Welcome back, people! I hope the flop of the last chapter wasn't enough to stir you guys away. Here's something better I hope. Now onto the soldiering!

Chapter 14: Coming Together

Beacon Academy, Vale

"I hope you don't mind sir, but we're going to be dropping hard to make it back to the Academy," the Clone Pilot said over the comms as he dived his gunship into a nosedive while the passengers inside, notably Garreth Azure, clung on tightly as they felt the sudden drop in altitude.

"Just don't crash the ship pilot!" Azure yelled as he clung for dear life.

"Aye, sir!"

The gunship soared fast as the pilot soon had Beacon Academy in his sights. In view was a fleet of Warships that were not Republic.

"Look sir," the pilot announced, "Atlesian warships. Looks like one of them is landing near the tower."

The gunship's doors opened, allowing natural light into the passenger hold and allowing Azure to see the floating airships of Remnant. The design seems to be an open flattop that was designed to accommodate the primitive craft of bullheads. The gunship soon landed next to the tower where a line of Toro Company Guardsmen stood between a white-uniformed man and Atlesian soldiers. It would seem that there was about to be trouble should Azure not intervene.

"I believe we DO have reason to be here, now step aside so that we can pass," a familiar voice explained as he gave a clone lieutenant, who turned out to be Loch, a nasty glare.

"And I'll say it again sir, we need to see orders before we let you pass," he replied, as his men readied their weapons. Bayonets have already been fixed, and an errant action might trigger a fight.

Finally, the Marshal spoke up, "Gentlemen, no need to be at odds with one another."

The two forces looked at the Marshal, with Loch finally standing down his men, "Yes sir! Stand down!"

The Atlesian officer looked at the men before nodding to his own to follow suit. As the two sides lowered their weapons, Azure looked at the officer and finally smiled, "General Ironwood, welcome to Beacon."

Ironwood smiled, "Marshal Azure, a pleasure to finally meet you in person." They shook hands as Azure turned towards Loch, "Now lieutenant, resume your duties, and try not to antagonize our guests eh?"

"Yes sir! Sorry, sir!" he replied as he marched off with his platoon in tow.

As the men marched off, Azure led Ironwood and his entourage towards the tower of Beacon. A small chat was had from one officer to another as the men conversed with great joy.

"I must admit, your men certainly hold their ground despite being outnumbered," Ironwood complimented as Azure nodded.

"Like it was once said, they'll do their duty well," the Marshal replied.

"I look forward to seeing it then."

"You will."

Both men soon found themselves in Ozpin's office, where Beacon's Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress awaited them. Glynda gave Ironwood a disappointed look as she left the room, most likely off to handle new affairs. Ozpin gave the two military men a look before he said, "Please, gentlemen, settle yourselves."

"So, General, what brings you here to Vale?" Ozpin asked as he poured them a cup of tea.

Ironwood graciously accepted as he sat down and took a sip, "Well, I do love to come and visit Vale at this time of year."

"Yes, but the fleet's a bit too close for comfort is it not?" Azure asked as he stared out the window.

Ozpin nodded in agreement, "Quite, and with that many ships as well. Some might even think that this was an occupation force."

"Come now Ozpin," the Atlesian General replied, "It's for the festival's safety is it not?"

"Still too close for comfort," Azure repeated as he sipped on the tea he was given.

Seeing the point being made by the two, Ironwood relented, "I'll move it farther, but a number of them will still be close. Besides, you know why I brought them Ozpin."

"Indeed I do James, but shows of power like this give the wrong impression."

The Field Marshal finished his tea as he added in, "Besides, we still have my forces to consider eh?" To this, Ironwood agreed as he replied "We can discuss matters of security at a later date."

"Good," the Marshal smiled at the General, "I think you'll be happy to know that I run a tight ship on these grounds, so I'm confident that we won't have to talk about much."

Bullhead Docks, Beacon Academy

The docks were always a busy place with bullheads bringing people, to and from the Academy. Such a busy place needed tighter security as it was the only official entry for the grounds. This task was given to members of the half company of the 5th Fleet Marines under command by Captain Murray. Under his supervision, the docks saw enormous strides in efficiency and effectiveness as he made sure that there was never any traffic within the area.

With rigorous drills from his men, the good Captain managed to make sure that his marines are able to move at the flick of a wrist, and do so with just as much effectiveness. Such skills would be rather helpful during this day as more students from the other Huntsman Academies began to arrive.

During this time, Captain Murray was personally overseeing the admission of the visiting students, with him checking the IDs and verifying with the manifest that he was given.

"Right, your ID checks out," said Murray as he allowed another student to pass before he signaled the next ones, "Make your way to Miss Goodwitch's office in the next building to receive your schedules. Next!"

He looked up and was met by the sight of an amber-eyed brunette as she flashed him a small smile, "Good afternoon. Here are our IDs sir."

The Marine Captain raised an eyebrow under his helmet as he received the 4 Scrolls of the next team he was inspecting, "Right, Miss... Fall, Sustrai, Mint, and Mister Black..."

He took his time observing the IDs before he returned them to the supposed leader of the visiting team of CEMM. Thinking he'd try and coax some small talk, he went ahead and asked, "So, you're signed up for the Vytal tournament?"

"Yes," replied the leader as she waited patiently for the Marine Captain to finish his paperwork.

"I wish you luck then, everyone's looking to win this one," Murray stated as he returned the final scroll before signaling for them to look at a prove droid that floated about, observing the students, "Right, keep your eyes on the camera, don't need to smile."

A look of concern washed over the green-haired member of the team as the droid began to take photos of them. After a few seconds, the Marine Captain nodded, "Your IDs check out. Make your way to Miss Goodwitch's office in the next building to receive your schedules, next!"

As team CEMM walked off, a Marine Sergeant approached Murray with a datapad in his hands, "Sir, might wanna see this."

Curious, the Marine Captain looked at the contents of the datapad before turning his head towards the departing Haven Academy students. He looked at the Sergeant, "2 years ago?"

A nod was all he needed before he stood up, "Take over Sergeant, I must inform the Commander."

"Aye, sir."

Murray soon departed his checkpoint as he walked briskly towards Golf Shed HQ. He knew that there was something off about that team.

…

"Cinder, do you think they'll figure us out?" Emerald asked as she followed behind her leader. She and her team knew there would be security, but they never expected such a force to be thorough and competent.

"I cannot be certain, I was very much under the impression that they were few," replied Cinder, "but fortunately for us, it seems our cover worked."

She left it unsaid that there was the possibility that they would be found out soon, but she kept that idea to herself. She needed her subordinates to stay true to the plan. It wouldn't do for them to be more paranoid than they already were. Still, Cinder knew that intel on this new Security Force would be vital to their operation. It was also dawning upon her that these soldiers may be the reason why several White Fang bases have fallen and are unable to be retaken. Adam Taurus had made such concerns known to her, which caused her more trouble.

"This new force is an unknown," Cinder thought, "but I will not let it get in the way of my destiny."

Beacon Dorms

"So, tell me boys, what have I missed so far?" Sergeant Gambit asked as walked along the dorm corridors of Beacon, bringing with him Gus and Killdane for company.

Gus chuckled, "Well sir, remember the Arc kid? The Marshal actually took him under his wing to shape him up."

"Really?" the Sergeant asked, "Damn, you know the last person he took under his wing became a captain in the Supplementary Legions."

Killdane wondered, "You thinking he might be trained to be one of us?"

Gambit nodded, "The Marshal said he has potential, and the kid's got heart. In my book, that already makes up a good portion of being a soldier."

The two members of Ord Squad nodded in understanding of the Sergeant's words. They knew that Gambit always loved a soldier with heart, it's one of the many things he drilled into them when the squad first came together. The Ord's Sergeant would always remind them of the reason why they still chose to join the army, and it gave them a sufficient boost in morale, even in the bleakest of situations.

As the three troopers continued their walk, they heard a commotion from one of the dorms. Shouting could be heard from team RWBY's dorm, with the most prominent voice being Blake Belladonna's. Gus, wanting to hear more of the conversation, held his head closer to the door while his Sergeant and Corporal looked at him.

"Really Gus? Was gathering gossip from the company, not enough?" Killdane quietly sighed as he watched his squadmates listen with much interest. To his surprise, Gus said nothing as he continued to listen in. Suddenly, his head perked up as he moved away from the door. Gambit looked at him with curiosity as he asked, "Well, what's it this time?"

"Well Sarge, I think it's best that we talk about it back in the barracks," was his reply as he began to step away from the door, but was unfortunate to still be in the way of team RWBY's door as it flew open. Both Gambit and Killdane winced as the audible slam sent the trooper flying across the hall before stopping at their feet.

The offending door opener bit her finger as she felt the eyes of the two men shift towards her, "Um... sorry?" She was very much sure that the now downed trooper was her fault, and expected to be reprimanded for it. Surprisingly, the guards chuckled and began to walk up towards their comrade before hosting him up on their shoulders.

"Don't sweat it kid," Killdane waved as he and Gambit walked off to bring the bumbling Gus back to the barracks, leaving the young leader to her own devices. They would be halted by a team of students dressed in a uniform that wasn't Beacon's.

"Hey," Gambit called, "You don't look like Beacon kids, you one of the visitors?"

The silver-haired member of the team smirked, "Yeah we are, what's it to you?"

"Security reasons," the Sergeant's reply came, "Your dorms are on the next building on the left of this one."

"Thank you, sir," the amber-eyed girl of the group said as she ushered her team to proceed. As the troopers watched the teens move away, Gambit muttered to the members of Ord Squad, "I don't know why, but that one doesn't seem alright."

"What do you mean Sarge?" Killdane asked as they continued to walk to the barracks.

"Call it a gut feeling, but I think those kids are bad news."

"Wooozah..." was Gus' input, his voice slurred as he was still recovering from the impact.

Both Killdane and Gambit had to sigh in disappointment, but then again, they've known Gus for years. This kind of problem is second nature to them at this point.

Shorter chapter, and still of poorer quality I'm afraid. It's been a stressful time recently so chapters aren't going out as much as I'd like, so there's that. There's going to be a time skip somewhere along the lines as well, to free up more work for me.

I apologize if the story has reached a flop at this juncture, but I hope you all understand that I am incredibly busy outside of this fic, so thanks if you do.

I'll be off from here, stay frosty and all that because that's soldiering.