The battle for Vale was over. It was not a bloodless victory. Not by any measure.

But even so this battle had not taken place in a vacuum. Whilst major damage to Vale's agriculture had been prevented. The wider war had not gone in their favour.

Issues with CCT Network signals had been put down to the Swarms ambient jamming. But as the last pockets of enemies were destroyed a more worrying image became clear. The Swarm had not just attacked Vale.

Smaller groups were striking at key relays across Remnant. Cutting off whole regions from communications. Those that managed to retain some connection spoke of raids against their neighbours.

They were the lucky ones. In other places whole towns, some having stood for decades or more, went quiet overnight. Any attempt to contact them met with dead air.

Out on the sea little was better. A number of ships had reported coming under attack. Few fought their way clear, many of the final transmissions speaking of borders.

In some places the Swarm controlled ships ran themselves aground or were scuttled. Such actions were not random, it was far worse than that. Many of the now beached or sunken craft were blocking the deep water channels near key ports.

Whilst Vale's supplies of food remained mostly intact. The ability for the rest of the world to receive them had been crippled. Likewise shipments between the Kingdoms were grinding to a halt as ships backed up.

In the span of a day nearly eight decades of peace had been shattered. The councils gathered, argued and dug through their records. They enacted laws that had been confined to history.

Meanwhile the Serans were already in motion. Orders were sent out from their capitals. Within hours of the first battle inside the industrial bases of both the UIR and COG changes were already taking place.

Factories and mines received their new quotas. For the latter hours were increasing. Their predicted outputs already factored in.

For the former inputs were disconnected on each factory floor. The production lines finishing their runs and coming to a stop, new designs were loaded. Machines were removed, adjusted or simply fed new materials.

Where once neat rows of goods had been created now weapons, armour and warmachines started to come into being. Some older Searans watched on with a twisted mix of comfort and sadness in the familiarity. War was after all something many of them had known for most of their lives.

Unaware of how the world beyond was changing, Qrow looked out over the Beacon Dining Hall. Kids, adults, students, soldiers, heroes and terrorists all nursing their wounds. What a crazy sight it was.

His moment of reflection was broken as a new set of figures entered the room. Two COG but with MP markings on their arms, leading a whole lot of DeeBees. They beelined for the White Fang and their criminal pals.

'Hey. What do you think you're doing?' Qrow asked.
'Orders from Command. We're here to place them under arrest,' One of the MP's replied.
'The hell you are! Where's Mitchell?'

'Right here,' The man said, walking through the door.
'I thought you said there would be a reward,' Torchwick snorted, folding his arms.
'This isn't the reward. This is just part of the process. You can go with the MP's quietly or make them shock you. But you are going with them.'

Neo moved to draw Hush, her eyes focused on the gap between Mitchell's helmet and body armour. Torchwick put a hand out to stop her. She looked back pouting before holding her hands up in an exaggerated surrender.

'So. This is how you treat your allies?' Adam asked as the DeeBees cordoned them off.
'Not by choice but we'd rather not have you wander off and get grabbed by someone else,' Mitchell said, 'Consider this protective custody.'

The remaining members of the White Fang, along with Roman and Neo were led away, without restraints but still under guard. A few students and teachers watched them go. Speaking of students.

Qrow's eyes scanned the room picking out Ruby and Yang along with their teammates collapsed but otherwise fine. Not how he'd hoped their first year would go. But wasn't that just his luck?

As he looked past them he caught sight of another group of COG troops. These ones were in greenish armour and carrying some weird equipment. All headed right for the main building.

Why would they need all of that? Qrow headed after them, catching sight of Glynda
talking with their leader. She looked over as he reached them.
'Qrow good to see you,' Gylinda said, sounding oddly honest and tired.
'Just happy to be here with all my parts. Who's this?' Qrow asked, waving to the COG troops.
'This is Sargent Tunik COG Corps of Engineers,' Glynda said, gesturing to the leader.
'We're here about the structures under this place. The Honor landing seems to have caused some collapses in places. Orders are to head down, perform a search for any survivors and perform recovery of any property of remains,' Tunik said, her voice distorted slightly.

Qrow glanced at Glynda. There were things under the school that they'd want to avoid being found. But how to word it.
'They were sent by the First Minister personally,' Glynda replied, answering his worry.
'You don't say,' Qrow remarked, looking back at the "Engineers" once more. Was playing dress up part of the Onyx job description?

'We'll let you brief him on the other matter,' Tunik said, nodding to Glynda before leaving.

'Other matter?' Qrow asked.
'It seems Ozpin might have given his life. But not before getting Miss Nikos out with half the Fall Maidens' power,' Gyleda said quietly.
'That's good right?'

'Perhaps. It seems the Swarm are also now seeking the Maidens,' Glynda paused to think, 'Not only that. Miss Nikos collapsed in the escape tunnel. She's recovered well but… It's not anything that we've heard about before.'
'Any ideas for why she collapsed?' Qrow asked, rubbing his chin.
'No. And without Ozpin.'

'We're just stumbling around in the dark,' Qrow muttered, feeling a bad taste in his mouth.
'So it would seem. I don't think anyone is sure of anything anymore,' Glynda
admitted, 'Monsters rampaging across the world. The COG has issued a formal declaration of war. James has already left for Atlas but I'm not sure what even he can do now.'
'Damn it all. Lets just hope the COG can pull something out of the rubble.'

Back in Phoenix Bay Emmerich was sorting the administrative side of enacting emergency powers. O'Connor had already activated the war plan, Proustite, their contingency for the Swarm. Now it was just the last few signatures and the COG was officially back to war footing.

Part of him hated this even though he'd had warning it still stung. Three years of peace and now they were once more at war. Were they just cursed?

A document on his desk caught his eye. He lifted it from the pile pending his signature. The Fortification Act?

What was that doing here? This set of papers was a holdover of when the COG had once feared direct invasion during the Pendulum Wars.

If it was ratified Emmerich would be taking the COG back to how it had been during the war. Nearly all freedoms suspended, private property nationalised, mass conscription and martial law across COG territory. Some staffer must have run it off with the other documents by mistake when he'd requested the others.

He sighed and was about to make a note to look into it when Myers arrived. The Captain of the Onyx Guard looked tense. Given the situation that was nearly a given for everyone.

'Good news and bad news I'm afraid sir,' Myers announced.
'Let's go with the bad first,' Emmerich replied, throwing the set of papers he'd been holding into the recycling.
'Ozpin is confirmed deceased. Day's team managed to recover his remains.'

'That was expected. Unfortunate but expected,' Emmerich sighed.
'Good news is Myrrah is dead… again,' Myers added.
'That is good. For a time at least we'll have the edge. But if she doesn't need a female blood relative to be connected to the Hivemind we'll have to expect she'll return.'

'There was something else,' Myers said, oddly uneasy.
'What was that?' Emmerich asked, leaning back in his chair.
Myers held out a PDA with the evidence on it, 'According to Day, most of the chamber collapsed. Whatever gizmo they'd used to transfer the Maidens' power was crushed. But they found evidence of at least three other people down there,'
'So. Either Ozpin had help. Or someone else finished Myrrah after he'd been killed.'

'It looks that way sir. And if that's the case,' Myers said tilting his head.
'Then it's possible that whoever did it made off with the other half of the Maidens' power,' Emmerich said with a sigh.
'We'll have to work off that being true. I'll get a trace running. We'll find them sir.'

Emmerich tapped his chin, 'I imagine we will. Miss Goodwitch noted that they thought someone might be sneaking around the school before the attack.'
'That's a good point. If we assume our three unknowns were agents working for Salem. Them taking out Myrrah and her guards becomes much more believable,' Myers agreed.

'Proceed under that assumption. And if we find any leads keep me apprised. Fighting a war on two fronts does not appeal to me,' Emmerich instructed.
'Will do sir. But what if we get something solid?' Myers asked, 'From what we know we can't exactly threaten her.'
'No… No. We can't. But the Swarm can. Provided our guess is right. That should be enough to force her hand.'

With the information that Day had reported a search was run. More accurately a Semi-Sentient agent was tasked with finding whoever might have been involved. It started combing through the chaotic and fragmentary records.

It did have an edge though. Neo aka Neopolitan real name Trivia Vanille. A known associate of Roman Torchwick. She'd been embedded into Beacon somehow.

Records showed she was part of a team transferred from Haven. By the approval of Headmaster Leonardo Lionheart. The agent expanded its search looking for the other three members of the team.

Its first hit was a discrepancy with the evacuation. The medics had reported the status of each person boarding, some mistakes were expected. But not going from three critical cases to three minor injuries.

Pulling up the Vale CCTV system it combed the records of the arrival. Picking out the faces in the recordings. All three were fully able and showed no outward injury to explain them being medically evacuated.

Following their trail by the other CCTV cameras they headed for what was logged as a private hangar at the airship landing area closest to Beacon. Shortly thereafter a Bullhead lifted off without clearance.

Ground control lost it in the chaos. But filtering the system the Agent kept tracking it. Following it headed out towards the sea keeping to a north easterly course.

Their trail might have gone cold then. Had it not been for the COG patrols recalled from hunting for Dr. Merlot's ship. A Kestrel configured for AEW caught its transponder code and plotted its course.

The report was bounced back to COG command where it was labelled as just a scared civilian fleeing the battle. It was added to the main records and forgotten about by anyone who'd seen it. But still it remained, waiting to be found, its value unknown.

Running the numbers the agent estimated a 93% chance the three missing students were the ones that were responsible for the fight under Beacon. They'd fled towards the north-eastern land mass, likely returning to a base of operations.

It compiled its report for submission.

Cinder cursed quietly. They'd not been successful entirely. Only half of the Fall Maiden's power was hers now.

At the cost of Watts' little virus, their only valid identification documents. To make matters worse their plan to cripple Beacon had backfired. Not only had they failed to do significant damage they'd lost all their allies.

Torchwick, Neo, Adam and the rest of his faction were all under arrest. How much would they reveal? She'd been careful to hide their control over the Grimm, that was for a later stage.

As far as anyone knew they were just criminals. Working for some terrorist group. Nothing more.

The Kingdoms would be too preoccupied by the Swarm's attacks to investigate. Ozpin's little band might have other plans. But they were too few to be everywhere at once.

So why were they being called together already? Seers had come around to each of the seated members Cinder, Watts, Hazel, Tryan, Melot and Judith. Emerald and Mercury were her underlings so didn't warrant such treatment.

They arrived to find Salem standing out on the balcony. That was out of the ordinary. Normally she'd be seated, waiting for them all.

'Please join me outside. It seems we're having company,' Salem said, her gaze focused out over the horizon.
'Company? Not more incompetent children I hope,' Watts muttered.

Cinder was about to reply when Salem held up a hand for quiet. They stepped out joining her, also noticing the Grimm also looking out just as Salem was. Salem turned to look at Cinder.

'Tell me. Did you reveal anything to anyone?' She asked, her voice calm yet with an edge.
'No Master,' Cinder replied right away. She'd not even told Emerald or Mercury about Evernight Castle.
'Hmm. Curious,' Salem said before looking back out, 'We'll have some answers soon enough I imagine.'

A few moments later they saw it. Starting as just a faint speck in the sky but growing larger as it continued to close. A COG Condor.

Cinder's heart pounded in her chest. How? HOW? They'd left nothing, no evidence, not even a half written note.

As it came closer a group of Elder Nevermores took to the air. Flying up to meet the craft. It turned off slightly starting to orbit the castle.

'Hmm. They must have gotten past the Tempests somehow,' Merlot muttered, adjusting his arm, 'Should I have them shot down?'
'No. And I ordered the Tempests to let it pass. It seems they want to speak with me,' Salem said with a twinge of amusement.

Several of them might have been wondering how to ask the question of how she might know that. Watts and Merlot managing the CCT system should have noticed it at the least. But the COG machine answered for her.

The plane swooped over them. Painted in bold white letters against its black hull was a simple message, "SALEM OR BUST!"

Salem held out a hand and gave a gesture. In front of the castle the Grimm parted creating a clear space. Sighting the impromptu landing space the Condor performed another loop wiggling its wings before coming in to land.

'Hazel. Please go and bring our guests up to meet me,' Salem said walking back into the room.
'Yes Mistress,' He replied, leaving through the main doors.
'Someone has to say it. Are we really just letting them waltz in here?' Watts asked.

'Are you worried? I doubt they have an army hidden away inside that craft and if they send anymore the Tempests will rip them from the sky. I have questions I'd like to ask them. Leave me I'll meet their representative alone,' Salem replied, taking her seat once more.

Cinder and the others bowed and took their leave. The Master was not one to turn away a potential ally. Besides, what harm could they ever do to her?

A short while later Hazel returned. Whilst the COG had not sent an army they had sent something new. At least new to those within the castle.

Following a few steps behind Hazel was a set of DeeBees. But in place of its normal head with four eyes on the corners of its face thes one had a screen. The ones at the rear just flashed "Automatic" but the lead one, that had First Minister Emmerich's face looking out.

Salem was alone inside the room now, the others watching from a distance. Hazel opened the door and allowed the lead unit to enter. The others lined up outside and slumped forward but remained upright, their displays going blank.

'Good Afternoon. Thank you for the landing area. There were some concerns about if we started dropping pods inside the castle,' The First Minister said, his voice coming from a speaker built into the proxy body.
'That would have been a mistake. But thankfully you've been quite civil so far. Please take a seat. I'm sure you have some questions as do I,' Salem said with a slight smile.
'You're the host. Why don't you go first?' The First Minister said. The DeeBee stepped forward and sat down on the chair at the far end.

'Thank you,' Salem said before interlinking her fingers, 'If you're here that must mean that Ozpin has told you about me. Are you here on his behalf or your own?'
'Neither, I'm here representing the interests of the COG. My turn,' The First Minister replied, 'From what we've managed to piece together, someone here killed Queen Myerra. Is that person one of your three infiltrators?'
'Interesting. Yes, one of my servants did kill this so-called Queen. Though I'm still not clear on what made her a Queen to begin with?'

'That will be a problem,' The First Minister said, 'That is her function before in the Locust and now in the Swarm.'
'Well she's not going to be Queen any longer is she? Unless… She's like me isn't she?' Salem said with a faint smile.
'To a degree, yes. It seems she's able to effectively reincarnate into another body if it becomes connected to the hivemind.'

'Interesting. So are you worried we'd become allies? Is that why you're here? To sway me away from joining with her?' Salem asked with a tilt of her head.
'I'm here to stop you from being used against the COG,' The First Minister replied bluntly, 'Let me be utterly clear. Myerra will not honour any bargain. She will not accept anything less than total supremacy. Any deal she might ever offer she'd alter or break should it benefit her.'
'Well I'm sure Ozpin has told you that I'm quite the same in many ways. Not that that's true of course.'

'Perhaps. Perhaps not,'The First Minister said, his eyes flicking down to look at something else. A moment later there was a soft click and hiss as a compartment of the DeeBee opened. It reached up and drew out a small set of canisters from the space.

'Hmm. What's this then? Poison? It won't work,' Salem remarked in an amused tone.
'No. Synthetic Swarm neurotoxin. One of my reasons for being here. I'd like to test and see if it has any effect on you,' The First Minister said, the DeeBee holding out a canister.
'Why?'

'Because if it does work then I'll have to leave guards here to watch over you,' The First Minister replied.
Salem's eyes narrowed, 'Really? You seem to think I need more protection than I already have? Or perhaps you'd like to make me your prisoner?'
'Your… Condition risks you becoming a threat should you be captured. If this is able to affect you then Myerra won't see you as an equal. She'll see you as a potential host. An indestructible body is something she'd never pass up on. The DeeBees would be under orders to destroy you should you be captured. That might give you a second chance at escaping.'
'Hmm. Very well then. I'll humour you,' Salem said, holding out a hand.

The DeeBee rose and walked to stand beside her. It placed the other canister on the table before her. Then drew out an injector and loaded the first one.

'Why two doses?' Salem asked.
'The first is the toxin. The second is a Stim shot to help fight off any effects that it may cause,' The First Minister replied.
'Thoughtful but pointless. Let's get this over with.'

She felt a faint pinch as the android pressed the injector to her skin. For a moment there was nothing. She was about to comment on the futility of it all.

Then her hand dropped limp. Salem looked down in a mix of confusion and horror as the effect spread. First her arm then her whole right side became unresponsive.

Just as she was about to risk falling out of the chair the androids hand steadied her. She tried to reach out, for her magic or her bond with the Grimm. Nothing, her whole body had become a prison with her mind locked inside.

'I was really hoping that wouldn't work,' The First Minister said, his face looking out from the screen.

The android loaded the second canister and administered it to the paralyzed Salem. It was like a jolt through her whole body. Feeling returned in mere moments.

Her first act was to decapitate the android. The screen bouncing away and landing somewhere by the door. It was more a reflex than anything else.

A deep seated rage and loathing that the Stim had brought out. She'd never forgotten that feeling of helplessness from the tower. Being reminded of it had shaken her, for the first time in… how long had it been?

For a few moments that felt like eternity she had to actually fight to get her emotions under control. Then she redoned the mask of calm she normally wore upon her face. Rising from her seat she stepped over the fallen android and opened the door.

Another one was standing before it. The First Ministers face on the screen. She stepped back and moved back to her seat.

'You planned well bringing those spares,' Salem said, taking her seat once more.
'An adverse reaction was expected. I'd be more worried if you didn't break one of these things,' The First Minister said, his new proxy taking the seat by her side.
'I don't suppose you'd be so kind as to explain how that worked?'

On the screen the First Minister pursed his lips, 'I'm not an expert. But suffice to say you're human enough it's able to affect you as it would anyone else. The Swarm like the Locust are… Closely related to humans. The neurotoxin paralyses the body using its own biology against it. Whatever causes you to heal from harm won't see it as an attack, just a natural function.'
'Natural like your presence?' Salem asked, seeking more information as much as to change the subject.
'Presence?'

'Yes. You're not like any other Seran are you? There's something special about you. Tell me what it is?' Salem asked, her eyes narrowed.
'No. I'm not,' The First Minister replied thinking for a moment, 'I know a secret of yours now so it's only fair. I was going to tell Ozpin anyway. Not like either of you can use the information against me.'
'What information?' Salem asked her interest piqued.
'How we got here. How we've made it this far. And what happens… If you win. Or we lose.'