not on an atomic level, just enough to take out this ship. We've got five minutes to get out of here."
"How are we going to do that," Tex asked, "We dropped down from a hole in the roof!"
"Caboose, that laser of your still have a charge," Johnson asked.
"It is still glowing yes," Caboose answered.
"Good laser that big beam up there, but off to the left side," Johnson said as he pointed to the beam and the spot on it that he wanted lasered. The beam ran across the roof of the room and past the hole that they had used to get in. Caboose lasered the spot and the beam fell down providing the team a way out.
"Jr. get over here and pick us up," Arbiter said into his radio as the team climbed up. Upon reaching the top of the ship the Scarab was waiting for them. Johnson jumped up to the deck and went inside as the team climbed in the bottom. He arrived in the control station where Jr. was just a little before the others.
"Oh hey you guys are back," Church said as a hologram of him appeared on the monitor beside Jr. "Tex get the highest kill count again?"
"What can I say when your clearing out the trash mobs you get a lot of kills," Tex said.
"Jr. get us out of here," Finis said, "That ship is set to self destruct, not in the planet destroying sort of way though."
"Already on that," Jr. said as the Scarab began the return trip the the Keep, "Arbiter told me on the radio. He also said the guy behind this attack got away, is that true?"
"It is," Finis said, "It was either destroy the ship before it can cause a destabilization of it's core and wipe out all life on this planet, or go after that Sith Lord who Arbiter met in the Keep."
"So that was the commander of these invaders," Arbiter grunted. "We need some way to counter act this Force power your kind have."
"So we do," Johnson said, "But I doubt Finis can give us that power."
"Unfortunately you are correct," Finis said, "The ability to use the force is in everyone but it is usually to weak to actually affect anything around them. The Adapts, like myself and those of my Remnant can use our Aura as a conduit to channel the force, but it leaves us without the protective qualities of Aura. A risk certainly but being in tune with the Force grants it's own defensive boons as well."
"Still the Force must act on the universe in some way, and that way can be disrupted if we have the right knowledge," Arbiter said, "If it wasn't for the Force that Sith would be dead by hands already."
"You've got a point," Johnson said, "Surely there is a way to interfere with the Force."
"There is," Finis said, "But Shade or Adam would be better acquainted with that subject."
"Then we talk to them," Tucker said.
"One does not simply walk up and talk to Shade," Finis said.
"Nothing DC does is simple," Arbiter said, "When we are done here come with us to the Citadel, we can talk there."
"Shade might agree to that," Finis said.
"Then I will go back with you to extend the invitation," Johnson said, "Arbiter Take whatever time you need to finish up down here, oh and do tell Chief and Cortana to stay out of trouble."
Character Ezio
The lightening subsided as Ezio walked through the now dislocated gate and into the estate of the last bit of resistance to his conquest of Sanctuary and it's dimensions. This particular estate was ruled by a stubborn demon baron named Perindi, a mallet lord like Galrak. Lilith came in behind Ezio muttering, "what a waste," when she saw the dead demons that were scattered around the gate.
Sanctuary quickly agreed to support Ezio after he started his campaign to unite the world. Now he and his friends and their supporters were marching against the only power left in the sudo-hell of Sanctuary that opposed him. Many demons had joined Perindi when they heard that Ezio and his alliance was marching in to conquer them, now those demons were paying for that decision with their lives and Ezio was absorbing them all as they perished. Leah walked over to Ezio as she, Lyndon and Beth entered the estate.
"I can hardly believe we are this close to ending the war between our worlds," Leah remarked but her words sounded empty, like she wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
"Leah what is wrong," Ezio asked.
"I don't know I guess I just never saw this side of you before," Leah said, "You always seemed reluctant about killing but now..."
Ezio pulled her into a hug and whispered, "I have to be fully committed to this path or else the demons will think I am weak and rebel, all of this will have been for nothing if that happens."
"So it's an act," Leah whispered back.
"The best one I've ever put on," Ezio replied as Cerses and some of his Fireguard landed in the courtyard.
"Ah the victorious warlord and his maiden," Cerses commented, "Days like today do not happen often, take it all in, revel in your power."
"I will celebrate once Perindi has submitted one way or another," Ezio said to the demon. Ceres snarled before leading his Fireguards back into the sky to fight those of his kind that were loyal to Perindi.
"If this is just an act, then I will agree it is one of your best," Leah said still seemingly disconcerted about the whole thing. Ezio sighed as Leah rejoined her archer team and they moved forward into the estate. The estate was a structure, immense in size and scope. Every hall, every doorway, every room was at least forty feet tall and twenty feet wide. The structure was crafted from the very ground of the hellish plane in which it resided, reflecting the black-gray colors of the world around it with the occasional streak of red or gold. The walls were adorned from floor to ceiling with the trophies that, assumedly, Perindi had collected. Weapons, armor and bodies of, humans angles and demons alike were suspended for display.
"Why don't you go after her," Inarius asked as the angle landed beside Ezio.
"Who, Leah," Ezio asked.
"Of course," Inarius said, "I've seen how you look at her, it is soft like how Lilith looks at me. It is obvious you love her, what is keeping you from her?"
"Leah is not the first person I have loved," Ezio replied, "The first relationship I pursued..., it ended up hurting more than anything else."
"So what, you would rather see her heart broken rather than risk your own," Inarius asked, "She cares for you, loves you, but right now Leah doesn't know for sure if you are who she thinks you are."
"What am I supposed to do then," Ezio asked, "Just tell her why I am reserved, that I could hurt her if we are together?"
"Yes," Inarius said, "And more than that show her who you are. Now go on, you can't show her anything if you are behind her all the time." Ezio looked around for a few moments before clapping Inarius on the shoulder and running to catch up with Leah. He caught up to the three while they were fighting back a set of Soullashers. The Soullashers were small, dog-like creatures with four black orbs for eyes and scales across their body. They had a long tongue with a barb on the end that the creatures used to spear their victims and pull themselves in to feast upon the unlucky target. This time though the Soullashers were having a hard time even getting into tongue lashing range as the bolts from Leah's super heavy crossbow were clearing them out before they could attack.
"Lyndon, Beth cover me while I move up," Leah said as she up rooted her turret-like weapon and moved it forward, still firing as she did so. Ezio added some of his throwing knives to the mix as he moved up beside Leah.
"Ezio," Beth greeted as he passed her. Ezio nodded to her then stuck a throwing knife into a Lasher that was jumping at her.
"Ezio," Leah stated as she set up her turret again and pushed the demons back down the hall some more, "I thought you were going to be leading the attack with Inarius and Lilith?"
"I changed my mind," Ezio said, "I'd rather be with you."
"And that is why I don't make passes at her," Lyndon said.
"So you make passes on me," Beth asked, "How is that any better?"
"Your reactions," Lyndon said between shots, "give me a good idea ... if my pick up lines work."
"She hates all your lines," Ezio said.
"Yes but the ones she hates less are obviously the better ones," Lyndon said.
"Ugh," Beth scoffed as she put an arrow in the last Soullasher in the hall.
"Okay clear," Leah said as she pick up her bow again. "Well, I guess we will have to start making our way to the main hall now. After all your the one who is supposed to subdue Perindi."
"Yeah I guess I am," Ezio agreed. He quickly used the Apple of Eden to get the layout of the structure before continuing. "If we continue to move up this hall, there will be a chamber to the right, inside we should find access to a passage that leads up to an anti-chamber of the throne room. There should not be many demons in that part of the estate either since it seems to have been abandoned."
"How could you possibly know that," Lyndon asked as Ezio led the group down the hall.
"Trust me he just knows these things," Leah said in Ezio's defense. In return Ezio gave her a small smile and a nod of thanks. The chamber was right where Ezio said it was but the access they were looking for was concealed.
"Great a hidden door," Beth remarked as they stood in the still massive side chamber. "Even these side chambers are huge, how are we going to find the entrance to a passage in this much space?"
"I would assume that if this structure is built for Perindi to use then it is built to his size as well," Lyndon said, "The passage will likely be only slightly smaller than the hallways. That said I am less and less inclined to meet this Perindi who lives in such a massive place."
"Agreed," Ezio said as he used Eagle Vision to spot the passage, "Over here." He called as Ezio walked up to a corner of the room. "There is a pressure plate here that will open the passage."
"Even in all my armor and with the four of us we don't weigh enough to push a plate this size down," Leah said after examining the plate.
"Maybe not but I'll bet that does," Lyndon said as he pointed to a statue of what was presumably Perindi.
"Everyone get a corner," Ezio said as he walked over to the statue.
"No need," Leah said as she was enveloped in a red mist. A similar mist surrounded the base of the statue and moved it across the floor to land on the pressure plate. The corner of the wall seemed to fold back on itself once the statue was in place revealing the passage. "Ah," Leah gasped as she leaned against a wall and planted her crossbow into the ground for support, "I'm fine, I'm fine," she insisted as Ezio moved to help her. "Just a little winded is all, haven't used that much power at once before. Well not like this anyway, healing Blake was pretty tough too."
"Are you sure," Ezio asked.
"I'm sure," Leah said as she hefted her bow across her shoulder and pushed herself off the wall, "Father says I recharge faster than anyone he's ever seen... possibly because of my mother's connection to magic."
"Come on," Beth hissed from the passage, "I can hear the others fighting inside the throne room now."
Focusing his senses Ezio did indeed hear the clash of weapons echoing softly down the tunnel. He looked into Leah's eyes and she nodded signaling that they should go. The four moved down the tunnel with Lyndon covering their backs and Ezio leading so he could spot the latch that would open the door into the throne room. As they drew closer the sounds of fighting got ever louder but one thing disconcerted Ezio. If Perindi was a Mallet Lord then his attacks should create the reverberating thuds that Galrak's attacks created. The lack of such sound meant that either the demon was already dead, in which case his minions should be surrendering not fighting, or that the demon had not joined the fight yet. Ezio found the latch as they came to the end of the passage and pulled it, the wall in front of them opened to allow them access to the throne room and not a moment too soon.
Perindi was just getting up from his seat, a large structure with arm rests as long as Perindi's body was tall. Ezio also noted that Perindi's legs were just as bulky with muscle as his arms. This would allow the Mallet Lord to use his metal covered fists for more than just the smashing attack that Galrak had demonstrated on their way over.
"Enough," Perindi said. His voice was oddly soft for a creature his size, which made it all the more menacing. "Tyreal, Auriel, I expected the angles to march against me eventually, but you Primes, I did not think you were so fool hardy. I do sense something different here though..." Perindi turned his back to the array of DC members that were in his throne room and locked eyes with Ezio. "So you are the one who ensnared death." Perindi bent down so his massive, fang filled head was only inches from Ezio, Leah, Beth and Lyndon.
"If you wanted to talk why have you resisted me so far," Ezio asked the demon.
"To see if you are worth talking to," Perindi replied. "You chose to sneak into my home instead of fight with your army. Why?"
"Because I love Leah and will protect her above all others," Ezio replied.
Perindi straightened back up and looked over to Diablo then to Leah and back to Ezio, "Ah yes Diablo's daughter, strange than an off worlder would become so involved in the affairs of this world. You can't fool me I can sense you are not from any world of Sanctuary. So what makes you so influential? Why were you brought here? Maybe because of this." Perindi held up one of his hands and in it floated the Apple of Eden. Ezio checked his pouch and felt the Apple was still there. "You were brought to me," Perindi said as his other three hands opened to reveal three more Apples. "These Artifacts, they are not unique to your world. I have had years beyond counting to study these fragments... they warn of a force, all consuming, that wants to destroy us simply because we exist."
"That force is called Magog," Lil said.
"I know it's name," Perindi said as he glanced over his shoulders at the wizard. Then looking back to Ezio. "You came here looking for power, I've heard you scoff at the 'waste' of my demons but each one has made you stronger. I am more powerful than all those who serve me combined. The Artifacts fore warned me of this. So while I will not join your war I will end it's threat to this world." All of the artifacts began glowing as the entire room was enveloped in light. A moment later and Ezio was looking out over Rome, his Rome.
"Ezio," Leah asked from beside him, "Where are we?"
Ezio looked behind him to see Leah, Beth, Lyndon, Lil, Inarius, Lilith, Cain, Tyreal, Auriel, Diablo, Baal, Mephisto, Malafor, Tom, Blood-Raven, Xarle, Beast and Cerses. "I'd say, Rome," Ezio said, "The seat of power of my enemies and also the seat of power for the Assassins' guild." Ezio reached into his pouch to get the Apple's reading of the city but when he did he felt five Artifacts in his bag. Ezio brought them out and the five hovered above his hand and started spinning. Slowly an image of Perindi appeared.
"I've sent these extras to help you along, you server the Templar's connection to this world and we will all be that much safer," Perindi said, "I've convinced your allies that just because you are gone doesn't mean they can stop being an alliance. Do hurry though I doubt the humans will consent to me leading them for very long."
"So these things allow for communication across dimensions as well," Malafor said, "Reminds me of my communication crystals, only more advanced."
"Well I suppose we should see what Rome has in store for us" Cain said as the elderly man began walking down the hill towards the city walls. Ezio smiled as he and the others followed, this was going to be quite the entrance.
Character Ozpin
"Amazing, simply amazing," Port remarked as he boarded Remnant's first space ship.
"I'm glad you like it," Ozpin said, "It is crewed and ready to enter orbit any minute now."
"Yes the Unity is an amazing accomplishment," Ironwood said, "It not only was completed in only two months thanks to Griffen and Church's assistance but it also brought Fanus and Humans together like never before."
"It also brought us closer than ever before," Cinder said as she entered the blue and white lounge area of the ship. "While I don't expect any of you and especially not the Councils to forgive me for the chaos and death that I caused over the years, I am glad to see we can at least work together."
"That you keep bringing up what you and your organization has done does not help the people forget," Ozpin said.
"I don't want them to forget," Cinder said, "If they forget then Magog has a chance to come back. We have achieved a delicate balance of morality and legality but only so long as all our sides continue to operate with this trust born of a common enemy, even if that enemy has to be me."
"Oh I think we have plenty of reason to stay focused on our common enemy," Ozpin said, "But I have to admit I've shared your concerns in this matter. That's why we've contracted CFVY to handle the operation of the Unity."
"They have always been reliable if a bit extravagant at times," Port said.
"Right now those are the two traits we need," Ironwood said, "Additionally Agent Florida is aboard to guide and instruct the team in the operation of this ship."
"Oh come on Velvet this is our new ride," Coco said as the sassy leader of CFVY walked into the ship with her team.
"No, It's fine. Really. Just why us," Velvet asked.
"Because while you can be somewhat... disruptive, at times, Ozpin and I both agree that no matter what you get the job done. What we need right now is a team that can do that, have the public eye and is both Fanus and Human. Other than RWBY that is you," Ironwood said.
"And since RWBY is not here right now," Yatsuhahsi said, "We get the ship."
"Playing second place to a team that was behind us," Fox remarked, "Ironic right?"
"Considering what Ruby and her team have been able to do," Cinder said, "I'm not surprised."
"Weren't you to blame for I don't know ALL of that," Coco said as she lowered her sunglasses to peer over them, "Well doesn't matter now I guess we've got a space ship that needs to go on a test drive."
"And to make sure that it comes back in one piece I am going to command this ship for it's first flight," Florida said over the comms. "Now I've finished running the diagnostics so you can join me on the bridge at any time. Additionally Barry Xiong and Ellisa Long of the White Fang have requested to join us."
"Let them in," Ozpin said, "After all it was the White Fang who supplied most of the labor for this project. Also I don't believe they are behind on any of their assignments as of this moment."
"How crazy is that," Coco said, "The White Fang following kids younger than us."
"Technically the White Fang is loyal to Adam, since Adam was a mentor and father figure to Blake and since Blake is Yang's partner and Barry and Ellisa are Yang's children the remaining commanders and veterans are agreeable to listen to the combined voices of all five of them," Cinder said, "That voice is usually mine though."
"Oh you are a tricky little devil aren't you," Florida said, "Barry and Ellisa are entering now and I am sending someone to show you all to the bridge. Do feel free to ask any question you think of on your way up."
"We will thank you Florida," Ellisa said as she and her brother entered the foyer. "And before you ask let me assure you, General Ironwood, that Cinder does not run the White Fang, I do. That said, Cinder does manage the Faun Project but even there you have oversight so lay your misgivings aside for the next few hours and take some time to enjoy what we have all accomplished in this ship, Unity."
"Finely spoken," Port said, "Finely spoken indeed."
"Well hello," Jinx said as the Dragonborn, in her natural, Khajiit/succubus form, entered the foyer, "Do follow me to the bridge if it pleases you."
"Jinx, you're who Florida sent," Fox asked.
"What? Expecting a run of the mill lackey," Jinx countered as she led the group down the short hallway to an elevator. "Here no one thinks twice about me in my natural form, it is refreshing not to be considered as unnatural. The Fanus mingle with me like they would one of their own and the Humans are fascinated by me, I'm admired by them. Now Marion and Anders my have helped with that but maybe me using the power of Voice to prevent a reactor from overheating and killing everyone within a hundred miles helped as well."
"You did what," Ozpin asked, almost choking on his coffee, "We never heard any report about that."
"Because I kept it from getting back to you," Jinx said, "Someone has to keep the General there from worrying all the time. If he doesn't know about it, it won't hurt him."
"We will talk about your 'concern' for my health later," Ironwood said with a cross look towards Jinx.
"Oh I very much doubt that," Jinx said as she led them out of the elevator and up the stairs that connected the elevator to the bridge. The bridge was a long half circle that comprised one third of the third deck of the Unity. The Unity itself was a spear shaped ship that looked very much, Ozpin thought, like Pyrrha's Milo. "Now Florida is around here somewhere behind one of these screens do give him my regards." With that Jinx left the ten Remnanters to find Florida on the bridge.
Apart from following the general shape of the ship the bridge was filled with work stations that were over looked by large displays that kept up to date information about the ship's performance and systems. The crew that were manning these stations, there were twenty-three that Ozpin counted, seemed to ignore the chairs provided and instead would bustle about between the different stations chatting among their coworkers. To see Fanus and Humans intermingling in such a way brought a smile to Ozpin's face.
"Amazing isn't it," Ellisa said, "I had gotten the reports but to see it in person..."
"Powerful isn't it," Cinder remarked, "All these people awaiting your command, enticing I'm sure."
"We do not encourage that sort of behavior," Port said sternly.
"Of course you don't," Coco said, "But I do, Florida!"
The clanging of a chair drew the group's attention to their right where the deep blue armored Spartan was setting his chair back up right.
"Ah good your here," Florida said as he walked up to them, "Come on over I'm logging Griffen into the system so he can help with the first take off. We're just going to go up circle the planet and land but it is a huge step forward. CFVY I understand that you are to assume command of the ship after this inaugural launch?"
"Correct," Velvet said.
"Then I will be showing you all the different functions and monitors that are available to you from this command bridge," Florida said, "Come with me. For the rest of you I've got Griffen on the line here you can ask him any questions about the ship, though Ironwood and Cinder should know a good bit about it since they were quite active in it's construction."
"True but we were not here for the last two weeks of construction," Ironwood said, "I'm sure there are systems that are implemented which we are unaware of."
"Indeed," Florida said, "There are a few that I can think of right off the top of my head. Well Griffen can explain everything." Florida motioned to a monitor on which was Griffen from the inside of his ACU. "Griffen our dignitaries are here," Florida said as he got the commander's attention.
"So I see," Griffen said, "Well go ahead and show our young captains the ropes and I'll see how I can entertain these others." Florida nodded and motioned for CFVY to follow him. "Well now what can I do for you, Ironwood, Cinder, Barry, Ellisa, I see you've got a few extras with you today. Ozpin, and Port correct?"
"Your memory is impressive," Ozpin said, "I believe we've only met twice."
"Correct," Griffen said, "Remember though I am pure blooded dragon, it comes with a few perks."
"Who in Dragon company is not a dragon," Port asked.
"Well RWBY for starters," Griffen said with a laugh, "But I see your point. However you didn't come here for idle chitchat, you are here to ask about the ship."
"Correct," Ironwood said, "Why don't you run through the systems for us."
"Very well," Griffen said, "Let's start with power. The Unity is equipped with a duo-core integrated reactor. Basically it provides the power of four reactors with only two. They are linked though so if you loose one you loose the power of three reactors."
"I assume the benefit to this is it is smaller and lighter," Ozpin said.
"Correct, and since this ship can run on only half of the power of one reactor, the rest of the power is funneled into either shields, weapons or engines, depending on the situation," Griffen said. "But I'll get to those systems later, next we have the environmental controls and gravity simulator. This system allows for the control of air, temperature, humidity and gravity across the ship. The Unity is also divided into sections, each of which can be locked down from this system and individually controlled."
"Useful," Port remarked, "Like being able to make any room in the ship a trap."
"Exactly," Griffen said, "Have boarders that you want removed? Pull your people out of a section, lock it down and pump all the air out of it. Alternatively you could activate the interior defense turrets and drones. The drones are also set up to repair the ship whenever it is damaged, and their home stations are located next to the reactors. These home stations are capable of constructing more drones if any should be destroyed."
"Self replicating," Cinder said, "That is a new feature, what if we loose control of this system?"
"There are fail safes in place to prevent the drones from being turned against us," Griffen said, "However I suggest you don't allow an invader to much time with the home stations."
"Understood," Ironwood said.
"Ideally these systems will never have to be used though," Griffen said, "The shields of the Unity are unique in that they oscillate in four different series. This allows them to catch projectiles and then launch them back at the attacker. This process is automatic but can be turned off so that the shields just catch incoming projectiles which allows you to build up a large arsenal of your enemies' weapons."
"Did we ever get it to work with laser or energy based attacks," Cinder asked.
"No but Ivan managed to reduce the damage that those types of attack do against the shield," Griffen said.
"I take it energy based attacks would do more damage to a shield like this," Ozpin said.
"They used to yes," Griffen said, "Ivan's solution was to increase the power in each layer of the shield so that as the laser or whatever passes through it dissipates into the shield, restoring some of the power that it drained. Now to implement that takes some power from either the engines or weapons but if you've got heavy laser fine incoming cranking the shields up might even be able to generate energy from the attacks they absorb."
"A creative solution," Ozpin remarked, "do you think it would generate enough power to run another system at a higher rate?"
"Possibly," Griffen said, "It might also just loop through the shields which should allow you to return some power to the other systems anyway. Speaking of those the newest installment which we've added is the Inferno Drive. A hyper-drive that allows you to funnel extra power into it so that when you are traveling at above light speed levels your trail is a scorching inferno that will destroy or render inoperable any ship in our records."
"But to use that it takes power from either shields or weapons correct," Ozpin said.
"Right," Griffen said, "Each of these systems takes two reactors worth of power to run at their highest settings, otherwise they take one half of a reactors full power."
"So even if we loose three reactors worth of power we could still run one of these systems," Port said.
"And maintain environmental control," Griffen added. "Were we to add any more power to this ship it might just explode when powered up so you will just have to work with the power limitations."
"I have a feeling that CFVY will actually enjoy that part," Ozpin commented.
"They might at that," Griffen said, "Okay now for weapons. You've got two nuclear silos, courtesy of the smaller reactor, they can hold up to ten missiles each and can make a missile every five minutes, while running at full capacity. Otherwise the silos produce a missile once an hour. You have four Thanos cannons one the front , two on the sides and two on the back of the Unity. The Thanos is a Turian designed weapon but these we had Harbinger overhaul so that each cannon fires two omni-dirctional beams with the same power as if both cannons were firing at the same target. So you have sixteen laser cannons that can rip through just about any shield or armor."
"Impressive," Ozpin said, "Let's take it for a test run and then we will see about setting up a meeting with the Councils to talk about Dragon Company's legal status on Remnant. From what I have heard they are eager to talk with you all. Though I assume that any final decision will have to be made between Kalathanon and the Councils."
"I don't know when K will be back but Doug is his second, anything that he sets up K will honor," Griffen said.
"Doug will be fine," Ozpin said, "I'd add any of the original DC team to the meeting as well."
"John and Cortana are out but the rest are available," Griffen said "Now I'd strap in Florida just gave Coco the controls."
"The supersonic princess in a trillion dollar ship," Ozpin said with a smile. He took a sip of his coffee and took a seat to observe the take off.