Chp. 54: Afghan S.O.S
Dining Hall
May 25, 2021
About two months had passed since all the student's families had visited for the week. Ever since the death of Watson's father, he had been mourning his loss as his friend tried to comfort him, especially Emerald. Since time was passing, things were getting worse throughout the world and more problems arose. Nations that are allies or are in debt to China which includes Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, Laos, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Angola, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, The Republic of Congo, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba, Syria, Maldives, Tajikistan, Malaysia, and Mongolia were all suddenly seeing Salmania, Astar, and Kemonia as official sovereign nations. President Biden and his administration were also making plans to announce that they officially see the three newborn countries founded under Salem as official nations, stating that they want to make open diplomatic relations to benefit society and start a new era, much to the people and the UHL's protests.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine grow sour when Ukraine was wanting to make plans to join NATO, and in response, Russia started to build up military forces near the border between the two countries and in Belarus. Vladimir Putin had tried to justify his actions by claiming that Ukrainian society and government were dominated by Neo-Nazism, but the Russian president's rhetoric was found to be exaggerated. While Ukraine does suffer a far-right fringe, including the Neo-Nazi linked Azov Battalion and Right Sector, Ukrainian society and government wasn't run by Neo-Nazism. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was Jewish and that his grandfather fought in the Soviet Union against the Nazies during World War II, and that three of his grandfather's family members were killed in the Holocaust. The UHL Council was beginning to question Russia's position within the organization.
Concerns grow as China has already built three battle airships, including a flying aircraft carrier, and has over a couple dozen more under construction. Experts stated that President Xi intends to solve China's "Taiwan problem" sooner than expected thanks to China's new partnership with Salem.
Right now inside Beacon's dining hall, Teams RWBY, JNPR, GRMA, CFDT, JAAR, and OBSA were all seated at their tables close together having their lunches. Robert was reading a news article on his phone.
"Can you believe this shit?" Robert asked. "Biden wants to make peace with Salem."
"I can see that going well," Blake sarcastically said with an eyeroll.
"He's probably doing this just to smell Salem's hair," Jacket jokes, making everyone chuckle.
"I'll be honest, while I am a liberal minded myself and I wasn't originally a fan of Trump at first, but the more corruption he exposed within the government and the more good he did, the more my views on the Democrats swayed," Britney said.
"You're a Democrat?" Jacob asked.
"Yes, me and Rebecca both. And not all of us like what the Democrats are doing now with all this woke and Cancel Culture crap. Take people like Elon Musk for example, he believes everyone is entitled to their own views and speech no matter how ridiculous and stupid some of them might be. And Bill Maher, he stated that his views haven't changed but the party itself has," Britney said.
"That's true, Britney," Kendra said.
"Why are you guys against these Democrats so much?" Pyrrha asked.
"They can't be that bad," Oscar said.
"Oh yes they can!" Robert retorted.
"While some of them aren't all that bad like Britney said, the Democrats arguably have a long history of corruption dating back during the days of slavery," Jesse said.
"They are pro-slavery, they seceded from the Union to create the Confederate States of America, they started the American Civil War, they had written the Jim Crow laws enforcing segregation, they instigated the Cuban Missle Crisis, they took part in shady business deals much like Jacques Schnee, they tried to rewrite history to make themselves look good and others bad, and they often accuse others of illegal shit that they themselves are really doing," Allen explained.
"The Democrats are often violent, divisive, and are too emotionally trigger happy when attacking others, even when they themselves are in the wrong," Jacket added.
"That's a lot to list down," Mercury said.
"And to be fair, the Republicans aren't completely innocent themselves either. There was the Watergate Scandal for example, President Hoover's failures in the late 1920s, and the Iran-Contra Scandal," Rebecca added.
"But at least the Republicans acknowledged their faults unlike the Democrats," Kelly said.
"True, but nowadays the Republicans rarely take action against the Democrats whenever they fuck up, making them just as guilty," Rebecca said.
"I remember Watchmojo uploading a couple top ten videos on Democrat and Republican stereotypes and in my opinion, the Democrats are arguably worse then the Republicans," Watson said before turning his head to the reader and whispered. "Look up those videos. You'll see what I mean. Maybe that's one of the reasons why the author has such a negative view on them."
"They both embody and are those stereotypes, Watson," Kelly said.
"And we prefer to choose parties and systems that are the least flawed and corrupt," Jacob said.
"Watchmojo was smart before they started running out of ideas and went woke," Ricky said.
"So why aren't these Democrats locked up or something?" Jaune asked
"Because like most politicians, they've got money and power in their pockets, making them believe that they're above the law and that they can do no wrong," Jacket answered.
"But enough about that. All I'm concerned about now is that by next week, we'll all be heading home and enjoy three months of freedom," Ricky said.
"You can say that again," Nora said.
Suddenly, the intercom goes off, catching everyone's attention.
"All students signed up to the UHL please report to the amphitheater immediately," Glynda spoke through the intercom.
"I wonder what this is about now," Yang said.
"We better go see what Professor Ozpin wants now," Azumi said.
The six teams all got up from their tables and started to get themselves ready to leave to the amphitheater.
Amphitheater
After several minutes had passed, Teams RWBY, JNPR, GRMA, CFDT, JAAR, OBSA, CFVY, and CRDL, and Rin, Ronin, and Liberty, and several other students were all gathered in the amphitheater. Glynda stood up on the stage behind the microphone with Professor Ozpin standing beside her.
"Quiet please. Professor Ozpin has an important announcement," she said.
Glynda steps away from the microphone as Ozpin steps up to it.
"I have just received some news from the UHL. Director Gordon is wanting all of you to arrive at headquarters today because he has a very important mission for all of you and the other students from the other four academies," Ozpin said. "I have not been given the details yet, but I do know that this mission will take place in Afghanistan."
The students all murmured for a moment before Ozpin raised his hand, gesturing to them to quiet down.
"Director Gordon will explain what the mission is once you all arrive. I want all of you to go back to your dorm rooms and pack what you will need. An Air Bus will arrive in an hour and Director Gordon wants you all to be at headquarters by 5 o'clock this afternoon. The other students from Atlas, Shade, and Haven will be there when you arrive," Ozpin explained. "And if you choose to partake in this mission, then good luck. You may all go now."
The students all turned around and started to leave the amphitheater to their dorm rooms so they could get ready for their new mission in Afghanistan.
Mountain Glenn
Daniel Air Force Base
Airfield
Later at sunset, The Beacon students were getting off the Air Bus after it had made its landing. Close by, three airplanes had just also landed as the students of Haven, Shade, and Atlas were boarding off of them, including Teams SSSN, ABRN, GUVV, BRNZ, NDGO, and FNKI.
"It must be pretty serious if everyone is here," Pyrrha said.
"It probably is," Azumi said.
"Sup!" a familiar voice called out to them.
Everyone turned their heads to see Sun Wukong approaching them.
"Hey, Sun," Ruby greeted.
"Looks like we're all here again," Sun said before turning his head to see Blake and Yang holding hands. "Soooo... you two are..."
"Yep. Yang and I are a thing," Blake replied.
Sun was silent for a moment as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Soooo... congrats!" he said as he gave two thumbs up.
"Sorry, bro," Ricky said as he patted Sun on the back.
"Will all student UHL personnel please report to headquarters?" a man on the P.A. spoke.
"We all better get going," Ren said.
UHL Headquarters
Auditorium
Later at UHL Headquarters, the students were all gathered inside the auditorium as they all took their seats. Stepping up to the podium was Director Keaton Gordon. The students all turned their attention to him as he then started to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I've called you all here because Afghanistan is currently facing a crisis. A few weeks ago, NATO has decided to withdraw all Allied troops from Afghanistan after believing it had made a peace deal with the Taliban. However on the 1st of May, the Taliban and allied militant groups began a widespread offensive shortly after a significant portion of US troops withdrew from Afghanistan. And our experts believe that it's very likely that the Taliban will take control of Afghanistan within a matter of months."
The students all murmured amongst themselves before Keaton spoke again.
"Ever since then, citizens have been trying to evacuate out of the country. And what I''m about to show you all next will be disturbing."
A large holo-screen appeared above Keaton's head as it then shows a video of a C-17 Globemaster moving up to the runway as hundreds of Afghan citizens surrounded it running alongside with some of them trying to climb on to the sides of the plane. The screen switched to the plane taking off into the air with several Afghan citizens clinging on to the sides of the plane. A couple of them lost their grip onto the plane and dropped down to the runway to their deaths.
Most of the students were horrified at the desperation of all the people trying to get out of Afghanistan.
The screen then switched to a video of a large crowd of Afghan civilians getting surrounded by over a dozen heavily armed Taliban militants. One of them fired his gun at six civilians, killing them.
Some of the students grew outraged at the Taliban's actions, with some even comparing the Taliban to the White Fang. The screen disappeared as Keaton then spoke once more.
"Our mission is to help evacuate as many citizens as we can out of Afghanistan. The Atlas military will be there to aid you in this mission. I'm not ordering you to take on this mission, but I am saying we need all the help we can get. If you're wanting to join, please head back to the airfield and prepare yourselves. If not, please report to your drill sergeants. Dismissed."
The students all stood up from their seats and started to leave the auditorium. As Jacob was about to walk out the door Keaton walked up to him.
"Jacob, I want to talk to you for a minute," he said.
Jacob turns around to face his brother.
"Yeah, Keaton?" Jacob asked.
"Listen, I've been thinking. And I'm not sure if I should send you back to Afghanistan," Keaton said.
"What?" Jacob asked.
"After what happened after the last time you went there, I'm worried you might act out again," Keaton explained.
"I'm not oblivious to what had happened, but this is just to help an evacuation," Jacob said.
"I don't know, Jacob. I'm still a little worried for your mental state," Keaton said.
"Please, Keaton. You said that you need all the help you can get. I promise I'll be careful," Jacob said.
Keaton stood in thought for a moment before he spoke.
"Alright, fine. But I do not want to hear about any more incidents involving you," he said.
"So what are you gonna do?" Jacob asked.
"I'm still investigating what happened in the elections. And I believe we may have some leads," Keaton answered. "You may go now."
Jacob turns around and walks out through the doors to join the others.