A/N: To the reader asking for my thoughts on Huntress of War, provided I've got the right one from this site, its interesting. The author opted for the more traditional option of one person being transported after death. Which is good for how that story is going, smaller scale and more person to person rather then faction to faction that I'm working towards.
Given they took Pyrrha the girl who's nearly always polite and stuck her on Sera during the events of Gears one I'm betting the Locust are happy they're against a nice girl and wearing lots of leather rather then metal. After all if Pyrrha snaps and fires off her semblance I don't want to be anywhere near her if I'm wearing armour with metal in it.
'That's a lot of Grimm,' Qrow remarked looking below.
'More than usual?' The pretend Sargent asked. He'd given his name as Mitchell, but Qrow knew that had to be a lie.
'Definitely. I've been here a few times. Never seen this many before around here. Especially not the big ones,' Qrow said pointing out the door at a herd of Goliaths.
They were crouched at the open side door trying to pick out a landing zone. With the helmets noise cancelling and radio systems they could speak without shouting over the engines. A welcome change to getting the lay of the land.
Not that this was a nice view. Mountain Glenn was a tomb more than a city. Many people had escaped the Grimm but not all. Not nearly all.
On the ground packs of more social Grimm roamed together, that wasn't a good sign they should spread unless they're hunting something. Then there were the more worrying sights. Greater Nevermores purchased together when normally such large Grimm demanded space. Other Grimm normally seen alone or in small numbers were here in force.
If they'd needed any more proof this place had something to draw their attention this was evidence enough. Now the issue was getting down there. Every so often a pair of smouldering reddish eyes would glare up at them.
The new tenants didn't seem to like being watched. But were still so drawn to the place they weren't taking off. That made Qrow's mind scream to start running. Those thoughts had nothing to do with being near the Swarm again, he tried to convince himself.
'I have something,' Winter called from the otherside, 'Entrance to the underground area through that vehicle tunnel. Looks as clear as it can be.'
'Nice eyes Ice Queen,' Qrow remarked, picking out the building.
'Looks good. Pilot drop us off, don't stop, we'll step light,' Mitchell ordered turning to the others, 'Get set and be ready. We drop, we scout the place, we get the fuck out without a fight and it will be a good day. Clear?'
A round of affirmatives sounded from his subordinates. They ran another exhaustive check on their weapons. One nodded to the ceiling of the cabin.
'Should we let him out to play?' The trooper asked.
'Of course. No point in him staying in here,' Mitchell said, tapping something on his vambrace.
A hatch popped open and a small black shape was lowered into view. Before they could ask what it was, the Dragonfly was over the target. The COG troops dove out of the door as the airship hovered just above the road.
Winter and Qrow moved after them. Finding the four armoured figures moving towards the building in bounding manoeuvres. Two covering the others advancing before they switched over.
Behind them the Dragonfly carried on its engines roaring as it shot back up into the sky to avoid Grimm. Almost at once that feeling of deathly quiet seemed to fall. There was something about places like this. The signs of those last few hours that you just picked up on.
Cars crashed into one another at a junction, thankfully no sign of the occupants. Piles of furniture crammed into doorways in an attempt to keep things outside. A hundred other traces that people had lived and died here.
Quashing those thoughts Qrow reached the tunnel entrance. The COG were sweeping around with their weapons keeping vigilant as one inspected the door. She nodded and stepped back.
'This place has power. Not much but the lock is working.'
'I thought the Grimm would have smashed everything. How is there power?' Another asked.
'Might be some backups were too hard for them to reach. But it works for us. Coban you're up.'
A deep warble came from the air above. Winter and Qrow watched as a JACK de-cloaked above them. It was different to the others they'd seen before.
The original ones had a weathered look to them. Rex was more shiny with less open wear. This thing was matte black and seemed… predatory.
It moved over to the door unfolding its arms and head from their compartments. Cycling through a set of tools it removed the cover and plugged a connector in. After a few moments the lock clicked and the door started to open.
Rather than a chirp or a whistle this one just let out a level tone and folded away before cloaking itself. It seemed grouchy. Could a robot be grouchy?
'Hmm. Seems your buddy could do with updating his mood,' Qrow remarked.
One of the COG troops shrugged, 'Ehh. He's always been like that. Must be part of his programming.'
'You don't say.'
They headed inside the door closing behind them. Heading down the tunnel the dark seemed to reach out to wrap around them. Mitchell signalled a stop as they reached the door to the underground.
'If they're here we're about to meet them. Form up, keep your eyes open and your asses in cover. If we can stay quiet then great if not we bug out. You two,' He said looking at Winter and Qrow, 'Don't get in front of Crispy if it hits the fan.'
'Crispy?' Winter asked
A click and hiss from behind them made both Huntsmen turn. One of the troopers, the one with the sprayer, was fitting a flat can to one side of it. Once it was on tight he flicked a switch and a small blue flame snapped to life from a prong near the barrel.
'That would be me,' He said, hefting the weapon.
'What is that?' Winter asked, worried.
'Scorcher demolition tool. For use against obstacles,' Crispy said, patting the weapon.
'What kind of obstacles do you think we're going to find down here?' Qrow asked.
'The flammable kind,' Crispy replied walking to the front of their formation.
'Right…' Qrow said, exchanging a look with Winter.
They followed COG into the lower levels. To start there was little to show the place was little more than abandoned. Then they found the first sign of trouble.
It had been a guard post or perhaps a checkpoint. Makeshift barricades with dim lamps pointing outwards on each side of a small seating area. A portable stove had been knocked over the low grade fire dust spilled out of the front.
Across from it was a large crate that had been used as a table. A mix of knocked over cups, Grimm masks and cards scattered over the floor showed the occupants had been relaxing.
Winter crouched down lifting a mask up to inspect it, 'The White Fang are here? Of course they are. Why wouldn't this get worse.'
'Great so the Swarm is hunting terrorists now,' One of the Onyx muttered from the back.
'Well both like it underground. Shit if they were captured, that would mean more bodies against us,' Mitchell noted.
Qrow clocked the rest of the supplies. He started checking a few small bags and boxes. All had bits and pieces you'd expect a few guards to want close to hand.
'Something important or you're just trying to stock up?' Mitchell asked.
'This isn't right. Every other place I checked out the Swarm stripped of anything they could get. Dust, metal, food. But they left this stuff here,' Qrow said, holding up a pack of trail mix and spare dust fuel packs.
'You're sure? They always took the stuff before?'
'Yeah. Everytime we checked a place out it was cleared out thoroughly,' Qrow confirmed.
'Well shit. Only one reason for them to stop doing that,' Mitchell said looking deeper into the tunnel.
'Why?'
'Because whatever they were stocking up on is so close they don't have time for inventory beyond bullets and guns to fire them.'
With that revelation made they kept going. Past a few more points and junctions with guard posts. All were empty and in similar disarray, few had signs of fighting with bullet holes in the walls.
Then just as they were about to pass into another section one of the COG waved a warning and they dove into cover. For a moment Qrow and Winter crouched behind a support pillar waiting, listening. The sound of footsteps reached their ears, footsteps getting closer.
'Urrg. Want fight,' A raspy voice muttered.
'Fight soon. Wait. Soon,' Another replied.
Two Swarm Drones came through the doorway. They had reddish plates over their bodies, a sign they'd been given time for their hide to harden. Both had leather bandoliers and belts with ammo and were carrying rifles.
One stopped and sniffed the air, 'Smell… Hominid?'
'Bah. Old smell,' The other replied before stopping and sniffing as well, 'Wait… No fre-'
Whatever it was about to say ended with a gagging sound as an arm wrapped around its neck and a knife cut deep enough that the thing's head was held on by skin alone. Its comrade suffered a similar fate at the hands of another Onyx.
'Clear,' One whispered from the doorway they'd come through. The two Onyx wiped their knives clean and moved to cover the room. Mitchell crouched down inspecting the now dead Drones.
'Why did you do that?' Winter hissed her horror clear.
'They were about to be alerted to our presence. You prefer fighting the whole Hive?' Mitchell replied mockinly.
'That was still far too… too…'
'Efficient. The word you're looking for is efficient. Or perhaps quiet.'
'Both of you shut it,' Qrow snapped, 'Tell me that isn't what I think it is.'
Mitchell lifted the rifle to show Qrow, 'It is. One Remnant made Hammerburst. And if they can build this they can build all their other toys.'
The weapon was clearly like its Seran predecessor. While outwardly the framework was roughshod, crude and had subtle differences there was little to suggest it would be any less lethal. The Swarm had been busy and Mitchell was right. If they could make a rifle, one issued to Drones no less, they must be making them in vase amounts. The question was for what?
Draggin the bodies out of sight they headed deeper in. A few more times they hid as they came across more Swarm patrols, some of which had to be dealt with. Mostly Drones but they also saw a few pairs of semi-armored grenadiers with big double barreled shotguns.
Qrow checked the signs as they crept through the Swarm defences. According to the last stairwell this area was the waste processing and recycling for the city above. He really didn't want to know why the Swarm would have built their Hive there of all places.
Entering the offices formerly marked as waste management was spooky. From a first glance the place was just broken down and abandoned. But a second look would catch the odd growths forming under the wallpaper or the patches of red damp starting to build up in corners.
Picking a door to search they ended for the one with something dripping out from under it. Qrow took point nodding and counting down before pushing the handle down and opening it slowly. At once he lept back mouth half way to a shout. He was face to face with a Drone!
An arm wrapped around his throat choking the cry. Qrow was about to swing at his attacker when he realised it was Mitchell. The Onyx held a finger up for quiet before pointing at the Drone.
It hadn't moved, not one twitch. Its eyes were closed and its head bowed forwards slightly. Hammerburst held in one hand at its side. Some kind of fleshy material was pressed against its back sticking it in place.
Pushing the door open more they could see others like it. The whole room was packed with them. Dozens upon dozens of Swarm all in that deathlike sleep.
They pulled the door shut quietly and kept moving. Finding a security office they ducked inside. The monitors were broken and useless. But Coban set to work helping Winter to connect her scroll hoping to get something out of the cameras.
'What the fuck was that?' Qrow demanded.
'They're in hibernation. Likely to conserve energy and food. Must also be why the Grimm are about,' Mitchell said.
'That would explain why they're just active but not in a frenzy. This whole place must be a cesspool of negativity.'
'Oh gods,' Winter muttered from where she was sitting.
'Looks like you were closer to the mark than you thought,' One of the Onyx remarked over their shoulder to Qrow.
Moving over to look at what they were seeing, Qrow's stomach dropped. The Swarm were carrying pods of captured people around the place. Some were being slid down a large pipe. Others were being carried to one of the treatment vats. Dumping them inside till they reached the rim.
Alongside the one that was being filled two more were sealed by some cap of biomass. As they watched a hand with three digits pushed out of a tank. It was huge and covered in shiny crystals, just like the Warden Qrow had fought before.
The beast pulled itself out of its cocoon with a roar that they felt through the walls. It was hunched over and more like an ape made of gemstones than anything else. Several of the Swarm gathered around it guiding it over to some kind of gantry.
Whatever the gantry had been used for in the past now it was lifting a large harness with a weapon mount for the newborn monster. To each side a set of cards arrived bearing gauntlets with guns mounted on them. Qrow's eyes traced back to the tanks, how many people were there… used to make these things?
'That's a Swarmak right?' One of the Onyx muttered.
'Looks like it. We've trained for them though. They're tough but not unbeatable,' Another replied, 'But they don't have blisters. Those crystals go all over them. Where are we meant to shoot?'
'This isn't a Hive, it's a goddamned warfactory,' Mitchell snarled.
'So what now? We're leaving right?' Qrow asked.
'Abso-fucking-lutly. Schnee, can you find a way out? Something faster?'
Winter started checking the footage trying to pick out an exit. Zeroing in on a rail connection. One half led off further out of the city whilst the other headed right to a cargo yard near the centre.
As she watched however she noticed something odd. One of the rooms was packed with more pods. But there were also weapons sitting around the place. Why would the Swarm leave weapons there?
Winter rewound the footage and noted the time stamp. About an hour ago a set of larger Swarm beasts on four legs and a mass of smaller ones had entered and deposited the pods. They were new…
'How long before the people in those pods… stop being people?' Winter asked.
'Depends on how fast the Swarm tries to alter them. Some people get pulled out after a couple of hours at the longest I know off. Why?' Mitchell asked.
'I found an exit. But those pods in there are new. And I can't think of why they'd leave weapons near them.'
'Easy. They came with the gear. Why would the Swarm want to take away their equipment when they're going to be converted? Simpler just to keep it nearby for when they're turned into Imagos,' Mitchell replied.
'We've got to help them. If there's still tim-' Winter started.
'I'm stopping you right there. We start popping pods the Hive will notice. A whole crowd of people trying to creep out of here is a no go as well. Our mission is to report back, not try to play heroes.'
'You said them being captured would mean more against us. Why not cut them out and save having to fight them tomorrow?' Qrow asked.
'Because they'll be sloppy and dazed. We can't handle two dozen tagalongs. I'm in command and we are leaving them behind,' Mitchell stated.
'The hell we are. I already know the shit they're dealing with. That's no way to die,' Qrow hissed leaving the room.
They went after him. The amount of Swarm matter was getting greater and greater as they passed the heart of the complex before dropping down again. Each step was done with care lest they step on a nerve and alert the hive. Once they were past the area the floor space cleared.
There was a lot of ordinance around here however. Crates and boxes packed seemingly at random with weapons, magazines and other equipment. This wasn't just a factory, it was a supply dump. Reaching the hallway leading to the rail loading room they found there were three entrances.
Mitchell noticed two carts lined up against a wall with rockets, likely for the Swarmak launchers, and gave a signal to the Onyx. Two of them moved over to the carts and wheeled them over to two of the entrances. Then pulled out frag grenades and set them for proximity fuses before attaching them to the rockets. Anything coming that way would find the experience explosively brief.
Qrow and Winter followed Crispy into the room itself through the open roller door. The place was packed with pods, many grouped together and all connected by pulsing red veins. Around each were piles of weapons waiting for their owners to emerge changed.
'We start this all hell is coming out of that door,' Mitchell said pointing to the unmined entrance.
'The Fang works off a hierarchy. Officers tend to be superior fighters and better equipped,' Winter said walking along, 'Look for unique weapons. If we can get their leader out, that might buy us some time.'
They looked around. A great many pistols, carbines, axes and machetes on the ground. Then one of the Onyx called out.
Walking over they found two pods that were side by side. One had a chainsaw leaning against it. The other had a sword the sheath of which looked to double as a rifle. The latter sent a tingle of memory through Winter but she couldn't quite place it.
'So. Chainsaw or sword?' Mitchell asked, waving to the two pods.
'Sword. Gotta be the big boss with that fancy blade. Have Coban ready. This stuff fades faster with stim,' Qrow said, pulling out Harbinger and lining up the blade to slit the side of the pod open.
'Okay everyone get to your places. Shows about to start.'
Qrow took a breath and checked the room. The other Onyx were in cover watching the door. Winter took a breath then summoned a pair of Beowolfs. If that surprised the COG they did a good job of hiding it. Mitchell was with
He slashed along the side and reached a hand in. It was slimy and his hand was coated in… something he'd rather not know come to think of it. After a moment of searching he found a shoulder and grabbed on pulling the occupant out.
Adam felt a dizzy spell as he walked down the stairs. For a moment he felt unsure of where he was. Then it clicked, this was the secondary stairwell for SDC mine #3.
He could already smell the fire and alcohol as he walked along to the storage room. Judith had warned him that three of the workers had slunk off to hide and drink. For a moment the thought gave him an odd pulse of anger, but he quashed it down.
Reaching the door he pulled it open, startling the three humans sitting within. A barrel with a fire inside was being stoked by one using a long metal rod. They'd made a crude air vent shroud to pull the smoke away.
'What are you doing? You know you're meant to be working. And why would you three be stupid enough to light a fire down here?' Adam snapped, marching into the room.
'Oh look at the Schnee's prize bull here to give us a taste of his horns,' One of the workers muttered, his face oddly in shadow.
'I'm going to choose not to report you for that. Now get that fire out and lets get you back topside. I'm cutting your shift short.'
'Hmm. And why would you do that bucko? We've got families to feed. Hard to do that when you're shortening our working hours,' Another one of the workers said, his face similarly hidden.
'I'm sending you home. Drunk people and dust don't mix well. Now pack up and follow me. I'll walk you all out,' Adam said, folding his arms.
'How about you fuck off and go back where you belong freak. You think Jaques ever actually want to employ you? You're a fucking token nothing more,' The third shadowy faced human snarled.
'I worked to get where I am. The SDC rewards people who show drive and dedication. Being a faunus had nothing to do with it,' Adam growled.
'Oh see how sensitive he is about his pride. You're just another, what do they say again, oh right domestic,' The first said mockingly.
'Don't call me that.'
'Why not Adam? You're the SDC's little wannabe manager. Do you think if you bitch and whine enough you'll get to go to Atlas? You're a pet nothing more,' The second laughed.
'I'm calling security,' Adam said, turning to leave.
'You're not doing shit you animal!' Third shouted lunging at him.
Adam wasn't a push over but he was up against a man who broke rocks and moved tons of material day in day out. His attacker's grip felt like it could break bones let alone aura. Another one got up to join the first, the two of them grappling with him till they had him held fast.
'Tell you what. You like being their pet so much. Why not go all the way,' The First said, holding up the metal rod.
It wasn't a rod at all. It was a crate brand from when the mine had boxed up the dust for shipment. The end with SDC spelt out was near whitehot.
'This isn't funny. Put that down and let me go. Now,' Adam ordered fear shooting through him.
'Oh, he's a very funny kid. You want to be their lap dog. Let me make sure everyone knows who owns you,' The man said walking closer with the brand.
'Stop. Stop! No! GET OFF ME! HELP!' Adam cried as they held him down.
The brand came right up to his eye and stopped just short. The faint light of Adam's aura holding it back for a few precious seconds. He screamed for help, mercy, anything but this.
He was still screaming when his aura broke and the metal met flesh. He blacked out awaking in a small office. How did he-
'I'm sorry but this is not a company matter,' The Foreman said in a level tone, his face also clouded in darkness.
'How can that be? I was attacked by those lunatics in the storage room. Judith saw-,' Adam started trying to recall what happened between then and now.
'We've already received a statement from her. She's confirmed you headed away from your work area without permission. Hence you were not working when the issue occurred.'
'Not wor… You're saying because they didn't BRAND my face in the main chamber! I was on break!' Adam shouted, leaping to his feet. A hand from the guard behind him pushed him back down into the chair.
'Mr Taurus please control yourself. This is your exit interview after all.'
'Exit? I never quit.'
'We're letting you go. Given your unstable state of mind, company policy requires you to be dismissed,' The Forman said with a wave of his hand.
'What? But… That's not fair…' Adam muttered.
'Life is not fair Mr. Taurus. If you want to appeal you'll need to go through the court of arbitration. But I'd advise you to hire a very good lawyer if you want to try it.'
'I… I tried my hardest for this company. I ignored the rumours and stories. And you're just… kicking me out? After what happened?' Adam asked, looking at the floor.
'Nonsense. You're being given a paid ticket back to Manel. Your belongings are already on the transport. We'll even walk you there,' The Foreman said, nodding to the guard.
Adam felt so… empty. Everything just seemed to be crushing down onto him. He just wanted it to end. The pain, the humiliation. It was all just too mu-
A hand grabbed his shoulder. Not the guard, the grip felt sharp and… real? The nightmare seemed to distort and run.
That was years ago, Adam thought to himself. Why couldn't I remember the rest? The Fang, Blake?
A few flashes appeared in his mind. The train they'd been repairing, with armour and guns attached. A crowd of things carrying rifles and following some larger beast that was being ridden by that mace wielding beast. And an odd view, looking up at a hole that light shone down from, red cocoons of some sort dropping into an open maw.
He awoke coughing and spluttering. Rolling onto his front he chucked up a thick gloop from his lungs. Someone was talking but he couldn't make out the words. His vision was also still out of focus as his eyes adjusted.
Coughing up the last of the fluid Adam felt a rush flow over him. It was like a sudden kick of energy and his senses went sharp. A faint glow washed over him from some small robot hovering close to the ground.
'Holy shit. Talk about picking a winner,' A COG soldier said crouched by his side.
A sound seemed to shake the ground. It was a roar, but not just one dozens, no hundreds of throats all crying out. It was a sound of hate, fury and anger.
'Oh crap,' A man wearing some sort of lighter body armour and holding a sword said. His head turned towards the noise.
There were three more COG soldiers set up around a rolling door. Clearly they were expecting an attack. The place was full of pods just like the one he'd been pulled out of. Forge's chainsaw at the foot of one.
They'd been captured and taken here to be tortured, consumed? Everything started to click into place as his mind sped up. Bar one, the woman standing with the other COG.
She had to be from Atlas with that amount of white clothing. At her side were two white and blue Beowolfs. Only one family had an ability that let you do that. He had to be in hell. That was the only way someone like that would be here, rescuing him.
He saw Wilt and Blush lying on the ground. Reaching out he grabbed the weapon and attached it to his belt. Pushing himself to his feet he started walking towards the doors of the room.
'Get the others,' Adam growled, gripping Wilt's hilt hard enough his knuckles cracked.