Well, it looks like people are either not getting the notification that this story has been updated, haven't had a chance to fully read the newest chapter, haven't gotten caught up with the story, or something else. Eh, can't say I blame them, considering I've written over a hundred plus chapters for this story since 2020.
Or… it could be because that Harriet is still alive when they want her dead. Let me assure you that I have plans for Harriet in the future, but I will not spoil anything about her. I will say this much, Clover won't be dying, period.
In other unrelated news, I hope everyone gave their mother a wonderful mother's day, I myself however, had to work that day and it was a long day. But my two other brothers were able to come home and have dinner with her, my dad, my brother, the Star Wars hating Earth Dragon Arnighte who also loves to call me mentally challenged, which I am not and my mom hates hearing him say it, and me, the great CT7567Rules. Though it was a bit loud, and I might have gotten a slight headache.
Alright, onto the story. Know that I am trying to split my time in writing this story and posting a few more chapters for my Power Rangers story. But first, onto the reviews.
Mooncake: Thanks.
SunPhoenix90: Damn, those girls must have had a lot of negativity and anger building up inside them if they were planning on shooting up your high school. Glad that never happened at my school, but an OC Sith Lord who would lay down their life to protect the kids? Well, as long as they aren't someone like Palpatine, then that's fine.
BlindFaunusGirl: Thanks. But as for Harriet, I've got plans for her, so don't worry.
Luffy L Deathwalker: 'Decent'? What, is it because I didn't include the scene with Winter and the Fox almost having a moment and everyone else learning of his identity? I appreciate that you've given me help when it comes to dialog involving the Fox, but I'm not going to use all of what you gave me, don't take it the wrong way, but it is my story after all.
Spartan-626: Yeah, Harriet was to side with the Empire. But yes, Adam is a failure when it comes to the original goals of the White Fang, he allowed his anger and hatred of humanity to guide him, now he's become the monster that humanity has claimed the Faunus to always be. He will die, but in time and Vader will put him in his place. Back to the Star Wars galaxy, well that might be sooner than you think and it will involve our pal Hondo.
The song's this chapter are the following. 'Vitoze Aerial Defense', from Ace Combat 6, 'Clear Skies' from Project Wingman, and '444' from Ace Combat 7, so you can expect a lot of dogfighting this chapter.
Now the intro.
(Start Polaris, by Blue Encount)
On that day I promised to protect you. That promise still remains in my heart.
(A blizzard rages across the tundra of Solitas before subsiding to reveal Galen, Team RWBY, Jaune, Ren, Nora, the Clones, Ace Ops, and their allies standing on a cliff as in front of them lies the imperial occupied Atlas and Mantle, with the Executor hovering high in the air. Behind it is the silhouette of Vader, Adam Taurus, Maul and Salem as the title card is revealed with the title.)
Remnant Unleashed
Even if I must lose everything I have. To Save a life in front of me.
(The camera zooms down below to Fort Arrowfell where exhausted Atlas soldiers and pilots sit on crates with their heads hung low in disbelief at the loss of their home.)
I'd be happy to give it all away without a doubt. This is the first time I've ever felt this way.
(One soldier is looking at the picture of his family, almost on the verge of tears until Captain Rex puts a hand on the soldier's shoulder. Behind him are Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Ray, and Neo. Harriet is nearby, glaring at Galen, the badge of the Ace Ops no longer on her uniform.)
I won't hide my scars anymore. Making the despair as my weapon, That's how I want to live my life!
(Cuts to Galen who is standing in front of a massive attack force of Grimm, Battle Droids, Imperials, White Fang and Death Bots with his teammates, friends, allies, and fellow Jedi behind him. Above them, Republic and Rebel ships fly towards the enemy force alongside Remnant fighter jets, before the ground forces charge)
Push aside these tears as best I can. I'll give you everything that I have.
(Explosions light up the tundra as Ray and Neo lead the charge with the Bad Batch and Delta Squad, firing at their enemies while the young huntsmen and huntresses cut their way through the Grimm, as Vader engages Luke and Ahsoka in deadly lightsaber combat.)
So please, don't give up on me and disappear.
(Cuts to Salem and Maul wielding their lightsabers against Ray and Neo while the Fox, Winter, The Ace Ops, Artoria and Mordred run through the bowls of the giant whale Grimm towards Oscar.)
On that day I promised to protect you.
(Shows Whitley standing in front of his mother defensively as White Fang soldiers move in with their weapons raised. In his hands is a familiar object.)
The promise still remains in my heart.
(Galen and Ruby stand in Mantle with their hands extended as Atlas falls from the sky towards them, joined by Faye, Kara, Lop, Ahsoka, Serra, Zett, Plo, Kit, Aayla, Rahm and Grogu. While the others, including the Fox stand behind them and watch in awe before the screen turns dark)
Even if the light is fading. Just Go!
Disclaimers are the same as they always are. Please enjoy.
Chapter 118: Air Raid
His body was battered and bruised from the weeks of interrogation. His hands dangled above his head like he was a piece of meat, ready to be carved up by a butcher, but he remained strong, despite his surroundings. Coughing up a bit of blood, Hazel was soon greeted by the presence of Salem, the woman he once served, the one who killed his sister, framed Ozpin for the deed and who he killed all those huntsmen and huntresses for in a quest for revenge against the wrong person.
"Hazel, Hazel, Hazel. I had placed great faith in you, and you served me faithfully for all those years and now, after everything I've done for you. Everything I've given you; you betray me for the words of a leaderless Qrow and sided with those who helped the man you hated kill your sister." Salem said with disappointment as she walked into the torture chamber where her prisoner was being kept. "Was it worth it?"
"You can say, whatever you want to me. But that doesn't change the fact, that it was you who murdered Gretchen." Hazel snarled, looking up at Salem. "She made the choice to become a huntress, to protect others from your monsters, but you killed her. She was a child who had so much potential, and you just murdered her, like she was a threat! You used me to do your dirty work, like you used Lionheart and so many others. I can never wash the blood of those I killed in your name, but I don't regret ever leaving your service. I only wish I learned the truth sooner."
"And you thought, that by helping those in reclaiming Vale, would grant you atonement?" Salem asked innocently. "You're even more naïve than I thought. You didn't know the Empire would return and not only target Atlas, but Vale as well. Yet, when they did, you stayed behind to hold them off and managed to allow your 'allies' to escape. Allies, who didn't come back for you."
"I did what Gretchen would have done." Hazel snarled again, spitting some blood out of his mouth which hit Salem in the face. This angered Salem, who reached out and used the Force to choke Hazel for a few minutes before she finally let go. "Why keep me alive? I'm your enemy, so why don't you just kill me?"
"Because you have something I want. Information about why those with Ruby Rose seem to know about me, the relics and why they are so determined to defeat me." Salem answered.
"I won't be intimidated by the likes of you, Salem. I won't tell you anything." Hazel retorted.
Salem just smiled and turned back to Hazel, extending her hand towards Hazel's head, and looked at him. Her former follower soon felt his mind becoming tortured through the force, and desperately tried to fight against Salem's usage of the force, but in the end his efforts were pointless as Salem soon extracted the information she needed and was most angered at what she learned. Leaving Hazel and returning to her quarters, Salem screamed at the top of her lungs, which echoed through the giant beast. Ozpin, no Ozma, her former lover was still alive and reincarnated in Oscar Pine.
Hundreds of miles away, on the island of Khesed, at Campagna Air Force base, airships were secured in dry docks built to specifically to hold the massive vessels, some of which were already undergoing maintenance after the damage they suffered from the battle of Atlas. Nearby, Venators, Acclamator's, GR-75's and other vessels used by the Rebellion were in other dry docks, ones specifically built to handle and hold the vessels from space. Fighter jets and Star Fighters flew overhead on combat air patrols while ground personnel worked on unloading the cargo from the cars pulled by Big One, helped the injured to the medical bay, repaired the damaged equipment or otherwise patrolled the base.
Fifty miles away from the base, was the city of San Loma, a bustling coastal city with multiple naval facilities dedicated to the repair and refurbishing of navy ships, before the construction of air ships that nearly rendered all sea-based vessels obsolete, save for the few kingdoms that operated a navy, mostly due to the fact that Atlas was very selective about who they gave air ships to. Like on the airfield, personnel were working around the clock to repair and restore the naval craft of the Vale navy.
In the command center of the Air Force base, Bishop was explaining the current situation to Galen and his friends. "Vale's been overrun, again!?" Yang practically shouted. "How in the hell did this happen?"
"The Empire is what happened." Glynda answered. "We were completely caught off guard when their ships appeared over Mountain Glenn and attacked us. It all happened so fast that by the time we were able launch a counterattack, we were already issuing a full evacuation of our forces. I don't know how many were left behind and captured by the Empire."
"It wasn't just the Empire, though. The White Fang also attacked Vale as well. It was like the Fall of Beacon all over again, only this time they had better equipment than last time. Warwolf, Cyclops, Mage, Gargoyle, Skeleton and Strider Squadrons were nearly wiped out because of the White Fang's new aircraft. We were lucky they weren't used to those planes yet." Kit added.
"Seems like the Empire had planned on attacking Vale and Atlas at the same time. Damn it, now we got three places that need be liberated." Ray cursed, slamming his fist onto a wooden table and broke it. "Crap."
"Tables can be replaced, but lives cannot." Sienna assured, then turned to Galen and Oscar. "So, it's all true. Ozpin is the reincarnation of Ozma who has been fighting Salem for years and all this destruction and death she's been causing on us is because she's after the relics hidden underneath the academies, oh and let's not forget that she is immortal."
"I understand your concerns, Miss Khan and I will take full responsibility for my mistakes. But yes, it is all true. Salem is indeed immortal, same as myself in a manner of speaking, but I can fully assure you that Salem can be beaten." Ozpin said, in control of Oscar's body. "When I first spoke to Jinn years ago and she said that Salem couldn't be killed by conventional means, I had almost lost hope. But Mr. Marek and I have come to the same conclusion."
"When Ozpin asked Jinn if he could destroy Jinn, I believe she was saying that he himself personally couldn't destroy Salem but was referring to someone else. Ozpin and I have determined that Jinn was referring to someone with Silver Eyes, like Ruby has. If Ruby can become strong enough and master the power her eyes have, she can defeat Salem and bring an end to her once and for all." Galen explained. "Unfortunately, that's one of the reasons that Ironwood prohibited Ruby from undertaking any missions that involved direct combat with the Grimm and kept her under the supervision of the Ace Ops. He feared that Salem would learn about Ruby and try to eliminate her before she could master her powers."
"Typical James, not trusting anyone but himself and not looking for other solutions. At least at the end, he was willing to change, thanks in part to a certain masked vigilante." Glynda sighed. "I dread to think about what he would have done if Ruby and her friends kept Salem's immortality a secret."
"Right now, we need to focus on the current situation." Aayla said, looking towards her astromech droid, R4-G9 who brought up a holographic display of the planet. "The Empire has taken complete control of Atlas, Mantle, and Vale. Mistral and Vacuo remain unoccupied, but it's only a matter of time before they and their allies decide to attack the other kingdoms. Stonehenge is under enemy control and it's possible they could use it against us, which would devastate the forces we have left. Getting the tower Ironwood was constructing operational takes priority, but it will mean nothing if it gets shot down."
"Stonehenge needs to be destroyed. If we can't use it, then we can't let the Empire or White Fang use it. For now, we need to focus on getting the tower operational and finding more allies." Clover said. "I think maybe those involved with the conspiracy against the late general would make good allies, plus I think there's someone else more suited to help Atlas better than me."
"You really think that Bram would make a better general than you?" Galen asked.
"Well, he'd make a better politician than I ever would." Clover admitted. "Besides, seeing as I am the new general of the Atlas military, and Ironwood held two seats on the council, then that means I can enact a policy or two of my own. Starting with Robyn."
Robyn turned to Clover, expecting to be arrested for the countless times she's disturbed the peace in Mantle. "First off, I'm vacating the two seats on the council that Ironwood held and giving one of those seats to Robyn Hill. She's always had Mantle's best interests at heart and if Jacques hadn't rigged the election, the rift between Atlas and Mantle would have been mended by now. She'll make a hell of a council woman and I think she's got a few ideas to improve the relations between the two cities." He announced, surprising everyone, including Robyn.
"Shouldn't this wait until after we reclaim Atlas and Mantle?" Robyn asked.
"Normally, yes. But considering the situation we're in, I figured I'd rather get it over and done with before I forget." Clover answered. "You earned it, Robyn. No matter what anyone else says, you earned the spot on the council you were aiming for, and you did it without cheating or resorting to underhanded tactics."
"Congrats, Aunt Robyn!" Trigger praised, hugging his aunt. "You're going to do great things for both cities."
"First we need to take back both cities before we can actually celebrate my victory and start making any changes to the current system." Robyn pointed out, turning to Camila and Sleet. "Please don't think I'm going to be planning a coup or anything. I don't have any ambitions like that and those are bad for your health. My goal has always been to improve the conditions in Mantle, always have and always will." She assured the two council members.
"We believe you, Miss Hill." Sleet assured.
"Compared to someone like Jacques, who would have no doubt been planning all sorts of illegal actions, abusing his power for his own gain." Camilla added.
"Glad we're on the same page." Robyn said with a sigh of relief, then turned back to Clover. "And what's the second thing?"
"The second thing is, I'm pardoning Bram Thornmane, Olive Harper, Team BRIR, and Hanlon Fifestone for their crimes. I get that they caused a lot of damage to Atlas and Mantle, but they had the best intentions, even if they went about, it the wrong way. We need all the allies we can get, so we need to mount a rescue mission and free them from Imperial custody. That includes Harriet and Jacques, the latter who will be tried in a court of law for all his crimes and illegal business dealings, past and current. He needs to be held accountable for everything he's done." Clover continued.
"Jacque Schnee has always thrown money at his problems to keep his power. Bribing jurors, judges, paying hitman to have witnesses killed before they could testify against his actions, he's always hidden behind money and now that won't be able to save him this time." Sienna said with a snarl.
"That brings me to my third act. I'm pardoning Sienna Khan for any crimes against the Kingdom of Atlas." Clover said in Sienna's direction. "Don't get me wrong, you have attacked Atlas personal in the past, but you never killed anyone. Even if you the former high leader of the White Fang, it was Adam and who knows how many others like him who killed innocent people, which you forbid to all the branches of the White Fang."
"I should at the least serve time for the crimes I've committed before I became the leader of the White Fang." Sienna pointed out.
"You've already done more than enough when you were Fulcrum. That intel you sent us, to all those in the kingdoms, you have saved a lot of lives with, even if you weren't there personally when we took down those White Fang cells." Clover assured.
Sienna felt proud after hearing Clover's words. While she felt like she betrayed her fellow Faunus, she knew that those she betrayed were far down the same path that Adam was currently following, the path of genocide and hatred, a path that she would never follow. "We're going to need a team to infiltrate Atlas if we're going to liberate those prisoners." She said.
"I can think of a certain team of Huntresses with a member who's practically a ninja, considering who her master was." Galen smirked.
"We'll still need to plan the rescue operation and it won't be easy. The Citadel rescue was hell back during the war and we lost a lot of troopers during that operation." Rex pointed out. "I suggest we dispatch ARF troopers on recon missions to the area around Atlas and Fort Arrowfell. If the enemy has set up military installations to stop an assault, we'll need to know their location and what those installations are. Last thing we want is for a squadron of fighters to be shot down by hidden anti-air defenses."
"We should also send Delta Squad and Clone Force 99 to recon Stonehenge. We'll need to either take it out or recapture it from the enemy and there might be some War Factories over the tundra." Robyn suggested.
"Agreed." Clover said, ending the meeting between the councilors, Jedi, and troopers.
At the same moment, in the recently captured Fort Arrowfell, Adam overlooked his followers boarding their planes, which then flew down the runway and into the air. From his position in the control tower, he watched as MG-29's, MG-31's, MG-35's, S27's, S30's, S33's, S34's, S35's, S47's, S57's, Ravens, Falkens, ADFX-01's and ADFX-02's rocketed into the air, accompanied by Anura, Aricon, Littoria and 205 class airships, hundreds of Imperial Fighters, bombers and interceptors along with droid fighters and several Flying Fortresses that were built in hidden war factories that no one knew about.
As the massive formation of craft flew in the direction of Khesed, Adam smirked to himself. All of the S34's, S33's, S47's and S57's were loaded with air-to-ground missiles, anti-ship missiles and bombs while the Raven's, Falkens, ADFX-01's and ADFX-02's were packed with explosives and programmed to ram themselves into the enemy ships. With no pilots onboard, the loss of the drones wouldn't affect their forces and with the added firepower of the Imperial and droid vessels, plus the rail guns on the airships, they would lay waste to the last of the Atlas army and their allies. "To defeat the enemy, you need to cut off the head and with all their forces concentrated at Khesed, it will be over within minutes. All of them, and the traitors will die today." He smirked, then laughed evilly.
Back at Khesed, hours had passed after the meeting and Galen was explaining the plan to Ruby, Blake, Yang and Weiss in one of the empty briefing rooms. "Sneaking into an enemy occupied Atlas? That sounds a bit risky, don't you think and we're planning on releasing the ones behind the attempted coup against Ironwood?" Weiss questioned. "I know you weren't born on Remnant Galen, but the last time someone snuck into Atlas or even Mantle, they were quickly arrested and that was in the days before airships and planes."
"That's ancient history, Weiss." Yang pointed out. "We're talking about infiltrating an Atlas that is overrun with Droids, Death Bots, Imperial Soldiers, White Fang soldiers and Grimm. Plus, we're not going to be infiltrating the kingdom right away. We're about a thousand miles away from Atlas and it's not like any of us actually know how to sneak into Atlas."
"Actually, I might know how to lead us into Atlas." Blake admitted, getting a few curious looks from her teammates. "Back when I was with the White Fang, Adam… Adam was planning on sneaking into the kingdom and bomb a Schnee Dust Company store, and other targets he believed would ignite the sparks of revolution in the hearts of 'our fellow Faunus' as he said, but Sienna forbade him from carrying out the plan, as she saw an attack like this would cause the White Fang to be seen in a more negative light than it already was."
"Even after I said no, he still carried out the attack, but failed to destroy his intended targets." Sienna said as she walked into the room, with Ray and Neo behind her. "All his attack did was further ignite the hatred for our people, most of which was coming from the same people he was trying to inspire with his attack."
"I still wished I killed Adam when I fought him months before his attack at the docks." Ray snarled. "Bastard got in a pretty good hit when I fought him in Anima, and that was right before the time Galen arrived on the planet."
"Adam has clearly lost sight of what the White Fang stood for. We were to bridge the gap between humans and faunus, show them that we could live together, but his actions along with the actions of the people who hate us with a passion have only made things worse. Thousands of people on both sides have been killed, and he's killed more than his fair share of humans." Sienna added.
"Can we get back to sneaking into Atlas?" Ruby asked.
"Right, sorry about that." Blake apologized. "Anyway, I never took part in the actual attack, but Adam showed me the plan for the infiltration. He planned on having a small team sneak in through the storm drain on the western part of the city, then use the sewers to reach a White Fang hideout, assemble the bombs and then transport them using delivery vans to the targets, abandon the vans and then detonate the bombs remotely." She explained.
"So, we forgo the bomb and vans, and use the sewers to sneak in?" Yang asked. "Do we even know which sewer hatch to push open? If we exit in the wrong place, we'll have blasters pointed at our faces and we'll all end up dead. Oh, and what about the idea that the sewers might be crawling with enemies?"
"We'll…" Galen began but the briefing room shook before he could even finish his sentence. "Get down!" he shouted and pushed everyone down to the floor with the force, just as the wall behind them collapsed. "Is everyone alright?"
"Define alright." Weiss asked as she brushed the plaster and dust off her clothing. "What was that?"
"That was a bomb and that's where it came from." Sienna clarified and pointed to the sky outside the building to see that Vale, Atlas, Clone, Rebel and Mandalorian fighters scrambling into the air to engage the White Fang, Imperial, and droid fighters, along with the multiple air ships. "Ray, scan one of those Raven drones." Sienna instructed.
"Ambers already on it!" Ray shouted over the roar of explosions and weapons fire.
"The weapons bays of the drones are fully loaded with explosives. Based on their flight path and how much they are weighed down, I believe their course is not to the air base, but to San Loma and I believe they are programmed to ram themselves into the structures of ships." Amber reported over the commlink.
"In other words, those drones are kamikazes. Flying bombs." Sienna snarled, before she ran towards the hanger where her S37 was being armed. Ray and Neo followed after her, running to the hanger where the Garuda Team's Strike Daggers were armed and waiting.
"Trigger to base command. The enemy is using the new drones as suicide bombers and they're planning to ram them into the docked ships. Advise you task a few squadrons to intercept them before they destroy the fleet!" he shouted into the commlink.
"Trigger, this is base command. We're not seeing any drones on our sensors. The enemy force consists of animal operated fighters and bombers. Get your squadron airborne and engage the enemy units targeting the base." The operator in control tower ordered, much to his annoyance. Changing frequencies, Ray contacted Bishop who instructed him, Sienna, the Gelb and Galm teams to intercept the drones with Rogue Squadron before they could destroy the ships.
"At least Colonel Bishop listened to me. Does everyone in Atlas have a superiority complex that they won't listen to those from other kingdoms? Don't they realize that the only way for us to defeat Salem is if we work together!? Ugh, these guys are all idiots!" Ray deadpanned with annoyance.
"Just ignore them and do what the colonel told us to do, bro." Neo assured her brother over the radio as she and KT taxied onto the runway, fully loaded for air-to-air combat. Once Neo took off, Marcus followed suit in his own Strike Dagger, followed by the three S37's of Sienna and the Gelb Team, then Ray followed suit. His F14 was undergoing a much-needed maintenance, but thankfully he had a Strike Dagger already to use and modified for space combat.
Once they were airborne, the six planes veered away from the incoming bombers and turned in the direction of San Loma, much to the surprise of the tower operators who called for them to return to the airfield. "Garuda Team! You were ordered to intercept those bombers not fly towards the fleet and make them a target! Return to the airfield at once or we'll take away your wings!" the tower operator shouted.
"We're with the rebellion, not some bigoted air force that's done more for Jacque Schnee than the kingdom." Trigger remarked, switching his radio to the frequency used by Warwolf Squadron, who had already taken to the air and joined up with the other pilots. "Colonel Bishop, Commander Skywalker, Garuda Team is at your disposal." He said calmly.
(Vitoze Air Defense starts)
"Warwolf 1 to all craft, prioritize the kamikazes. We can't let them sink our fleet. Take them out before they can get within striking distance of San Loma. They're jamming our communications, so stay within sight of each other." Bishop said over the radio as the swarm of drones came into view, just twenty-five hundred feet over a small mountain range.
"Biggs, Wedge, Hobbie, you three are with me. We'll back up the Garuda Team. Wes, Dak, Zev, Tycho, the rest of you back up Colonel Bishop, Guts, and the Gelb Team. Keep your eyes on your scanners and watch for Vader." Luke ordered his own pilots, who broke off into their groups and locked their s-foils into attack formation and moved to engage the enemy.
A flight of Raven's flew ahead of the pilots at top speed, already alerting the naval vessels docked at San Loma who were already scrambling to get their anti-air weapons online. The Belfast, Laffey, Enterprise and Hornet were quick to gain altitude, already opening up with their weapons while the Marigold, the flagship of the Vale Navy came about hard left at thirty degrees, bringing all of its guns to bear on the incoming craft. With allied fighters in the air, the Marigold's captain, Kenneth Ford couldn't risk using his ships' missiles, unless he wanted to risk hitting his allies. "Marigold to all incoming craft, seventy-five percent of the fleet is undergoing repairs and half of them are getting their weapons repaired! We'll provide whatever support we can from down here!" Kenneth shouted over the radio.
"Garuda 3 to Marigold, we copy you loud and clear captain. We'll do everything we can to keep the fleet afloat." Marcus assured, pitching his Strike Dagger over in a dive and cut loose a volley of XMAA's at four Raven's. Two of his missiles hit their targets, but the other two missed and slammed into a pair of Falken's that were close by. "Damn it! I really hate dogfighting against machines!" Marcus cursed, pulling the joystick back into his gut, making a hard right turn to avoid the fire from a Tri-Fighter. The fighter on his tail continued to cut loose with a volley of cannon fire but was downed by anti-aircraft fire from one of the repaired Aegis vessels of the Vale Navy. "Gotta give those navy buys credit, they sure can hit a bullseye." He complimented.
Carrier based F14's, F18's and F35's soon took off from the repaired carriers to protect their ships, but as they took off an ADFX-01 rammed itself into the bridge of one the carriers, engulfing it in flames before the ship exploded, listed heavily to its side, and then sunk rapidly. "They're targeting the carriers!" One of the pilots shouted in panic.
"We've got to protect those carriers!" another shouted.
Luke heard the cries of the pilots over his commlink as he, Wedge, Biggs and Hobbie downed a flight of ADFX-02's before they could ram themselves into the Belfast, then flew through the barrage of anti-aircraft fire after another group of drones, these ones being both Raven's and Falken's targeting several drydocked cruisers. Several drones slammed into the docked cruisers, engulfing the ships in flames which then exploded. "R2, did the Separatists do anything like this during the war?" Luke asked his companion. R2 beeped in response, telling Luke about several such instances when the Separatists enacted Kamikaze styled attacks, in particular, the ramming of a captured Republic Venator into the space station Valor. "They used a cruiser as a bomb? That's insane!" Luke exclaimed as he fired his cannons at a single Falken, which exploded before it could ram itself into the Enterprise.
The pilots of Rogue Squadron, Warwolf Squadron, Gelb Team, Sienna, and the Garuda Team continued to engage the bandits, but for every five aircraft they shot down, another ten broke through the anti-aircraft barrage and slammed themselves into the ships. Pitching her craft into a sharp dive from seventy-five thousand feet, Sienna singled out a flight of ADFX-01's and fired a volley of XLAA's at the flight. Her four missiles streaked towards the drones, slamming into the center of their airframes and blew them in half. Leveling out from her run, she spotted a group of S57's had managed to slip by their defense's and were on a direct course for the Marigold. Pushing her engines to full power, Sienna gave chase after the stealth fighters and pulled the trigger the moment she was in range, unleashing a burst of 30mm cannon fire that hit one of the planes in the engine, causing it to smoke before it lost control and rolled over to the ground below. The Gelb Team managed to down the other three S57's, but the Gelb team was forced to retreat after they took damage from a hastily launched anti-air missile from one of the ships below.
Sienna wasn't alone for long, as she spotted Bishop and Guts who had just downed a formation of ADFX-02's that were about to ram themselves into Laffy's turbo laser cannons. She was about to join up with them when she spotted an S47 hot on Bishop's tail with its weapons bay open and ready to fire. Pushing her afterburners to full power, Sienna quickly caught up with the enemy fighter, lined up her plane's nose directly behind the plane and fired a missile directly up the plane's engine, completely disintegrating it. "You need to remember to check your tail, Colonel. You were almost shot down." Sienna pointed out.
"Thanks for the save, Sienna. I ow you one." Bishop thanked, firing a volley of XMAA's from his Longswords weapons bay at several targets ahead of him and Guts. The missiles slammed into the targets, destroying them.
Below them and flying low over the water, Neo, and Ray directly towards one another with multiple hostiles on their tails before they turned sharply to the right and left at the last second, resulting in their pursuers crashing into each other. The Mandalorian's formed up and were quick to target the enemy craft flying over the docked battlecruisers, battleships and the crew men who were swimming away from the damaged or sinking vessels. A final volley of XMAA's from the two Strike Daggers sent eight drones down into the drink, resulting in cheers from the crewmen in the water. "Take the left, sis. I'll take the right." Ray ordered Neo, as the both of them flew through the docked vessels, then turned in said directions, giving chase after a few more drones.
Neo opened up with her cannon, riddling the engine of one of the drones with bullets which then slammed into another drone, resulting in a double kill. A third drone executed a hard g turn, forcing Neo to execute the same maneuver, which allowed Neo to take out the drone with a missile right up the tail. The fourth drone cut its engines and got behind Neo in perfect angle for a missile shot, but the pilot of the Strike Dagger smirked as she reached out with the Force and held the drone in place after she cut her own speed, allowing for another missile shot.
Ray on the other hand had expanded all of his XMAA's on two flights of drones, leaving him with only his gun and four short-ranged missiles. Weaving through the barrage of naval anti-air fire as he chased after a Falken. Closing the distance, his headset toned, and he hit the fire button, sending the missile towards the drone which had little room to maneuver between a pair of buildings close to the dry dock. The missile slammed into the drone, sending the enemy unit down in flames. "Scratch another boogey for me. Good thing I'm not like one of those Atlesian pilots who think they're the only ones who should be able to fly." He chortled.
Only a second later, his plane began to shake as cannon fire slammed into his plane and flew past his canopy. Craning his neck, he spotted the shooter, a TIE Interceptor that managed to break off from the main assault on the airfield. "It's not one of those spec op pilots, but if this guy managed to get the drop on me, he's good." Ray said, impressed as he turned his jet to the left and over the burning ships. The enemy Interceptor gave chase and stuck to Ray's tail, firing their cannons whenever the target flew into view. Cannon fire occasionally slammed into his Strike Dagger, knocking his shields out completely and forced Ray onto the defensive. As he jinked his aircraft in every direction, the enemy interceptor then launched a volley of missiles at him. "Shit! These guys have missiles!" Ray cursed, dumping all of his flares as the swarm of missiles streaked towards him.
The missiles tracked the flares, then exploded, obscuring the interceptor pilot's view of Trigger as he dived towards the ocean below, then pulled up before he slammed into the water. Flying at wave top level, Ray jinked his aircraft to the left to avoid the cannon fire from his pursuer, who was preparing for another missile launch. "Not this time." Ray said and pulled the stick into his gut as he climbed rapidly over the flaming navy fleet. The interceptor pilot followed suit, but just when it seemed that Garuda 1 was about to be killed, Ray snapped his aircraft around and a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn, then flew towards the TIE pilot head-on, firing his 20mm cannon at the fighter. Bullets pinged off the interceptor's hull before it exploded in mid-air, allowing Ray to level out, but not without damage from the interceptors' cannons.
Once he leveled out, he watched as in the distance, the enemy airships continued to decimate the airfield. "Damn it, we need to turn this battle around or else we're all dead!" he cursed.
(End song)
Back over the airfield, White Fang, Droid, and Imperial bombers continued to decimate the disorganized ground forces as Atlesian and Vale jets continued to rise to challenge the enemy ships. The Atlas Air Fleet was able to get a few airships of their own into the air, but the enemy prioritized them first, forcing the fighter pilots to protect the airships instead of attacking the bombers.
All the fighter pilots, except for the Galm Team, Dante and Pyrrha who were returning from a recon flight over the ocean and had only just learned about the attack. After refueling in mid-air, the flight of four fighters arrived on the scene and targeted the airships. A few of the pilots from the 501st and 502nd squadrons were quick to join them, along with the Hitman Team and also targeted the airships and bombers, as they were the biggest threat.
As friendly SAM and AA fire streaked through the sky, Pyrrha targeted one of the 205 class airships and attacked.
(Start Clear Skies)
Diving from twenty-five thousand feet, Pyrrha opened up her weapons bay and the second she acquired a lock on the vessels weapons, launched a salvo of XMAA's that would have destroyed their intended targets, only for the missiles to slam harmlessly into the shields of the airship. "Black Leader to all pilots, enemy airships are equipped with shields! I say again, enemy airships are equipped with shields!" She called through the commlink.
"Ghost Eye to Black Leader. We're getting reports from other pilots confirming your claims. Looks like the Empire was able to reinforce the White Fang airships with new tech. Let the bombers eliminate the shields before you make another attack run, Ion and Proton torpedoes do a lot more damage to the shields then basic missiles and guns." The Sicario AWACS said over the radio, as a flight of rebel Y-Wings dived down on the same Airship that Pyrrha attempted to take down, firing a concentrated volley of Ion weapons that drained the shields of the airship.
Pulling up from her dive, Pyrrha banked her Longsword around hard left and sped towards the airship, attempting the same tactic as before. This time, her volley of XMAA's made slammed into the airship's weapons, destroying the airship's railguns and several SAM launchers in a single pass. The remaining anti-air weaponry tracked her, trying to shoot her down as she leveled out, just in time to witness Sakamoto, Miyafuji, Shizuka, the Karibuchi sisters, Shimohara, and Kanno eliminate the remaining weapons and the target itself. "Sakamoto to Black Leader, if you're looking for new pilots for your squadron, we'll be glad the join you and I'm sure the others will agree once we free them from the Empire!" Sakamoto shouted over the radio.
During the retreat from Atlas, the other pilots of the 501st and 502nd squadrons were shot down and taken into Imperial custody. Though they were Faunus, it was highly unlikely that they would be treated any differently by the White Fang, considering they were fighting to protect the humans of Atlas and Mantle, a sign that Adam said marked them as traitors. It was possible that they were being treated like individuals, if only to try and sway the captured pilots to the side of the White Fang, but pilots like Wilcke, Barkhorn, Rall and Hartman wouldn't betray their allies, for any reason.
An S47 trailed Dante, the pilots finger poised over the trigger and ready to fire their 30mm cannon at the Longsword, but Mobius One was a more skilled pilot than the pilot of the S47, who had no combat experience and was only given the aircraft because he was deemed, 'worthy' to fly such an advanced aircraft against the humans. The pilot's fate was sealed the moment Dante executed a rolling scissors which the rookie White Fang pilot ignored, resulting in them flying right into Dante's gunsight. "Guns." He called out and pulled the trigger, spitting out a hundred twenty-millimeter shells into the enemy plane's frame, which then exploded in mid-air.
"For new aircraft, the pilots aren't as skilled as the other pilots I've faced." Dante mused, just wondering why Adam would assign new planes to his pilots who had no experience in flying such aircraft. Just then, his missile alarm screamed out through his headset. R8 confirmed that the missiles were discord missiles, launched from a few Vulture droids. "I've got those buzz missiles on my tail. I can't shake them!" he called out, flying directly over one of the enemy Flying Fortresses that had just been destroyed by the Galm Team.
A second Flying Fortress was directly ahead of him and closing fast. Thinking quickly, Dante took his Longsword into a dive, just in time to avoid slamming into the massive airship, but the missiles on his tail slammed into the airship. "Guess they can't execute sharp turns like a pilot can." He chuckled, launching a volley of XMAA's at one of the unshielded Anura-class airships, scoring an indirect hit in the airships bridge, sending the massive ship down in flames. "Galm Team, this is Mobius One. Form up on my wing, I've got another unshielded airship that needs to be taken down." He called out over the radio.
The Galm pilots formed up alongside Dante and were quick to take down the target, an unshielded Arcion Cruiser. Three volleys of XMAA missiles flew from the three jets and slammed into the weapons of the airship, which was then taken out by burst of cannon fire directly at the bridge. "We can't hold them off forever. We need a game changer right about now!" Dante pointed out.
(End Song)
A game changer was on its way as taxing out of one of the hangers were five F4's, equipped with XMAA's and two heavy gun pods, each of which was loaded with a hundred and sixty rounds, for a total of three hundred and twenty shots. Four of the F4's were piloted by Robyn and her huntresses, while the last one was piloted by Ruby, who's partner, RIC-22 had just finished the preflight checks on her plane.
"All systems are green across the board. Tower, this is Ruby Rose. Requesting permission to join the battle with the Happy Huntresses." Ruby said over the radio.
"Ruby, this is Clover. You, Robyn, and her girls are clear for take-off. Give them hell." Clover said over the radio as the five planes began to take off.
(444 starts)
Explosions continued to erupt around the airfield as the five planes rocketed down the runway and took to the skies, retracting their landing gear as they were soon joined by Galen in his starfighter. "Galen, we've got heavy cannons that can knock out the shields of the airships. We'll target them first." Ruby said into her commlink.
"I was thinking the same thing, Ruby. Ric, you keep her safe up here, got it?" Galen said over the commlink, earning a series of assuring beeps from RIC that he would assist Ruby, as it was his programming. "Ok, ok. I get it."
"Less talking and more shooting!" Robyn shouted as she and her merry band of huntresses joined the battle. Switching to their heavy cannons, May, Fiona, Joanna, and Robyn fired a barrage of high-explosive shells at one of the enemy airships. The shells slammed into the shields, draining their power before the cruiser finally exploded after a few seconds, crashing into the ground outside the airfield. "Splash one cruiser! Looks like heavy gun pods with explosive Dust rounds due the trick!" Robyn exclaimed.
"All pilots! Cover the Happy Huntresses and young Rose as they take out the airships! They got weapons that can send them to the scrapheap! Keep up that pressure and the enemy should call for retreat soon." Clover shouted over the radio. Like before, Atlas pilots refused to except help from the likes of Robyn, Ruby, and their allies, many of which were blaming them for the fall of Atlas, even going as far as to 'accidentally' fire a missile at Galen.
Galen sensed that they were trying to kill him, but ignored the attempts to kill him, planning on telling Clover about this. "Looks like Clover has a lot of work cut out for him." Galen sighed, pitching his fighter towards one of the Littoria-Class airship, firing his cannons at the shielded bridge, knocking out the shields of the airship and lighting the bridge up in flames before it crashed to the ground below.
Anti-aircraft fire continued to fill the skies as the Venators of the Eight Fleet finally arrived, along with the fighters that went to protect the fleet, firing all their guns at the enemy airships for maximum effect on target. Multiple airships went down in flames, along with several fighters that were caught in the crossfire. As the enemy forces began to lose allies, Ruby fired her plane's 20mm cannon at an enemy XFA-27, disintegrating the aircraft with a quick burst of fire. "I got another one!" she called out, then dived down towards a Flying Fortress Airship, firing her heavy gun pods at the shielded crafts bridge. High-explosive shells slammed into the cruiser, knocking out the shields and sending the airship down in flames.
Pulling up from her run, RIC-22 screamed as four White Fang S35's were on an intercept course with her, directly head on. Switching to missiles, Ruby acquired a lock and hit the fire button, launching four of her XMAA's at the enemy jets, which exploded in half, save for one that dived down to avoid the missile, which continued to fly into the distance, then slammed into an unsuspecting enemy S34. "I don't think so!" Ruby shouted, diving after the retreating aircraft positioning herself for a gun kill. The S35 pilot, however, was a skilled one, banking in opposite directions, causing Ruby to overshoot her target, aggravating her. Calming herself, she pitched her craft to the left, following the enemy pilot, then pulled the trigger, firing her cannon at an arc and destroying the enemy fighter.
By now, the enemy was preparing to retreat, but a few enemy airships remained behind to continue the attack on the air base. Diving down, Ruby pushed her crafts after burners to full power, then executed a one-hundred and eighty-degree turn, pointing her craft back towards the sky kicking in her afterburners to full power, climbing rapidly while firing the last of her missiles at several TIE fighters, then fired her gun pods at one of the remaining airships, before she was even within range.
Having expanded much of her gun pods ammo on the Flying Fortress, Ruby had only about eighty rounds left for both pods. Her shots slammed into the hull of the airship, one of which scored a lucky hit on the ships exposed reactor, causing a chain reaction that spread through out the whole ship, which then exploded in a massive fireball. "Target's down!" she shouted.
(End song)
"All pilots, enemy forces are retreating! We've won this round. Return to base for rearming and repairs." Ghost Eye called out. The moment she landed, she greeted her with praise and cheers from her friends, teammates, and allies for her piloting skills. "Nice work, Ruby. You're certainly not a kid anymore." Galen praised, making Ruby smile, but she did cast a glance back at the retreating enemy forces, knowing that this was only the beginning and that the road to freeing Atlas and Mantle was only going to get harder.
And that is the chapter. Finished this chapter while watching the Clone Wars movie.
Sorry for the long wait, I was having serious writers block and things at work have been… well they've not been going well for me. Definitely time to find a new job.
But Hazel has been captured by Salem and now she knows that Ozpin has been reincarnated in Oscar. We all know what that means. Oh, and if any of you are wondering about Raven, you'll see what has become of her next chapter.
I'm sure all of you have heard Ray Stevenson passed away at the age of 58. He will be missed, and he played one hell of a Frank Castle in Punisher Warzone. But, for us Star Wars fans, it means Gar Saxon is truly dead. Wish I could have met him and asked what gun he used in Punisher Warzone was his favorite.
Anyway, I've got some good news. One of my cousins proposed to his girlfriend and he's now officially engaged. I hope I get invited to the wedding, cause my cousin has been there for me so many times in my life that I want to be there for his wedding.
Alright, please read and review and I'll see you all next time, but first, who wants to see Plo Koon, and his unit fight the Empire on his home planet of Dorin? Or Hondo working alongside Nym and his pirates? Or Galen and Ruby fighting zombified Imperial soldiers in deep space?