I know an Author's Note is rare here, but I decided to explain something: I'm at a military college right now. If you think it's rare for me to upload a chapter, it's gonna get a lot worse from here on out. I'm still gonna work on chapters, but it's gonna be slower now. Wish me luck, readers. I'm gonna need it.
Grimmlands
A pack of Beowulves ran in fear as bullets whizzed by them. A few fell as the bullets ripped through them. The already reddish ground was stained by the blood of Grimm, and the corpses started to dissolve.
The Atlas titans, a squad of four, stopped firing, as they needed to reload their XO-16s. "Hostile Fauna has been repelled in Sector G9A."
Their radios squaked in return. "Titan Squad 1-9, move to Sector M33-D to assist the assigned infantry company. Alpha Grimm and the adjoining pack are threatening to overrun the position."
"Titan Squad 1-9, responding to distress in Sector M33-D." And off they went.
This scene, and many more of differing variations, were taking place all over the Grimmlands. All of the 11th HEF, Naval and Military, were engaged with the Grimm all across the biome. It was a large struggle, almost every division was engaged in the conflict. The few and little reserves were already gearing up to replace the tired and expended units. All of the units not expended were tired, but every division was in the heat of battle. If someone looked at the battle from the sky, they would see tracer fire, artillery rounds, missiles, really anything flying through the air and through the Grimm.
As for bird's eye view…
HNV Intrepid, Colossus Class ship.
Admiral Westry looked down at the chaos that was the battle. His forces weren't losing, per se, but they were being pushed back.
When the fight first started, the 11th HEF Fleet warped right into the center of the Grimmlands, and began annihilating as much as they could. A few divisions were sent out to protect the remaining foundry bases and fortresses, and the rest were killing as many Grimm as they could. As the battle dragged on, it became apparent that the Grimm had become too numerous to handle with one fleet and one military group.
"Sir, most of our II Corps is being pushed back to their final defense line." An officer reported. "They can't hold much longer, sir. If that line falls-"
"I know what'll happen if that line falls, colonel. Get reinforcements down there immediately." Admiral Westry responded.
"Sir, we have no reinforcements. All divisions have been put to ground combat or are destroyed outright. We've already taken heavy losses, and the number is climbing quickly." The colonel responded. "We've dealt heavy damage to the enemy, but we need to fall back."
Admiral Westry silently snarled. "That damn robot…"
Admiral Westry was referring to Five Star, the general of the 11th HEF. Five Star, a Spyglass-model Spectre, had been given orders to assault the Grimmlands from, supposedly, the Vice Emperor. Someone had gone over General March's head and was screwing up his plan.
Admiral Westry wasn't a huge fan of March's plan, but he agreed with why it was needed. This planet had the will to continue in the face of insurmountable odds. A plan that would break them both mentally and physically would keep them subjugated forever.
Unfortunately, the Vice Emperor moved up the plan to keep the HEF at the size it was currently at. If the HEF could prove they could handle the current size they were at, then it was a win for them. A downsize at this time would cripple their efforts to 'answer the Remnant Question' entirely.
"Admiral Westry?"
Speaking of…
"Vice Emperor Grey, what can I do for you?" Admiral Westry answered.
"I've noticed that Five Star is following my orders to the letter."
"Yes, he has been." The admiral gritted his teeth. "Our losses reflect that, I assume?"
"It was not my intention to sacrifice anyone like this, Admiral Westry. These forces they fight have no regard for their lives." Grey answered.
"So what? This operation is a bust, and March is gonna have my head for it."
"I will speak to him, do not worry."
"Sir, were we trying to knock the Grimm out of the fight with this attack?"
The line was silent, Admiral Westry began to worry if the call had dropped. To his relief, it hadn't. "Admiral, there were multiple reasons for this attack. I wanted to test the willpower of our enemy. I had hoped we could cause significant enough losses to keep the Grimm at bay, but I have been terribly mistaken."
"So?"
"I think we need to bring them out again."
Admiral Westry began to sweat. "What...do you mean by that?" He asked, playing dumb while knowing the answer already.
The Vice Emperor wasn't fooled. "You know very well what department I'm talking about. The Council is very aware of what the Militia did was wrong, but these planets have insisted on 'paying penance' for their rebellion."
"I see…"
"I believe the Emperor Commander will agree with me. The HEF will continue their operations on the human side, while the HTC will be put under your command to fight the Grimm. I'm sure Black won't mind being put on the Council again." Grey looked away from the screen. "God will hate me forever, and I will live with that freely."
"Sir?"
"Admiral Westry, I am reactivating the Hammond Trench Corps. This is effective immediately, and I expect them to replace the 11th HEF Military immediately in the Grimmlands."
Admiral Westry saluted. "Yes sir, it will be done."
Mestiphos, Old Insurrectionist Territories
The spaceport was alive with activity. Logistic officers were running all over the port, making sure their 'cargo' was where they needed to be. Civilians looked on at the sight of the chaos.
In the sky, Supercarrier ships in the near hundreds flew over, escorted by thousands of Malta class battleships. On the ground, more Supercarriers loaded up supplies.
And troops, so many troops.
It was a sight to behold. Twenty rows of twenty soldiers, each column having a heavily armored soldier lead them up the ramp. Several paces behind them, another formation of the same form would follow them.
In the formation were nineteen soldiers, each of them armed with a Volt SMG. Their attire consisted of heavy plating on the upper body and a metal facemask. They were no armor on their legs, and they wore brown leather boots. Their helmets had the distinct Hammond Empire emblazoned on the left side.
(1961 Soldier- Wolfenstein: The New Colossus)
Leading each column as the twentieth soldier were heavily armored soldiers wearing heavy metal plating, including a large plate on their left arm. Each of them held Spitfires in their right hands, with bullet-chains coming out of a backpack the soldiers were wearing. Their armor was as black as night, but their protective goggles were as red as the sunset sky. They were the squad leaders, handpicked to lead these souls into war they would not return from.
(Panzer Cops- Jinrou: Wolf Brigade)
Countless formations walked onto the supercarriers, others took on Titans and Paladin tanks, and even more were taking on fighters and air superiority planes. When the Supercarriers were full, they closed their loading ramps, and lifted off, allowing another Supercarrier to take its place. This process was repeated over and over again.
In the exoatmosphere above the planet, the hordes of Supercarriers and Battleships joined a group larger than even the entire naval power of the 3rd HEF Military Group. Maybe even bigger than the average HMF Fleet Group.
This was the 1st Legion of the Hammond Trench Corps. And they would destroy the Grimm at any cost.
Councilroom, Arora
"She's returning?" Red asked. "She's returning?"
White and Blue nodded slowly, their body language screamed shell shock.
"And the Emperor Commander ordered this?" Red asked, fear settling into him.
"More like demanded it." Blue answered.
"When is she coming here?" Red asked. "I need to get my honor guard here if she's coming here."
The doors behind the Council's table opened, and in walked a hooded figure. In a direct contrast to White, this one wore black with a red striped bisecting the hooded cloak.
Red turned around. "Welcome back...Black."
Black looked to Red. "It is good to be back." She said, her voice, ironically, soothing to hear. "I assume my reactivation is for something important?"
White nodded, also nervous. "Your legions are needed once more."
"Is it for Remnant?" Black said. "Or perhaps...Paradis?"
"Both." Red answered.
"Both? Well, why not just deploy the HMF? Surely these two planets are no match for the overwhelming firepower that is the HMF and its fleets, no?" Black asked, inching closer to Red.
"It's not that." Blue said, his fear ebbing away as the conversation started to go on. "These planets have...extra variables. Ones that only overpowering forces could defeat."
"So you're calling my forces up? To die in mass droves for two potential colonies?" Black asked.
"Well, both are very resource heavy. I believe you are aware of the power problem that is growing in the Old Insurrectionist Territories?" Blue asked.
"Sector Governors Ashe and Kull did bring this up to me." Black admitted.
"The energy provided by Remnant's material will solve that problem easily." Blue continued. "And the material on Paradis will be more than enough to keep your factories running for the time being. You could arm up possibly fifteen more legions with the resources we're looking at here, even if they're shared amongst the sectors."
"I…" Black seemed a loss for words. "Are you certain?"
"It will save your departments."
"Well...I'm already deploying the 1st Legion to Remnant…"
"What!?" Red and White shot up from their chairs.
"Was that too much?" Blue muttered.
"If I remember correctly, you're sending three billion soldiers, and that's low balling it!" White exclaimed. "How did you mobilize so quickly!?"
"We were always ready to go." Black shrugged. "The Hammond Trench Corps is always looking to redeem itself."
"We literally reinstated you a day ago." Red deadpanned. "Have you had your forcess just waiting?"
"It's been...what, twelve years?" Black asked. "The HTC has been training for twelve years, and this isn't even close to partial mobilization. The 1st Legion is just always ready to go."
"What…" Red sputtered. "You...I...what?"
"The force I will bring to bear will be numerous, belligerent, and...mediocrely armed." Black sighed. "We are line holders and counter-attackers, not war fighters."
"I see." Red saw the unsaid statement. Black knew her forces, no matter how numerous, wouldn't stand to fight against the HMF.
Black looked around. "Where's Grey?"
"He's with the 3rd HEF Military Group. They're the ones assigned to dealing with Remnant." White answered.
"Aw...I wanted to see him again." Black seemed to deflate.
"Oh yeah...the Emperor Commander is with him-"
"THAT BITCH!" Black shouted, slamming the table and interrupting White.
"HEY!" Red shouted. "That's your boss!"
"SO!? SHE BETTER NOT LAY A GODDAMN FINGER ON GREY!"
White slammed her palm into her forehead. "I forgot about this."
Blue looked at White. "Uh...did I miss something?"
"Right, you're the youngest councilmember. Black has a huge infatuation with Grey." White explained.
"Oh." Blue seemed to think on that for a second. "Ew…"
"Christ alive, man, you're 25! Act like it!" White exclaimed.
"Isn't Grey, like, 27?" Blue asked. "How old's Black?"
Black turned to face him. "It isn't polite to ask how old a lady is."
"Well, she's not the Black we had when the HTC was decommissioned, that hag was 55 when we shut the HTC down." Red adopted a thinking position. "So I think this Black is...29?"
"A cougar, I see." Blue pulled a notepad out and began writing on it.
"Aren't we supposed to be giving Black her orders?" White asked. "Wait...do we even have orders for her?"
"Uh...I thought Grey had them?" Blue answered.
"I get to see Grey? Score!" Black's attitude, while at the beginning stoic, was changing rapidly. She seemed more happy now.
"I'll inform Grey. God help him." Red sighed.
HNV Exiled God, in orbit over Remnant
"The 11th HEF Military Group has sustained almost a seventy percent casualty rate." The onboard AI reported. "Statistics don't lie, this operation was indeed a failure."
General March slammed the table projecting the holographic map. "You see!" He exclaimed to Grey. "Look what the hell you did!"
"I see no problem." Grey said, stoically. "There's no reason to fuss."
"No reason to-There is every fucking reason to fuss! We're down an entire military group! That's not something we can just conjure up to replace! We were outnumbered before, but now? Now we are royally fucked!"
"Let me explain something to you, General." Grey's tone suddenly reminded March that his position of General was little compared to a Vice Emperor. "The enemy will be the one's outnumbered very shortly. We have driven a wedge between humanity and the interloping Grimm to make sure there is no overlap in future operations."
"What do you mean the enemy will be outnumbered?" March asked, arching an eyebrow.
Grey smiled. "You weren't told? Black's back."
March's eyes widened. "You reinstated the HTC?" He asked hesitantly. "The...Suicide Corps?"
"The very same ones." The Vice Emperor dropped his smile. "There is one problem, however."
"And that is?"
"Well, there is a new Black." Grey seemed to deflate slightly at this. "And apparently, she has a sort of...infatuation...with me."
March stared at the Vice Emperor. A full three seconds passed until March opened his mouth again. "We are on the verge of subjugating another planet by means of a mass suicide corps, we just lost well over 40 million lives and god knows how much tech, and we are literally committing genocide of an alien species. Why the hell are you worried about a school crush, Vice Emperor?" March couldn't sound more dismayed.
"I haven't had this happen to me before."
"Act your age! You're 27!"
"Fine! Now, is there a reason you summoned me besides to yell at me about the 11th HEF Military Group?"
"Yes, there is." March sighed, suddenly drained. "I'm giving 09 Actual, 10 Actual, 17 Actual, Sergeant Eckhard, and Sergeant Green a holiday. They deserve it."
"I agree. I assume you have the paperwork done already?"
"Obviously. I was gonna give it to them anyway, even if you said no."
Hangar 12, HNV Exiled God
"I can't believe General March gave us off!" Eckhard exclaimed.
"Why is that such a shock?" Lyz asked. "Does leave not happen often?"
"Soldiers in the HMF are usually not granted leave." 17 Actual explained. "Since a new planet can be found at any time, all units must be ready to deploy at a minute's notice."
"Ah...but they do grant leaves, right?" Lyz asked.
"For certain circumstances, yes. Family emergencies, religious reasons, medical emergencies, stuff like that." 10 Actual responded.
"Huh, interesting." Lyz said.
Eckhard brought out a tablet. "Wonder where he's sending us."
"Wait, sending us?"
"Yes, when leave is given by a General or above, they give it to a place that would be considered too expensive for the average soldier or officer." 10 Actual explained. "Resort planets come to mind, or maybe a paradise planet."
"Paradise planets?"
"Think of it as everything you could ever want on a vacation. You dream it, they have it." Eckhard explained, scrolling through the report.
"What about-"
"Resort planets are vacation havens, they're basically planets covered in resorts of all kinds."
"Oh...wow…" Lyz seemed amazed about how Hammond could run a war effort and still keep planets to have people relax on.
"Some soldiers spend their entire lives trying to impress people on top just to get a chance to get leaves like this." Eckhard said, still scrolling.
"And we get it because…?"
"We infiltrated one of the most guarded places on Remnant, retrieved a Half-Maiden, injured a Headmaster, fought through Remnant's toughest army and navy, and crippled their resolve in one mission." 09 Actual listed off. "I would say our achievements warrant at least some days off."
"I...can see that." Lyz agreed.
"Found it! We're going to...Eden!?" Eckhard turned to his crew. "Holy shit!"
"Eden? What's that?" Lyz asked.
"Eden is the top resort/paradise planet! It's a combo of the two and holy shit does it rock!" Eckhard explained. "Amusement parks! Ski resorts! Beaches! Anything and everything!"
Lyz raised an eyebrow. "That's awesome!" She exclaimed, now excited.
The Jaeger Commanders looked at each other. "Humans." The three of them said in unison, rolling their metaphorical eyes.
Test Site AS12, Prospero Research Hub, Atlas
"Tests are inconclusive." A technician sighed. "We still don't know how to replicate the engine used in the Hammond Battleship."
Ironwood and the technician stood in a giant hangar, staring at the engines of the Hammond Battleship HNV Delhi, while other technicians and researchers worked on the rest of the ship.
"So...their technology is advanced." Ironwood scowled. "Keep working. We need to figure out how they can teleport from place to place so quickly. It's only a matter of time until they just decide to teleport above a Kingdom and just wreak havoc."
"Yes sir." The technician walked off.
Ironwood went back to staring down the ship. Shield generators, 50mm autocannons, missile launchers, and hangars for fighters. All of it came intact. The fighters were under research, and the 50mm autocannons were scrutinized. The ship's armor was made up of a not unheard of material, but the alloy itself was strange.
"Titanium A alloy." Ironwood looked at the reports of the metal. "Curious. It's tougher than our armor, but...it's lighter?" Ironwood narrowed his eyes. "But the composition is unknown...I need to call Ozpin."
Beacon
Ozpin looked down at the report from his deployed teams. Several of the teams had run into robot squads. They were able to fight them off, thankfully none of them had the superbots.
"Oz, you what this is." Ozpin looked to see one of his most trusted aides, Qrow, looking down at the campus.
"And, pray tell, what is this, Qrow?"
"They're testing them." Qrow turned around. "They're probing our top defenders, finding their weaknesses. They send their bots to attack something they know we'll defend, and we give them everything."
"I am well aware that they are entrapping us, but we should still defend those who can't defend themselves. It will cause more panic if we don't defend them." Ozpin put down the reports. "If we keep whittling them down, we could probably re-attack."
"Oz, all three sides in this war are licking their wounds. We're recovering from the CCT Attack and the Battle in the Slums. They and Her are recovering from the disastrous attack in the Grimm's home territory. It's a stupid phony war right now. It's time we send out scouts to figure out where these bastards are hiding, and strike deep!" Qrow argued. "They have three superbots, one and a half Maidens, and an agent with a stupid shotgun! That's their trump cards!"
"You forget a massive automated army added onto a human one, multiple superships, tons of battleships, and a flagship the size of Vale." Ozpin added, his face remaining neutral. "We truly have them on their backfoot, don't we?"
"The sarcasm isn't helping."
"Neither is your grandiose idea of striking now. I will send scouts, that much can be helped. Other than that, there is no hope of a successful attack as of now." Ozpin sighed. "We would need another daring plan from the general."
"Lemme guess, the Vytal Festival was put off?" Qrow asked.
"The day after the Ironwood's plan fell through, the Council voted unanimously to postpone the festival." Ozpin looked out at Beacon. Students were making their way to classes, but it was noticeable all around. They were all tense, waiting for something to fall out of the sky and start rampaging. "Go."
"Huh?"
"I know why you're here, Qrow. Go see your nieces, it'll be nice for them to see a familiar face."
Qrow nodded, and walked to the elevator.
Air Base Ulysses, Anima Wildlands
The base was huge. Landing pads for multiple Supercarriers, while surrounding each of them were their own interdiction squadron-turned-escort fleet battleships. In the center of the airbase was the Deterrence, which was now permanently shifted to on ground duty. This base had been built in secret, with turrets keeping Grimm at bay. Not like it was needed, the Grimm had all been called back to the Grimmlands in the case that Hammond decided to play ball with them again.
However, the base was starting to become busier and busier with each passing day. Soldiers who were originally on ship duty were being moved to urban combat training, while Spectres and Stalkers were being armed with sonar scanners and being trained on airspace denial techniques. To many, it seemed that the first offensive was going to happen soon.
Air Base Ulysses HQ
"Admiral Kronsten, the new mechanized units have arrived.' An aide reported. "They have been loaded onto the Supercarriers."
"Excellent." Admiral Kronsten said, smiling. "It's time we move onto our first Kingdom. The High Council has sent the Trench Corps to deal with the Grimm. We will deal with the civilization here." He pulled up a map of an urban center. "The 74th and 68th Infantry Division, supported by the 598th Armor Piercer Division, will drop in at the north end of the city. The 127th and the 410th Infantry Division will break the barriers in the south." He tapped the respective areas and organized the divisions. "The 88th and 101st Hell Droppers will deploy on the east while the 77th and 23rd Hell Droppers will deploy on the west. I want a Combat Engineer Division on the north and south deployments to set up artillery for indirect support."
"Sir!" The aides ran out, the orders on their TACPADs.
Admiral Kronsten, now alone in the war room, looked at the map. "The enemy has had their time. I will end them here, I will end them now. What say you?" He turned around to see the person who had just walked into the room. "What say you, Empress Commander?"
The Empress Commander walked into the room, her armor gleaming white. Her weapon of choice, a chainsaw/claymore hybrid named Ungodly Anger, was strapped to her back. On her left arm, a minigun was attached to her forearm. Her eyes blues glowed, and her titanium greaves shined in the dim room. Her chestplate had an eagle's wingspan across it, and her undersuit gripped her body, showing her muscles on her arms under the fabric with metal interwoven in it.
"Let's go. We can't exactly wait for them to be ready, can we?" She scowled. "My honor guard will accompany me to whatever side has the most fighting."
"Very well." Admiral Kronsten nodded. "It's time."
Grimmlands
Grimm ran in every direction. Missiles rained from the sky, heavy cannon shells impacted the ground and threw dirt and Grimm into the air. As Grimm escaped from the areas, dust began to be kicked up as ships came down to land. As they landed, the bottom of them opened, and ramps were lowered. As soon as they hit the ground, a mass of armored humans charged from the ships. Bullets flew in the air as the soldier began setting a large perimeter. Dropships landed tanks and smaller vehicles to support the ground troops, as more and more soldiers charged into the fray. Grimm, now realizing this enemy wasn't as put together as their last foe, charged the lines. They were cut down by intense gunfire, any getting close were run through by heavy LMG fire. These soldiers charged, getting closer to the equal charging Grimm, and the bloodbath ensued. Grimm were ripped apart by boot knives and bayonets, soldiers were eviscerated by Grimm claws and teeth.
And while the hordes fought, the HTC commanders watched from orbit as more Supercarriers landed on the surface and dropped more hordes.
The Ruins of Evernight Castle
Salem, sitting in the ruins of her castle, watched as her Grimm charged the newest enemy. She was a lot of things. Evil? That was objective, but sure. Strategic? Absolutely. Master of Grimm? Yes. But all that and more couldn't prepare her for what she was seeing.
Hordes of Humans, the species she once was, throwing themselves at the Grimm in a suicidal and mindless slaughter. It was something she watched in horror.
When the last enemy attacked, she had killed multiple Jaegers who had infiltrated her palace. They had fought valiantly, but in vain. She had watched those Hammond units retreat from her lands, the first true victory for her and Remnant as a whole. But looking at what was happening now, it was a pyrrhic victory. More of those Supercarriers were dropping troops and vehicles, and streaks of fire fell from the sky. She knew what those were, those damn Titan mechs. They frightened the Grimm. Those things were more mobile than the Paladin mech that Atlas loved to show off, and had more versatile weapons and defensive features.
"M'lady." The holographic form of Watts made its presence known. "We have successfully made it to Mistral. Lionheart has gotten us successfully into Haven, and we're staying low."
"Watts, things have changed here." Salem said grimly. "They're attacking again."
"Again? M'lady, this has to be a final push."
"It isn't, Watts. They have landed what seems to be ten soldiers for every Grimm that I have. It's like they have a whole secondary army."
"Surely you jest."
Salem sent a Seer Grimm to where the ceiling would have been. The Seer projected what it saw to Watts, whose eyes went wide. "You don't jest."
"It's a whole suicide legion." Salem looked out to the battle, her eyes narrowed. "They've decided to drag this war out to the end."
"Could it be a distraction?" Watts took out a handkerchief, wiping his forehead. He was visibly shaken up by the battle he saw. "Are they planning an offensive?"
"An offensive? No, they're weak right now. This is just a mock-up force to give them breathing room." Salem turned back to Watts. "If it was a distraction to let them attack, where would they strike?"
"They've scared Vale, so maybe there? If not, it's most likely the other Kingdom on this continent."
"They would attack Mistral and Haven?" Salem flinched as a Hammond Wasp fighter crashed behind her.
"They could. Remember, they seem to have the ability to warp wherever they want."
"That explains how they keep attacking me." Salem snapped her fingers. "Watts, stay in Haven for now. If they attack Mistral, you and your team have permission to attack. Lionheart will need support."
"Anything else, M'lady?"
"Find any semblance of leadership, and destroy it. We're gonna start cutting the head off this interloping snake." Salem smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me." Her eyes glowed red, and from behind the broken and ruined throne room, large humanoid figures, standing at what looked like 50 meters tall, stood up. Bone armor rose up from their rapidly solidifying night black skin. Instead of hands, bone armor shifted to a cannon-like shape at the ends of their arms. The barrels glowed red hot.
This was the top dog Grimm, the pen-ultimate, the Magnum Opus. It was the Galactic Colossus Grimm form.
"Here we stand, hoping to God that the upcoming operations will be successful. It is time to strike. Reset this twisted game to zero. When we win, those who were conquered will dehumanize you, they will spit in your face and damn you for eternity. They will demand we give them back all those who died fighting us. When this happens, know this: There's no mercy in war. Soldiers of the 12th HEF, heed me! Your Empress Commander and her Demon Lords will charge with you! Today, we strike deep into the first of four hearts of the enemy! To your ships, we strike at dawn!" -The Empress Commander of the Hammond Empire, speaking before Task Force Gleipnir on the eve of Operation Stryker
/-/
"The Brother Gods will not save us. There will be nothing for them to judge when they return, unless we hold the Empire here and now. If they really are some space empire, us holding them here will save countless others. We will fight for every square inch of this planet, they will shed blood to capture even a blade of grass. This planet seems free to them, but we will show them that this planet has a price not even they could dream of." -General Ironwood, speaking to the Atlesian Council
