Hey All here is the next chapter. Have a good day.

Chapter 18

After the huntsman of Beacon hear about the decision of the Headmistress to accept the generous help of the military they react to the new soldiers with a suspicion. A week later the landing dock the general lands with three shuttles to be met by Imerta and Azul as well as a large security force. The General steps out of his personal shuttle with some of his own charges. The General smirks he knows that a thousand guns are watching. "Headmistress Crimson Imerta I was so glad when you replied to my offer." He smiles widely and reaches out his hand. The woman takes his hand and shakes as he continues, "I was caught off guard by you requesting non main line troops. I can easily gather a company of front-line troop to assist with security."

"Oh, General that is not necessary, I few extra hands to help with little problems will be fine. Any way Cadets are closer to the age of my students and they will work well together." Behind the General a hundred cadets line up three lines deep with a single Cadet in front of them. They all stand at attention rifles slung over their shoulders and ruck sacks sitting on the ground next to them. Their armor shines in the light.

"Understandable," the General shifts his attention, and in a stern voice he calls, "Cadet Lieutenant front and center!" As the young man steps forward his boots making his steps louder. "This is Lieutenant Gregory Smith Company Commander of the First Beacon Security Company."

The young man stops and salutes, "It is an Honor to meet you Ma'am, my company is at your disposal."

The General smiles, "I will be transferring overall command of the Cadets to you Headmistress."

"I see, I thank you for your trust General but that seems a bit hasty."

"Nonsense they are fully trained soldiers, just a year or two too young to be in the proper Army. They will serve you well." The General salutes his soldiers and walks to his shuttle. "I am afraid I must get to another meeting Headmistress I hope to see you again soon."

"Of course, General, Have a good day." Crimson Imerta looks at the one hundred Cadet Soldiers standing at attention their equipment pristine waiting for them. "All of you can relax, I am a Huntress not a General." She smiles, "Lieutenant, the General said that you all are more used to Barracks rather than unit suites."

"Yes, ma'am, our Companies are set to use barracks."

"Follow me, we remodeled a section for your Company. I was expecting the General to provide you some more mobile equipment."

"Ma'am I was told this would be a specifically stagnant assignment. We are to provide extra security for Beacon and were equipped as such." The sound of one hundred armored bodies follows the Headmistress and Lieutenant.

"That would be so." As they begin descending the stairs, "I assume the General is expecting reports from you on a regular basis?"

"That would be correct ma'am, the General is expecting weekly reports from my unit. Will that be a problem Ma'am?"

"No, it will not be." Crimson Imerta smiles as she steps into a large room with beds reaching down both sides. "This will be your barracks; I am afraid we did not have any cold metal bunk beds available. You will have to make do with our standard student beds. To the left is the showers, again you will have to make do with private ones. You will have full access to our training facilities and classes if you would like to. I recommend you keep your weapons on you at all times. To the right is a personal armory for your weapons I am afraid you will have to use the schools main forge and armory for any custom parts. Straight back is a hanger for the vehicles that I had assumed to general would send you, do with it as you will."

The young Lieutenant nods, "Company take your beds, organized by Platoon and Squad, in order."

"I do need to share a few things with you in private," The Headmistress says quietly.

"Of course, Ma'am, Second Lieutenant you have command," He looks at one of the other Soldiers, "I want the company set by the time I get back, Have Coms set up on the desks in the armory."

The pair walks out of the room and Imerta begins the continued conversation, "Will this be to your requirements."

"Yes, ma'am."

"If you need anything you tell one of my staff."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Is there anything I can do for you."

"Permission to speak freely ma'am."

"Of course, like I said this is not a military facility."

The young man who is slowly realizing that he is in a much larger situation than he thought slowly chooses his words. "I feel like it was expected that my men and I would have shoved in a corner and forgotten, and by the looks on your peoples faces it seems that that may have been the preferred situation. I understand that the Military and the Academy are not on friendly terms but why would you accept my men and I if you did not want us here?"

"Ah I see you are a sharp one," The headmistress smirks staring at the man a look that reminds the man that the woman standing in front of him is a killing machine. "I accepted you and your men here, I will not treat you as second-class citizens because I have a problem with the General." She sighs, "I will warn you some of the huntsmen think you are here to spy on us. They will not harm you, but you need to understand they are worried, especially since there is not a Faunus among you. The huntsman does not have the military discipline that you have been indoctrinated into and they show it their team leader and unit leaders have control of them mostly but that is only in a mission setting. My teams are very much at liberty to act their age when they are not on duty."

"I understand the awkwardness ma'am. My people will try not to get in the way."

"Oh, you misunderstand, there is no way to avoid them they will get in your way if nothing else. Just understand they have thrown themselves into dangerous situations, they are extremes of people. They are more than willing to fight harder and longer than a normal human, but they also shall we say destress more explosively than most normal people."

"I believe I understand ma'am."

"Good."

The first weekend for the Huntsmen is extreme most are too uncomfortable leaving the Campus to go anywhere but the Huntsmen friendly areas of the City. Although the impromptu dance and party in the courtyard drew in just about everyone, the Mechanized Units and all of the Beacon Cadets joined the forty-eight-hour party. The only ones that kept themselves separate are the Soldiers.

After the events of that weekend things became more stable falling into a pattern. The separation was not talked about, but it was kept. Some of the Cadet soldiers may sit in on classes or even try out simulations but they were always left alone. Neither group made any moves to talk beyond what was absolutely necessary. The distrust was ignored but enforced.

After the second week the Huntsmen were getting excited, they knew that soon they would be able to take missions and start doing their job. The change in attitude was palpable and everyone knew it.

The members of Keller Pointer's Unit were finally able to rejoin combat classes, but the reminder of the situation has everyone worried. The huntsmen still train harder and with more pressure than normal.

The Headmistress throws another file against the wall as it stops to hover in front of her. Azul Pendragon looks at it, "Well that is not good."

"Oh, fucking understatement, everyone we have sent out has found nothing so far and I have to recall them, we need them on security missions."

"Or we could leave them to do their jobs."

"And what leave these escort missions with no huntsmen to do them." The look from the Assistant Headmaster makes his friend sigh, "Alright you are right I could use the First-year huntsmen to do the job most of the jobs are caravan escort but it would be very dangerous." She stares at the floating file. "You hate me." The silence continues, "Fine call Tross, I am giving him the big one that is going down The Corridor."

"Yes, Headmistress," Azul Pendragon smiles as he types a message on his tablet. "Who shall we assign to go with him?"

"Just have him meet with me in the morning."

Alec walks out of the elevator on the highest floor of Beacon. The hallway is open and warm. Alec knocks on the door at the end of the hall. "Enter Mister Tross."

Alec steps in and walks towards the desk, "How can I help you Headmistress."

"I have a problem that you and your team can solve." Crimson Imerta leans over the table and passes a file over to her young student. "I am short on veteran Huntsmen and there are a number of major missions that are in need of escorts. Normally these are missions that we would pass to more experienced Huntsmen, but my normal sources for manpower are doing other jobs for me. I am assigning your team this mission. As you can tell by the funds this job is especially important. You can gather whatever assistance you need."

"Yes, Headmistress Imerta." Alec stares at the paper, "I have heard about this run, my father used to send some of our Huntsmen on it to earn funds years ago. My mom apparently ran the route a few times." He looks at the papers some more, "I really need two more Units but that would drain too much for other missions I assume."

"That is correct I could only allow you to take one more Unit with you, and it is on you to convince them to go with you."

"I can make that work can I ask the Mechanized Unit to assist?"

"The Mechanized unit is being sent out along with the Beacon to begin recovery around the area of your classes first operation."

"Well can I request a platoon of those soldiers that were sent here to spy on us."

The older woman sighs, "they are not spying on us, they are additional security, and I requested them." She shakes her head, "They are also independent I do not believe that I have the authority to order them into combat missions, and they are not equipped for mobile operations."

"I see, so as long as I can deal with those issues I can requisition them as a support fire team."

"If Lieutenant Smith approves of the deployment of his men, yes. The other teams will be receiving their missions on Monday."

"Yes Headmistress, I will begin preparing my Unit." Alec steps out of the room and gets back into the elevator. He types a number into his Scroll, "Rita, we have a mission I am sending you the details I need all the ground equipment ready to before we launch." Her response is short, "Good try to get that old eighty-eight on an extra truck and if you know any good places to get a hundred units of mark XXII battle armor and a hundred Type HII Rifles that would be much appreciated." Alec nods with a smile, "Thank you, Tell Danny I am sorry about the extra paperwork and Paul to gather extra supplies."

As the doors open again Alec pulls his Scroll to his ear again, "Hey David," the pauses to look for the stairs down. "Sorry this is not a social call," He works his way towards the partially hidden stair case, "I know but the Headmistress just gave me a mission can you see if your Leader would like to meet me for lunch." He steps to one side as technicians move up the stairs with tools, "Thank you David how is Hannah doing?" He chuckles as he reaches the correct floor. "I know I put you two on the spot, but you were being too coy. I have to go now will see you at Lunch." Alec hangs up his Scroll.

Leaning against the door frame is Keller, she looks at Alec annoyed. "What do you want?"

"I was just coming down to talk to our Lieutenant. What are you doing down here?"

"Watching them." She sneers, and rolls her eyes at Alec's unsaid question, "There is something weird about them, they don't have a single Faunus with them." She raises her hands, "Look I don't want any more of those animals here than we have but the Valean military has a lot of Faunus in it and for them to have none is weird."

"Maybe they are all like you Keller, Bigots and Racists. You know Faunus medics helped your team."

"And I am thankful, they are still animals and I still don't trust them. Still have a problem with your Bat, she is a Claw and I know it."

Alec raises his hands in defeat, "Get out of here they probably thing you are trying to get them all to sleep with you."

"Oh those little twigs aren't my type Alec." Keller says as she walks away with a huff.

Alec steps into the hallway and starts working his way down towards where he knows the barracks are. One of the soldiers walks past and Alec decides to try his luck, "Excuse me."

The soldier turns around and jumps when she sees Alec; she salutes and stiffens up, "Sorry sir did not see you. What can I do for you?"

Alec smiles and waves for her to relax, "I am not an officer no need for any of that. I am looking for Lieutenant Smith."

"The Company Commander is in the armory Sir through the Barracks and to the right sir."

"Thank you." The woman walks away, and Alec turns to follow her directions. It takes a few minutes to make it to the Armory, especially with how crowded the hallways are. Alec finds his way into the Armory. The few rifles and light machineguns on the wall do not impress faith. "Lieutenant Gregory Smith?"

The uniformed man turns around and salutes, "Sir." As the lieutenant lowers his hand and clears his throat, "What can I do for you huntsman?"

"My name is Alec Tross," Alec says ignoring the tightening of a few around him, "The Headmistress has assigned me a lead roll for a mission. It is a major convoy through the corridor."

"I see, what is it you are looking for? I will make sure my men check on your teams belongings to prevent theft."

"That is very kind but I was actually looking for something a bit more outdoors." Alec tries to explain, "I was told that you may be able to assist me by providing a Platoon to help with fire power and eyes."

"We are not equipped for mobile operations, our goal is to guard Beacon no do your jobs for you. Any way a single Platoon probably isn't worth even one Team much less a full Unit of Huntsmen." The soldier sighs, "Anyway I am only approved for operations within Beacon and Vale, I would have to request permission from the General."

"Alright, Lieutenant I will be meeting with the other Unit leader today at lunch. Get your permission, then if you are willing to join us come and meet."

"Permission would be the first step it will take weeks to get the equipment I need."

"Get your permission, you are at Beacon now we will get you the equipment," Alec turns around and walks out, "I will see you at lunch." He steps out of the Armory, then walks out of the Barracks. As he climbs the stairs. Mimi finds him as he reaches the top of the stairs. "Hey Mi, what is going on."

"Just looking for you. You said you were going to talk with the Headmistress then you never came back."

"Sorry, we got a mission from the Headmistress and started figuring out what to do."

"I know you told Rita you needed a hundred sets of new armor and guns, and you called David."

"How did you find out about David?"

"Hannah Called me. What is the Mission?"

Alec hands the file over to his friend, "Caravan Run down the Corridor. I am going to take Hannah and David's Unit if their leader agrees to it, and I am trying to get the soldiers to give us the back up we really will be needing. Not enough guns if it is only two Units."

"Only two tanks and sixteen of us for a Convoy of eighty vehicles. I mean if we were a few years into our service maybe. Why are we being sent on this kind of mission?"

"Short of huntsmen so we need to do this kind of work." Alec sighs, as he lets Mimi read the file, "Didn't your Dad used to send people on this run?"

"Yeah," He starts walking towards the dorm room, "Looks like it is going to run in the family." The silence from Mimi makes Alec uncomfortable, "You alright Mi?"

"Yeah, sorry," She leans against Alec, "I was just caught thinking of home."

"What is wrong?"

"Just how everything decided to go down. I wish that it wasn't so bad."

Alec cuts her off waving his hand, "It is all in the past now, I made the right choice and I am content with it."

"Glad you are Alec; it was still bullshit."

"I couldn't let you all have all the fun," Alec laughs pushing Mimi's shoulder.

"Miss Lieander could I please have a word with you?" The Headmistresses voice calls out.

"Yes ma'am." Mimi turns to Alec, "I will check with you later."

Alec nods as Mimi walks away with the Headmistress. He turns away and walks toward the Huntsman hangers and workshops. On his way down the stairs he runs into Kat.

She smiles, "I heard a rumor that you were talking with those new soldier boys."

"How did you hear about that? I was only there an hour ago at the max."

Kat rubs the back of her neck, "Um one of the pilots were over there, they are kind of the only normal people in Beacon other than us you know." Alec's look makes her continue, "All of us pilots have felt a bit isolated, we are not strong or fast. We are pretty much normal people you are all massive. I mean look at the most petite Girl in the first years she has more muscle that any of us or those soldiers, and that is before we even start talking about Aura and Semblance, even the Mechanized team has a few minor augments, and their aura is unlocked. Look at us in comparison to all of you. And there is also the part where most of you Huntsmen are not attracted to normal people like us." Kat sighs slapping her forehead when she realizes that she just kept talking. "Look what I am trying to say is we know they are probably here to spy on us and maybe worse, but it is nice to have people who are only strong rather than inhumanly strong makes some of the pilots feel less inadequate compared to you all. We will not tell them anything. Um before I make more of an ass of myself and talk too much what did you want?" Kat rubs her forehead.

"I am just heading down to check on my unit; the Headmistress gave me an escort mission and I am trying to get my Unit ready. I am trying to get those soldiers to help me out with firepower I am trying to get another Unit to go out with us."

Kat rubs her neck still worried and feeling awkward, "sounds good. I hear that we are going to be sent on assault missions to support the Mechanized Unit." She looks over with worry, "Look can you just pretend my little tirade didn't happen."

"What tirade," Alec smiles, "I understand where you were coming from, it must be hard for you all."

"Thank you, and if you guys need anything, well you can always call us," Kat smiles, "and if those soldier boys try to pull any tricks on you we will come and get you all out."

"Thank you, Kat." Alec smiles patting the young pilot's shoulder. As he steps into his unit's workshop and hanger he hears yelling.

"No I am not going to apologize for anything, It is not my fault all I could find was a twenty year old flat bed truck."

"The engine blew up and literally covered me in oil and coolant and a worrying black sludge. Where did you find this thing?"

"It was laying around, and I can just put a new engine in it."

"Laying around where?"

Tina's voice seems to shrug, "places."

"What kind of places Tina," Danny says loudly.

Alec leans against the door frame letting the pair of women finish their argument.

"The military junkyard."

"And what are you going to do about the missing engine?"

"Install a V12 turbo from an old Atlas APC I found, it has about 300 horsepower."

"How are you going to fit that in this old thing. There is no room."

"Wanna help?" Tina's voice sounds more excited than normal.

"Oh, my gods yes. Where did you get this engine?"

"Don't ask." Tina passes a dust powered cutting torch to Danny, "Are you looking for Rita Alec?"

Alec stands up straight, "I was just coming down to check on everything," Alec waves his hand over the area.

Danny grabs a pair of cutting goggles, "It is all going well this truck will be set up with the ole eighty-eight and a tiny bit of armor."

"Why are you having us putting all of this together Alec," Paul says coming out of the storage room, "we already have a tank jury rigging the eighty-eight to an old truck is a waste."

"We have been assigned a mission escorting a major caravan going down the corridor," Alec tosses the folder he has been carrying for his whole walk, "obviously we can't do that alone, but I can't take more than one unit extra. I am trying to convince the soldiers that have been sent to us to send some assistance and they will need some transports and that is what we are preparing."

"You are going to let the people we are pretty sure are here to spy on us come along with us?"

"We need the manpower and guns on target, so yes if the General will approve it we will be deploying with them."

"Well atleast now I know why you wanted the guns and armor." Paul throws up his hands, "I am going to need a bigger trauma kit."

Tina rubs her eyes in a form of annoyance, she raises two fingers, "Two things, one the gun is mine, and two we are going to need two more trucks. And I don't think I can steal two more V12's."

"Got it keep up the good work." Alec turns around and walks out of the workshop. He looks at his scroll, his meeting is in about an hour.

Batlike wings futter in front of him as Rita intercepts him, "How much trouble are we looking at with this mission." She doesn't ask she demands the answer of Alec.

"The corridor run is probably one of the most dangerous missions that actually start in Vale, it is a ten-day run covering a dozen villages delivering supplies and picking up trade goods. Threats are large Grimm numbers and Bandits, sometimes armed and mechanized."

"How many Huntsmen do they send normally."

"Four to eight veteran Huntsmen."

"I guess that is why you want the soldiers."

"Yeah the Headmistress will only allow one additional Huntsman Unit to be our back up. So I asked for support from the Cadets." Alec rubs his eyes. "I have a lunch meeting everyone. Get everything together. Thank you."