A/N: To the question of how long this story is going to go. I'm just writing as much as I can in about 4k word parts. Don't know how many chapters its going to take, probably more then a 100, but I'm not planning to do One Piece numbers or anything.

If you want you can just come back once I mark the story as finished and save wondering how far its going to go. Because I don't want to rush things and just cram as much as I can in.

For a moment there seemed to be quiet. Even the mechanisms around the tower seeming to go still. Qrow felt like it had all been for nothing. The COG knew!

They knew about Salem! How? Only a dozen people on Remnant should know that name. Three of them were in this room right now, four now counting Winter.

He looked at her wondering how she was reacting. Her stance had changed, gone was the upright parade stance, in its place she was tense. She looked worried but was staring at Ironwood.

Jimmy was wide eyed, jaw locked, both hands clenched and shaking. Then after a moment he relaxed. No doubt using his semblance to quash the emotions.

And Oz? He was like a statue staring at the screen before him. Slowly he raised his coco and took a slip.

'How much do you think you know?' Ozpin asked finally.
'Enough to be sure that problem is well beyond your remit. But more importantly right now you're totally surrounded,' The First Minister replied.
'What do you mean by surrounded?'

'That is something that Mr Brawnwren would need to answer,' The First Minister said.
'Qrow Brawnwren? What could he have to do with this? I think your imagination is getting the better of you and your staff First Minister. Qrow is-' Ozpin started to speak in that dismissive tone.
'Don't bullshit me, Ozpin. I know he works for you. And I know he's in the room. He's still wearing a vest with a Tac-Com link. Now put him on.

Ozpin sighed and looked over to Qrow giving a slight nod. Qrow walked around to stand behind Ozpin. Winter stepped over to Ironwood and looked the most sympathetic Qrow had ever seen her.

'Mr Brawnwen. I've been given a rough idea of your activities over the last few months. During one of your most recent missions you were attacked by a new form of the Swarm. Is that correct?' The First Minister asked in a level tone.

That was two secrets the COG now knew. But the list had been narrowed down. Qrow was sure only a few people knew about that exact mission. The other Huntsmen he'd recruited, the Ace Ops and Rodriquez's people.

For some reason the latter had leaked it to the COG. But why? Why now? What had changed to make them switch sides?

Qrow coughed into his hand, 'Yes I was.'
'During that engagement you encountered a section of Swarm biomass. One that was different, do you recall it?' The First Minister asked.
'That red glowing patch on the ground?'

'Yes. If that Hive was like the ones on Sera that was a physical point of their network in the area. A sort of local connection to the Swarm hivemind. When you damaged it it alerted the Swarm to your presence.' The First Minister explained.
'Okay but what does that have to do with us being in trouble?' Qrow asked, holding up a hand.
'Because when you were attacked afterwards you fell onto it didn't you? Whilst you were exposed to the Swarm's pathogen. We know that Snatchers can connect people to the network when they capture them. From what you described for a short while at least you were in their hivemind.'

'Those visions… that nightmare? It was them?' Qrow asked, slamming his hands on the desk.
The First Minister nodded, 'We believe so. People who've been connected before report both seeing through the eyes of the Swarm and being tormented to mentally break them. If it's part of the conversion process or just entertainment we don't know. But right after you got back you drew up a list of locations where you think they'd been.'

The First Minister's face moved to the top corner of the screen. The main part was now filled with a map of Remnant. A series of markers appeared just like where Qrow had pinned.

'We fed that information into some of our semi-sentient systems. With the information you've provided we're confident you're correct to within a 3% margin of error,' The First Minister said not one bit pleased.
Ironwood took a long breath before speaking, 'That's rather bold to say First Minister. Qrow is more of a field operative. Not a strategist.'
'Ah General Ironwood. I was under the impression you'd want to keep your presence deniable.'

'My point stands. How can you say any of what Qrow thought he saw was right?' Ironwood asked. Ozpin opted to just activate a larger screen so they could all see and speak.
The First Minister looked over them, 'Because we know more than you do. How fast each form of the Swarm can travel. How their behaviour changes. The tactics and doctrine they use. And we didn't just match Qrow's estimates. We traced them back for confirmation.'
'Back traced?'

The First Minister added a series of new markers to the map. Most were on land but others started to appear over water. Forming a ragged line downwards towards the Dragon's Tail.

'These are ship losses and coastal reports of missing persons in the last few years. Individually they're nothing important. Remnant's seas are not known for being kind should something go wrong. But the pattern starts on the night of our arrival,' The First Minister said, highlighting the icon right on the Dragon's Tail.
'The night you arrived? How could you know they were there now? Why not before?' Ironwood asked.
'Because we didn't know what we were looking for. But both Captains Shell and Ivory reported a third ship in the storm. They'd assumed it was a freighter from Vacuo that got turned around in the storm.'

'You think it was a Swarm… ship?' Winter asked.
'Yes. Two UIR ships had been boarded and used in the attack against us on Sera. Only one, the Tileya however, was able to unload its troops. The second, Khilum, was still at sea. If it came through with us and fled upon arrival the times match up,' The First Minister said.
'We never found any wreckage from the missing ships…' Ironwood noted.

'So we assume they're still out there. But what makes you think we're surrounded?' Ozpin asked.
The First Minister looked back to Ozpin, 'They should have reached Vale by now. Provided they're not building up their forces elsewhere. But the numbers we've gotten say that the recent events may have involved them as well.'
'Recent events?'

'That mission to repair the sensors. The reports said the units were damaged by what seemed to be rock falls. What are the odds that three units would be damaged like that?' The First Minister asked.
'Hold up I thought Merlot was jamming comms?' Qrow asked.
'No… He only started once the students were broadcasting from the area. The signals were already degraded before then,' Ironwood muttered.

'They're that close?' Winter asked.
'It's how they operate. If they're right on top of you there's no way to use most forms of support. They'll hug right up to any opponent to prevent the use of airpower or artillery,' The First Minister explained.
'So where are they? If they were just out there we'd have seen them. Someone would have,' Qrow asked.

'Mountain Glenn. We think they might have built a Hive under it,' The First Minister replied.
'A hive? Why would you think that?' Ozpin asked.
'Its a large underground space. To our knowledge it is rarely patrolled and even then only the surface. Only a short distance from Vale proper. It's perfect for their needs.'

They stood for a moment absorbing the information. It all lined up far too well. The dates, times and distances. The strange events that had taken place.

'Why Vale? What could draw them here? Why not Mistral?' Ozpin asked.
'We know Vale supplies something Mistral doesn't. Food,' The First Minister answered.
'Food? What would food have to do with this?' Qrow asked, confused.

'Because they don't need to take Vale to win. Not outright. If they can attack the agricultural district and hamper production it will kill hundreds of thousands if not millions,' The First Minister said, shaking his head.
'Millions? How? Sure Vale grows a lot of crops. But we can get more from Villages.' Qrow pointed out.
'How much more? How many Villages have year round growing conditions? Even if they could grow enough. How is it going to be transported to the people that need it? Vale has deep water harbours it can ship to any other port world wide. A small farm out in the middle of nowhere with a dirt road can't match that.'

'They're going to starve us,' Ironwood muttered as he grasped the danger.
Emmerich noded, 'That's what it looks like. During the Locust war people were nearly as likely to die from starvation and disease then the Locust after the Hammer Strikes. We lost the ability to grow enough food, make enough medicine and get it where it was needed. How big are the stockpiles of food for each Kingdom? You'd need at least enough for a three year buffer to give time to build, plant and harvest from fresh ground. Less though if we deploy our alternatives. Algae vats, mycelium bio reactors and other substitutes.'

Three years… Three years of no new harvest. There was no way anyone would be ready for that.

'What do we do?' Qrow asked.
'We need to stop them from doing any damage in the first place. The less we need to replace the more breathing room we'll have. We have Honor and its escorts already in Vale. Aquanox is coming back to hold in the harbour. The official story is a stop off for resupply. But we need to know if the threat is real,' The First Minister said.
'You need someone to go poking around Mountain Glenn you mean?'

'Yes. The council already agreed to allow us to send a team. On the records they're checking out Merlot Industries HQ. But they'll be doing recon to determine if the Swarm is there. If they are, we'll have to respond based on the danger they pose. If not we'll cross the location off and keep looking,' The First Minister sighed.
'I take it, you'll accept volunteers for this mission?' Winter asked.
'If your superiors have no issues with you going?' The First Minister asked.

'None at all,' Ironwood said with a nod.
'If Qrow is happy to go I won't stop him,' Ozpin replied.
'Very well. I'll have transport pick you up from the landing pad shortly. Bring those helmets you borrowed. The last thing we need is one of you coming back in a body bag,' The First Minister said tapping on something off screen.

Winter and Qrow nodded to one another heading towards the lift. Ironwood went to join them.

'I'll get my forces ready. If something happens we'll need every ounce of fighting power at our disposal,' Ironwood said entering the lift.

The doors closed, whisking the three of them down. It also left the First Minister and Ozpin alone. For a moment Ozpin simply sipped his coco.

'You seem to have usurped me,' He remarked finally.
'I'm only doing my job,' The First Minister replied, shaking his head.
'Hmm. Such a simple way of putting it. You know about Salem. But I think you're underestimating the danger she poses.'

'Perhaps. Perhaps not,' The First Minister said quietly, 'But she's not the priority right now. No matter what long term plan she has, it's about to be rendered irrelevant.'
'For all our sakes. I hope you're right,' Ozpin sighed.
'So do I. We'll speak about how she can be contained later.'

'Containment?' Ozpin said with a dark chuckle, 'There's no containing her.'
The First Minister tilted his head, 'Don't be so sure. She might not be able to die. But there are other ways of rendering her incapable of action.'
'I think you'll find I've tried everything. And I doubt you've ever had to deal with a threat like her.'

For a moment the First Minister paused, 'You'd be surprised with what we've had to deal with. Next time we speak though I'll tell you about some of our secrets. It's only fair after all with me knowing yours.'
Ozpin stared at the screen before giving a slow nod, 'I look forward to our talk then. Good luck with your plan, First Minister. I'll be going to my school now.'
The First Minister's face vanished as the connection ended. For a moment Ozpin stared at the blank display. Such confidence, was it just youth? Or did he think there was a way to stop Salem? And what was that part about secrets?

Pulling his mind back to the task at hand Ozpin called Gelnda, 'Would you be able to have Miss Nikos come to my office? I need to speak with her about that assignment we were discussing before.'
'I'll let her know and have her speak with you shortly,' Gylenda replied hesitating before saying, 'James, Qrow and Winter just left your office in a rush. Is something going on?'
'Some business with Mountain Glenn. Hopefully it will come to nothing, but just in case it does, why don't we arrange a little late night practice tournament.'

That would at least give the students some time to prepare and be armed. Perhaps he was getting too old again. He'd tried to read the right point to step in but the First Minister had defly steered the conversation away from him. Only to offer a supposed deal at the end. Just what did he know?

Ozpin pushed those thoughts from his mind. Yes the Swarm might be here to attack Vale's and by extension Remnants source of food. But that didn't explain their activities in the north. Not unless they had another target. One that they'd already attacked once. He'd need to impress upon Miss Nikos that time was of the essence.

Having recovered their helmets Qrow and Winter headed for the landing pad with Ironwood. A [Atlas dropship] was already waiting for him and he was heading up the ramp ordering take-off. Winter and Qrow's ride was just arriving.

A COG Dragonfly flared just short of the pad slowing just to hover over the ground. The pilot didn't even drop the landing gear. The troop door slid back to show a squad of Gears already embarked.

Jumping aboard the moment the door slammed shut the pilot juiced the engines. For the second time now they were being pressed into the seats. Not supersonic though, this was a scouting mission with no need to draw attention.

After a few moments Qrow felt… off. Any time they'd been around Gears before they'd been chatty. A question here, joke there.

But not these guys. They were quiet. No fidgeting, just quiet. That was weird. He glanced over their equipment picking out something strange.

'What COG can't get you guys Lancers anymore?' Qrow asked, pointing to their weapons.

They looked like Enforcers. But there was a large bulbous addon to the muzzle. The magazine seemed strange as well. One had something that looked like a lengthened paint sprayer.

'Recon kit,' One of the "Gears" replied.
'Oh yeah. What's with the mods?' Qrow said pointing to the barrel.
'On the record they're Enforcers. This is just a peek about,' The one with the Sargents markings said.

'And off the record?' Qrow pressed.
'Meet the Eliminator,' The "Sargent" replied, patting the weapon, 'Little idea from the UIR. Integrated suppressor and subsonic rounds.'
'You're not really Gears are you?'
'Course we are,' The "Sergeant" said, 'Got papers and ID to prove it. But off the record you already know this is hush hush. So stop asking and we'll stop answering.'

So they had to be Onyx. Seemed they were playing dress up for some reason. No doubt to avoid a panic or drawing attention. That wouldn't last for long, not given what Qrow knew about the Swarm.

Adam heard the sound of shouting and gunfire echoing off the buildings and cavern around them. How long ago had it started? An hour? Minutes?

All of the White Fang, and Torchwick, were braced for attack. Some were crouched behind boxes, or machinery. A few had taken up cover inside abandoned buildings. Two of the Paladins were standing in the middle, their sensors wiring as the pilots scanned from side to side.

The sound grew clearer and louder. Whatever was going on was about to reach them. Two figures came running around the corner. Both in White Fang uniforms one firing at something the other running flat out. The scouts Adam had ordered to find the source, one group at least.

'It's right be-' The running one's shouts were cut off. Something large and fast had struck the sister covering him. He spun to fire screaming in terror.

The thing wasn't a Grimm. It was like a man scaled up a few times. Its body was covered in a series of yellowish crystals like some sort of chainmail. A black cape hung over its body and its helm was like a furnace with glowing slits across its front. Two weapons wrapped in cloth hung from its belt but it didn't draw them, it didn't need to.

Whatever that stuff its body was, the bullets from the carbine stopped dead or bounced off it harmlessly. The thing closed the gap between the terrified faunus and itself in a few steps. One hand reached out striking the brother backwards.

He dropped dazed and confused. The thing stepped on his chest causing his aura to flare. It held for a moment before breaking. It didn't remove its foot, making him scream in pain as its bulk pressed down onto him.

It looked up at them, the black helm upon its head tilting as it took in their camp. The glowing slits panned from side to side even as the brother under its foot cried out. Some of the others trembled at its presence.

'Let him go!' Adam shouted, gripping Wilt.

The monster looked at him, right at him and Laughed. A guttural sounding mimicry of amusement before slowly lifting its foot. For just a moment the brother coughed and tried to roll onto his front.

Another beast came around the corner. This one was a dull red and had four legs that ended in sharp points. It crept over to the fallen sister some line on its underside splitting open.

Reaching from within the thing's body a set of tentacles seized her body pulling her into the fleshy maw. The second creature turned and began to move towards the brother who screamed for help. Adam was about to act when a faint feeling prickled the back of his neck.

Spinning and slashing at the air he caught, something, mid leap. The thing was like a mash up of life. Part bug, part squid or something like that.

The others were not so lucky. Many were ambushed by the smaller attackers. They'd crawled out of pipes, cracks or down the walls of buildings. Sometimes more than one would strike, overwhelming the faunus.

One of the Paladins tried to kill the larger monsters. Its guns let out high pitched whines as the Hard-Light dust discharged blasts of plasma. The biped sidestepped the shots while the four legged one darted aside.

It also made the bug-squid things swarm the mech. They crawled over it attacking the joints and vents. Some sort of red gloop was spreading out from where they'd grouped up like an infection seeping into the machine.

'What! I can't move! Why won't it move! Help!' One of the pilots shouted.
'I can't eject! The hatch is jammed!' The second added.

No one could help them. Everyone was fighting. Many were overwhelmed in the rush. Others broke in panic.

Some screamed and tried to run, only to be piled on and pulled to the ground. A few started firing and swinging their weapons wildly, their attacks going wide before they too were brought down. Within moments it was just Adam and Forge back to back swinging to keep the tide at bay.

The creatures drew back from them seeing the danger they posed. Instead the caped thing walked towards them, oddly careful to step over the Faunus on the ground. Adam saw them twitching and shaking as their attackers started to drag them away.

'What are they?' Forge muttered, his grip on the chainsaw causing his knuckles to crack.
'I don't know. But I don't plan to go quietly,' Adam snarled, adjusting his stance.

Their opponent came to a stop reaching to its sides and pulling the weapons from a belt. The cloth fell away to reveal they were some kind of mace, with gravity dust on two sides as the spikes. It flicked them causing half the spikes to rotate so they were now evenly around the shaft.

It let out another low mocking chuckle, then it charged forward. Raising one mace over them and swinging down. Forge moved aside letting Adam block the blow. It was like a truck landing on him.

Whatever this monster was, it had just made an error. The attack was stopped dead in its place. He felt the energy from the attack flow into Wilt and then down into his body. The red across his attire seemed to glow for a moment as the transfer took place.

For just a second it seemed to realise the danger and moved back. But not nearly far or fast enough. Adam slashed through the air, reversing the process as he did.

The energy returned to the blade and condensed around the edge of it. Now the air around him took on a red hue. As he swung the attack formed a crescent of energy that left the blade.

His opponent tried to dodge, almost managing to evade. Instead of catching its body the attack passed through its wrist. The joint was severed causing the appendage and the weapon it held to drop to the ground. Its owner roared with fury more than pain as it inspected the stump.

'What's the matter? Don't like it when you can be hurt back? Guess that makes us two of a kind,' Adam growled.

It snarled and raised its other mace. Adam braced ready for another attack, but it was rather far away. The mace came down striking the floor.
A channel of energy pulsed outward from the impact. Debris and scraps floated into the air. Along with Adam and Forge. They were suspended in the air helpless.

'Ahh. Shit,' Forge cursed.
'Quick we need to-' Adam started trying to form a plan, Pausing as something dripped onto his back. His mind recalled what he'd missed before the four legged one.

The gravity effect was short lived but even as it began to fade the beast dropped from the building it had been clinging to. The impact crushed Adam into the ground under its bulk for a moment. He gripped Wilt and tried to move out from the crushing pressure.

Something slimy wrapped around his neck, a prickling sensation forming where it touched his skin. That wasn't the scary part, it was the numb feeling below where it had touched. He tried to scream, but his mouth was slack. All he could move was his eyes.

Distantly he was aware of Forge shouting something. But the sound was dulled and hard to make out. More of those tendrils wrapped around him drawing him into the belly of the monster.

As it did, a connection formed. Through it a mental tendril reached into Adam's mind. It searched in the parts where his monsters lay and woke them to torture him once more.