Edit 07/11/22

AN/ So here we are again This is a nice big chapter at 3500 words. Hopefully, you all enjoy it.

No major news other than that see you all in a month

After the messages were sent to the other teams, units, the Cadet Pilots and the Cadet Captain and Crew of The Beacon Alec sighs as he places down his scroll, "Lunch anyone?" He stands up, "Probably should explore the school a little bit also."

"I could go for some food." Mimi says standing up, she turns around with a smile and looks at Raven, "Come on you will want to know where the library is anyway Raven. And Bet we will find the training rooms."

Raven rolls her eyes as Beethoven gets up and follow their leader, she gets up with a sway. "So, Rita are you all joining us?"

"We are a support team, we have to figure out what we have, we will see you tonight for dinner."

Alec nods as he walks out his weapons on his hips just like the rest of his team. Mimi leads them a step ahead of the rest skipping her way down the path. The four look over the campus and fortress the paths are all sided by thick walls that double as benches. The large green park areas are clear of trees and bushes there is only small flower beds. The four move towards the dining hall observing the layout before them the beautiful courtyard seeming empty of any standing buildings or trees the only thing taller than the flowers being the bench/walls that paralleled the paths. The massive neobeacon flag hanging down from the top of the Dining hall flutters in the light breeze. The entire fortress stretches out around them the buildings each like a smaller fortress. The inside of the cafeteria is lined will long heavy wooden tables and benches there are some students sitting around the tables eating the food that has been made by the organized and prepared kitchen staff. Dozens of weapons are mounted on the walls, each one special, unique. A few faces turn to see the newcomers, the four walk towards the mess line.

With food in hand the four work their way towards an empty area of the mess hall off to one side, the window lets the sunlight in warming the area. Mimi places down her tray and stretches in the sunlight. Alec sits next to her, and Beethoven and Raven sit across the table from them. Alec looks around as he takes bites of his food. "The library is directly East of the Dorms, and the Training Room is North of that."

Mimi lets out a content sigh, "The Classrooms are to the West across from the Training rooms the Staff Offices and Quarters are South of that."

Raven annoyingly sighs, "Are we really doing this?"

Beethoven smirks as he continues the conversation, "The Courtyard is a fully open field nothing interrupting line of site other than the short walls on either side of the walkways. As the as Assistant headmaster seemed to suggest each of these building are fortresses in their own."

Raven rolls her eyes, "Yeah, I know you all like doing this but really are you surprised that Fortress Beacon is a massive defensive structure with smaller defenses that are designed to support an internal defense. There are also at least ten levels going down, one holds multiple fighter squadrons and a Brother's damned Frigate, at least a Mechanized Unit and the equipment for all the assigned Hunter teams and units. This place also has massive guns that can fire thousands of Kilometers on its walls and a fairly large garrison."

Alec finishes his food, "So with this as the center of the Defense of the City of Vale why did a massive Grimm horde attack during the initiation test? Grimm may be unintelligent, but they do not throw their existence for nothing."

Mimi looks at her partner and leader, "Are you suggesting that something ordered that attack? Because that is impossible the Great Grimm War ended with the killing of Salem and her entire Inner Circle."

"That is what the history says," as a large man steps up causing discomfort among the four in his presence. Realizing they do not recognize him he smiles, "Very sorry I am Maximillian Cadet Captain of the Combat Frigate Beacon." The man's smile looks like he is baring teeth. His skin covered in fur; ears sit on top of his head large and holding a numbered tag.

Alec smiles, "Well Captain Take a seat with us we were discussing this fortress." He Motions over next to Beethoven who seems least put off by his dis comforting aura.

"As I had noticed," He looks to see both Mimi and Raven shifting uncomfortably, "If I make you uncomfortable, I can leave I know how I look is not," he stops thinking of the word, "helpful."

Mimi shakes her head, "No, no you sit, I have never seen a brother Faunus like you it took me by surprise."

Raven clears her voice, "Sit down, you are one of us and you helped save our asses, the fact that not a damn person in here offered you as seat is a shame."

"Thank you," He sits down placing his food on the table, "I can't blame them I was built for them to hate me." He takes a bite of his food, "I agree with you on this whole Grimm attack a class three Grimm horde is a large force, and of course then there is the radio Jamming there was something that blocked messages from Beacon to you at the Outpost and vice versa."

"You forgot the part where a completely separate Grimm horde attacked the Outpost," Hayley says walking up with her food tray setting it down.

Alec looks at the new arrival, "so two Grimm hordes mount an organized two front attack and jam our communication, and made the Headmistress worried enough that she did not send help to us."

Mimi's eyes narrow, "It is definitely a coincidence, probably just radio problems at the worst times." Her hand reaches for her weapon as Alec stops her.

Maximillian's eyes narrow, "Of course a series of mistakes and unlucky events."

Hayley takes a sip of her drink, "Yeah obviously those flocks of Nevermores and Lancers were definitely not there with the single intent to provide some type of Air support for the ground hordes. We all just got unlucky, very unlucky."

Alec looks back and forth between the five others in front of him, "So did you get my unit's message?"

Hayley nods, "Oh yes, the squadrons will work on giving you any missing information, thank you for including the part where you claim that you ordered us to return and pick you up with whatever reinforcements we could gather. I like how you claim that you had command authority because we gave you ground command."

"My quartermaster is a damn good writing expert she has some recommendations; she will be sending everything your way soon. Hayley she is recommending you do not mention the Assistant Headmasters talk with us and giving us the assignment of operation Prometheus." Maximillian continues the conversation as Hayley quiets down.

"Operation Prometheus?" Raven asks looking at the pair.

"Ah never mentioned that" Hayley says scratching her head, "the Assistant Headmaster walked in on us planning our little rescue mission he gave us permission and operation name Prometheus."

"Agreed leave it out," Beethoven says, "if he was told to do it the Headmistress will already know, if she doesn't sometime secrets are best kept."

Maximillian, "Well thank you for a wonderful lunch conversation I believe I need to return to my ship." He gets up and leaves without another word.

"I am afraid that if I don't get back to my squadron, they might to use the wing of a fighter as a ping pong table again, I will be seeing you again everyone." Hayley says as she quickly walks out of the Mess Hall.

Alec sighs looking around the Mess Hall, "Well that was fun."

Raven sighs as she stands up, "Maximillian said he was built to be hated, an odd way of saying that right."

Mimi stands up, "He doesn't smell right, he smells… He smells like aggression, and violence, he smells like something to be feared."

The Four start their walk towards the Library, Raven shakes her head, "It isn't just his smell he looks like an exaggerated version of Faunus; I have never heard of a Faunus with that kind of traits. His teeth are animalistic he looks more like what you would read in the old anti Faunus books."

Alec nods, "You are right, while you are looking around the library see what you can find."

"Of Course, I will meet you at sixteen hundred hours at the dorm," Raven splits off heading towards the Library."

"Mimi go with her."

"Got it." Mimi follows Raven splitting off from the boys.

Beethoven shifts his walk as he turns towards the training building, "Alec, I have not seen you like this, what is going on?"

"Don't know Bet but there is more to this, but we are not in a position to stress we must prepare though." Alec walks through the doors to the training rooms, "I don't like what we are seeing, there is more to this than we have been told."

"The five kingdoms are more ready for war than the four were before the Great War. The Academies are still not ready for anything though they are ramping up in four to eight years the academies will be pushing out almost a thousand fully trained fourth year hunters their units fully equipped and ready for any Grimm incursions."

"I know but that still suggests a massive command and control network for the Grimm," Alec says stepping into the main lobby and general gym area. Of course, this is a standard and general gym for hunters, ten tons is what the weights max at, the treadmills look like what you would use to test cars at speed and the punching bags are held up with reinforced chains. Alec takes note of the room's devices and tools, and the size of the room five thousand square meters with enough equipment to train an army. A map on one wall next to stairs and the elevator show four more levels with training room, simulators, with two more dedicated to fight simulators. "Is it up to expectations Bet?"

"You could train an army here, of course that is what is going on isn't it."

"I wouldn't call it an army," A soft spoken voice says from the desk, the woman standing behind she is small and petite wearing a staff uniform, "the new huntsman system is not an army it is a system of fully independent eight-man cells that can perform complex and effective battle against all foes. Although most of your training is focused on the Grimm but as has been shown by the Great Grimm War the Grimm are not the only enemies to Civilization." She smiles utterly sweetly, "By the way my name is Abigale you two must be from the new First Year Hunters."

Alec reaches out his hand, "Alec Tross Leader of team AMBR and unit leader of AMBR-RPTD. This is one of my teammates Beethoven Rening."

Abigale takes Alec's hand and shakes it, "I read the preliminary report on your test yesterday, you all did admirably though I do look forward to a full report made from your after-action reports. I look forward to how you convinced three squadrons of cadet pilots, a frigate, and an entire mechanized team to break orders and evacuate you. Want to give me a sneak peek." She leans in with excitement.

"I am afraid not; my part of the story would not be the full picture and it would be very unprofessional to skew your opinion." Alec smiles looking at her again, two pistols sit in shoulder holsters. Two magazines under each pistol.

"Ah well I guess you are right," Abigale leans back against her counter, "do you all have any questions?"

"Actually, yes," Beethoven smiles as he steps forward, "What are the rules to reserving a room?"

Abigale smiles as she picks up a forty-pound barbel she was using as a paper weight, "Training rooms can be reserved for individual use or group use, reservations must be made twenty-four hours ahead of time at least. The Training facility is open every day all day including multiple medical staff from the medical wing underground. It is directly connected to it by a few hallways. The rooms are self-repairing holographic combat simulators will multiple predesigned scenarios, though if you are feeling creative you can design your own. The flight simulators are also open to all students, but cadet pilots and huntsmen pilots get priority. Every hallway has a cleaning closet at the end in case you end up bleeding or deciding to have sex. I will warn you now it isn't worth it, and all of the rooms have cameras, just go find somewhere else please. Other than that, standard rules apply no fighting in the gym that is what the training rooms are for, no using your weapons outside of the training rooms, don't piss off the staff." She shrugs as she hands over a few pamphlets, "Not many new Hunters came in today probably were too tired."

Beethoven smile nodding as he checks the papers, "Alec I am going to check out this new equipment I will catch you in a few hours."

Alec looks around, "Alright see you at sixteen hundred."

"I will see you then."

"Good because if you aren't on time, I am sending Raven to get you." With a wave Beethoven gives a reply silently.

Alec steps out of the Gym, a calm smile on his face. He starts to walk calmly across the courtyard to the classrooms. Not many people are out it is still a new place for them, and they are adjusting. He walks past small groups of second year Hunters and Staff still preparing for the new school year. Alec finds his way across the courtyard he is ignored by everyone else; he stops in front of the large building that holds all of the classrooms.

"How are you liking my school so far Mr. Tross," The head mistress asks calmly from one side. She stares at him with a smile that has no warmth.

Alec laughs once before looking at her, "In three years you will be producing twenty-five Hunter units with four years of experience, arguably fully trained and equipped, with support and logistical skills. It is an impressive institution especially when you look at the fact there are five Kingdoms each doing the same."

The Headmistress frowns, "That is true, although I would argue that Atlas will be producing more units that us and Menagerie will be making less. This new system is more effective than the old ways of individual Hunters sometimes working in pairs." She signals, "Would you walk with me?" Alec nods falling in beside her, "I understand your worries it looks like I am making an army of super soldiers, this whole system was pushed by me and my allies. I promise that I do not plan on making a world order with you kids as my army."

Alec shrugs, "Ma'am I am going to be honest with you I wish that your plan was just to take over the world or run a shadow war like your predecessor." A sigh escapes him, "If you were really pushing for an obedient army, you would punish the Cadets and Mechanized Team."

"That is true." She looks towards her student, "good job on that by the way you were able to get a number of disagreeing groups with adverse opinions and stances to work together. A good sign of high-level leadership potential."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"And how you earned the trust of the Pilot Cadets to such a point that they disobeyed direct orders just to save you. That is something that I haven't seen for years."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You have a personality about you, it draws people like that to you. Once you finish with your service period you should go into politics." Alec stops looking at the older woman's smirking face, "Marry you Faunus partner get the unified support, you could get far."

"I am afraid Mimi will not agree to that. Headmistress you are getting off topic." Alec says flustered but trying to conceal it.

"And what topic were we on child?"

"Why you need an army ma'am. According to everything I have been told my whole life, the Grim are broken no leadership, the queen lay in ash where she was destroyed her lieutenants are dead and buried also, her allies are ours now, but you need an army. Yesterday we faced an organized horde, it almost broke us, while attacking Vale and jamming our radios we faced death and defeat. You almost lost two hundred fresh Hunters, and a years' worth of potential. Ma'am I have been told we are at Peace, but we are hiding behind walls with forces entrenched, we do not expand and very few of the outer villages grow beyond their walls. Headmistress what are we going to war against?"

"When I proposed the new academies, I did not do it because of a threat I did it to save civilization, to help expand into the outer lands using prepared and safe Hunters. Now what we are facing now, I could not tell you. I cannot tell you that you will have a peaceful life with a guaranteed easy out there will be death and pain, people will die. I cannot tell you why, or who we will face. But we have to hold off this enemy until the academies can get into full swing." She sighs looking at the young man in front of her, most importantly child going to war, she shakes away the images from her past of children with weapons and helmets that are too big fearfully looking at the black mass of Grimm.

"Are the Grimm getting stronger?"

"I can't tell you, our reports from military intelligence say no, but I have recently found that the military is to focused on facing the other Kingdoms rather than the Grimm."

"I see," Alec looks at the older woman, "so three years till we can reliably be producing one thousand Hunters with 'Graduate' experience."

"Yes, by your fifth year you would be considered a fully trained Hunter. Why."

Alec looks at the ground, "Ma'am three years is too long, you will have to send us on missions that are extremely dangerous. I grew up in Strip death is not new to me, it isn't the kindest place in the world a lot of Grimm and Bandits, I brought my friends here to have us fight for something more than that piece of land. But I did not bring them here to die against an enemy we don't understand."

"I don't plan on being in the dark for long Mr. Tross," The Headmistress Growls. "I will find who is trying to destroy this sliver of hope we have."

"What do you want me to say ma'am. Every one of us has sworn the next fifteen years to protecting civilization against all threats, if that means Salem so be it ma'am we will fight. All I ask is that it does not mean we die as forgotten pawns in a fight that was not needed. Do not let us become one of ten thousand forgotten names on one of a thousand statues. Don't let us be remembered as people who had to be sacrificed, let us be known as those who chose our path and did not regret it."

"I don't want more children's blood on my hands."

"Then remember that we are not children Ma'am we are hunters, sworn to fight for Civilization, no matter what they are, who they are Human, Faunus, Synthetic, Man, Woman, Child, whether they are from Vale, Atlas, Mistral, Vacuo, or Menagerie. Every one of us has sworn with every fiber of what we are to defend them with our lives. We know what that meant." Alec stares at the woman, "Thank you for the walk I must go and find my people." Alec leaves and turns to return to his dorm, his coat blowing as he moves. The time is 15:58 as Alec pushes through the door. Everyone is there seven sets of eyes stare at him as he smiles.

"Almost was late there boss," Rita laughs shifting her wings.

"We don't have to worry about them, they will fight." Crimson Imerta says sitting down in her office as she looks at her Assistant Headmaster.

"Well Crimson I figured they would they seem like a fine bit of kids." Azul says sitting down at the desk also.

"They will fight for the people, but I can't believe that they will fight where we tell them. They are an insubordinate lot who will ignore orders when it suits them."

"Sounds about Right."

"How does it feel? Knowing that all of your time and effort has been for nothing?"