Chp. 13: Glass Cannon

Atlas Academy

Hallway

Inside the hallway outside General Ironwood's office Keaton, Alex, Cassandra, Bulldog, Ice Pick, Missionary, and Steel all stood in front of the Ace-Ops over the events of the robbery that had happened an hour prior.

"After some investigation, our men had discovered that there's a weapons furnishing operation in the southern coast Dust mine. After a raid was performed, They had discovered Atlas high-tech weapons technology as well as your weapons technology," Harriet said.

"We believe that the Dust mine was used as a facility to both train and arm leagues of mercenaries," Clover added. "Mercenaries that now patrol the streets of Atlas, armed with cutting edge Atlesian military technology and American weaponry."

"And how the hell did they manage to get their hands on our weapons exactly?!" Keaton asked.

"We're... still looking into that," Marrow answered.

"Oh gee! That makes us feel so much better!" Cassandra sarcastically said.

"Your weapons we had found in the mines had all been confiscated and General Ironwood had ordered that they be given back to you guys," Vine said.

"They better, or there's gonna be hell to pay!" Alex said.

"By the way, have you found any intel on Team BRIR?" Missionary asked.

"Well, what I can tell you is there isn't any such registered team in the Atlesian Special Operatives Unit's dictionary. In fact, the name isn't found in any Huntsman's database at all. Which means, they may well be unlicensed mercenaries," Elm explained.

"That seems to check out what we've heard," Ice Pick said.

"Also Penny had also found another gate near the Tumak Ruins similar to the one near Crossed," Vine said.

"So what are behind these gates. It must be something important," Keaton said.

"Anyway back to the topic at hand, after analyzing the findings on the threats on the mercenaries armed with both our weapons, it has been clear that there is an unusual threat," Clover said.

"And by that you mean?" Alex asked.

"Well, we're entirely in the dark about the motives. The weapons and technology that the mercenaries are the only clue we had so far," Clover answered.

"We may not know why, but... who? Who could even get their hands on military hardware and carry out such an operation?" Steel wondered.

"Now that's a good question there, Private," Bulldog said.

"Jacques Schnee?" Ice Pick asked.

"We had checked the camera footage in the Schnee Manor, and we can confirm that he's not responsible for this event," Vine answered.

"Besides, we've actually stopped our search for the culprit. As luck would have it, a promising lead was found by none other than Lieutenant Harper," Clover said.

"Now we're cooking with gas. So who's the guy we need to shoot?" Keaton asked.

"Funny you should mention, I believe you're assigned to carry out the next course of action in our counter operation. However, it is now in the hands of the Lieutenant," Clover answered. "She should be in General Ironwood's office now, so I'd like to encourage you to go speak with her. In the meantime, the Ace-Ops will prepare for our next missions. Good work out there by the way!"

"Our work is not done yet, but thanks," Keaton said.

The Americans made the way to General Ironwood's office, while the Ace-Ops went off in the opposite direction to their new missions. The seven Americans stepped inside the office where they saw Lieutenant Harper standing next to the General's desk looking over her Scroll. She looks up to see the Marines and Army men approaching her.

"Just the people I want to see. You successfully assisted the Ace Operatives today, or so I've heard," Harper said.

"We were told that you've got some info for us," Keaton said.

"I do. For starters, it's about that orb you wanted me to look into... we've found several more of them," Harper said.

"More?" Steel asked.

"Yes. We still don't know their purpose. But as Thornmane's keen eye suspected, we are indeed looking at sophisticated military tech with dangerous potential. It's reasonable to believe it's all tied together with the advanced military technology discovered in the weaponry of those street goons, along with your stolen weaponry," Harper explained.

"But where did this Atlesian tech come from?" Cassandra asked.

"Of that... we remain uncertain," Harper answered. "While Clover may believe it to be Arrowfell technology, I'd say that's a pretty wild supposition."

"What's Arrowfell?" Bulldog asked.

"Fort Arrowfell was a classified research facility run by the Atlas military to develop highly experimental weapons. Except, as General Ironwood can attest to, Arrowfell became defunct years ago. And it was so securely sealed up that nobody could possibly enter. Arrowfell nonsense aside, someone has been able to get their hands on things they shouldn't. And we think we have a lead on the powerful figure responsible," Harper explained.

"So who's the guy?" Alex asked.

"We believe Amoncio Glass is behind it all. Acquiring technology to outfit mercenaries for his own gain. Likely some kind of power play we are yet to fully understand," Harper answered.

"Who's Amoncio Glass?" Steel asked.

"An Atlas Elite. A mobster-type. He has fingers in all sorts of shady business. So shady that not even Jacques Schnee himself would do business with him," Harper answered.

"That's saying something," Missionary said.

So basically he's Atlas' version of Roman Torchwick?" Alex asked.

"I suppose you could say that," Harper answered. "Our intelligence has been able to pinpoint the location Glass may be operating out of in downtown Atlas."

Harper presents her Scroll, revealing a map of the city of Atlas. They all see a red dot on the map, pinpointing Glass's location.

"This will be dangerous. Amoncio's armed goons will be out in full force. But the mission stands: I'd like you to confront Mr. Glass directly and get answers about all of this," Harper said.

"We'll bring back up with us and confront the bastard," Keaton said.

"Be careful out there," Harper said.

"You know we will, beautiful," Alex said.

Harper let out a slight chuckle at the compliment Alex gave her. The Americans then walked out of the office. Cassandra turned her head to Alex.

"You just had to say that to her," she said with a smirk.

"Like I said, she's a looker," Alex said.

"Then just talk to her when you have the chance," Cassandra said.

"I plan on it," Alex replied.

The Americans all walked down the all to get ready to head downtown.

Downtown Atlas

Later in the downtown area of Atlas, Keaton, Bulldog, and their teams, along with several other American soldiers were all roaming down the street with people around them watching them passing by.

"There's gonna be some hostile activity down here. Keep your eyes open and watch your fire. We're in a civilian populated area," Keaton said.

Just then a few cars drove up and stepping out of the vehicles were several armed gunmen, and the man with the prosthesis, the woman with the tommy gun, and the woman with the grabber. The armed mercenaries all pointed their weapons at the Americans.

"Contact!" Bulldog shouted as he and the others began to shoot at the mercenaries.

Everyone on both sides scrambled for cover as they continued to shoot at each other. Some were immediately shot and killed in the gunfight. The man with the prosthesis swung his arm at a nearby car as it was sent flying into a couple of soldiers crushing them. A couple more soldiers came up and started shooting at the man with the prosthesis and was forced to hide behind another car.

Keaton runs up to a soldier with his team and Bulldog's close behind and grips onto his shoulder getting his attention.

"Keep these mercs occupied! My team will find Amoncia Glass!" Keaton ordered.

"Copy that!" the soldier replied as he continued shooting at the mercenaries.

Keaton and the others then ran down an alleyway as the other soldiers stayed behind to fight off the mercenaries. They stepped out of the other side of the alleyway and spotted a building across from them.

The doors opened and out came an overweight middle-aged man with light brown slicker hair, mustache, and copper eyes. He wears a black business suit with a white-collar shirt and bright yellow tie. In addition, he carries a matching color handkerchief in his left breast pocket, a pair of black glasses, and an overcoat on his shoulders. This is Atlas's mobster elite, Amoncio Glass.

Glass looked across the street and noticed Keaton, Bulldog, and their teams.

"So you're Amoncio Glass," Keaton said.

"And you're the so-called unknown military that I've been hearing about," Glass replied. "Even Ironwood's Ace-Ops know better than to intrude in my affairs."

"You've been dealing in experimental military technology as well as our weaponry, and we want answers on exactly what you are up to!" Bulldog said.

"You do not want to get mixed up in all this!" Glass said.

"Too late for that. And one way or another, we will get answers from you!" Ice Pick said.

"Do you mean to say you wish to do battle? Hah! Don't you all know who I am? What I'm capable of?" Glass asked.

"No... not really," Steel answered with a shrug.

"I tell you what you're gonna be next. A dead S-O-B if you don't give us an explanation on what you're up to!" Bulldog said.

"Nevermind! Let's finish this right here!" Glass declared.

The Americans all aimed their weapons at the mobster in front of them. Glass recoils in fright before running for the doors. He briefly struggles to open them before finally opening them and running inside and closing the doors behind him. The marines and soldiers stood in stunned confusion at the reaction Glass made.

"Well... that happened," Cassandra said.

"I guess we should go after him?" Steel asked.

Their thoughts were interrupted when they heard the sound of munching closeby. The Americans turned their heads around to see a little boy sitting on the curb of the sidewalk eating from a bag of popcorn in excitement. He then stops upon seeing nothing was happening before gaining a sour look on his face and tossing his bag of popcorn over his shoulder, before turning around and walking away.

The Marines and Soldiers then heard the sound of rumbling coming from the building. They turned their attention towards the building and saw a pair of lights approaching from the windows on the second floor. Something big then suddenly crashes out of the building.

"Watch out!" Keaton shouted as he and the others ran out of the way of the monstrosity that crashed out of the building.

It was a giant mech that got up to its feet after rolling out with treads on the sides of its legs. the mech has four arms with its lower left arm has a large drill with a built in cannon, the left upper arm having a giant claw, the right upper arm honing a rocket launcher, and the lower arm honing a large power saw. The torso has a pair of headlights and a cockpit with a large glass windshield. Sitting inside the cockpit was Amoncio Glass who gave out a sinister smirk.

"I'd like you to say hello to the Glass Cannon Mk. II!" Glass said.

"Let's take it down!" Keaton shouted to the others.

The mech began to fire off its cannon from its drill at the marines and soldiers, forcing them to jump for cover behind some debris. Missionary and Alex started shooting at the glass shielding of the cockpit, making Glass flinch in fright. Glass fires a rocket at his two attackers in response. Missionary and Alex ran away from the rocket and were knocked to the ground from the force of the rocket's explosion. Before Glass could fire off another rocket someone was then started shooting at the mech from behind. Glass turned the mech around to see Steel, Ice Pick, and Cassandra shooting at the Glass Cannon. The mech swung its power saw down at Steel, Cassandra, and Ice Pick as they jumped away from the attack.

The mech then lunges its drill down at Cassandra who rolled to the side to avoid the attack. Before Glass could lunge the drill at Cassandra again, A grenade was tossed at the windshield and exploded, causing the Glass Cannon to stumble back. Glass looks to the side to see Keaton, Bulldog, and Alex shooting at the mech. Alex pulls out a grenade, pulling the pin before tossing the grenade to the Glass Cannon. The grenade gets caught in the right leg's tread. After a short moment, the grenade explodes, blowing off the tread and making the Glass Cannon stumble more.

Enraged, Glass launches a bomb from its claw at the three men. Keaton, Alex, and Bulldog run away from the bomb, but the blast from it knocks all three men down to the pavement. The mech approaches Keaton and lunges its claw at him. Keaton rolled to the side as the Class Cannon's claw implants itself into the pavement. Glass tries to reel his mech back, but the claw was stuck.

"Explosives! Now!" Keaton ordered.

Steel and Cassandra ran up to the Glass Cannon from behind each holding a C4 explosive. They plant the explosives on the mech's back and set up a timer. Cassandra and Steel then ran away from the mech as Keaton got up and ran away too. Just as Glass finally pulled the Glass Cannon's claw out of the pavement, the C4s then exploded. The mech falls forward as it catches fire as it was now disabled. Glass opens up the windshield and crawls out of the cockpit. Alex and Bulldog ran up and quickly restrained the mobster as Keaton, Cassandra, Missionary, Ice Pick, and Steel approached.

"Enough! Stop, stop, stop!" Glass shouted. "You've gone and completely demolished the Glass Cannon Mk. II! I'll tell you whatever you want to know, just promise you'll leave here!"

"Tell us everything you know about the orbs, fat ass!" Keaton said.

"Orb? Is there an orb...?" Glass asked.

"You want us to fuck you up, fatso?" Alex asked as Missionary cracked his knuckles.

"NO! Please wait, I remember what you mean now! Those things are used as bait! Bait... for Grimm! The contents inside attract them from all around!" Glass answered.

"That's impossible. I thought Grimm are attracted to negative emotions. What are you putting in those things?" Ice Pick asked.

"Me? Nothing! I'm just a pawn in the pipeline, you see," Glass answered.

"Then who would want to attract Grimm anyway?" Cassandra asked.

"My sources are anonymous clients who operate under code names. Even if I wanted to tell you, I don't know exactly where it comes from or who it goes to. If they've got the cash, my connections move the units, understand? And then my loyal crew takes to the streets and makes sure the job gets done swiftly," Glass explained. "Now... is there ANYTHING else I can help you with?"

"The weapons you've been selling. Were they from the anonymous clients too?" Keaton asked.

"Yes, they were," Glass answered.

"We're tired of talking to you. My men are gonna check your complex and confiscate any weapons you may have stashed. Both Atlesian and ours. For now if we want more answers or if you're keeping any more weaponry from us, you'd better believe we'll be back and pray to whatever god you believe in that we'd be merciful," Keaton threatened.

"Eep!" Glass whimpered in fright.

Several soldiers soon arrived and then began to enter inside the building to raid it for the weaponry hidden inside. One of the soldiers approached Keaton as he turned to face him.

"Most of the hostiles have been KIA. But some managed to escape, sir," the soldier informed.

"Have some men search the area. they couldn't have gotten far," Keaton ordered.

The soldier walked away to carry out Keaton's order as he looked out at the damage at the building and street.